Avery, let's trade one for one.

The outer perimeter of the Forbidden Forest and its depths are two different things. The depths are pitch black, so thick that it's impossible to see through, with tree canopies overlapping tree canopies, preventing moonlight from getting through, and you have to feel your way to find your way on the path.

The surrounding area is different. The trees here are sparse, their canopies not fully closed, allowing moonlight to filter through the branches and cast silvery spots of light on the ground. Luminescent plants are scattered here and there, and Moonlight Moss lies in the cracks of the rocks, gleaming with a cold, white light.

Several fluorescent ferns clung to the rocks, emitting a warm yellow light that contrasted sharply with the cool white of the Moonlight Moss, like someone had lit a few small lanterns in the forest.

In the distance, a few Glowcap Mushroom hid beneath an old oak tree, their caps flashing a pale green light intermittently, their rhythm slow and gentle, like breathing. Others, whose names I didn't know, red, blue, and purple, were scattered like stars among the decaying leaves and tree roots, like someone had scattered a handful of shattered light on the ground. The evening breeze blew, and those lights swayed gently with the blades of grass, flashing on and off.

The further you go in, the denser the Light Point become.

Inside the hollow of an old tree, a cluster of dark blue fungi filled the opening, making it appear as if the entire opening was half-open.

A puddle lay at my feet, with several orange-glowing seed pods resting on its bottom. The wind ruffled the surface, shattering the light into fragments that slowly coalesced again. Above me, some insect carrying a cold green Light Point swept past, leaving a fleeting trail of light.

The air was filled with the smell of dampness and decaying leaves, mixed with the Magic Power of various plants, creating an indescribable and complex fragrance.

This place is quiet, yet not truly quiet.

Beneath every glimmer of light lies a spark of life, shining with each breath.

The entire perimeter was bathed in these colorful Light Point, making it appear as if it were submerged underwater—quiet, dreamlike, and almost unreal.

Spending too much time in Hogwarts Castle can make you forget what kind of world it is.

Upon arriving here, those forgotten things resurfaced; the land beneath my feet and the starry Starry sky above hold far more than what's written in textbooks.

Regulus walked at the back of the group, looking around, when a not-so-serious thought suddenly popped into his head.

A dog, leading a few young wizards, entered the Forbidden Forest.

This whole thing seems wrong no matter how you look at it, but when Hagrid's dog is leading the way, it suddenly makes sense.

Hagrid led the Gryffindor eastward, while a dog led the Slytherin westward—it all seemed so natural, as if it were the only way it should be. The Forbidden Forest was dangerous; that was no secret. Anyone with a brain in the entire UK Wizarding World knew that this forest was not to be trodden lightly. Even the outer areas weren't entirely safe unless you ventured deeper.

The professors were certainly aware of this as well.

If older students come in and take a look around, we can just turn a blind eye and let it go, but it's always a few younger students.

This needs careful consideration; we might come up with something.

Everyone in the school knows Hagrid; he's been there for decades. All the professors know that Dumbledore trusts Hagrid, and all the professors trust Dumbledore.

A simple calculation shows that all the professors trusted Hagrid.

Hagrid trusted his dog, so tonight Gryffindor was led by Hagrid himself, and Slytherin was led by Hagrid's dog—a clear and reasonable division of labor.

Hagrid knew the Forbidden Forest so well he could find the Magical Creature ' dens with his eyes closed, so he figured a dog would be enough. As for whether the dog was reliable, Hagrid probably thought Flossy was, after all, the Forbidden Forest was full of adorable creatures like him. Dumbledore's trust, after all, had come full circle and landed on a timid hound.

Regulus didn't bother to think about it; that was the professors' business.

Just tonight's trip alone, with him along, even if we cross the entire Forbidden Forest, nothing will go wrong.

The group entered a slightly open area to the west, where several old trees were spaced apart, and patches of deep blue sky peeked through their canopies. Regulus raised his hand and gently waved it in front of him, and the Disillusionment Charm began to fade from the top of his head.

The light distorted where he stood, like transparent folds as a heat wave rises from the ground.

Then the folds were peeled away one by one, the figure went from blurry to clear, and finally the whole person stood steadily in the twilight.

Avery had been waiting for this moment, and he had a lot to say. As soon as Avery appeared, he came over.

Alex turned around, relaxed his shoulders a little, and let out a breath.

Lina and Samuel looked over at the same time. It was the first time they had ever seen Regulus emerge from his invisibility and stare intently at the air as it distorted and became visible again.

Hermes merely blinked, glanced at him, and then turned his gaze back to the depths of the Forbidden Forest, craning his neck slightly forward as if he wanted to crawl inside.

Avery the first to speak, his voice filled with resentment. "Why should we!"

His face turned cold as he walked from the Cabin.

Slytherin had to maintain his composure, and the young master of the Cuthbert family had to be even more so; no one in the group uttered a sound.

Now that they were in a secluded spot, Regulus finally showed up, and Regulus could finally vent his anger.

"We get locked up too," he said, his voice spitting fire. "They laugh and tease those Lion, but when it comes to us, they give us the cold shoulder and won't even give us a proper word."

