Glimmer on the Edge of the Forbidden Forest

Obtaining "Mooncalf Fur" was no easy feat. These gentle magical creatures, known for their circular dances only on full moon nights, had fur that was a key ingredient in certain advanced confusion and memory potions. While Professor Slughorn's private storeroom might hold some, acquiring it independently was an adventure for a first-year student.

Lin Yanqing didn't complain, nor did he try to negotiate with Snape. He understood that under the new rules set by the other party, he simply had to complete the instructions. Using his [Magical Perception] skill and information overheard from older students, he deduced that a clearing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, near the Whomping Willow, occasionally saw small groups of Mooncalves appear on clear, full moon nights.

The next full moon was just a few days away. Lin Yanqing began his preparations. He consulted materials on Mooncalf habits, learning that they were timid and easily startled. To collect their fur, one had to gently comb them with a specially made silver comb while they were entranced by their dance. Forcibly pulling their fur would cause it to lose its magic. He used the System to exchange Gold Galleons for a small, exquisite mithril comb.

The full moon night arrived again. This time, Lin Yanqing received no note from Snape, nor any form of communication. Yet, he knew Snape was undoubtedly waiting for the result. Through the Contract, he could sense that the other end wasn't anticipation, but a calm, almost detached observation, as if awaiting an experimental outcome.

The night deepened, and the moonlight was even brighter than the last time. Lin Yanqing donned his Invisibility Cloak once more. This time, his target was no longer a corner within the castle, but the perilous Forbidden Forest.

He carefully avoided the light from Hagrid's hut, walking along the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The dense trees cast mottled, eerie shadows, and rustling sounds from unknown creatures and distant howls occasionally echoed from within the woods, sending shivers down his spine. He gripped his wand tightly, his [Magical Perception] fully active, vigilant against any ill-intentioned magical fluctuations around him.

Following his plan, he arrived at the forest clearing near the Whomping Willow. Moonlight poured down like mercury, illuminating the clearing as if it were daytime. Fortunately, no one else was there tonight, only the rustling of the night wind through the grass.

He lurked in the tree shadows at the edge of the clearing, waiting patiently.

Time ticked by. Just as he thought tonight might be fruitless, a faint rustling sound, like dewdrops falling on leaves, reached his ears. Immediately after, several plump little creatures with huge blue eyes and smooth, silver-gray fur timidly hopped out from the depths of the forest. It was the Mooncalves!

They first looked around warily, then, as if hypnotized by the disc-like moon in the sky, they began to dance in strange, elegant steps, spinning and leaping in place. Their large eyes reflected the moonlight, showing a dreamy, fantastical hue, and a faint, pearlescent glow began to emanate from them.

The time had come.

Lin Yanqing held his breath, dispelled his invisibility, and slowly emerged from the shadows, afraid of disturbing these little sprites lost in their own world. He took out the mithril comb and, approaching two of the closest Mooncalves, began to comb them.

They seemed completely unaware of his presence, still dancing obsessively. Lin Yanqing reached out and, with extreme gentleness, following the rhythm of their dance, combed the shimmering fur on their backs. A few strands of fine, soft fur, glowing with a moonlit sheen, silently clung to the comb's teeth.

The process was unexpectedly smooth. He successfully collected enough fur.

However, just as he was about to make his triumphant retreat and carefully place the fur into a special container, disaster struck!

A surge of wild, hungry magical energy erupted from the depths of the forest on the other side of the clearing! His [Magical Perception] skill emitted a sharp warning!

Lin Yanqing looked up abruptly and saw a pair of eyes, glowing with ferocious red light, ignite in the dark woods. Immediately after, a stout, shaggy magical creature with drool dripping from its mouth – an obviously untamed Kappa – emerged with a growl! It resembled an ape, covered in scales, with a hollow on its head that held water. It was staring intently at Lin Yanqing, or rather, at the Mooncalf fur in his hand, which emitted a tempting magical glow!

Startled by the sudden threat, the Mooncalves scattered and vanished into the forest in an instant.

Lin Yanqing's heart skipped a beat. A Kappa! These aquatic magical creatures were ferocious, especially fond of sucking blood and internal organs, and extremely dangerous to lone students!

He immediately raised his wand, his mind racing. He knew the Kappa's weakness – the water in the hollow on its head. If the water ran out, it would lose all its strength. But how could he get an aggressive Kappa to obediently lower its head?

"Impedimenta!" He attempted a binding spell, but the red light struck the Kappa's scaly body, only causing it to stumble and enraging it further. It let out a piercing roar, dropped to all fours, and lunged at Lin Yanqing!

It was too fast! Lin Yanqing could even smell the foul stench from its mouth! He scrambled backward, narrowly dodging the lunge, but the hem of his robe was torn by its claws.

Fear seized him instantly. He could feel his magic becoming erratic due to his tension. And through the Contract, he clearly sensed that Snape, far away in the Slytherin dormitory, whose emotions had been calm and undisturbed, suddenly experienced a violent ripple – shock, annoyance, and perhaps a hint of… frustration at being dragged into trouble?

The Kappa turned again, its crimson eyes locked onto Lin Yanqing, poised to attack.

At this critical moment, Lin Yanqing felt the hand holding his wand subtly guided by an external, cold, and precise force! At the same time, a brief, extremely impatient word exploded directly in his mind:

"Water!"

It was Snape! Through the Contract! He had sensed the danger remotely and provided the most direct and effective instruction!

Lin Yanqing's mind raced, and without hesitation, he pointed his wand towards the hollow on the Kappa's head, shouting with all his might the spell he could think of that might remove liquid:

"Aguamenti!"

A thick stream of water erupted from the tip of Lin Yanqing's wand, not attacking the Kappa's body, but precisely aiming for the hollow on its head!

"Splash—!"

The limited water in the hollow was instantly washed away by the powerful stream, stirred up and carried off!

The menacing Kappa froze abruptly, its forward momentum halted. It let out a bizarre, panicked shriek. The dry hollow on its head seemed to drain it of all strength. It cast a terrified glance at Lin Yanqing, then, tail between its legs, it fled back into the depths of the Forbidden Forest without looking back, stumbling even faster than it had arrived.

The danger was averted.

Lin Yanqing collapsed onto one knee, utterly spent, gasping for air, cold sweat soaking through his inner garments. He tightly clutched the precious Mooncalf fur in his hand, his heart still pounding.

He could feel that on the other end of the soul bond, Snape's turbulent emotions were rapidly calming, returning to a cold silence, as if the momentary intervention had never happened. There was no concern, no inquiry, only a detached relief after the trouble was resolved.

But Lin Yanqing knew that this time, the bond between them was no longer just a channel for emotions and supplies. In a moment of life and death, it had become a true "guardian" channel, transmitting crucial information and aid.

He struggled to his feet, cast one last look at the now silent Forbidden Forest, carefully secured the Mooncalf fur, donned his Invisibility Cloak again, and began his journey back to the castle.

This venture into the Forbidden Forest at night had not only yielded the materials required for the task but also validated the unexpected role the soul contract could play in times of crisis.

And Snape, far away in the Slytherin dungeons, might now be staring at his own hand, which had unconsciously lifted, as if still feeling a trace of that guiding sensation. In his dark eyes, beyond the usual gloom, had a flicker of new understanding and apprehension about this inescapable bond and its complex power crossed his gaze?