They left immediately. Dumbledore summoned Fawkes. Brought Gemini directly to his planned location.
The spatial transition was smooth. Gemini blinked and changed places. Couldn't help sighing phoenixes were so convenient. But the scene she saw after opening her eyes wasn't so pleasant.
On this clearing Dumbledore mentioned, spider webs were everywhere. Car-sized spiders were silently surrounding them. Hissing sounds occasionally rang out.
"This is what you call a clearing?" Gemini drew her wand. Looking at these acromantulas, immediately felt new and old grudges surge up. You know, she'd once fled Hogwarts because of these spiders.
Dumbledore rarely went silent. "Well, you should know, last time I came here was when I just became headmaster. Decades passed. Didn't expect the Forbidden Forest developed such a large colony."
The acromantulas started slowly advancing. Gemini blasted away one that stepped into her alert zone. "What do you say? Retreat first? Or clear this place? If some disobedient young wizard runs here, I think you can prepare your parent notification speech."
Dumbledore stroked his beard. "Clear them out! Can't have such dangerous creatures near the school. They look completely uncontrolled!"
Gemini immediately acted. This was the Forbidden Forest. Better not use Fiendfyre. She'd done that before. Nearly burned the forest. This time the headmaster was right beside her. Better not mess around. A barrage of Blasting Curses flew out. Firecracker-like sounds immediately spread through the quiet forest. Startled flocks of birds and small animals.
Then several Sectumsempras. Cut several acromantulas completely in half. Hurricane Charm and Immobulus together bound the scattered acromantulas. One Incendio burned them to ash.
Dumbledore watched Gemini's clean performance. Couldn't help praising: "Truly someone who's experienced war. This technique—really skilled."
While sighing, Dumbledore also drew his wand. "Next I should move around too. Haven't acted in a long time. Don't know if I'm rusty."
A gale suddenly rose around them. The spinning wind swept away spider webs on the ground and trees. But didn't hurt the trees or grass at all. The howling wind rolled away the remaining acromantulas in the clearing. Under Dumbledore's control, formed a large ball of webs and acromantulas. The acromantulas inside were like being stuffed in a washing machine. Spun until limbs fell off.
Soon, Dumbledore casually flicked his wand. The ball rolling with countless acromantulas stopped. Corpses immediately piled into a small mountain.
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "Wow, truly the greatest wizard in a century. Magic control is really good. Is the Elder Wand useful?"
Dumbledore looked at the bumpy wand in his hand. Curiously asked: "In your time, whose hands is the Elder Wand in?"
Gemini smiled. "Always in your hands, Professor. Harry got it in the end. But he felt his holly wand was most comfortable. So the Elder Wand stayed with you too."
Dumbledore lost focus briefly. Smiled. "Really should say, he's a good child. I'm truly glad it was Harry."
"Who's there!" Whoosh—an arrow shot at their feet. A loud shout came from the forest.
From a cave near the clearing, an aged voice with a crying tone also rang out. "Hagrid! Quick, save my children! They've already killed most of my children!"
Hagrid rushed through the trees at a speed unsuited to his size. Came to this clearing. Saw the ground full of acromantula corpses. Immediately flew into a rage. Raised his bow and aimed at the two standing people. When he saw one of them clearly, Hagrid quickly lowered his bow. Smiled guiltily. "Dum—Dumbledore, Professor. You—how come you're here?"
The crying in the cave stopped abruptly. Dumbledore glanced over. Didn't respond. Just looked at Hagrid seriously. "Hagrid, did you raise all these acromantulas?"
Hagrid felt guiltier. "No—no, Professor. I only raised Aragog!"
"Right, you also found him a wife." Gemini rolled her eyes and interrupted. Otherwise how could one male spider breed such a large colony?
"Is that true? Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked seriously.
Hagrid dejectedly dropped his bow. Head down, said sullenly: "Yes, Professor. But Aragog is very good. They've never hurt anyone! I guarantee! They're very safe!"
Dumbledore frowned. Suddenly thought of what Gemini said earliest. If young wizards came here, those acromantulas daring to surround them weren't as obedient as Hagrid said.
"You know what? If we two had no resistance, when you came just now, you'd only see our corpses. Hagrid, I have to punish you. You endangered Hogwarts students' safety. I'm truly disappointed. I originally thought you'd treat Hogwarts as home. Now it seems I really did something wrong!" Dumbledore looked at Hagrid sternly.
Gemini looked over surprised. Was this real or fake? Was Dumbledore really going to drive Hagrid out?
Seeing the gesture Dumbledore made, Gemini immediately understood. Fine, just watch the show. See how Dumbledore disciplined his gamekeeper.
Under Dumbledore's questioning, Hagrid's head lowered more and more. Finally couldn't help crying loudly.
Made Gemini grimace. Couldn't help reaching out to tug Dumbledore's robe. "Wrap it up quickly. This scene is too painful to watch."
Dumbledore coughed awkwardly twice. Then stated his real purpose. "Hagrid, I'm not trying to exterminate them completely. But you must understand—beside the Forbidden Forest is Hogwarts. There are young wizards with no resistance. If these acromantulas really hurt students, your lightest fate is being sent to Azkaban. You understand?"
Hagrid sobbed in reply: "I understand, Dumbledore, Professor. I was wrong! I'll help them move right away. Far away."
Dumbledore blinked. "Ahem, not that far. They can still stay here. But must control their colony's numbers. Also, all Forbidden Forest species need to sign a covenant. You must persuade their leader to sign. Otherwise I can only eliminate their entire colony here. Otherwise such a large group of acromantulas released would throw the magical world into chaos."
