This Detention Isn't So Bad

On Friday, after dinner, Sean returned to the dormitory, packed a few things, and prepared to leave Ravenclaw's Common Room.

He had received a note from Professor Flitwick that morning. His detention would begin on Friday night.

Just as he was about to leave, Hermione emerged from the dormitory passageway with a stack of books in her arms.

"Sean, are you going out?" Hermione asked doubtfully when she saw that he was dressed to leave.

Tomorrow was a day off, and Hermione had already changed into comfortable casual clothes: a fitted creamy-white cashmere sweater on top and a lovely plaid skirt below, with her straight, slender legs wrapped in thick black stockings.

"You look wonderful," Sean said with a smile, trying to change the subject.

"Oh, thank you." Hermione's cheeks reddened slightly, but she immediately caught on. "Don't change the subject, Sean!"

Sean sighed inwardly. Complimenting someone was his usual trick for diverting conversations he did not want to discuss.

But now that the two of them had grown more familiar, clever Hermione could spot his intentions right away.

Smart girls really weren't easy to fool... He would have to find a different trick later.

"I wasn't, Hermione. That was a sincere compliment. Anyway, Professor Flitwick needs me for something, so I'll be off." Sean tried to brush it aside.

Hermione stepped in front of him and asked suspiciously, "A few days ago, I saw you sneaking into the Common Room in the middle of the night. I thought it was strange then... Besides, Professor Flitwick's office is in the castle. Do you need to wear a cloak?"

She pointed at a corner of the cloak peeking out from under his arm.

"All right, I'll tell you the truth. I'm going to the Forbidden Forest." Sean shrugged.

Hermione's eyes widened at once. She looked around, then lowered her voice in disbelief. "Are you crazy? It's easy enough to get caught by Mr. Filch in the castle at night, and you're actually going to the Forbidden Forest?! And it's ex! tremely! dangerous! No, you can't go. Otherwise, I'll tell Professor Flitwick!"

Sean gave an awkward smile. "Actually, I'll have someone with me..."

"?"

A moment later, Hermione's displeased voice suddenly rose, only for her to force it back down. "You actually snuck out there before?!"

Sean rubbed his forehead with a headache. He knew that if Hermione found out about this, she would definitely lecture him.

"I was completely driven by curiosity, and then my luck was just a little bad."

Hermione shot him an annoyed glare, then grew worried again. "Even detention shouldn't involve going to the Forbidden Forest! Oh my God, I read in books that it's extremely dangerous there, and it's nighttime! No, I'm going to find Professor Flitwick and persuade him to change his mind."

"It'll be fine." Sean grabbed Hermione as she turned to run out. "The teachers won't put me in danger. Um, I've heard that Hagrid, the person accompanying me, is very familiar with Magical Creatures."

"But..." Hermione's delicate brows remained tightly furrowed.

"Don't worry." Sean patted her hand, then withdrew his arm, a gentle smile on his face. "Even for the sake of those worried about me, I won't put myself in danger. Besides, it's only a little detention."

Hermione's cheeks turned red. She awkwardly pulled back the hand Sean had just patted and said softly, "Th-then you have to be careful."

"As you command, Princess." Smiling, Sean placed one hand over his chest and bowed.

After leaving the Common Room, Sean let out a breath. His methods with girls were still somewhat useful. Otherwise, Hermione's questions alone would have delayed him for quite a while.

Still, Sean did not care about this detention at all. Voldemort did not need unicorn blood to sustain his life, so without that plug-in freak, Hagrid could completely handle the other Magical Creatures in the Forbidden Forest.

Besides, he still had an unhatched Magical Creature egg. It was time to get on Hagrid's good side.

When he reached the castle entrance, Filch was already waiting there with a lantern in hand. To Sean's surprise, there were two others beside him.

Harry and Malfoy.

As Sean walked over, he saw the two slicked-back-haired boys glaring at each other without yielding an inch.

"Hi, Harry." Sean greeted him with a smile.

Harry gave Malfoy one last glare before turning to greet him.

"Well, Draco, meeting again." Sean kept smiling.

"Wallerup..." Malfoy gave Harry a disdainful glance, then slowly greeted him as well.

Curiosity appeared in Sean's eyes. Malfoy no longer hated him?

"Brats, this isn't the time for greetings," Filch interrupted them. Then, his bulging, swollen eyes swept maliciously over the three of them. "Come here. Follow me."

As they walked along the gravel path outside the castle, Filch continued to mutter, "What a pity. I had thought I might get to use those chains. Still, the Forbidden Forest is a fine choice..."

"Ha—" He let out a nervous laugh. "I hear there are werewolves in there too."

"Werewolves..." Malfoy's face went several shades paler, and even his lips began to tremble. "Th-this is wrong. You can't send us into the Forbidden Forest."

Harry's expression grew more serious as well.

"This way! You're too slow!" Just as Filch was about to continue mocking them, a rough, booming voice called out from nearby.

It was Hagrid, carrying his enormous crossbow with a full quiver slung over his shoulder. Behind him followed Fang, the huge dog who looked fierce but was actually timid.

"It's about time," he said. "I've been waiting for half an hour. How are you, Harry?"

"You shouldn't be so polite to them, Hagrid," Filch said coldly. "After all, they're here to be punished."

"So that's why you were late, is it?" Hagrid frowned at Filch. "Lecturing them the whole time, eh? This isn't your place to lecture people. Your job's done. I'm in charge from now on."

"I'll be back at dawn," Filch said. "To collect their remains." After saying so viciously, he turned and headed toward the castle, his lantern swaying as it vanished into the darkness.

Hagrid waved a huge hand, grunted roughly, then turned to Sean with a broad smile. "Oh, Sean, I didn't see you just now. How are you?"

Sean smiled and shook Hagrid's hand. "It's good to see you. I'm well. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to tonight."

"Oh?" Hagrid's eyes lit up. "You like Magical Creatures?"

"Of course, Hagrid." Sean nodded earnestly. "I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time."

Hagrid's smile became even warmer. Sean had already made a good first impression on him, and now that he liked Magical Creatures too, Hagrid was even happier.

"You'll see plenty of good things tonight." He winked at Sean. "Let's get going!"