A Well-Meaning Reminder

The next day, Fred and George's Portkey had completely subsided, and the two left the School Hospital early in the morning to meet their roommates who were having lunch in the Great Hall.

"What's this?" George asked curiously, watching the owl fly away and looking at the package on Albert's desk.

"Dog food," Albert said without looking up. "I bought it for Fang. Thanks to it, the other night."

"Oh, Fang really helped a lot," George chimed in.

He didn't really know what big help Fang had given, but since Albert said so and even bought it dog food, it must have been a big help.

"Are you guys coming to Hagrid's place later?" Albert asked casually.

"No, we're planning to go to the library. We still have a lot of holiday homework." Fred nudged George with his elbow, and the latter snapped out of his daze and quickly agreed, "We won't go."

Albert asked casually, knowing full well that Fred and George wouldn't dare go see Hagrid. If they did, Hagrid would probably nag them for ages.

With the dog food he'd bought from the Magical Menagerie, Albert went to Hagrid's Hut. Fang had fully recovered and was playing around Albert, clearly enjoying the dog food Albert had bought.

"Last time, we really had to rely on Fang!" Albert said to Hagrid, who was boiling water, while rubbing Fang's head.

"You've got some nerve, daring to venture into the woods alone in the dead of night." Hagrid, hands on his hips, glared at Albert after taking the copper kettle off the fireplace to pour water into the teapot.

Hagrid is blaming Albert for his recklessness.

"Didn't you say that as long as we have Fang, the creatures in the forest won't hurt us?" Albert easily shut Hagrid down.

"Did I say that?" Hagrid asked, stammering slightly.

"Yes, otherwise why would I dare to take the risk?"

"Okay, then I'll take it as I said it." Hagrid was a little annoyed as he poured himself some tea, trying to remember when he had said it.

"Although it's not quite like you described, Fang still helped a lot, though she's a bit timid." Albert took a sip of his amber-colored tea and tossed a bone-like food to Fang.

This is one of the hounds' favorite treats.

"Professor Broad said... you took down a lot of Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest." Hagrid seemed a little conflicted when he talked about it.

"There are many, and those giant spiders are very dangerous." Albert glanced at Hagrid and said to himself, "Actually, I'm very curious why there are those monsters in the Forbidden Forest. I've looked up their information. These monsters, called Acromantula, live deep in the rainforests of southeastern Asia. Someone must have released them into the Forbidden Forest."

Hagrid's expression suddenly turned a little awkward, because he was the one who released the spider into the Forbidden Forest.

"Yes, I also encountered the legendary Centaurs, who are very hostile to wizards." Albert frowned slightly as he recalled his first encounter with the Centaurs, and continued, "We almost got into a fight, and I was even considering whether to take them down."

"That's a pretty stupid idea," Hagrid stammered, "Luckily you didn't do that. Hogwarts has always had a good relationship with Centaurs."

"Not bad?" Albert shook his head noncommittally. "Perhaps Dumbledore could easily intimidate most Centaurs; he is said to be the most powerful wizard in the Wizarding World."

"Dumbledore is certainly the most powerful wizard." Hagrid agreed with Albert's opinion.

"I think the Centaurs should recognize your hounds. They think I shouldn't have entered the woods. A dark brown Centaurs initially tried to cause me trouble. Maybe you know him, but undeniably, it wasn't a friendly meeting." Albert's first impression of the Centaurs was really bad.

"That's just how Centaurs are, don't worry about it," Hagrid reassured him.

"Well, I really don't care," Albert said seriously. "Since I dared to venture deep into the Forbidden Forest on my own, I'm prepared to die in there. If the Centaurs dare to shoot arrows at me, I'll knock them out and let them experience what it feels like to be hung from a tree."

Albert spoke these words with malice, and even Hagrid could tell that Albert had a terrible first impression of the Centaurs.

"Don't do that, they mean no harm, the Centaurs won't hurt Hogwarts students," Hagrid said, not wanting Albert to have a conflict with the Centaurs.

"I meant no harm. By the way, next time you encounter Centaurs, please thank a reddish-brown Centaurs for me; I think his name is Ronan. Although that Centaurs didn't ultimately guide us out of the Forbidden Forest, please thank him for me."

"However, I don't think the Centaurs would like my gift," Albert added. "So, forget about the thank-you gift."

"I will." Hagrid poured Albert another cup of amber tea, took a sip himself, and earnestly instructed, "Don't go into the Forbidden Forest by yourself again. You were lucky this time, but you won't be so lucky every time."

"You really think I'd willingly risk going into the Forbidden Forest?" Albert couldn't help but roll his eyes at Hagrid. "If you were home, I would definitely ask you to go into the forest with me. By the way, next time you go into the forest, be careful not to get dragged away by the giant spiders. Even you can't handle a whole swarm of giant spiders."

Although he said that, Albert was actually just teasing Hagrid to prevent him from lecturing him about his trespassing into the woods.

Hagrid's expression was indeed a bit... conflicted.

"Actually, those Acromantula aren't as dangerous as you think!" Hagrid hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"It's not...as dangerous as you might imagine," Albert repeated, emphasizing each word.

"Hagrid, I think you're joking. If the Acromantula was safe, it wouldn't have been classified." Albert stared at Hagrid, and after a moment of silence, suddenly added, "If I had arrived any later, you probably wouldn't have been able to find Fred and George's bodies in the Forbidden Forest."

Hagrid fell silent, because what Albert said was likely true.

"Those creatures are related to you, right? Don't deny it." Albert sighed softly. "From what you just said, I can confirm that. The Acromantula shouldn't have been living in the Forbidden Forest in the first place. Professor Broad once joked that someone might be raising Acromantula, but I think that was just a joke."

"Hagrid, I still need to remind you, the Acromantula may not eat you, but they certainly wouldn't mind eating your friends." Albert looked at the silent Hagrid and continued, "I don't mean to blame you, I'm just reminding you that just because you are not in danger doesn't mean you are not in danger to others."

Hagrid didn't speak, but his expression was very unnatural, clearly indicating that he didn't want to hear these words.

"You have Giant blood, don't you? Don't be so quick to deny it." Albert raised his hand to interrupt Hagrid, lowering his voice as he said, "Giant blood makes you naturally fearless of those dangerous Magical Creature, but those monsters could kill us with just one bite."

"There's one more thing. Don't admit it, and don't mention that you have Giant blood. I never mind speculating about others with the worst intentions. If someone uses this to attack you, it will cause you unimaginable trouble. Wizards fear Giant as much as they fear the Lord Voldemort."

Albert quickly left Hagrid's Hut, having also completed a quest related to Hagrid.

A well-intentioned reminder.

Your friend Rubeus Hagrid has a somewhat unusual worldview, and as his friend, you should offer him some reminders before he makes a foolish mistake, fulfilling your responsibility as a friend.

Reward: 500 experience points, Rubeus Hagrid's favorability +5.