Vaughn didn't go to see Hagrid immediately.
It wasn't until the next morning—after receiving a small parcel delivered by Juwei Qiong, the family's majestic owl—that he finally set out. With the package tucked under his arm and Guo Guo Tea perched proudly on his shoulder, he left the castle and followed the winding stone path circling behind the mountain.
Eventually, the path led to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
The border was strikingly clean—an open, flat grassland clearly maintained to stop the forest from creeping toward the castle. Not a shrub remained.
From there, Hagrid's hut stood in perfect view.
A small, rough-looking wooden house.
Moss crept over the stone foundation.
A simple fence enclosed the pumpkin patch behind it.
Smoke curled lazily from the rooftop chimney.
Hagrid was seated on the steps peeling potatoes into a massive copper basin. The moment he spotted Vaughn, he leapt up, wiping his enormous hands on his apron.
"Vaughn Weasley?" he boomed.
"That's me," Vaughn replied with a smile.
A thunderous bark shattered the peace as a giant boarhound charged out of the hut. Hagrid lunged and grabbed its collar.
"Down, Fang! DOWN! Bad boy!"
Vaughn approached calmly and nodded at the dog with polite indifference.
"Hello, Hagrid. Since this is our first proper meeting, I brought a small gift."
"Ah—this—oh…"
Even his thick beard couldn't hide the spreading blush.
Hagrid fumbled awkwardly, suddenly remembering his manners.
"Come in! Come in! You didn't need to bring anything—I only wanted a quick chat—this is far too formal—"
For someone who'd shared a classroom with Socketman (Vaughn's private nickname for a certain pale professor), the half-giant had none of the gravitas one might expect from his age.
If anything, he was endearingly clumsy—more like a child than an adult.
Inside, the hut was… lived-in.
Not filthy, but comfortably chaotic—the kind of mess Vaughn associated with his old Muggle flat when he'd first graduated. Everything was disorganized, yet oddly locatable.
A bright fire roared in the hearth.
A huge chair and table sat nearby, draped with a moleskin coat and Hagrid's pink umbrella.
Hagrid rushed to shove them aside.
"Have a seat! I'll get the tea. You really didn't need to bring a gift. I wasn't expecting— What're you drinkin'?"
"You're already pouring tea," Vaughn said gently.
"Oh! Right, right… Sorry. I just—no one ever brings me presents. Gets me all flustered."
He handed Vaughn a steaming mug and sank into his armchair, eyes drifting toward the parcel.
Vaughn opened it.
Inside lay a Muggle animal encyclopedia.
"Ron told me you love magical creatures," Vaughn said. "I'm not an expert, so I asked my dad to pick up this book from the Muggle world. It's full of creatures—from all over. Thought it might be nice for when you want a break."
Hagrid's expression softened instantly.
He opened the book with immense care—its normal human size looked tiny in his hands—and turned several pages before closing it gently, as if it were glass.
A moment later, he cleared his throat, suddenly shy again.
"About the Philosopher's Stone business… it's tied to Professor Dumbledore. I just wanted to ask you kids to keep it quiet. That's all. Nothing personal."
"I understand," Vaughn said. "I haven't told anyone besides Harry and the others. You can trust me."
Hagrid let out a relieved sigh—
Only for Vaughn to add:
"Actually, while I'm here… could I ask for your help with something?"
"Eh? Anything I can do, I'll try!"
"I'd like to take a walk in the Forbidden Forest."
"Absolutely not!" Hagrid yelped, shaking his head so hard his beard rattled. "Young witches and wizards aren't allowed in there! Vaughn, I heard you're a bright lad—don't go turnin' out like Fred and George! Those two nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Hagrid, I won't be going alone," Vaughn said smoothly.
"I want you to go with me—as a guide. I want to learn about the plants and creatures there."
"…What do you need that for?" Hagrid asked warily.
"I'm a potion-maker," Vaughn replied. "I'm developing something new. I need to know what materials the forest can provide."
Hagrid hesitated.
He'd heard plenty about Vaughn—mostly from Harry and Ron.
Seeing that hesitation, Vaughn struck quickly, launching into a passionate explanation about potion theory, magical attribute analysis, extraction difficulties, and the importance of firsthand observation.
It was a full academic lecture.
Hagrid lasted… thirty seconds.
After three minutes, his eyes glazed.
After five minutes, he surrendered entirely.
"Alright, alright—fine!" he said helplessly. "But we're only goin' near the edge! No deep parts! No Acromantulas, no werewolves, and absolutely NO centaurs! They talk in riddles—terrible for the nerves."
That was that.
Hagrid grabbed his moleskin coat and the crossbow by the door.
"Fang! C'mon, boy— Oh! That's a beaut' of a cat, Vaughn. What's her name?"
"Guo Guo Tea," Vaughn replied, then raised his voice.
"Guo Guo Tea! Stop bullying Fang—he's already hiding under the bed!"
After delivering a few dominant paw-smacks, Guo Guo Tea strutted back proudly.
Hagrid didn't mind in the slightest.
"Fang's a coward," he said fondly. "Only fights things he knows he can win. But he's handy in the forest—creatures know him."
And so the mismatched group—
one wizard,
one half-giant,
one regal cat,
and one trembling dog—
stepped into the Forbidden Forest.
The ancient woods were older than memory.
Towering trees meshed together overhead, forming a canopy that blotted out most of the sky. Thin mist curled around the massive trunks. Shafts of pale daylight pierced through in scattered fragments.
It was daytime—so most magical creatures were still asleep.
The forest felt unnaturally still.
Peaceful, yet tense.
Only the soft crunch of fallen leaves under their feet broke the silence.
Vaughn slipped his wand into his hand.
Noticing this, Hagrid chuckled.
"No need to worry, Vaughn. I've lived here for decades. Nothing'll happen while I'm with yeh."
Oddly enough—Hagrid, who had refused Vaughn earlier, now seemed completely relaxed.
His steps were steady.
His voice was calm.
Vaughn simply smiled.
But he didn't lower his wand.
Because he knew—
This year, the Forbidden Forest was anything but safe.
(End of Chapter 37)
PS : Forbidden Forest – Ancient magical forest bordering Hogwarts; home to dangerous creatures.
Juwei Qiong – The Weasley family's owl delivering Vaughn's package.
Guo Guo Tea – Vaughn's formidable and prideful cat.
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