Chapter 34: Forbidden Forest

The Forbidden Forest was dangerous.

The twins were actually quite fond of this mysterious area within Hogwarts, but they knew well that the forest could very likely cost them their lives. Even the Marauder's Map didn't show the names of the magical creatures there, so their own explorations of the forest had always been limited to the outer edges.

Of course, Hagrid didn't see it that way. He had been thoroughly exasperated by their antics…

Originally, they'd planned to head to the kitchens for a midnight snack.

They couldn't resist the thought of the dish they'd had at dinner, called braised pork. It was absolutely delicious, and their cravings had brought them out tonight.

But Luke was their big investor; they couldn't risk letting him get into any danger in the Forbidden Forest. Otherwise, everything they'd just agreed on could go up in smoke.

So, with a shared glance, the twins decided to stick with him, come what may.

After all, they did have some experience in the forest—they at least knew where they'd need to stop and turn back.

Luke had no objection to the twins joining him. He generally kept a certain level of caution around everyone, but he also knew he had to learn to trust others. Whether it was Hermione or Fred and George, he saw them as reliable allies.

As for why Harry wasn't on that list…

Luke genuinely believed that if he got too close to Harry, Dumbledore would be the first to move against him. His recent speech had earned him some good connections but had also stirred some people's vigilance.

Especially Dumbledore's.

Dumbledore had met many people like him before, and among them, one of the very best had been his own best friend, Grindelwald.

Under these circumstances, Luke wasn't about to interfere in Dumbledore's "Chosen One" plan. Getting involved would be too risky.

Of course, this was partly because he was still too weak…

With the guidance of the Marauder's Map and the twins, who knew the way, Luke quickly slipped down a hidden path and left the castle.

The moon hung in the sky, casting down its cold glow. A damp breeze lifted Luke's cloak and stirred the hair on his forehead. Standing on a high ridge, Luke looked down to see a vast forest that seemed to fill the entire valley.

From above, the Forbidden Forest and the Black Lake dominated the Hogwarts landscape, while the castle and the Quidditch pitch were just small parts within it.

"You see, the Forbidden Forest is huge. It's too dangerous deep inside; even Dumbledore supposedly doesn't know what kind of creatures lurk at its very center"

George said to Luke with a touch of awe.

"Give it a rest, George. You shouldn't take Lee Jordan's words so seriously," Fred said with a sigh, then turned to Luke with a serious look. "Lee's our friend, but he has a way of exaggerating things. Even so, everyone agrees that the Forbidden Forest is dangerous."

"Hagrid might be the only exception. He loves the forest"

George added with a shrug.

Luke listened to them, nodding, though his eyes were full of excitement.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Fred couldn't help rolling his eyes. He turned to George and said, "I think I finally understand what it's like for Mum when we brush her off."

Seeing Fred's expression—so similar to their mother's—George burst out laughing but quickly covered his mouth, letting out only muffled snorts.

"Let's go, this is probably the place I've been most looking forward to."

With that, Luke began walking down the path toward the Forbidden Forest, and the twins quickly followed him.

From a distance, they could see Hagrid's hut, its light still glowing. Who knew what Hagrid was busy with so late at night?

After a short walk, they finally entered the forest. Both George and Fred dropped their playful expressions and, with serious looks, pulled out their wands, ready for anything.

Luke, however, seemed at ease. The moment he stepped into the Forbidden Forest, he felt refreshed, almost like he was coming home.

He strolled forward at a relaxed pace, even humming a soft tune to himself.

The twins didn't let their guard down, despite Luke's calm demeanor. In their minds, he probably just didn't realize how dangerous the Forbidden Forest could be. They knew very well—this forest housed XXXXX-class magical creatures, like the Acromantulas. 

This wasn't an endangered-species ranking; it was a danger rating. Basilisks, after all, were in this same category.

Luke also knew about the basilisk in the castle's Chamber of Secrets, as well as the entire colony of Acromantulas in the forest. And the one who'd started that colony was none other than Hagrid, the lovable gatekeeper.

Hippogriffs and Manticores, all in the same dangerous category, were hardly a surprise here.

And yet, Hogwarts was supposedly the safest place in all of Britain!

Before entering the Forbidden Forest, the twins' emotions were fairly stable. After all, it wasn't the first time they had come here and knew that, at this point, they wouldn't likely encounter much danger.

But soon, beads of sweat began to form on Fred and George's foreheads.

Damn it, they hadn't even gotten far into the forest—not even to the edge of its depths, just its outskirts. So why were so many creatures already appearing?!

Around them, there were constant rustling sounds, and in the moonlight, pairs of glowing eyes began to emerge, all staring at the three of them.

Luke had already come to a stop, while Fred and George muttered curses under their breath for being unlucky, while carefully moving in front of him.

"Luke, if anything happens, don't hesitate—run east. Make some noise as you go to draw Hagrid or Fang over to us"

Fred whispered urgently.

"Hagrid's really easy-going," George added quietly, reassuring Luke. "If we explain things to him, he won't report us to the professors, so don't worry about losing house points. Just focus on getting out safely."

But just as the twins' faces grew tense, Luke calmly pushed them aside and started walking slowly toward the group of magical creatures.

Fred instinctively reached out to grab him, but George quickly held him back.

The creatures showed no signs of hostility; in fact, as Luke approached, they seemed to quiet down even more.

As he moved deeper, a shadowy figure within the forest also began making its way toward Luke.

*****

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