After a unanimous vote by everyone in the Dueling House, it was decided that Seamus is now banned from using explosive spells in the Room of Requirement from now on.
This guy is just too weird—all other spells are a blur to him, but the Explosion Spell clicks instantly…
"I can't imagine what would happen if you used that on someone, Seamus," Ron said, his throat a little dry.
But Harry also noticed something: Seamus's Explosion Spell might be loud and look scary, but its actual power wasn't up to that of an adult wizard—emphasis on adult wizard.
Still, for a first-year young wizard, that was nothing short of top-tier.
Even a hundred years ago, it would've made Sebastian's eyes light up.
Seamus said it's a shame, and that all he can do is keep practicing Expelliarmus, hoping he can turn "blowing up his hand" into "blowing up someone's wand."
"You guys are amazing…" Neville said, envious. "I'm just too dumb, I can't work out spells at all. Hermione's taught me forever, but I still haven't got a clue."
"Everyone's got their own strengths, Neville," Harry said. "I think you've got a real talent for Herbology. I mean, look—the Biting Kale Professor Sprout gave me is thriving with you! It bit Quirrell's forehead and didn't let go for ages."
"But that's just growing plants, it's not much help in a duel." Neville squatted down, looking a bit dejected.
"Who said that, Neville?" Harry grinned, sitting down next to him and speaking softly, "Magical plants can totally help wizards in a fight. Picture this: in the middle of a duel, you toss ten Biting Kales at your opponent—believe me, most wizards wouldn't stand a chance."
"Really?" Neville's eyes were starting to turn red.
"Of course it's true, and there's more than just Biting Kale to help a wizard out…" Harry gestured at Hermione. "See, there's also a plant called Mandrake—Hermione?"
Hermione got the hint and told Neville, "The book says, when you pull up a Mandrake, its humanoid root will let out an ear-splitting scream, strong enough to make you faint—or even kill you."
"Yeah, that's right." Harry smiled, trying to reassure Neville. "Imagine pulling out a screaming Mandrake in a big fight, what would happen? Or—how about this—record a Howler Letter with a Mandrake scream?"
As Harry spoke, Neville's eyes brightened more and more.
"Harry, you're right." Neville's gaze grew determined. "I think I should take your advice—actually, I do like Herbology a lot."
"At the same time, don't drop spell practice either." Harry patted Neville's shoulder. "Spells are still the foundation for us wizards, after all."
After a healthy dose of Harry's pep talk, Neville perked up and got back to practicing spells again.
By the time Harry had to go to Hagrid for his punishment, Neville could just about cast the Disarming Spell—though it was still pretty hit-and-miss.
Harry was happy enough with that. Neville's not exactly a prodigy, after all.
Harry handed the seeds over to Neville, letting him be in charge of growing the Biting Kale.
Before heading to the Forbidden Forest, Harry took out Davima's magic wand.
Because with the Flashback Spell around, using your own wand made it really easy to trace what spells you'd used.
So bringing Davima's wand along, just in case.
This way, if he ran into real trouble in the Forbidden Forest, he could whip out a few inoffensive minor curses without worry—right?
He stashed away the wand and walked out of the Gryffindor Common Room.
Ron and the others were waiting for Harry in the entrance hall. When they saw him coming down, Ron hurried over and said, "Harry, let us walk you there."
"No need, it's freezing out—go back and get some rest," Harry said.
"It's already so late, I don't think you should be vibrant the Forbidden Forest." Neville whispered, "Gran told me about it—she said there's stuff of all sorts in there… even werewolves…"
"No, I'm going to find Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione turned around, heading for the stairs.
Ron grabbed her and said, "Principal Dumbledore might not even be in the Headmaster's Office at this hour, and even if he is, he might not see you—and did you forget? Harry's beaten a Giant before. I think you should worry about werewolves, not Harry."
"Oh, thanks, Ronald." Hermione shot back, sarcastic. "Your best friend is about to go into the Forbidden Forest, and you're here cracking jokes!"
"Harry? Ron? Hermione?" Hagrid's voice came from outside the main doors. He ducked into the entrance, then spotted the other two as well: "Oh, Seamus and Neville too, you're all here…"
The five kids looked up. Hagrid, towering above them, carried a huge stone bow on his back and a stuffed quiver slung over his shoulder. That tall, sturdy presence alone made them all feel a lot safer.
"Good thing Hagrid's with you," Hermione whispered, then turned to Harry: "We'll head back for now. You and Hagrid take care—if you run into danger, remember to flee!"
"I will, Hermione." Harry smiled at her. After saying goodbye to the others, he left with Hagrid.
"Fitch didn't want to pick you up, so I came instead," Hagrid told Harry as they walked. "That old waste of space… don't pay him any mind. He's scared of you now—he always bullies the weak and fears the strong… Which, honestly, is for the better. Since You-Know-Who fell and the school cracked down, a lot of old rules disappeared; Fitch lost the right to punish students—I even heard Ron's dad, Arthur, still has scars from when the old caretaker, Apollion Primrose, used to whip him."
"You know about that too?" Harry asked, interested. He knew the Hogwarts caretaker used to be able to punish students, but the caretakers from a century ago didn't seem to dare mess with students these days.
"Molly always brings it up to teach her kids—you've seen how well that works." Hagrid chuckled. "Just look at their twins—still just as mischievous as ever."
Harry thought about the Weasley Twins' usual antics and nodded in agreement.
"True enough."
"Alright, we'd better get going, then."
The two of them came to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid raised his lantern high, pointing to a winding trail that disappeared into the dense woods. "Look, see the silvery blood on the ground? That's unicorn blood. A unicorn in the Forbidden Forest has been injured again—second time this week. No one here would hurt such a pure and noble creature, except a poacher. We need to find that poor unicorn and put it out of its misery."
A poacher?
Harry felt a tingle of excitement, his eyes sparkling.
Anyone daring enough to hurt a unicorn? That's not your average poacher—they deserve a solid beating!
He put on the most harmless-looking smile.
"Then why not find the poacher and put him out of his misery?"
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