Chapter 278: Unfortunate Rufus

The surroundings fell back into an eerie silence.

Hagrid, who had been waiting on the side, finally couldn't help but ask, "Did the spell work?"

Even though Albert's attempt with the Summoning Charm had failed previously, with Dumbledore present this time, Hagrid was confident it would succeed.

"I don't know," Albert shook his head. Their attempt at using the charm was merely to give it a shot. Even if it failed, there wouldn't be any loss.

All four of them stood still, waiting. If this move didn't succeed... if Fluffy didn't come flying... then they would have to consider other options.

Hagrid prayed silently, his eyes scanning the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rufus flying towards them.

However, after waiting for a few minutes, they still hadn't seen Fluffy fly over. Yet, there was a faint noise coming from another part of the forest, immediately capturing their attention.

"Let's go take a look." Dumbledore's glasses gleamed strangely as he strode forward, his pace brisk and energetic, not at all like an elderly man.

Professor Smith and Albert had already realized something and hurried to catch up with Dumbledore's steps. Hagrid, however, was still confused, not understanding what was happening.

"Quick, keep up. It might be Rufus," Albert reminded Hagrid, hastening his steps to keep up with the two ahead.

Although the snow in the Forbidden Forest wasn't very deep, walking quickly on the snowy ground was still quite uncomfortable. Even though Albert was slightly taller than kids his age, he couldn't avoid the fact that his legs were still short.

Running faster with shorter legs was disadvantageous, and Hagrid hurried over, scooping up Albert and placing him on his shoulder despite his protests, striding forward at a rapid pace.

This experience was a first for Albert, and to be honest, it wasn't a pleasant one. Sitting on someone else's shoulder wasn't enjoyable at all, at least not for Albert.

"Hagrid, can you please put me down?" Albert said helplessly. He'd rather run on his own than be carried like this.

"You're too slow, and I don't want you to be ambushed by Acromantulas again," Hagrid had caught up with Dumbledore and Professor Smith. He couldn't just leave Albert behind.

The noise they'd heard earlier came from not too far ahead.

As the three of them hurriedly chased after it, they discovered a sort of root-made burrow, as if... well, as if something had crashed into it, or...

Albert's face twitched. He seemed to be able to guess exactly what had happened here.

"It was hiding here just now," Professor Smith approached and inspected the opening of the burrow, finding some deer bones. He said in a hushed voice, "It must be related to the Summoning Charm, causing the three-headed dog to crash into the burrow."

The entrance of the burrow was facing the opposite direction from where they came, and the space inside wasn't large to begin with, and now it was completely destroyed.

Professor Smith's fingers trailed over the vines on top, rubbing the bloodstains, and he muttered, "The Summoning Charm works on the three-headed dog."

For some reason, Albert felt a strange sense of unease, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Professor Smith.

"It got away," Dumbledore pointed to the footprints and traces of blood above, saying, "It's probably injured."

"I'll go after it!" Hagrid prepared to follow the footprints.

"No need. If we use the Summoning Charm one more time, we can pull that three-headed dog over," Professor Smith said.

That sense of unease grew stronger.

Albert looked at Professor Smith, squinting his eyes. He now knew exactly where that unease was coming from.

"The Summoning Charm... 'Rufus Arrives'... is it a way of attracting the target's attention?"

"It seems that even the Level 3 Confundus Charm isn't very safe," Albert sighed inwardly. He felt that Professor Smith was probably quite skilled in Legilimency.

"What's wrong?" Professor Smith felt Albert's gaze and turned to ask.

"Nothing. Let's get started so Rufus doesn't run too far," Albert shifted his gaze from Professor Smith to Dumbledore and nodded.

"Then let's try it again!" Dumbledore raised his wand once more.

In truth, Rufus was quite unfortunate. The three-headed dog, although not as resistant to magic as a Hungarian Horntail, was still formidable.

However, it had encountered Dumbledore.

With the Elder Wand, Dumbledore's spells were extremely potent. Plus, with Albert's use of Felix Felicis, he too demonstrated formidable magical prowess. Being a Level 4 wizard by bloodline wasn't just for show.

Now, Albert could wield magical power comparable to that of an adult wizard, enhanced by the Felix Felicis. Casting the Summoning Charm was also almost flawless.

Professor Smith was a pure-blood wizard, adept in dark magic defense, and naturally possessed strong magical abilities.

The three of them combined their efforts. Even if Rufus was unwilling, the Summoning Charm would still draw it over.

"Make way!" Dumbledore noticed something flying towards them and warned everyone to clear a space.

The four quickly made room.

With a mournful howl, Fluffy flew over, looking somewhat miserable. Hagrid immediately went forward and embraced Rufus's neck, angrily patting its head.

Watching this scene, Albert's mouth twitched. Fluffy, despite its fierce appearance, seemed strangely pitiful in Hagrid's hands.

"Alright, Hagrid, put the collars on it," Dumbledore conjured three collars and chains and had Hagrid put them around Rufus's neck. "Take it back first, let Sivanos treat its head injuries."

"Okay!" Hagrid nodded repeatedly, then looked at Rufus, giving it a smack on its restless head. "Causing trouble everywhere and losing weight because there's no food."

"Hagrid, has Rufus reached adulthood?" Albert sized up the massive dog in front of him, taking a few steps back involuntarily.

The three-headed dog was truly fearsome. If caught off guard, it might bite someone to death.

Of course, the main reason Albert stepped back was Rufus's slobber and the foul odor coming from its mouth. Perhaps from eating carrion recently, the stench was quite overpowering.

"Not yet, maybe it'll take a few more months to reach adulthood," Hagrid pondered for a moment, then pleaded, "Can I wait until Rufus matures before sending it back to Greece? I promise it won't cause trouble again."

"Hagrid..." Dumbledore seemed to have thought of something, then changed his mind and said, "Alright, but you need to keep a close eye on it and make sure other students don't find out."

"I'll keep the secret," Albert immediately assured.

"Me too," Professor Smith chimed in, looking up and down at the three-headed dog, apparently seeing such a magical creature for the first time.

"Is this your first time seeing a three-headed dog, Professor Smith?" Albert asked curiously.

"Yes, it is," Professor Smith smiled and said, "But it's quite close to what I imagined."

The four of them headed straight for Professor Kettleburn's cottage. He was more than willing to help treat Rufus's head. Albert and Professor Smith bid farewell in advance and returned to the castle.

"Professor Smith, I've made a little breakthrough in magical runes recently. I might know how to open the secret door to the Ravenclaw common room," Albert took advantage of the still-active Felix Felicis and said to Professor Smith with a smile.

"Really? That's fantastic," Professor Smith seemed excited and couldn't help but ask, "When are you available?"

"I'll try it as soon as I get back, but I can't guarantee 100% success," Albert added.

"If you fail, just keep trying," Professor Smith patiently comforted Albert.

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(End of this chapter)