Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 225: The Worst Outcome
The equally hot button was held tightly by two hands.

The Forbidden Forest was dark and silent.

Just as Justin, who had also come to be confined, met up with Hagrid and the others, a loud, mournful cry was heard.

They had come to the Forbidden Forest in search of something, but now Hagrid seems to have found it, and found the worst possible outcome.

“I spotted some guys lurking around in the Forbidden Forest a while ago… Look over there,”

Hagrid said,
"See that glittering thing on the ground? It's silvery-white? That's unicorn blood."

I never imagined that guy's target was a unicorn. I've never heard of a unicorn being harmed before..."

The five people stared silently as a beam of moonlight shone down from between the branches above, illuminating patches of silvery-blue bloodstains on the fallen leaves.

"All right,"

Hagrid said,
"Your mission remains unchanged; we still need to find that guy."

But listen carefully now, what we're about to do tonight is going to be very dangerous.

Harry and the others' anxiety had reached its peak since yesterday. They thought they would feel more at ease after Justin's arrival, but they never expected to get involved in something even more dangerous.

They were starting to shiver, perhaps because the night wind was too biting.

"Don't leave the path. Okay, now let's split into groups of three or four and search along the bloodstains. There are bloodstains everywhere, so it's clear that the unicorn has been stumbling around since at least last night."

Hagrid said.

"I want teeth,"

Malfoy looked at Ya Ya's long teeth and hurriedly said...

Justin remembered what Sheehan had said before he left:
"If you encounter danger in the Forbidden Forest, and you're with Tooth, remember to run fast. Tooth looks fierce, but he's actually about as brave as Malfoy, whom you'll meet."

It seems that some of these predictions have already come true.

"Let's go together, Ya Ya."

Justin was certainly afraid, but he figured he could outrun Malfoy a little faster than put his friend in danger.

So Justin, Malfoy, and Baskerville formed one group, while Harry, Malfoy, and Hagrid formed another.

A gust of wind blew by, and Justin took the map in his hand and waved it at Harry and his two friends. The group, who understood, nodded.

They then went inside.

"We're going to find the culprit who hurt the unicorn? Are you kidding me..."

Ron has been in a state of panic since yesterday, and Hermione and Harry aren't much better off:
"Hagrid, could that be a werewolf?"

Rather than believe the unknown danger, Harry and the others preferred to believe that the werewolf had gone mad.

"The werewolf won't be there so soon—shh—"

Hagrid suddenly fell silent, and the three of them listened intently.

Something was gliding swiftly across the nearby fallen leaves: the sound was like a cloak trailing across the ground. Hagrid squinted at the dark path, and after a few seconds, the sound faded away.

"I see,"

He murmured,
“There is something that did not originally belong here.”

This statement stunned everyone except Hermione, whose quill pen was scratching away.

Before leaving, Sheen hoped that if she encountered anything unexpected, she would record the details.

They walked a little further in and came to a fork in the road. They chose one path and continued walking silently, their eyes fixed on the ground.

"Who's there?!"

Suddenly, they heard a faint sound again, and Hagrid immediately drew his bow and arrow and roared.

Then a centaur-like creature emerged from the forest.

"Good evening, Hagrid."

The centaur said, his voice low and sorrowful.
"You want to shoot me with a bow and arrow?"

"Oh, it's you, Ferencze."

Hagrid breathed a sigh of relief. "Have you noticed anything unusual these past two days?"

Ferencz looked up and gazed at the sky.

"Mars is bright tonight."

"I mean abnormal."

Hagrid then asked.

"Mars is bright tonight."

Ferenczek continued repeating the same thing.

Although somewhat confused, Hermione still wrote down their conversation; Sheen wouldn't let her do anything pointless.

"I've already heard that!"

Hagrid said impatiently.

At this point, Ferenczek suddenly changed his tune:
"I saw different planets changing; Mars remained bright, but Jupiter slowly replaced it."

I saw Uranus suddenly shine brightly, something that hadn't happened in many years. But Pluto, which should have been visible, was hidden behind clouds…

What are you talking about?

Suddenly, more hoofbeats came from the other side of the clearing. A tall centaur burst from the bushes, its belly heaving violently, drenched in sweat. Hermione, who was taking notes, jumped in fright.

“Remember, Ferenczer, we swore an oath never to defy the will of Heaven. Have we not seen the signs indicated by the planetary movements?”

Just then, the sound of dogs barking came from the dense forest again, and Justin and the others seemed to have come following the movements of the centaurs.

Justin and Hermione met up first, and while the centaurs were arguing, he looked at Hermione's notebook:
"Mars symbolizes desire and war; Jupiter represents someone who is constantly growing, and its conjunction with Mars indicates that they will eventually clash..."

Uranus symbolizes awakening and rebellion, while Pluto, symbolizing rebirth, failed to shine…

Justin seemed to know something about astrology, and for some reason Hermione thought that the birthday gift he gave her was a moon chart and astronomical instruments.

"Then what...what does all this mean...?"

Harry asked, still confused.

"Mars is too bright."

Ferenc's deep gaze fell on Justin, then turned to Harry.

Even Justin was confused now, since he only knew a little bit through extensive learning.

After the centaurs left, the following night became extremely unsettling.

Hagrid was angry at Justin's reckless change of direction and wanted to replace him.

Ron was timid and Hermione was pale, so Hagrid had no choice but to put Harry and Malfoy together.

They resumed their search.

To everyone's surprise, they actually found it. Malfoy let out a terrible scream and ran for his life—Toothie also fled for his life.

Only Harry remained, his scars throbbing and burning, unable to move.

The night grew even deeper.

the next day.

Sheen made his own unusual request:
"Professor McGonagall, may we leave now?"

His buttons were burning hot, and Sheen knew that the worst must have happened at Hogwarts.

Think about what dangers Harry and his friends might encounter in the Forbidden Forest?

What kind of danger could make Justin send such a vehement letter to himself, disregarding everything else?

It was the wrong choice.

Or... the wrong time?

Sheen didn't dare to think about it anymore.

(End of this chapter)