He wasn't really interested in Hagrid's enthusiasm; the Cuthbert family's young master didn't need that. What was a good-looking forest ranger worth? He just couldn't stand the blatant two-facedness.

Even first-year students knew what Slytherin's social standing was, and what Cuthbert's was, and the professors knew it even better. But no professor ever treated him differently in class, in the Corridor, or in any other setting.

He was resentful that a forest ranger was left hanging like this.

"A forest ranger," Avery scoffed, his tone full of disdain, "What's with the airs!"

Regulus certainly wouldn't side with Hagrid, but he didn't join in the insults either. He knew about Hagrid's past and couldn't be bothered to argue.

"He's from Gryffindor," he said casually, "And someone Dumbledore trusts."

He glanced at Avery, not emphasizing it much. "It's not worth arguing with him."

Avery snorted; he certainly wasn't going to mess with that big guy.

Who are they? Who are they? If they put even a little bit of effort into Hagrid, it would be shameful.

He's just a forest ranger; he has to do all the work himself, like he doesn't have a magic wand. To put it bluntly, what's the difference between him and Muggle?

"I'm not going to argue with him," Avery muttered. "I just can't stand his attitude."

He got angrier and angrier as he spoke, "Even professors wouldn't do that, but he's so quick to change his attitude, even showing directions makes him seem like a friend or foe!" He concluded with, "As if nobody cares!"

Regulus didn't respond to that, but he did feel that this matter had its historical origins.

Hagrid's prejudice against Slytherin stems not only from Slytherin, but also from Heir of Slytherin.

The murder that Tom Riddle framed for Hagrid back then resulted in his wand being broken and him being expelled from school. Anyone would hold a grudge for life.

Having gone through that history, Hagrid's current cold demeanor is already quite endearing.

A less cunning young wizard could do far more harm in the Forbidden Forest than a typical Slytherin wizard.

Pointing out the wrong path, revealing a trap, but then saying "I warned you not to go in," no one can find fault with that.

Hagrid didn't do that; he even sent a dog to lead them, which was quite kind of him. No wonder Dumbledore trusted him.

But Regulus didn't intend to reveal it; he had to keep Voldemort's actions a secret.

He glanced at Avery, then his thoughts took a different turn.

If you're really unhappy about Hagrid's actions, there is a way to resolve this once and for all.

If Avery dies here tonight, Hagrid is finished.

An heir of the Sacred Twenty-Eight died in his confinement, right under the noses of his henchmen. No matter Dumbledore tried to protect him, he couldn't anymore. At the very least, he'd have to pack his bags and get out of Hogwarts.

Once he leaves Hogwarts, unless Dumbledore a close watch on him, he's definitely not going to survive.

All things considered, Avery could actually afford the price of Hagrid's cold demeanor.

The young master of the Cuthbert family, a one-for-one trade would be a perfect deal no matter how you look at it, but unfortunately Avery is probably unwilling to trade himself.

He glanced at Lina and Samuel again.

These two are no good. They're not big enough. Half-bloods, have no powerful connections, and died in the Forbidden Forest. They won't make much of a splash. They probably won't even get two lines in the newspapers. Hagrid won't even be a hair on their head.

The thought flashed through his mind, Regulus glanced at the work in the hands of the group; they hadn't picked many clumps of Moonlight Moss.

Hermes had no intention of bending down; he leaned against a tree trunk, hands in his pockets, his gaze drifting into the depths of the forest.

Avery was still there, fuming, his wand twirling between his fingers.

Alex, however, had already gotten to work, squatting beside a few pebbles, picking at the moss in the crevices with his fingers, gathering a small handful. Samuel and Lina also separated, heads down, searching among the tree roots and rocks.

"Moonlight Moss," Regulus asked directly, "How do you plan to find it?"

He gestured with his chin towards the shards of light. "Look with your eyes?"

Avery paused, looking down at the messy pile of light at his feet, then at the small handful in Alex's hand. Alex reacted first, putting the moss into his bag, standing up, and patting the mud off his knees.

This is where we're going to teach something.

Lina and Samuel straightened up, glanced at each other, and stood there without moving.

Regulus considered the matter in his mind.

Of these, Hermes, Alex, Avery have all trained with him for quite some time and have already established a foundation.

Lina and Samuel hadn't practiced properly; they only knew what was taught in class, which was enough, but not enough for him.

Yesterday's fight was a brawl between these guys.

The two of them teamed up and took down Peter. Their move was swift and decisive. Regardless of the opponent's skill level, at least they were fighting alongside the team, showing a sense of solidarity.

Since we've already clashed with another group as a whole, and now that we're in the same boat again, let's teach them all together.

Consider it a reward; every effort deserves a reward.

Alex walked over and casually pulled Lina and Samuel over with him.

Both of them perked up.

Lina's eyes gleamed in the dim light, her smile barely contained, and she tugged at Samuel's arm, pulling him toward Regulus. Samuel looked up, and the two exchanged a glance, both seeing the same excitement in each other's eyes. They turned back to stare at him. Hermes also lingered closer, his eyelids drooping, his gaze fixed on Regulus.

Avery was the last to react; his wand stopped spinning, and he had long forgotten about Hagrid.