Chapter 99: Footprints in the Forbidden Forest

Kyle, who had been searching in vain for clues, returned to the large tree. Just as he was wondering how to get a closer look at the gap, Fang suddenly trotted over and grabbed onto his robe with his mouth.

"Cut it out, Fang," Kyle said, patting the dog's head. "This is no time to play."

But Fang ignored him, tugging Kyle over to Hagrid, who was crouched nearby. Once they reached him, Fang used his front paws to push aside a layer of fallen leaves, revealing something underneath.

Two rows of footprints were clearly visible in the soil beneath the leaves.

"This is…" Kyle took a deep breath. "Hagrid! Look! There are footprints here!"

Hearing Kyle's voice, Hagrid quickly leaned over to look. He saw the same two rows of footprints.

"Well done, Fang!" he praised, petting Fang's head. "But why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Fang, looking quite put out, gave Hagrid a reproachful stare and swatted his trousers with his front paws. There, on Hagrid's pant leg, was a damp circle marked by a distinct set of teeth marks. Evidently, Fang had already tried to get his attention, but Hagrid had been too focused on the tree trunk to notice. With no other option, Fang had gone to Kyle for help.

"Oh, sorry, Fang. That's my fault," Hagrid said, quickly apologizing.

Unlike Fawkes, it seemed, not every pet's attempts at communication were so obvious. At Hagrid's words, Fang's mood lifted, and he happily lay down, tail thumping the ground. Kyle reached into his pack, took out a piece of Murtlap-dried rat meat, and offered it to Fang as a reward before crouching down to examine the footprints.

The two rows of footprints were jumbled, suggesting a fierce struggle had taken place. The prints on the outer edge looked like those of an adult but of normal size. However, the footprints closer to the large tree were different.

They were huge—almost twice the size of a regular footprint—and looked just like Hagrid's own…

No, these were Hagrid's footprints.

Kyle suddenly remembered seeing similar prints in the pumpkin patch—identical in size and with the same tread pattern. He furrowed his brow and said, "Hagrid, were you here before?"

"No way," Hagrid replied, certain. "If I'd been here, I'd definitely remember, but I have no memory of this at all."

"Then how do you explain this?" Kyle pointed at the oversized footprint. "The pattern on it is exactly like the one on your boot."

"What are you talking about?" Hagrid leaned closer, examining the footprint with growing alarm. His eyes widened, and he gasped as if he'd just seen a ghost. "This is impossible! I swear, I've never been here before!"

Then, as if struck by a thought, he added, "Could I have left them just now without realizing?"

"Unlikely," Kyle replied, shaking his head. Footprints just made wouldn't be hidden beneath fallen leaves.

And... Kyle touched the soil at the edge of the footprints. It was already firm. If these had been made recently, the ground would still be soft.

"That's enough for today," Kyle said, standing up. "Let's go back and ask Headmaster Dumbledore. He might know what's going on."

Hagrid, who was completely bewildered, only began to regain his senses upon hearing Dumbledore's name. He nodded vigorously. "Yes, Dumbledore must know."

Kyle drew his wand and used a Severing Charm to carefully remove the footprints along with the soil around them. He then took a decayed piece of the tree trunk and used a Levitation Charm to carry both the soil sample and the wood away from the Forbidden Forest.

As they made their way back, Hagrid led the way, but his mind was clearly elsewhere, and he seemed a bit distracted.

"By the way, Hagrid," Kyle asked curiously, "how did you know the unicorn's cub was missing?"

"Professor Kettleburn told me," Hagrid explained. "He was supposed to come this time, but the unicorn who lost the foal was in a terrible mood. He needed to stay with it to keep an eye on the others unicorns, so he couldn't come."

Kyle nodded, understanding at once. Professor Kettleburn was a well-known Magizoologist and one of Newt Scamander's few close friends. Knowing he was involved reassured Kyle. However, unlike Newt, Professor Kettleburn was notoriously reckless, a trait that had left him with only one arm and half a leg.

Kyle still couldn't fathom why Kettleburn had been assigned to Hufflepuff. With his daring spirit, Gryffindor seemed a far better fit. The Sorting Hat must've been a bit off its game that day, he thought.

As they continued, they encountered a Centaur, but not Ronan this time. Instead, a young Centaur with platinum-blond hair appeared.

"Hagrid, you look distracted," the Centaur observed. "That's not wise; the Forbidden Forest is dangerous at night. And don't forget you're with a young one."

"Oh, Firenze… yes, you're right," Hagrid said, patting his own head as if to clear it, then turned to Kyle. "Sorry, Kyle, I got a bit lost in thought."

"No worries," Kyle replied with a smile. "I trust the creatures here won't harm us as long as you're with us."

"Thanks," Hagrid said, returning the smile.

"A bit distracted, are we?" Firenze's gaze focused on Hagrid, his striking blue eyes full of curiosity. "Are you in trouble?"

"I'm not sure if it's trouble or not," Hagrid admitted, scratching his head. "Firenze, have you seen me around here in the Forbidden Forest recently?"

"Many times," Firenze replied. "I see you nearly every week."

"No, I mean, over there by the big chestnut tree." Hagrid pointed back in the direction they'd come from.

"Ah," Firenze nodded, glancing up at the sky. "Today, Mars is calm."

"Right. Knew it," Hagrid muttered, sounding mildly frustrated. "Couldn't you just say so outright… oh, never mind. Let's go."

As Hagrid moved past Firenze, Kyle gave the Centaur a pensive look. Ronan had said something similar earlier. Mars is calm… Was that supposed to be reassuring?

Firenze didn't leave immediately but followed them at a distance until they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest. There, he finally stopped.

...

Just ahead lay the Mooncalves' lair. Watching them dance in the moonlight, Kyle couldn't help but think back to his first late-night adventure, when he'd almost been caught by Hagrid...

Wait.

Kyle suddenly paused, a thought striking him. If he remembered correctly, Hagrid had also gone into the Forbidden Forest along this same path.