Hagrid's eyes widened in delight. "Professor? You mean they can still stay?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Of course. As long as they sign the Forbidden Forest Covenant."
Hagrid quickly ran toward the cave entrance. Soon brought out a huge acromantula. Gemini couldn't help exclaiming. She'd heard of Aragog. But really didn't expect him to be this huge. Big as a small house.
"Professor! This is Aragog. He's also this colony's leader!" Hagrid introduced excitedly. "He's willing to sign the covenant!"
Dumbledore also looked up at Aragog. Felt extremely glad he'd thought of this clearing today.
"Please don't blame Hagrid. I represent my colony. Willing to accept the covenant's constraints!" Aragog rumbled. Spread his eight legs. Made himself completely prostrate on the ground. Showed submission.
Dumbledore nodded. "We have other business. So come on. Get it done quickly."
He reached out. An ancient scroll appeared in his hand. Shook it. The scroll quickly unrolled. Rolled long on the ground. Gemini immediately recognized it as the Forbidden Forest Pact from the school's founding. Said to be jointly established by the four founders. Colonies wanting Hogwarts' protection had to sign names on this covenant. Used to constrain the colony from harming Hogwarts students. When necessary, they'd also become a line of defense for Hogwarts.
"Leave your true name and magic on this pact. Your bloodline descendants will all know this covenant's contents." Dumbledore said.
Aragog obediently stuck a strand of web on the pact. Where the web touched, Aragog's name and an acromantula symbol appeared.
Chittering sounds immediately rang out. Aragog suddenly got excited. "Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. The Forbidden Forest recognizes us! We'll guard the forest and Hogwarts well here. I'll also supervise my descendants. Maintain the colony's numbers!"
Dumbledore waved to put away the Forbidden Forest Pact. Nodded. "Then very good. I hope you won't violate the covenant's contents. Otherwise you should know where those disappeared colonies went."
Aragog obediently agreed. Slowly retreated to his cave.
Hagrid stood awkwardly to the side. Didn't know if he should leave or what.
"Hagrid, I haven't thought of your punishment yet. But you must promise me—if you raise anything in the future, better tell me. If you want to keep it in the Forbidden Forest, then must have the pact's constraints. If there's a next time, I'll have to consider driving you out." Dumbledore coaxed and threatened. Made Hagrid immediately stamp his feet and swear he'd never secretly raise messy things behind Dumbledore's back again!
After arranging these matters, someone else came from outside. Professor McGonagall.
Gemini guiltily hid behind Dumbledore. Cat Professor looked very young now. But the seriousness in her bones still made Gemini a bit scared.
"What happened, Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall asked worriedly.
Dumbledore laughed it off. "Nothing much. Just some of Hagrid's little hobbies. How come you're here?"
Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief. "It was Professor Snape. Said there were large magical fluctuations here. He and I came to check."
"Hmph." A cold snort rang out behind Professor McGonagall. Young Severus Snape, all in black, leaned against a tree. Looked at Dumbledore in the clearing displeased.
Gemini immediately perked up. Young Professor Snape?! Alive! Thinking! Then those many problems she hadn't figured out?
Thought and acted. Gemini's eyes lit up as she rushed out. Pulled out a notebook from her pocket. Waved it running toward Professor Snape. "Professor! Professor! Quick, help me look! How do I solve this?!"
Snape was startled. Face dark looking at this somewhat familiar girl. Looked at the notebook she forcibly stuffed in his hands. Just one glance—he was hooked. This was originally the notebook Gemini and Snape's portrait discussed. But portraits were just memories. No way to solve problems. Now rarely meeting the living one, Gemini had to seize the chance to ask clearly. Finally understood why Tony prepared questions for Nicolas Flamel.
Snape silently flipped through the notebook. Some things on it were still a bit profound for him now. Had to think carefully.
"You are?" Snape finally reacted. This girl Dumbledore brought—he still didn't know her name. But she looked extremely familiar with him.
Gemini looked at Dumbledore awkwardly. "Ahem, I'm Gemini. Right, Gemini." She didn't dare mention her surname. Snape at this time deeply hated the Black surname.
Dumbledore also quickly smoothed things over. "Gemini, what did we come to do? Do you remember?"
Gemini had a sudden realization. "Right! We came to see the gifts. Better finish business first!"
After speaking, she didn't ask for her notebook back. Walked to the clearing's center. Looked left and right. Had Dumbledore lead people to the edge. Put down the palm-sized building. Ran to Dumbledore's side. Pressed the button.
The building whooshed to normal size. Nearby trees were squeezed almost falling.
Gemini climbed out of the bushes furiously. Their group was completely thrown flying by the suddenly enlarged house. This was what they called a small house?!
Dumbledore patted grass off himself. Pulled Professor McGonagall up. "Really is not small."
Gemini circled around. Found the main door. Looking at the familiar password lock on it, Gemini showed a "kind" smile. Very good. This was definitely the Weasley twins' handiwork.
Opened the door. A pile of packages came tumbling out. Gemini was nearly buried.
Dumbledore walked to the door. Stuck his head in to look. Inside was densely packed with packages. Immediately felt troubled. "This many? Did you empty the future magical world?"
"Future?" Snape keenly noticed Dumbledore's wording. Looking at that black-haired girl, immediately narrowed his eyes.
Gemini looked at the huge pile of packages melancholy. How long would this take her to sort?
"Do you mind using house-elves to sort this out? I think this really isn't a small project." Dumbledore asked.
Gemini was of course willing. Nodded eagerly. Dumbledore didn't waste words. Called a group of house-elves. Sorted by package names and types. To prevent damage, Dumbledore also used Transfiguration to make a tent for this place. That house could only temporarily stay in the Forbidden Forest.
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