"This path goes through the Centaurs' settlement. They don't much like strangers, and they told me one of their own recently went missing. The settlement's on alert, so we'd better take a detour."
Professor Foxx and Hagrid had already been walking through the Forbidden Forest together for over an hour.
The sky had gone completely dark. Under Hagrid's guidance, they avoided the Centaurs' settlement, the unicorn gathering grounds, and many other dangerous places.
They twisted and turned, crossing nearly half the Forbidden Forest before finally reaching its deepest reaches.
Hagrid looked at the familiar webs around them, his expression shifting slightly as he stammered.
"Foxx, are you sure you haven't come to the wrong place? There really are things like Red Caps here?"
Professor Foxx moved forward at a rapid pace, never once forcing Hagrid to slow down and wait for him along the way.
His gaze grew increasingly calm, and the excitement on his face from before had vanished, replaced by an extraordinary serenity.
"I won't be wrong, Hagrid."
"But I've been here many times." Hagrid's eyes darted about as he tried to stop Professor Foxx from going farther.
"There definitely aren't any little creatures here called Red Caps. I'm sure of it."
Professor Foxx stopped and turned to look at Hagrid, who was unwilling to proceed any farther.
"I have to find him. If you don't want to keep walking, you can go back, Hagrid. Thank you very much for your help."
Seeing Professor Foxx so resolute, Hagrid began to panic. He clenched his football-sized fists, gritted his teeth, and finally chose to tell the truth.
"I keep some pets here, Foxx. They, they don't exactly comply with Ministry of Magic laws, but I swear! I've never let them leave the Forbidden Forest, and I've never let them