Ghostly Horned Serpent

Although the illusion was riddled with flaws and the other party's tone suggested that this illusory being slow-witted, Sean felt that dealing with the other party first before discussing the problem was the right approach.

The light of the spell arrived first, but the thick, illusory python didn't move at all; the spell passed through its body and struck the muddy road behind it.

Pudding's sharp claws were also ineffective; it felt as if it had just brushed against a cloud of cold air.

The other party is a ghost?! Sean stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Apart from ghosts, which have no physical form, normal living beings all possess physical forms, even "Non-Being" beings like Dementor.

However, ghosts have lost their abilities from when they were alive. Apart from being able to pass through physical bodies and occasionally stir up some air, they have no other special abilities.

Nor is it mentioned in Mopsey Fribert's book, "British Animal Ghosts," that magical creature ghosts can retain or develop new special abilities.

The illusory Horned Serpent flicked its pearly white tongue, looking somewhat impatient.

"Pudding, Hagrid!" Sean shouted, wanting to ensure Hagrid's safety first.

However, before Pudding could turn around and act, the gem on the Horned Serpent's forehead flashed, and its already illusory body suddenly became transparent before disappearing into the air.

After a moment of unnatural contortion, Hagrid, with his eyes tightly closed, returned to his previous lifeless, controlled state.

Pudding had to stop trying to shove Hagrid away.

"You broke your promise." Hagrid's dry voice carried a hint of anger.

"Did I promise you anything?" Sean countered.

Hagrid opened his mouth, but after a long while, he managed to utter a sentence: "... No, but you're not sincere."

"You took control of my friend first and then hurt his pet."

Hagrid —or more accurately, Hagrid who was controlled by the Ghostly Horned Serpent —looked troubled, as if he didn't know how to explain it to Sean.

This guy looks rather slow-witted and not very intelligent. And his abilities should be limited; otherwise, he could easily use Hagrid's life to threaten me, or launch a direct attack and control me like he controlled Hagrid. In summary, his abilities are unique but lack any obvious lethality. However, it could be an illusion, so I should remain cautious and stall for time until the professors arrive to provide support... Sean narrowed his eyes, quickly making a preliminary assessment.

"I'm very confused right now, and I'm not good at interacting with people. This was the only way I could think of. I can apologize," Hagrid said, being controlled.

That's quite in line with the simple thinking of animals... Sean thought for a moment and then said, "Tell me clearly first, what are you, where do you come from, and what kind of help do you mean—also, why have you been trying to lure me into the Forbidden Forest?"

The creature seemed to struggle to process the barrage of questions. After a long pause, it finally spoke haltingly, "I am the Horned Serpent —that's what you should call me, I don't even know where I came from. I awoke a few days and nights ago..."

"I suddenly became like this, and I don't need to eat anymore... My memory is a mess, I don't know what I should do, but today I saw you while wandering in the woods, and I can't quite explain the feeling, but I just know that you can help me..."

"Help you? What do you want to do?" Sean asked.

"I... I don't know either..." The other person's voice sounded very sincere.

"Then why did you lure me into the Forbidden Forest?"

"Because there is an ancient power in the forest, I can rely on that to communicate with you, instead of borrowing this person's body, so you will believe me," the Horned Serpent said honestly.

Sean glanced unconsciously in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Ancient power? The Forbidden Forest certainly holds many secrets...

But he didn't move an inch; Sean wasn't about to risk his own safety to test the truth of the other person's words.

Naja lightly pecked his finger, as Sean had instructed, to prevent herself from being unknowingly dragged into the illusion again. He activated his Occlumency to make sure he was still in reality, then said, "I've never seen you before, and you're not in any trouble."

"I don't know..." Hagrid's voice was tinged with confusion, "But I have this feeling that you can grant me a certain wish, something left behind by my master..."

"Who is your master, and what is your wish?"

"I don't know my wish... My master's name is Isolt Sayer."

Isolt Thayer... Sean frowned; the name sounded familiar...

He felt like he had seen the name somewhere before, but he must have only glanced at it, otherwise his memory of it wouldn't be so vague.

"Coming, coming!" Dave's thoughts came again.

The professors have arrived! And his and Dave's telepathic communication is different from others; it can't be faked. Sean's spirits lifted, but he showed no sign of anything amiss, preparing to continue stalling them.

However, Hagrid turned his head and said, "Someone's coming... I have to go."

So perceptive?

"If you're seeking help, why are you hiding yourself?" Sean said loudly, trying to keep the other man there.

"I feel... if I get caught, my master's wish will not be fulfilled... If you are willing to help me, come to the center of the forest, I will be waiting for you there..." Hagrid said, then opened his mouth again.

A ghostly, Horned Serpent crawled out of his mouth, flicked its tongue at Sean, the gem on its forehead flashed, and then it disappeared again.

"Wallerup!" Professor McGonagall's voice called out. She was holding a wand and riding a magnificent horse, looking like a strange knight.

Following behind her was Newt, who even carried his own suitcase.

Professor McGonagall saw Hagrid standing there listlessly. With an agility beyond her years, she leaped off her horse, which turned into a block of wood.

"How are you?" She waved her wand, and three silver cats sprang from the tip, their eyes surrounded by patterns like those on glasses.

A silvery light enveloped Sean and Hagrid, making them feel warm all over.

It must be Professor McGonagall ... Sean breathed a sigh of relief and shouted, "I'm fine, check on Hagrid, and he can become invisible."

The two professors immediately raised their spells and cast other spells. After confirming that there was no danger in the surroundings, they checked on Hagrid's condition.

"Thank goodness, he's just unconscious... What happened?"