The Missing Pet Dog

On a weekend morning, Albert was eating lunch in the Great Hall. Beside him, Shanna and Percy were chatting about course selection for their third year.

In the second semester of their second year, they would need to choose third-year courses. Although this would not be announced until the Easter, Shanna learned about it in advance from her good friend Percy and wanted to hear Albert's opinion.

"Muggle Studies, Divination, and Arithmancy will be the easiest courses for you," Albert said to Shanna after finishing his jam-covered bread. "Ancient Runes are more difficult, like learning a foreign language. I doubt many girls enjoy the Care of Magical Creatures. Of course, if you're confident, you can choose all of them, like Percy did, right?"

"Yes, the general election will be very busy," Percy Weasley nodded. "The pressure will be immense, probably even more so in fifth grade. Of course, it shouldn't be a problem for Albert."

"And you?" Shanna asked Albert.

"Select all," Albert said.

"Should I select all of them?" Shanna murmured. "Muggle Studies are not difficult for us, so that leaves only four courses."

"You should think this over carefully," Percy kindly reminded her. Although he knew that Shanna was also one of the best students of her age, taking Twelve courses was still quite stressful. "Don't compare yourself to Albert. I heard that he often attends Advanced Class in Ancient Runes, so he probably doesn't need to learn Ancient Runes much. Besides, he comes from Muggle family, so Muggle Studies is probably not difficult for him either. This means that Albert only needs to focus on three elective courses."

Actually, Albert is very good at math, after all, he once wanted to work in the finance industry... Hmm, strange, why do I say "once"?

My decision to enter the finance industry after graduation was simply to find a faster way to make money.

He has now found a faster way to make money, so his former financial dreams have long since been kicked to some obscure corner.

People really do change as they get older.

However, this did not stop Albert from reading some books related to economics. He himself enjoyed reading and believed that this knowledge would come in handy someday.

After Albert devoured another golden fried egg and a large bowl of corn chowder, the starving Fred and George finally finished their training and returned to the castle. While eating, the two complained to Albert about Charlie's devilish behavior.

"I'm going to find Hagrid later, are you coming?" Albert interrupted their complaints and asked.

"Forget it, let's just finish our homework!" The three looked at each other, ultimately deciding not to go with Albert.

Their relationship with Hagrid was only so-so, and they often went into the woods to cause Hagrid trouble, making their meetings always awkward.

"Oh, never mind then." Albert didn't insist. When he finished breakfast and was about to go find Hagrid, a flock of owls appeared above the Great Hall with envelopes and packages, Accio around the dining table, searching for their respective targets.

One of the owls Accio towards Albert and brought him a letter.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Albert picked up the envelope and glanced at the sender's name: Adolf.

Hmm, did you finally reply?

Is it really because France is far from Scotland?

Now, when Albert sends long-distance letters, he always chooses the strong owl at school.

He was reluctant to let Shera fly long distances, and besides, one owl was simply not enough for the frequency of his mailings. Luckily, the school's owls could be borrowed for free; otherwise, the cost of mailing alone would have been unimaginable.

Albert stuffed the letter into his pocket and headed out of the castle. He crossed the fields and walked toward the cabin at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Hagrid stood outside the cabin with his bow in his hand, Fang followed beside him, seemingly preparing to go into the woods to hunt.

"Good morning, Hagrid." Albert walked over and greeted Hagrid.

"Oh, sorry, I need to go into the woods now." Hagrid looked at Albert, who was rubbing his Fang, and said in a low voice, "Something's happened in the woods."

"What's wrong?" Albert asked.

"Fluffy vanished on his own."

Hagrid looked around and said in a low voice.

"Fluffy got away?" Albert murmured. "Just as I thought..."

"After Fluffy grew bigger, he bit off the vine and ran away," Hagrid told Albert, somewhat helplessly.

"Did you mention this to Dumbledore?" Albert frowned, glancing at his Task Panel. Sure enough, there was another new task.

Looking for a pet.

Hagrid's pet dog, Fluffy, has run away, and he needs someone to help him find him.

Rewards: 1500 experience points, Hagrid's favorability +10, and a special gift from Hagrid.

Pet dog? Albert really wanted to complain about the name of the mission. Was this really not meant to mislead him? "No, but..." Hagrid hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Dumbledore seems to be quite busy lately, and I don't want to cause him any trouble."

"You've already caused him trouble," Albert sighed, reminding him, "Don't be silly, Hagrid. You have to tell Dumbledore about this. Three-Headed Dog is a great threat to Hogwarts students. Don't expect everyone to be as capable of protecting themselves as I am when facing Fluffy."

"If Three-Headed Dog harms any students in the school, I dare say not only will you be expelled, Dumbledore will be in trouble too," Albert said quietly. "We are more fragile than you think, and we can't withstand any trouble."

"I..." Hagrid's face turned pale instantly. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded and said, "If I can't find Fluffy today, I will tell Dumbledore about this."

"Okay, that's good." Albert suddenly asked. "By the way, what do you plan to do? Take it down?"

"No...we can't do that," Hagrid said firmly, shaking his head.

Magical Creatures aren't human, and Hagrid doesn't possess Newt's extraordinary abilities, so it's normal for him to cause some mishaps. Albert also knew that Hagrid would later be tricked by his own pet.

"I'll help you find it. Don't expect your bow to stop Three-Headed Dog," Albert continued before Hagrid could refuse. "If it tries to run away, you won't even have a chance to play your instrument."

"But..." Hagrid hesitated; he didn't want to involve Albert.

"There are no buts. Let's go. Do you really think you can catch Fluffy in the woods like this?" Albert, of course, was not going to give up on this mission.

"But..."

"Don't forget, I once ventured into the Forbidden Forest all by myself, and you're here with me now. As long as we don't encounter the Acromantula, there shouldn't be too much trouble." Albert wasn't afraid to go into the forest, but he didn't want to run into the Acromantula.

Those spiders you defeated will probably hold a grudge. After all, they are intelligent beings, and they would hold a grudge too.

If we encounter Acromantula, things will likely become very troublesome.

"Thank you, Albert." Hagrid scratched his head, suddenly realizing how nice it was to have someone help him.

Albert knew of Fluffy ' presence, and having him provide cover would make things easier; moreover, he definitely needed help.

Let's go!

The two walked one after the other toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.