The frog cub is back

After guiding the basilisk to the basement, Luke let out a yawn and made his way back to the dormitory.

By the time he returned, it was close to two in the morning. He extinguished his still-glowing wand and settled onto his soft bed, feeling the absence of Miss Hermione as a comfortable pillow.

Meanwhile, in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts, Hagrid sensed trouble and promptly alerted Headmaster Dumbledore, along with professors Snape and McGonagall.

Dumbledore's expression turned grave. Just yesterday, he had been enjoying a game of poker with an old friend, and now this major incident awaited his attention upon returning to Hogwarts.

"If the Ministry catches wind of this, it could mean serious trouble," Dumbledore mused aloud.

Snape, wearing a cold expression, followed closely behind Dumbledore and the others.

"Could it be a thunderbird in the Forbidden Forest?" Professor McGonagall wondered aloud, trying to rationalize the extraordinary display of lightning in the sky.

"No, there were no airborne figures," Hagrid replied with certainty, his knowledge of magical creatures extensive enough to dismiss the possibility of a thunderbird's involvement.

"The kind of lightning that covered the sky isn't within a thunderbird's capabilities," he added, shaking his head.

"Not even dragon's flames could reach such magnitude," Snape muttered, his brow furrowing in contemplation.

Suddenly, Professor Flitwick exclaimed in astonishment, his eyes widening as he peered at the scorched ground where thunder and lightning had wreaked havoc.

Over a dozen sturdy trees lay felled, charred and blazing fiercely. Without intervention, the fire threatened to spread uncontrollably.

"Cease all curses!" Flitwick shouted urgently, prompting the others to act swiftly to contain the inferno before it could engulf more of the forest.

Dumbledore frowned, taking a step forward with the Elder Wand aimed at the restricted area of the mine. A burst of light flashed, but the magical arc showed no signs of diminishing.

"What's happening?" The professors behind him exclaimed in surprise. "Isn't it supposed to be magical, or perhaps natural lightning..."

Dumbledore's expression remained grave. It seemed there was something formidable hidden within Hogwarts.

Controlling the water from the pool with the Elder Wand, he directed it towards the slowly burning flames.

"Wait, those are... Eight-Eyed Spiders?" Snape used his wand to examine the intact remains of one of the creatures, his lips twitching slightly as he observed the distinctive eight eyes.

Snape had long heard of these spiders in the Forbidden Forest; their venom was prized as potion material. Yet, due to their swarm-like nature, even he dared not provoke them.

Hagrid, visibly guilty, took a step back. These spiders were descendants of his own Eight-Eyed Spider breeding program.

"This cluster of spiders has stirred up something that should have been left alone," Professor McGonagall mused, covering her mouth.

"As I grow older, I find these acrid smells harder to bear."

"I've sealed off the Forbidden Forest with a spell. No young wizards are to come near here," Dumbledore stated quietly, his voice flat as if nothing extraordinary had occurred.

"Hagrid, vacate your hut and cease patrolling the Forbidden Forest. We must ensure everyone's safety," he continued, his words prompting nods of agreement from those present.

Even the brightest sunlight struggled to penetrate the subterranean patterns of Slytherin's windows.

Luke stood up, stretching and feeling rejuvenated.

After releasing the excess power from his body, he felt an unexpected discomfort. Nevertheless, he hadn't anticipated that his full-strength Dragon's Breath would exhibit such immense power. It seemed his fusion with the Dragon Slayer Crystal had deepened significantly.

As Luke entered the auditorium, he spotted Hermione waiting for him, along with the Weasley brothers.

"Have you heard about what happened last night?" Fred asked mysteriously as soon as Luke sat down.

Luke couldn't help but twitch at the question.

Oh no...

"What's going on?" Hermione inquired, having gone to bed early the previous night without Luke's company.

"That thunderstorm in the Forbidden Forest!" Fred exclaimed.

Luke sighed inwardly and took a sip of black tea, remaining silent.

"I saw it too!" Harry joined the conversation, while Ron, still yawning, seemed oblivious to the events of the night.

"Being on the eighth floor, Gryffindors like us couldn't have missed it," Harry remarked.

"I heard the thunder but didn't see the lightning you mentioned," Hermione shook her head, explaining her perspective from the girls' dormitory.

"The golden glow lighting up the sky was quite something!" Fred vividly described to everyone.

Am I really that impressive? Luke wondered silently as Fred continued with his animated narrative.

George and Harry chimed in, exaggerating how those lightning bolts could supposedly have blasted Hogwarts apart.

"At least I saw Professor Dumbledore emerge from the Forbidden Forest this morning," Fred added with raised eyebrows.

"Was it really that spectacular?" Hermione turned to Luke, her expression questioning.

"Don't look at me, I was in the Slytherin dorms last night," Luke shrugged.

"Everyone knows the Slytherin common room is in the dungeons; we can't see the Forbidden Forest from there."

"So you didn't go out last night?" Hermione narrowed her eyes, leaning closer.

"No!" Luke retorted, pinching her nose in annoyance. "I'm a wizard who follows school rules, you know?"

However, just as he spoke, Luke suddenly froze.

Slowly, he slipped his hands into his pockets.

Could it be...?

"Could it be the frog I've been missing for months is finally coming back?!"

.....

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