Chapter 210: The Jungle Ogres
Hermione raised her wand, illuminating Augustus's tall figure with its glow. She let out a slight sigh of relief. "Oh, it's you, Mr. Augustus. I came here camping with my parents. While Dad and I went out to forage for supplies, we got separated. Now I can't find my way back to the campsite."
Augustus's lips curled into a faint, wry smile. "You're rather lucky. This place is crawling with poisonous insects and wild beasts. For you to wander this deep into the Phantom Forest and remain unharmed is nothing short of miraculous."
Hermione's pale cheeks flushed lightly. "I cast a Disillusionment Charm on myself. It might have helped confuse some of the creatures around me. Most of them just passed by without noticing me. At least... I think it worked."
"Hmm, a Disillusionment Charm in this situation? If Professor Flitwick knew, he'd surely shower you with praise again," Augustus remarked with a warm smile.
Hermione's blush deepened. She glanced at Augustus hesitantly. "What about you, Mr. Augustus? Why are you here alone? Are you searching for some rare magical creatures? The variety of magical beasts here is indeed impressive."
"You're half right," Augustus replied, waving a hand casually. "I am looking for something, but it's just a type of herb. As far as I know, this herb can only be found here in all of England."
"Ah, if it's about herbs, the Phantom Forest is undoubtedly the richest area for medicinal plants in the country," Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "But rare herbs often attract fierce wild beasts, so harvesting them here comes with great risks."
Augustus chuckled softly. "Nature is indeed extraordinary. Often, where there are poisonous snakes, there's an antidote nearby. The more precious the herb, the fiercer the beasts around it. It's nature's way of rewarding the daring."
The dappled shadows of trees let through a gentle, moonlit glow, creating soft halos on their shoulders. Hermione looked at Augustus, whose voice carried a calm, reassuring tone. For some reason, she felt a tiny, inexplicable hint of joy.
"Ah! I forgot—I still need to find my parents. They must be worried sick by now!" Hermione suddenly clapped her forehead in regret, muttering to herself.
Augustus pondered briefly. "How about this? I'll send a magical signal. If they're still in the forest, they should see it. Let's wait here; they'll probably find you soon."
Hermione nodded excitedly. "Thank you so much, Mr. Augustus! If they see a signal above the forest, I'm sure they'll follow it."
Augustus waved his hand dismissively, drew his wand, and conjured a vibrant burst of flames. A crimson blaze shot into the sky, forming a dazzling ring of fire. The entire forest lit up as the brilliant light cut through the surrounding darkness and pierced the night.
Hermione stared, wide-eyed, at the radiant signal illuminating the forest for miles. "Isn't this a bit... over the top? A fire ring like this will be visible for hundreds of miles."
Augustus coughed lightly. "The Phantom Forest is vast. A more obvious signal is better."
Hermione covered her forehead with her hand, speechless.
In the distance, the sound of crunching leaves suddenly echoed. Hermione turned her head toward the noise, wondering if her parents had arrived already or if they'd been nearby all along, hindered by the darkness.
Something moved in the shadows, slowly approaching.
"Is that you?" Hermione called out toward the shadowy thicket.
Augustus's expression turned serious as he stared at the movement behind the tall trees. It didn't seem human. Drawing his wand, he conjured a small spark that grew into a scarlet flame. The fire expanded and morphed into a massive serpent of flames, which slithered forward, tearing through trees and scattering shadows.
Behind the broken trees stood a group of varying-sized blue ogres. Dumbfounded, they stared at Augustus and Hermione. Each ogre wielded a thick wooden club, and their large tusks jutted out menacingly. The leader, standing at the forefront, pointed at Augustus and began growling in an unintelligible language.
Hermione covered her mouth and stepped closer to Augustus, her voice trembling. "Are these... ogres?"
"Yes, most likely," Augustus confirmed, his arms folded as he surveyed their numbers with a casual air. "There have been rumors about an ogre tribe in the Phantom Forest. This species is quite rare now. Humans have largely moved to cities far from jungles, cutting off the ogres' primary food source. I doubt there are many places left in the country where they can survive."
There were around twenty or thirty ogres, with a few smaller ones—probably juveniles—among them. Up close, these creatures from terrifying folklore seemed almost comically clumsy. Likely unfamiliar with humans, they hesitated, gawking at Augustus and Hermione, gesturing and chattering in their guttural tongue.
"Hermione! Is that you?" A middle-aged man's voice suddenly rang out from the left side of the ogre group.
Hermione's face turned pale. She shouted toward the voice's source, "Dad, wait! Don't come over yet!"
It seemed too late. A couple emerged from the forest, hurrying toward her.
The ogres noticed the approaching humans. The leader barked out a string of orders to two burly ogres, who enthusiastically raised their clubs and started toward Hermione's parents.
Hermione, panicked, screamed, "Watch out! Look around you—get over here quickly!"
Her parents, initially smiling upon spotting her, froze in confusion as they glanced to their right. Their smiles vanished, and they stood rooted to the spot, stunned.
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