In her panic, Hermione used an unlocking charm on a nearby locked door.
Harry didn't have time to be amazed by Hermione's unlocking spell and immediately led everyone into the room, pressing themselves against the wall corner, holding their breath, afraid to make the slightest sound.
He pressed his ear against the door, listening as Filch's footsteps gradually faded until they disappeared completely. Only then did he let out a huge sigh of relief, his entire body going limp.
Just then, Neville's trembling voice reached his ear: "Can I start screaming now..."
Harry turned his head to look, and the sight in front of him almost took his breath away.
A massive body filled the entire room, it was a gigantic monster with three heads, each head taller than he was, with exposed fangs, dripping with saliva.
"What is... that?" Hermione stammered.
All three heads of the dog turned toward Harry and his companions simultaneously, six eyes glinting with malice in the dim room.
Its nose twitched, clearly having detected the presence of Harry and the others.
Suddenly, the middle head opened its enormous mouth, revealing sharp fangs, and its long tongue surged toward Harry like a massive whip.
Harry felt a wave of foul stench hit him, like a mixture of rotting meat and sulfur, making him nearly suffocate.
Everyone instinctively backed away, pressing tightly against the wall with nowhere to escape.
However, just as Harry felt despair, something unexpected happened.
The Chomping Cabbage jumped out of his pocket, bouncing like a rubber ball to the bottom of the three-headed dog's body.
It instantly grew as large as one of the dog's heads, opened its mouth also full of sharp teeth, and bit down hard on the three-headed dog's left thigh.
The three-headed dog let out a painful howl, shaking the entire room.
Then, all three heads turned toward the Chomping Cabbage, trying to shake it off, but the Chomping Cabbage held on tight, even tearing at the flesh.
The Chomping Cabbage tore off a large chunk of flesh, causing blood to gush out immediately, spattering on the floor.
The metallic smell of blood instantly filled the room, so intense it made one nauseous.
But everyone was too stunned to think about covering their noses.
'That must have been extremely painful...' Harry couldn't help but think.
After doing all this, the Chomping Cabbage finally let go of the three-headed dog. It spat the bloody flesh on the ground, returned to its normal size, and hopped back into Harry's arms.
The three-headed dog was still in agony. But because its target had suddenly disappeared, it could only bare its teeth and start howling madly, its large movements even caused the iron chains behind it to clank loudly.
Someone shouted, and Harry immediately came to his senses, stuffing the Chomping Cabbage back into his pocket and feeling for the door handle behind him.
Harry slammed the door, cutting off the three-headed dog's howls.
Back in the corridor, they began running frantically.
This time, Lady Luck seemed to favor them. Apart from a ghost squatting absentmindedly in a corner, they didn't encounter anyone else on their way and successfully returned to the Gryffindor common room.
However, no one felt like celebrating. They all collapsed onto the common room carpet, momentarily lost for words.
Hermione was the first to recover, and murmured, "What was... that animal?"
"Some kind of monster," Harry had caught his breath and climbed up from the floor to sit on the sofa, his hands were still trembling slightly.
"Look at what you've all done," Hermione suddenly said angrily as her voice quivered slightly. "You'd better understand how foolish you've been tonight! Oh, my goodness, we almost died."
"You were part of it too!" Ron stood up, retorting furiously. "Don't act like you weren't involved."
"Enough!" Harry tugged on Ron's arm, trying to resolve the argument. "We're all uninjured, aren't we?"
Only then did Ron sit back down, putting his hands behind him for support. "The school must be crazy, keeping such a dangerous monster here."
Harry nodded in agreement. Another moment of silence followed.
"Actually, it was guarding something," Hermione said as she headed toward the dormitory. "I saw it standing on a trapdoor... Well, I'm going to bed."
After Hermione left, Harry and Ron exchanged glances.
As for Neville, he had been lying on the floor since they returned, curled up and motionless.
Upon closer inspection, Harry discovered he had already fallen asleep.
"By the way, Harry, what was that thing that fought with the big dog?" Ron suddenly remembered something and asked Harry.
Harry paused for a moment, then quickly pulled the Chomping Cabbage out of his pocket to check its condition.
It had returned to its normal size, lying quietly in Harry's palm with its leaves slightly curled, not moving at all.
"It was this little fellow?!" Ron's eyes widened in disbelief. "Merlin's beard... this thing is actually so powerful? I thought it was only interested in robes and shoes."
In fact, Harry was just as surprised as Ron, but more relieved—thankfully he had brought the Chomping Cabbage along before they left.
"It's tired, Ron. Let's not disturb it. Let's go back to the dormitory."
Back at the dormitory, Harry carefully carried the Chomping Cabbage and placed it back in the pot on the windowsill.
The Chomping Cabbage now needed good rest and nutrients. Perhaps tomorrow he could order some plant fertilizer through owl post.
After doing all this, Harry and Ron together carried Neville, who was still in the common room, back to his bed.
"See you in the morning, Harry," Ron said from his bed.
Harry nodded, but his mind was on the three-headed dog and the trapdoor beneath it.
There must be something hidden down there.
Early the next morning.
While changing into his robes, Harry overheard Neville chatting with Seamus.
"I think I had a nightmare last night," Neville said, rubbing his eyes. "When I woke up this morning, I felt completely drained."
Harry decided not to talk to Neville about last night's events. As for Ron, he was still lying in bed, sound asleep.
Harry walked to the windowsill, deciding to check on the Chomping Cabbage first. After all, it was the real hero of yesterday.
The Chomping Cabbage still looked withered, just like last night. When Harry opened its mouth to check, he found some red blood stains still remaining on its teeth.
"I need to brush your teeth." Harry picked up the Chomping Cabbage and headed to the bathroom.
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