The massive search operation expanded from Hagrid to the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw Hospital, and even many Little Snakes joined in.
"Apparition Trail— " The older students' incantation had no effect; it seemed they could only continue to expand the search area.
From the cabin all the way to the Black Lake, there's a smoke magic spell going on.
Even if someone is old and has poor eyesight and mobility, they shouldn't be able to get inside.
Draco, who had arrived at some unknown time, clicked his tongue and strolled around Ron with a smug look on his face.
"Weasley, your precious little darling might have already been eaten by something!"
He made a grotesque swallowing motion, "Like this, not even a bone was left~"
Ron immediately exploded, swinging his fist to smash it into his stinky face.
Thankfully, Harry stopped him in time; otherwise, Draco, who had incurred public outrage, would certainly not have been able to walk out of the Forbidden Forest.
"Heh, you can take your time looking."
If he hadn't run away so fast, Vincent's slaps wouldn't have been slow.
We searched the castle, the stadium, and the greenhouse, and it was time for dinner.
The search results were heartbreaking; they couldn't find a single hair on Scabbers.
"Scabbers, my poor Scabbers..." Ron slumped down at the dining table, groaning weakly and hoarsely.
Lavender, sitting a few seats away, would glance at him every now and then, his face full of empathy.
After the students had comforted Ron one by one, she stood up and handed him a light blue handkerchief.
"Scabbers must still be alive. Maybe it's just lost and will be back soon."
"Thank you." Ron took out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears and snot, and was stunned when he looked up and saw that it was Lavender.
They weren't exactly friends, and in fact, they didn't quite like each other.
Everyone knows that Ron and Scabbers have a deep bond, Lavender isn't exactly a nitpicky little girl.
"I'm... I'm sorry." Ron hurriedly put away the handkerchief. "I'll definitely wash it and return it to you."
Lavender smiled. "It's alright. Scabbers is lucky to have an owner like you."
Her pet rabbit, Binchi, which she had just raised during the summer vacation, had been killed by a fox not long ago, and was in even worse condition Ron.
The Forbidden Forest is fraught with danger; no news is the best news.
Outside the castle,
Vincent and Hermione simultaneously activate the Time-Turner.
Five hours ago, the Care of Magical Creatures had just started.
The two cast Disillusionment Charm and secretly watched Ron from the left and right.
He sullenly stroked a young harpy-headed sphinx, muttering accusations against Snape's perverted behavior.
Everyone at Hogwarts knows that Ron Weasley's greatest fear is spiders, yet this treacherous Old Bat actually wants him to collect the venom of the eight-eyed spider in a wooden barrel.
Although the spiders in the office seemed harmless, we only managed to collect a small amount after a whole afternoon of work.
"That damn Snape! He actually wants us to keep filling up those monstrosities tomorrow..."
Harry's expression wasn't much better.
Although I'm not particularly afraid of spiders, the feeling of those eight hairy legs trying to burrow into my clothes...
It has a tangy and stimulating effect, and its energizing effect far exceeds that of Brain-Boosting Potion.
After smoothing out the feathers on the Hippogriff cub, it was time to end the lesson.
Cute creatures can cure all negative states; it's just that Snape's powers are too great.
The two returned the cub to Hagrid, and as they turned around, they saw Vincent walking deeper into the Forbidden Forest.
"Is he going to find Jormungandr and the others?"
"I think so."
Harry perked up immediately. "Let's go over there too. It's been a while since I've visited Little Black."
Ron smirked. "That big black dog is only friendly to you. It won't even let me touch its head."
As soon as he finished speaking, a small, dark creature pounced out of his pocket and onto the ground.
Vincent and Hermione, who were hiding, recognized Scabbers at a glance.
It seemed to be startled by something and disappeared as if fleeing.
Vincent quickly chased after the Little Black in the distance, until he completely lost his way after entering the castle.
When Hermione ran in, he picked up his wand and recited the tracking spell.
"Apparition Trail— "
There was no response.
"Uh... Apparition Trail— "
There was still no response.
Vincent shook his sturdy Alder Wand and patiently waited for the students to come upstairs.
"Apparition Trail!"
There was still no response.
Hermione also raised her newly repaired wand.
Like him, he didn't react at all even though he had just lost track of Scabbers.
One or two junior wizards might be an exception, but if the whole school is like that, then there's a problem.
Vincent glanced at a corner of the ceiling. "Could it be that Dumbledore set up an anti-tracking charm?"
Hermione gestured for him to step back and chanted a spell toward where he had just been standing.
This time, a silver streak of light extended over, instantly catching Vincent off guard.
"This... could it be that the Scabbers has come to life?"
If you step back any further, the tracking spell's light bar will immediately follow.
It's the same whether you retreat to the Great Hall or go up to the second floor.
After all, it's a rat that has lived for 12 years, so there's a possibility that it has been affected by magic over the years.
If the tracking spell doesn't work, then we'll have to resort to traditional methods.
It was after dinner.
The students noticed a new notice posted on the bulletin board in the Owl Court Club Room.
"The teachers and students of Hogwarts:"
Please help me find my pet mouse, Scabbers.
The president will receive a generous reward.
The following are physical characteristics...
Scabbers is no different from other mice, except that it is missing a toe on its right forelimb.
Of course, if you randomly catch a mouse, cut off its finger, and claim the reward, you'll be permanently blacklisted by Gwent and Alchemy Shop, both subsidiaries of Wayne Enterprises.
As for the so-called compensation...
Vincent glanced at the Black Swan Club across the street, which had been renovated countless times.
Draco sat at the luxurious oak round table, a steaming cup of black tea in his hand, exuding an indescribable sense of ease.
This guy has no sympathy, foul mouth, and even rubs salt into Ron's wounds.
In just one afternoon, Malfoy's behavior had disgusted many students, and he was showing signs of becoming the school's public enemy.
I'm sure no student could resist the chance to beat him up.
Without a moment's silence for Draco, Vincent joined the students in their renewed search.
Time passed by, but they still couldn't find any trace of Scabbers.
It seems to have disappeared from Hogwarts, or perhaps it has hidden away in some unknown corner.
"Let's go back too." Harry put his arm around Ron and headed back to the dormitory.
Exhausted and feeling like he was about to fall apart, Ron kept muttering, "Merlin, please bless me, Scabbers, you must be alright..."
Many students clenched their fists instinctively when they saw his dejected figure.
It's just a mouse; how could it just disappear like that?
Even if it's eaten by some ferocious wild beast, it still needs to be excreted after digestion.