Forbidden Forest

The Forbidden Forest was dangerous.

The Twins actually liked this place, one of the most mysterious areas in all of Hogwarts. But they knew perfectly well that the forest might very well cost them their lives, and the Marauder's Map they relied on could not display the names of those Magical Creatures. Thus, their usual explorations of the Forbidden Forest had always been strictly superficial.

Of course, Hagrid did not see it that way. The Twins had truly tormented Hagrid to the breaking point...

Their original destination had been the kitchen, where they planned to ask the House-elves for a midnight snack.

The Braised Pork they had eaten at the feast had been unbelievably delicious. The two of them simply could not restrain their cravings, which was why they had embarked on tonight's little nocturnal excursion.

But Luke was their biggest source of funding. They absolutely could not let him go so easily, much less let anything happen to him in the Forbidden Forest. Otherwise, wouldn't everything they had just agreed on go down the drain?

After exchanging a glance, the two decided to risk their lives to accompany him.

After all, they had some experience exploring the Forbidden Forest. At the very least, they knew where they could no longer venture deeper.

Luke did not refuse the Twins' offer. He did harbor a certain degree of suspicion toward everyone, but he also knew that he had to learn to trust others. Whether it was Hermione or Fred and George, they were all companions he believed he could rely on.

As for why not Harry...

Luke genuinely believed that if he set his sights on Harry, Dumbledore would definitely be the first to make a move against him. His earlier speech had gained him something, but it would certainly also arouse some people's vigilance.

Especially Dumbledore. He had met many people of that type. And among all those people, one of the most outstanding was his best friend, Grindelwald.

Under such circumstances, it was one thing for Luke not to interfere with his Savior cultivation plan. If he truly got involved, Luke himself did not dare imagine how things would end for him.

Of course, that was still because he was weak...

Led by the Marauder's Map and the Twins, who knew the way like the backs of their hands, Luke quickly passed through a hidden passage and left the castle.

The moon hung in the sky, casting down cold, pale light. A damp breeze lifted Luke's cloak and stirred the loose hair before his forehead. Standing on high ground, Luke looked down and saw a vast forest that nearly covered the entire valley.

From above, the Forbidden Forest and Black Lake occupied most of Hogwarts' grounds. The castle and the Quidditch Pitch were only a tiny part of it.

"You can see it too. The Forbidden Forest is far too large, and its depths are far too dangerous. They say that even Dumbledore no longer knows what dangerous creatures might be lurking at its very center."

George spoke to Luke with some emotion.

"Give it a rest, George. You really shouldn't take Lee Jordan's words too seriously," Fred said helplessly. Then he turned toward Luke with a solemn expression. "Lee Jordan may be our friend, and his words are always mixed with plenty of exaggeration, but everyone agrees that the Forbidden Forest is dangerous."

"Perhaps Hagrid is the only exception. He likes the Forbidden Forest more than anyone."

George added with a shrug.

Luke nodded at their words, but his eyes were filled with longing.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful."

Fred could not help rolling his eyes. Turning to George, he said, "I think I finally understand how Mom feels when we brush her off."

Seeing the expression on Fred's face, so identical to Mom's, George could not stop himself from laughing. But he quickly covered his mouth, making only muffled snorting noises.

"Let's go take a look. This is probably the place I've been looking forward to most."

With that, Luke followed the path toward the Forbidden Forest. The Twins followed closely behind him.

In the distance, they could see Hagrid's Hut. Its lights were still on, though they had no idea what Hagrid was busy with at such a late hour.

After walking some distance, they finally entered the Forbidden Forest. George and Fred simultaneously wiped the smiles from their faces and drew their wands with serious caution, ready to act at any moment.

Luke, on the other hand, remained calm. The instant he stepped into the Forbidden Forest, he felt refreshed and clear-headed, as though he had returned home.

Luke walked forward slowly, the lightness in his heart even making him hum an unfamiliar little tune.

The Twins did not lower their guard just because Luke seemed relaxed. In their eyes, Luke might simply not understand how dangerous the Forbidden Forest was. But they knew that it contained even XXXXX-class Magical Creatures like Acromantulas.

This was not an endangered-species rating. It was a danger rating. Even the Basilisk was only classified at this level.

Luke also knew that a Basilisk lived in the Chamber of Secrets beneath the castle, while the Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest were not a single creature but an entire colony. And the founder of that colony was none other than their adorable Keeper of Keys and Grounds, Rubeus Hagrid. Naturally, Manticores were nothing unusual either. They were all 5X-class, so no one feared anyone else.

As for things like 3X-class Hippogriffs and 4X-class Kelpies...

Hogwarts truly was the safest place in all of Britain!

Before entering the Forbidden Forest, the Twins had remained fairly composed. After all, it was not their first time here, and at this point, there should not have been any major danger.

But very soon, beads of sweat the size of beans began to seep from Fred and George's foreheads.

Damn it, they had only taken a few steps in. This didn't even count as the outer edge of the Forbidden Forest—at most, it was just its fringe. How could so many things be appearing already?!

Rustling sounds rose continuously from the trees. Pair after pair of eyes, glowing faintly beneath the moonlight, stared at the three of them.

Luke had already stopped walking. Fred and George silently cursed their bad luck while cautiously edging in front of Luke.

"Luke, if something happens later, don't hesitate. Run east. Make some noise while you're running and draw Hagrid or Fang over here."

Fred gave the warning in a low, rapid voice.

"Hagrid is easy to talk to. As long as we explain ourselves properly, he won't report us to the professors. Don't worry about losing points."

George, meanwhile, reassured Luke in a low voice, trying to put him at ease. Having points deducted the first time out was a serious blow to the fun of sneaking around at night. Even though the situation was not looking good, the Twins would not give up their greatest source of entertainment.

But just as the two stood there with grave expressions, Luke reached out, pushed them aside, and slowly walked toward the large group of Magical Creatures ahead.

Fred instinctively reached out to grab Luke, but George quickly stopped him.

He had not sensed any hostility from them. Even as Luke walked forward, nothing else happened. Not only did the Magical Creatures fail to riot, they seemed to grow even quieter.

And as Luke moved forward, a figure crawled toward him through the dark forest.