Fear Curse

The area around the restricted area was Dumbledore was deep in thought, while Hagrid subconsciously touched his chest, as if to confirm whether he was really still alive.

"Are you saying that Fluffy thought I was dead, which is why he went berserk?"

Hagrid scratched his head, feeling his mind was a mess.

"Hmm... that should be correct."

Kyle nodded, then looked at Dumbledore and asked, "Professor, do you think someone might have used Confundus Charm on Fluffy?"

Three-headed Dog has very high magic resistance; ordinary spells are like tickling it, but that varies from person to person.

Just like Dumbledore just now, in front of him, Fluffy was no different from a frail doll.

He fell asleep instantly after casting a Stunning Spell.

"That's possible," Dumbledore said after a moment of contemplation. "However, it doesn't seem to me like a simple Confundus Charm."

Kyle frowned. "You mean, besides the Confundus Charm, there's another spell on Fluffy?"

"That's right, and it's Dark Magic."

Dumbledore took two steps forward, bent down, and examined Fluffy closely, his nose almost touching its fur.

Then Dumbledore tapped the middle part of Fluffy's head with his wand and murmured, "Just as I thought... Fear Curse."

"Fear Curse?" Hagrid paused, clearly hearing about this spell for the first time.

"Yes, strictly speaking, it's not a traditional form of Dark Magic; it only appeared fifty years ago, so you probably haven't heard of it."

Dumbledore stood up and asked, "Kyle, do you know the Boggart?"

"Of course, Professor," Kyle said. "It's a magical creature that can Transfiguration; it can see into people's minds and transform into what they fear most."

"This Dark Magic was inspired by the Boggart?" Dumbledore put away his wand and said calmly, "It can create illusions, allowing the person under its spell to constantly see their greatest fears."

"It seems someone cleverly combined the Confundus Charm with phobias, which is why Fluffy is the way he is now."

Kyle nodded thoughtfully; he roughly understood what Dumbledore meant.

The Fear Curse caused Fluffy to see Hagrid's "death" again and again, gradually tormenting his mind, while the Confundus Charm made him see everyone as the "murderer."

Kyle felt a sense of relief.

If Dumbledore hadn't noticed Fluffy's problem in time, and if Fluffy had broken through the gate and run into the castle...

Kyle shuddered, unable to bear thinking about it any longer. He could foresee that it would be an irreversible disaster.

Keep in mind that most of the professors were at the Quidditch Pitch at this time, leaving only a few students in the castle who weren't interested in Quidditch.

If they encountered a berserk Fluffy, they would probably be torn to shreds in a single encounter.

If this were to actually happen, Hogwarts would likely have to close.

Fortunately... Dumbledore discovered it in time, and the worst-case scenario didn't happen.

Kyle took a deep breath and asked, "Professor, do you have a solution?"

"A solution?" Dumbledore's eyes flickered. "It's simple, just..."

"No, Dumbledore!"

Suddenly, Hagrid burst into tears and scrambled to Dumbledore, pleading, "Please... don't kill Fluffy... he's a good boy... please..."

"I think you've misunderstood, Hagrid." Dumbledore looked up at Hagrid, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and patted his arm to comfort him. "I never said I wanted to kill Fluffy."

"Really... really?" Hagrid clutched his chest, sobbing.

"Of course," Dumbledore laughed. "I guarantee it."

Although killing Fluffy directly would have been the simplest and most convenient method, Dumbledore never considered doing so.

Because in this whole affair, Fluffy was the most innocent party.

After Hagrid calmed down, Dumbledore continued, "Coincidentally, before I became the headmaster, I studied the Fear Curse for a while, so I have some understanding of it."

"But now, Kyle... could you please accompany Hagrid to the Hospital Wing?"

Dumbledore blinked and said, "I think he needs a good night's sleep now."

Kyle nodded and left the room.

Clearly, Dumbledore didn't want them involved in what was to come.

Hagrid followed behind him, glancing back every few steps.

"Oh, I almost forgot..." Dumbledore's voice came from inside the room again.

"Hufflepuff adds fifty points."

After leaving the restricted area, Kyle accompanied Hagrid to the Hospital Wing.

Hagrid originally disliked going there, but now he couldn't care less.

Just thinking about how Fluffy was before made Hagrid feel like he was being pricked by needles, making it impossible for him to concentrate. He almost fell down the stairs several times.

Dumbledore was right; he really needed a good night's sleep.

Upon arriving at the Hospital Wing, Kyle explained his purpose to Madam Pomfrey, but for some reason, he didn't mention what had happened in the restricted area, only saying that Hagrid had been traumatized.

Madam Pomfrey glanced at Hagrid, who was standing there with his head down, but didn't ask any questions. She simply took out her wand and enlarged a bed in the corner.

She then walked to a cabinet, took out a bottle labeled "Draught of Living Death," and poured all the Potions inside into a wooden barrel about the size of Quaffle.

Madam Pomfrey poured out three bottles before handing the barrel filled with the Draught of Living Death to Hagrid.

"Lie down on that bed over there, and then drink it."

Hagrid took the barrel and stumbled over, knocking over several beds along the way.

This greatly displeased Madam Pomfrey.

Fortunately, Kyle had already set up the beds in time, so she didn't say anything, just gave a few instructions, and left.

Before long, the sound of snoring filled the Hospital Wing.

Kyle finally breathed a sigh of relief and drew the curtains beside the hospital bed.

After leaving the Hospital Wing, Kyle walked quickly across the courtyard, looked up in the direction of the Quidditch Pitch, and sighed softly.

No one was flying above the stadium anymore, and he could vaguely see a large group of young wizards walking towards the castle.

All of this clearly indicates that the game is over!

Kyle rubbed his forehead; he had already expected this outcome.

It seems to have been like this since last year; whenever there's an important Quidditch Match, something always seems to happen to him.

I thought things would change this year, but it's still the same.