Admonition

"How could they be so friendly to you?"

As Hagrid poured Luke some water, he asked curiously.

George and Fred were crouched beside the fireplace, taking turns petting Fang.

Their movements were clearly quite practiced, and Fang was thoroughly enjoying himself. Who knew whether the two of them had used this trick to curry favor with Fang before?

"It may sound a little boastful, but it's something I was born with." Luke lifted the cup and took a sip. He did not disdain Hagrid's cup, though he also did not inspect it too closely and make himself uncomfortable.

"Talent..." Hagrid said, sounding partly understanding and partly regretful.

He did not think there was anything wrong with that. On the contrary, he knew very well that Magical Creatures researchers either needed extraordinary perseverance, a natural affinity for magical creatures, or absolute strength.

Of course, the very best researchers often possessed all three, like Newt Scamander.

"Do you want to become a Magical Creatures researcher?"

Hagrid took a sip of hot water, then asked the question. His eyes shone with anticipation.

If Luke answered yes, then as long as Luke was willing, Hagrid would immediately submit a report to Professor McGonagall and have Luke come once a week to help patrol the Forbidden Forest.

Though in reality, Hagrid would be protecting Luke while he observed and researched.

After so many years in the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid knew that there were still many magical creatures deep within it that he had never discovered. Most of them were in the awkward position of disliking him but being unable to beat him.

So they kept their distance from Hagrid himself and his true canine lackey, Fang. After all, Hagrid had inherited a certain degree of a giant's magical resistance, and on top of that, he had a younger brother who was even closer to a giant than to a human. Compared with 5X magical creatures, the two brothers were no less formidable in the Forbidden Forest.

This meant Hagrid rarely got to observe magical creatures like Demiguises and Bird Serpents. They did not enjoy spending time with a large man with giant blood.

With someone like Luke, who had such a strong affinity to balance things out, perhaps the situation would improve.

Luke shook his head with slight regret. "I do like magical creatures, that's true, but I probably don't have enough energy to devote to it. You know that my identity means I can't simply do whatever I want."

When he said that, the other three present all looked at Luke with somewhat awkward expressions.

Indeed, as the head of a generation that needed to drag the Gaunt Family out of the mire, he truly did not have that many choices.

"All right."

Hagrid sighed and spoke helplessly. It was a pity, but he felt Luke was right and had no reason to argue.

Seeing Hagrid's disappointed expression, Luke's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

Then he patted Hagrid on the shoulder. "Don't be so disappointed, Hagrid. I'll come help as often as I can on weekends. I can't say how much help I'll be, but I'll do my best."

"Really?! That's wonderful!"

Hagrid was clearly overjoyed.

Luke smiled. "Of course, I can't make an absolute promise. I can only do my best, since the professors' assignments can sometimes be hard to handle."

"I understand!" Hagrid laughed heartily. "But I think you'll definitely be fine, Luke."

Luke kept smiling, but inwardly, he was beating a drum of unease.

He really could not be sure. After all, the system's accuracy was reliable, which meant his attainments in Potions and Herbology truly were very low.

Of course, there were also talents like Astronomy and Ancient Runes that had not given him any prompts. Luke did not know why, but the system would not answer him either. He could only let it go.

So he was confident in his studies, but not quite that confident.

"It's getting late, Hagrid. We should head back too. We have classes tomorrow."

In the end, Luke decided not to dwell on it. With today's main objective accomplished, he was ready to leave. His body was still that of a child, after all, and getting enough sleep was good for him.

"Oh, right, you should be heading back!" As he spoke, Hagrid looked toward the Twins, who were peering here and there as though searching for interesting materials.

"Especially you two. Stop taking things every time you come. If there's something you want, just tell me. If I can give it to you, I will..."

From those weary words, Luke could tell that Hagrid had truly been tormented by the Twins.

The instant Hagrid opened his mouth, George and Fred both hid their hands behind their backs. Then they grinned cheekily.

George said, "If it was something we were allowed to take, we'd definitely tell you."

Fred said, "But some things usually can't be given away, can they~"

Hagrid: "..."

Luke chuckled. "Stop fooling around. It's time to go."

No matter how mature the Twins seemed in certain ways, they were only one year older than Luke.

"Roger!" ×2

The two of them made the standard gesture Aurors used when acknowledging a superior's orders. Their expressions were solemn, as though they had received orders to charge straight into a Death Eater stronghold.

Hagrid's astonished gaze shifted back and forth between Luke and the Twins.

They were still being mischievous, but there was also a faint hint of sincerity and respect.

How had Luke managed that?

Luke noticed Hagrid's surprise as well. He had expected this scene, of course. Other professors would probably have been equally shocked if they saw it.

If some students were headaches in the eyes of their respective Heads of House, then the Twins were headaches for the entire school...

But Luke had no intention of explaining. What could he say?

Nothing more than paying them more.

Under Hagrid's astonished gaze, the Twins bickered and played as they followed Luke out of Hagrid's hut.

"Oh, right, Hagrid. A Runespoor told me the Forbidden Forest might be dangerous over the next few days. Be careful when you're patrolling. Stay safe."

Luke suddenly turned back to remind him.

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

Hagrid's expression turned serious. He did not treat Luke's warning as something to be ignored.

Luke nodded and set off again.

One quiet and two lively figures soon vanished into the night.

Hagrid watched the three of them leave, his face full of gratification.

The Twins had someone who could keep them in line. That was not necessarily a bad thing.

Hagrid turned and took stock of his collection.

No Unicorn tail hair that had fallen out was missing; no Bird Serpent eggshells were missing... Why did there seem to be more?

Puzzled, Hagrid looked once again in the direction the three had gone, but the deep night gave no answer.

A faint smile appeared on Hagrid's lips, then vanished instantly. He immediately walked to another cabinet and began carefully counting its contents. Those were dangerous items; he could not let those two boys take them away to sell for money.

"Fred, did you return the thing to Hagrid?"

"I did, I did. You went on about it last time. It was just a Bird Serpent eggshell. If Hagrid hadn't allowed it, we couldn't have taken it out of the hut anyway."

"That's different. Bird Serpent eggshells are expensive!"

"All right, all right, you're right. We're not short of money now anyway. Returning it is fine."

Hearing the conversation behind him, Luke smiled gently.