"Why did you stop..."
Hagrid noticed that Kael suddenly stopped and turned around to ask, "Did you find something?"
Kael was thinking about something and didn't reply immediately.
Hagrid, a bit curious, followed his gaze and quickly noticed the mooncalves dancing gracefully.
"Oh, you were watching that." He suddenly understood, "Yes, the dance of the mooncalves is indeed enchanting, but we now... Alright, since it's such a rare opportunity, if you enjoy watching, we can head back to the castle a bit later."
Although he felt anxious, seeing Kael so mesmerized, Hagrid didn't urge him again.
Hogwarts has a curfew, which doesn't allow young wizards to leave the common room after ten at night. So, to him, Kael wouldn't usually get to see such a sight at any other time.
"No, Hagrid, we should prioritize what we have to do, let's head back quickly."
Once he snapped out of it, Kael shook his head and continued towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
As he passed by Hagrid, Kael suddenly asked, "By the way, did you come to the Forbidden Forest before Christmas?"
"Before Christmas?" Hagrid asked, puzzled, "Why are you asking?"
"Nothing," Kael said. "I was just curious, do you have to come to the Forbidden Forest daily?"
"Not daily, about twice a week," Hagrid thought and replied, "As for before Christmas, I can't quite remember, but it should've been the same."
"No unexpected situations?" Kael frowned, "Like discovering anything unusual and coming to check the Forbidden Forest late at night."
"No," Hagrid shook his head, affirming, "The Forbidden Forest was quite calm before; I only came at night to collect mooncalf dung or to check on Fluffy."
"Is that so?" Kael glanced at Hagrid thoughtfully but said nothing further.
The two crossed the dark grounds and returned to the castle, heading straight to the Headmaster's Office on the eighth floor.
While climbing the stairs, Hagrid muttered softly, "I hope Dumbledore hasn't gone to bed yet; otherwise, we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"It's fine," Kael comforted, "Old people sleep lightly; knock enough times, and he'll naturally wake."
When they reached the second floor, they ran into Filch and Mrs. Norris coming down the stairs.
The trophy room is on the fourth floor, and hearing the noise earlier, he came straight over, now coincidentally blocking Hagrid's path.
"How did you come back so soon?" Filch said with a sullen face, "This isn't according to the rules."
"Move aside, Filch," Hagrid impatiently pushed Filch to the side, "I need to see Dumbledore, no time to waste on you."
Filch, frail as a chick in front of Hagrid, was pushed aside directly.
Filch was flushed with anger, wanting to grab Hagrid but calmed down quickly seeing his towering three-meter frame.
Filch considered himself a reasonable person, so he stood there flailing and yammering about the curfew rules, trying to verbally drive Hagrid out of the castle.
In his excitement, he accidentally bumped into a nearby painting.
"Thud..."
"Ouch, who hit my face!" The painting's occupant, suddenly struck, was very displeased, opened his eyes, and scolded, "What are you doing, it's sleeping time!"
Filch mumbled a brief explanation and turned back to find Hagrid had already flitted past the stairs and vanished around the corridor's corner.
"That brainless fool!"
Filch muttered angrily while straightening the skewed painting and then left through another staircase with Mrs. Norris.
Meanwhile, after leaving the second floor, Hagrid couldn't help but complain, "That cranky old git, every time I come to the castle, he makes that cat follow me; I really should introduce it to Fang."
Kael noncommittally shrugged his shoulders.
Honestly, with Fang's timid nature, he's not likely to deal with Mrs. Norris.
The two arrived before the gargoyle statue on the eighth floor, and Hagrid cleared his throat, "Iced Lemonade."
The correct password caused the statue to jump aside, revealing the staircase behind it.
"Dumbledore told me," Hagrid whispered, "He wants me to inform him first when I have news."
After walking up the stairs, Hagrid began knocking on the door... No, it was more like pounding on the door.
Maybe he's so accustomed to the hefty castle doors. Although he was gentle, the oak door resounded loudly under his knocks.
Kael felt even kicking it wouldn't make such a racket.
...
In the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore, in a light pink, strawberry-patterned pajama, sat behind his desk, somewhat helplessly said, "Hagrid, I won't be sleeping for a while; you could knock a bit softer."
"Sorry, Dumbledore," Hagrid said, somewhat embarrassed, "I'll be mindful next time."
"I'm not blaming you, Hagrid... It's just I don't have time to find a new door," Dumbledore chuckled, "So, what's brought you here so late?"
"It's like this; we found something strange in the Forbidden Forest," Hagrid said, "I discovered my footprints in a place, but I'm sure I've never been there."
Kael stepped forward, placing the muddy footprint and the corroded tree trunk on the desk and detailed the situation.
Dumbledore bent down, carefully observing the items on the desk, his crooked nose nearly touching the soil.
Then he touched the corroded tree trunk with his hand.
"Discovering traces of oneself in places beyond memory is indeed odd, but not impossible, just needs a little help..." Dumbledore murmured.
Hagrid's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Do you know what this means?"
"Not yet; I need to think it over," Dumbledore straightened up, gently shifting his gaze and warmly said, "But Kael, you need to rest now; I hope this detention brings you some insight."
"Alright..."
Though disappointed at not hearing more, since Dumbledore said so, Kael nodded, "In that case... Goodnight, Headmaster, goodnight, Hagrid."
"Goodnight, Kael."
...
...