As they were about to exit the Forbidden Forest, Fred and George finally gave in, abandoning their struggle, but still couldn't stop complaining about Kael's wastefulness.
"There was still a lot left, we wasted at least a Galleon."
Fred lifted the hem of his robe, using it as a large pocket filled with a mound of silver "Moonlight Sand".
George had the same look next to him, making them look like two kangaroos.
Kael didn't say anything, just gave a couple of perfunctory responses.
He was genuinely exhausted; it was already late, and the initial excitement of seeing the Moonstruck Beast dance had worn off, giving way to the relentless sleepiness that came with staying up late.
All he wanted now was to head back to the dormitory as soon as possible and get a good night's sleep in his warm, comfortable bed.
As they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a dog bark suddenly came from nearby, followed by heavy footsteps.
Hagrid!
The group was startled and immediately hit the ground.
Kael quickly pulled out the Invisibility Cloak.
Though a bit small for five people, unable to completely cover everyone, the dense bushes around them in the Forbidden Forest were good concealment too.
The footsteps grew closer, and they could clearly see Hagrid's massive figure.
Kael lay at the front under the cloak, so tense he barely dared to breathe.
"Who's there, come out!" Hagrid yelled, holding a dim oil lamp, stopping nearby: "I see you!"
Fang, the black hound, also appeared behind Hagrid.
It sniffed the ground and edged bit by bit towards where Kael and the others were hiding.
Everyone's heart was in their throat, clamping their hands over their mouths, trying desperately not to make a sound.
Fang came closer and closer, and quickly the distance was less than a meter. Kael could even clearly see its small black eyes and the saliva dripping continuously from its mouth.
"Found something?"
Hagrid noticed Fang's odd behavior and approached with the lamp, loudly declaring: "I don't care who you are, this is Hogwarts, not a place for your kind to wander freely!"
"Leave before I lose my temper, or if I catch you, you'll be in for it!"
For some reason, upon hearing Hagrid's words, Fang hesitated for a moment before suddenly changing direction, heading into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
Hagrid followed closely, brushing past Kael and the others.
Time ticked by, and only after the footsteps completely disappeared did Kael and the others finally relax, lying on the ground and taking deep breaths.
"What a thrill!" Cedric said, face flushed: "Merlin's beard, I almost felt Hagrid's shoe, he nearly stepped on my hand!"
"Oh damn." Fred exclaimed as he got up from the ground, looking at the sticky liquid on his hand with a grimace: "I think I touched that dog's slobber."
"You should be glad it was just slobber." George said with lingering fear: "Hagrid looked really scary then, if he caught us, it might not have just been detention."
George shivered at the thought of seeing Hagrid so angry, the palpable pressure making him tremble even now.
"We really owe it to you guys this time." Kael patted Fred and George on the shoulders.
If they hadn't collected a bunch of Moonstruck Beast droppings, confusing Fang's sense of smell, they couldn't have slipped by so easily.
After this unexpected incident, they dared not delay. While Hagrid was still in the Forbidden Forest, they tidied up briefly and dashed towards the castle.
At the secret passage exit, they didn't hurry in but checked the Marauder's Map to ensure Filch wasn't on the first floor before passing through the passage back to the castle.
Having different destinations, they parted ways after leaving the passage.
Still spooked by the recent events, they were on edge along the way back.
Cedric, feeling his heart pounding, couldn't help but ask: "Kael, do you think we won't get caught?"
"It's fine, if we're found we'll split up and run." Kael whispered: "That way he won't know who to chase."
"But…" Conna said, trembling: "I-I'm slow, what should I do?"
"Ah, that is a problem." Kael pondered, then suggested: "How about this, if we're discovered, you run upstairs."
"Running upstairs means we won't get caught?" Conna asked puzzledly.
"No, going upstairs isn't safe…" Kael shook his head, explaining: "But that way, Filch will go after you, and Cedric and I can sneak back to the common room."
"…"
???
Conna's gaze slowly turned vacant, then rapidly shifted to anger.
Unaware, Kael continued to murmur: "Catching one while two escape, it's very cost-effective."
Conna gritted her teeth: "And why am I the one to be caught?"
"Um…it's simple." Kael thought for a moment, saying: "If someone has to suffer, why not you?"
Somehow, Conna suddenly wasn't nervous anymore, silently pulling out her wand, eyeing Kael's back, seemingly searching for a suitable spot to jab.
The Snake Wood Wand's most notable feature was its hardness, according to Olivander, in certain extreme situations, it could be used as a melee weapon.
Kael felt a chill down his spine, instinctively quickening his pace.
…
No incidents occurred; they returned to the common room smoothly.
Of course.
Kael had noticed while checking the Marauder's Map at the passage entrance, the professors were all asleep in their rooms, and Filch was patrolling on the eighth floor.
The distance from the Auditorium to the Hufflepuff Common Room wasn't far, just a few minutes at a brisk pace.
Not enough time for Filch to come down.
So Cedric and Conna's worry along the way was entirely unnecessary.
"Goodnight, see you tomorrow." Kael yawned as he returned to the dormitory.
Initially, he was planning to find something to eat in the kitchen upon returning, but the moment he stepped into the common room, he was exhausted.
His eyelids drooped, his head felt foggy, and all he wanted was to sleep well.
"Goodnight."
"Hmph~~"
…