Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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"Why did you stop..."
Hagrid noticed Kyle's sudden halt and turned to ask, "Did you find something?"
Kyle, lost in thought, didn't answer immediately.
Hagrid followed his gaze curiously and quickly noticed the Moonbeasts dancing gracefully.
"Oh, so that's what you're watching." He exclaimed, "Yes, the Moonbeasts' dance is truly captivating, but we're... well, it's a rare opportunity like this. If you enjoy watching, we can return to the castle a little later."
Although he was anxious, seeing Kyle's engrossed expression, Hagrid didn't press him further.
Hogwarts had a curfew; young wizards weren't allowed to leave the common room after 10 PM. So, in his opinion, Kyle wouldn't normally see such a sight except at this time.
"No need, Hagrid, business is more important. Let's hurry back."
Coming back to his senses, Kyle shook his head and continued walking towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
As they passed Hagrid, Kyle suddenly asked, "By the way, did you come to the Forbidden Forest before Christmas?"
"Before Christmas?" Hagrid asked, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," Kyle said. "I'm just curious, do you go to the Forbidden Forest every day?"
"Not every day, maybe twice a week," Hagrid thought for a moment. "As for before Christmas, I can't quite remember, but it should be something like that."
"No unexpected situations?" Kyle frowned. "Like if you discovered something amiss and came to the Forbidden Forest at night to check things out."
"No," Hagrid shook his head, stating definitively. "The Forbidden Forest was very peaceful before. I only came at night to collect Moonbeast droppings or to visit Fluffy."
"Is that so?" Kyle glanced at Hagrid thoughtfully, then remained silent.
The two crossed the dark grounds back to the castle and headed straight for the headmaster's office on the eighth floor.
As they climbed the stairs, Hagrid muttered to himself, "Hopefully Dumbledore isn't asleep yet, otherwise we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"It's alright," Kyle reassured him, "Old people are light sleepers, a few knocks and he'll wake up."
When they reached the second floor, they encountered Filch and Mrs. Norris coming down from upstairs.
The trophy room was on the fourth floor, and he had come straight over after hearing the commotion, now blocking Hagrid's way.
"Why are you back so soon?" Filch said grimly, "This isn't in accordance with regulations."
"Get out of the way, Filch," Hagrid impatiently shoved Filch aside, "I need to find Dumbledore now, I don't have time to waste with you." The frail Filch looked like a chick next to Hagrid, easily pushed aside.
Filch's face flushed with anger, and he wanted to grab Hagrid, but the man's over three-meter-tall stature quickly calmed him down.
Filch considered himself a reasonable person, so he stood there gesturing wildly, spouting off about the curfew rules, trying to verbally drive Hagrid out of the castle.
Perhaps due to his agitation, he accidentally hit a portrait nearby.
"Thump..."
"Ouch! Who hit me in the face!" The portrait, infuriated by the unexpected blow, opened its eyes and roared, "What are you doing? It's bedtime!"
Filch offered a few explanations, but when he turned around, Hagrid had already walked down the stairs and disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
"That brainless idiot!"
Filch grumbled as he straightened the portrait he had knocked askew, then led Lady Norris away via another staircase.
Meanwhile, Hagrid, after leaving the second floor, couldn't help but complain, "That grumpy old geezer, every time I come to the castle he brings that cat with me. I really want to introduce it to Fang."
Kyle shrugged noncommittally.
Honestly, with Fangh's timid nature, he might not be able to handle Lady Norris.
The two arrived at the gargoyle statue on the eighth floor. Hagrid cleared his throat and said, "Iced lemonade."
The command was correct, and the statue jumped aside, revealing the staircase behind it.
"Dumbledore told me," Hagrid whispered, "He told me to tell him as soon as I have any news."
After climbing the stairs, Hagrid began knocking… no, to be precise, banging on the door.
Perhaps accustomed to the heavy castle doors, even though his movements were very gentle, the oak door still pounded loudly under his knocks.
Kyle felt he couldn't make that much noise even if he kicked it.
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In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore, dressed in light pink pajamas with a strawberry pattern, sat behind his desk, somewhat helplessly saying, "Hagrid, I won't be going to sleep for a while. You could have knocked a little softer."
"Sorry, Dumbledore," Hagrid said somewhat apologetically, "I'll be more careful next time."
"I didn't mean to blame you, Hagrid...it's just that I really don't have time to look for a new door right now," Dumbledore said with a smile. "So, is there something you need so late?"
"Well, we found something very strange in the Forbidden Forest," Hagrid said. "I found my footprints in a place, but I'm sure I've never been there before."
Kyle stepped forward, placed the clod of earth with the footprints and the corroded tree trunk on the table, and described the situation in detail.
Dumbledore bent down, carefully examining the items on the table, his crooked nose almost touching the earth.
Then, he touched the corroded tree trunk with his hand.
"Have you found traces of your existence in a place beyond your memory?" Dumbledore murmured to himself. "It is indeed a strange thing, but not entirely impossible, with just a little help..."
Hagrid's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Do you know what this is about?"
"Not yet, I need to think about it."
Dumbledore straightened up, his gaze shifting slightly, and said gently, "But Kyle, you need to go back and rest now. I hope this detention has been fruitful for you."
"Alright..."
Although he didn't hear any more information, which disappointed Kyle, since Dumbledore had said so, he nodded and said, "Well then... goodnight Headmaster, goodnight Hagrid."
"Goodnight, Kyle."
[End of the chapter]