Forbidden Forest (Part 2)

"Look, those are Bowtruckles. Don't underestimate these little things. Though they're gentle and shy, they're fiercely protective of their home—the trees they live in."

"Anyone who tries to invade their home will be attacked. See those little claws? They're especially vicious when it comes to gouging out eyes."

Vaughn and Hagrid hid behind a tree, watching a Protective Tree from afar.

It was a magical plant said to repel dark creatures and made excellent material for wand shafts. Several little creatures whose bodies looked as though they were made of twigs were playing on the Protective Tree. They were Bowtruckles.

Hagrid whispered, "But those little fellows are easy to deal with. They like insects. Catch some and give them to them, and you'll win them over. Then they'll give you branches from the Protective Tree in return."

"Every year when Ollivander comes to collect materials, that's what I do... Oh, you might not know this, but Hogwarts works with Ollivander. He buys wand cores and wand-shaft materials from Hogwarts at low prices—usually Unicorn hair I've collected, all sorts of branches suitable for making wands. In return, the wands he makes are half price for Hogwarts first-years."

As they talked, the two of them had already ventured some distance into the Forbidden Forest.

As they explored together and Hagrid explained the Magical Creatures they encountered, his earlier restraint and politeness quickly faded away. His mouth barely stopped moving the entire way.

His knowledge of Magical Creatures truly was extensive.

Along the way, he had already shown Vaughn Fairies, Pixies, Billywigs, and near a small hill, they had even found a family of Mooncalves.

These creatures had enormous eyes wildly disproportionate to their heads, making them look especially silly and adorable. Their temperaments were as gentle as their appearances.

Several young even waddled over on their short little legs, sniffing Vaughn all over.

Hagrid collected their droppings.

He told Vaughn that they made extremely potent fertilizer. Spread over a pumpkin patch, they could make the pumpkins grow large and healthy.

He said to Vaughn, "It's too late this year. The pumpkins in the fields are already ripe, just in time to turn yellow for Halloween. Next year—next year, I'll let you all eat big pumpkins fertilized with Mooncalf dung."

Vaughn was speechless. It was perfectly normal fertilizing. Why did Hagrid have to make it sound so disgusting?

"Speaking of which, Hagrid, has the Forbidden Forest been fairly peaceful lately?"

After watching the Bowtruckles for a while, the two set off again. Vaughn asked as if casually.

"What sort of thing do you mean?" Hagrid scratched his head. "If you mean Young Wizards sneaking in, those two brothers of yours are always causing trouble in the Forbidden Forest. In that regard, it hasn't been peaceful at all."

"Mm, I'll keep them in line. What I meant was, have any animals been injured or anything? Maybe I could help you brew some potions for them."

"You... you're such a good child, Vaughn."

Hagrid was deeply moved. "No one's ever been willing to brew potions for them... Actually, the Unicorns have seemed to be in rather bad shape lately."

Vaughn looked very interested. "Oh? What happened?"

Hagrid shook his head and complained, "I don't know either. The Centaurs told me before that Unicorns had been attacked, but you know what they're like—always going on about the stars and prophecies and things. You can't get a clear answer out of them."

"I've found injured Unicorns too, but they're too wary and don't like dealing with me. I searched for a long time without finding the cause."

Vaughn's eyes were calm.

It seemed his guess had been right. Socket Man had probably started secretly collecting Unicorn Blood long ago!

He looked up at the sky. Judging from the daylight filtering through the gaps in the canopy, night was still some time away. He asked Hagrid, "Can you take me to see?"

Hagrid did not think much of it. He was naturally easygoing. Just as he had talked about danger earlier, once he truly brought Vaughn into the Forbidden Forest, he had completely forgotten about "danger."

"Come on, this way... Fang! You coward, Guoguo Tea isn't going to hit you again. Get up front and clear the way!"

More than two hours later.

Hagrid brought Vaughn to a clearing in the woods, one of the rare places in the forest that received plenty of sunlight.

With no trees competing for the light, the low shrubs here grew exceptionally well.

Some of the holly bushes were even laden with berries.

"I cleared this place out more than ten years ago. Unicorns like berries, so I planted some. They've been active around here ever since."

Hagrid waved the pink umbrella in his hand, driving away several Fairies that were chirping and arguing, then led Vaughn to the center of the clearing.

He said, "A week ago, I saw a Unicorn hiding here. Its leg was injured. Look, the bloodstains are still there."

Hagrid pointed at a patch of indigo soil beneath their feet.

Vaughn crouched down and examined it carefully.

Unicorn blood was originally silver-blue, brimming with Magic Power like mercury.

But it had been spilled on the ground for a week, exposed to wind and sunlight, and had long since changed color.

Seeing Vaughn studying it intently, Hagrid thought he was worried and smiled. "Unicorns getting hurt is normal, Vaughn. This is the Forbidden Forest. Every creature here is in competition with nature. Maybe it accidentally wandered into a Werewolf's territory, or perhaps some fierce creature ambushed it. It's nothing serious."

Vaughn did not answer.

After observing the bloodstain for a moment, he did not casually touch it. Instead, he raised his Wand.

"Revealing Charm!"

The Mysteriousness contained within the spell, combined with his desire to uncover the truth, gave his Magic Power the strength to reveal hidden things. It struck the patch of indigo soil.

First, a faint white light appeared, pure as the moon. Just looking at it, one could feel the holiness within.

That was the Magic Power originally contained in Unicorn blood.

It was weak, but that was the result of natural dissipation.

But immediately afterward, several wisps of Gray Mist revealed themselves within the white light.

They coiled around it like maggots clinging to bone, corroding and permeating the white glow.

Vaughn could almost smell decay and death in that mist!

"Dark Arts..."

He narrowed his eyes.

He was no longer a Novice when it came to the Dark Arts. Although Introduction to Dark Magic had not taught him any particularly powerful spells, it had given him a sufficient understanding of this dark power.

"What is that?"

Hagrid's voice came from above him.

He was a complete Novice in the Dark Arts...

At the same time, the System Panel appeared before Vaughn's eyes:

[Side Quest Activated]

[Side Quest ②: Save the Forbidden Forest Unicorns]

[Reward: Random Magical Creatures Language Pack]

Looking at the new quest, Vaughn paused, then suddenly felt like laughing.

Tom, oh Tom!

Even the System's quests are targeting you. Don't blame me for coming after you, then!

"Nothing."

Vaughn shook his head and opened the small shoulder bag he carried, which had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm.

He took out an empty bottle, carefully dug up the soil, and placed it inside.

"Let's go back, Hagrid. I think it's time I went to see Headmaster Dumbledore."