Moonlight was sliced into fragments by the layers of tree canopies, falling in mottled patches across the Forbidden Forest floor.
Hagrid carried a huge brass lantern, its light spreading into a dim yellow halo in the fog.
"Those little wizards ought to be hung up and whipped, if you ask me! Isn't that right, Mrs. Norris?" Filch's grumbling voice faded into the distance.
After being delayed for a long time, punishment for the six little wizards had finally arrived. Just as Yulian had expected, it was to accompany Hagrid on patrol in the Forbidden Forest.
Actually, the more he thought about it, the more unreasonable it seemed.
Something strange had happened in the Forbidden Forest, and someone had even harmed a unicorn. How could they send first-year wizards to investigate? Even if there weren't enough professors, they should have sent older students. Were there no older students violating school rules?
"Six people, split into two groups and go separately." Hagrid's voice sounded especially deep in the darkness. "Fang and I will each take three."
Look at Hagrid. He's actually splitting up his forces while escorting little wizards? He's obviously looking for trouble. Yulian thought darkly.
"Then I'll take Fang." Malfoy made the first choice. For one thing, he had reported Hagrid, so he did not want to spend any more time with him. For another, he had been misled by Fang's formidable build. After all, Fang was a Neapolitan Mastiff the size of a foal.
"Fine. I'll take Harry, Ron, and Hermione. You three follow Fang." He then turned to Malfoy. "Let me make this clear first: Fang is a coward."
Malfoy: ...
"Fang, take the three little ones along the eastern path. Remember, the three of you—raise the alarm immediately if you see anything strange. Don't run around, and