The next day, students in the Care of Magical Creatures class noticed something new.
A lovely little witch would occasionally appear among them. She always carried a thick notebook and sat by herself during class, seemingly recording something. She rarely participated in the practical parts of the lessons, but sometimes, if the creature being discussed was a gentler type, Professor Kahn would place one beside her, allowing her to learn about the animals with the rest of the class.
Most of the Gryffindor students recognized this studious little witch, but her personality was reclusive, and she generally didn't interact with people. This made them even more confused.
Why was Hermione Granger attending Care of Magical Creatures classes?
A few days later, another Care of Magical Creatures class ended, and Hermione put away her notes, unable to suppress a yawn. Due to her other classes, she couldn't attend every lesson, but even attending only half was much more tiring than studying by herself in the library. Yet, she didn't dislike this feeling; only by attending classes could she understand these magical creatures better and help Professor Kahn more.
Now, she no longer needed Professor Kahn to provide analysis; she could grade the essays for the lower years all by herself. Thinking of this, a happy smile appeared on her tired face.
"Am I being a bit inhumane?"
Gathering the Bowtruckles that had been distributed, Evans, who had just finished class, felt a subtle pang of guilt as he looked at the tired little witch not far away. Children of this age should be happily playing with friends on the playground, not spending every day, besides classes, studying and practicing magic in the library, and even helping him grade essays.
Was he, in a way, stealing a child's childhood?
Putting the Bowtruckles into his briefcase, Evans pondered for a moment, then walked towards Hermione, who had just finished packing her things. His initial intention for finding an assistant had just been to have her help classify essays, at most to glance through them and provide him with some reference. After all, it was his course, and checking the students' assignments was his duty. But now, Hermione could even grade the lower-year essays independently, which had far exceeded his expectations. This also meant that the child had put far more effort into this than he had imagined.
This couldn't continue.
"Coming to Care of Magical Creatures class whenever you have free time, aren't you tired?" Evans asked softly as he approached her. "I didn't intend for you to actually grade assignments in my place; that's not something a first-year should be doing. You shouldn't be working so hard at this age; you should play more with your friends."
He knew this girl was very stubborn and might not listen to him, possibly even arguing back. But he still wanted to try and dissuade her, to lessen some of her pressure.
This time, however, upon hearing Professor Kahn's words, Hermione uncharacteristically said nothing, instead lowering her head, looking a bit disappointed.
"What's wrong?" Noticing her mood, Evans squatted down and ruffled her head.
"I… I don't have friends."
"…"
The hand ruffling her head froze, and Evans fell silent. He hadn't expected such an answer, but it was surprisingly reasonable. How could a child who had been cooped up in the library every day since the start of term, spending all her time studying except for sleeping and eating, have time to make friends?
Looking at the little witch's dejected appearance, a complex look flashed in Evans's eyes. Having no friends reminded him of himself when he first came to Hogwarts. When he was first sorted into Slytherin, he also had no friends, but at that time, he had the soul of an adult, and his mind was entirely focused on the Forbidden Forest, so he didn't care much. But this child was only eleven.
After a long silence, Evans made a decision. He stood up and patted the little witch's head. "Come with me."
Saying this, he picked up his briefcase and walked towards his hut. "I'll take you to meet some friends."
The afternoon sun filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled light on Evans as he walked. The little witch behind him cautiously held a Diricawl and a Niffler, her expression somewhat apprehensive.
"Pro-Professor Kahn, the Headmaster doesn't allow students into the Forbidden Forest, does he?" She was grateful that the professor had introduced her to two lovely friends, but he seemed not entirely satisfied and had even taken her into the Forbidden Forest. This was a place explicitly forbidden by the Headmaster!
"You said it yourself, students are not allowed in," Evans smiled and turned to look at her. "Am I a student?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Then there you have it. Since I'm no longer a student, it should be perfectly reasonable for me to bring a student in, right?"
Looking at her hesitant expression, Evans let out a chuckle. "Don't worry, that school rule is to prevent students from having accidents in the Forbidden Forest. It's allowed if a professor accompanies them. Sometimes, even detention involves patrolling the Forbidden Forest with the gamekeeper."
Having received Professor Kahn's explanation, Hermione finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then she looked at his back with some dissatisfaction. Why did Professor Kahn seem to be getting naughtier and naughtier?
After walking for a while longer, seeing the surrounding trees grow taller and taller, Hermione couldn't help but ask again, "Professor, what exactly are we doing in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Have you pretty much mastered the Stomping Charm?" Evans didn't answer directly, instead asking this question.
"Hmm, I've already gotten the hang of it," Hermione replied. Her Stomping Charm could now cause a faint tremor, just enough to make pebbles roll.
"Then there's no problem." Evans stopped. A silvery-white mark had lit up on the back of his hand earlier, and it was gradually brightening, now so bright that its glow could be seen even in daylight. "I brought you here mainly to meet a big friend, and to brew the potion I promised to give you. It's almost here."
Saying this, he raised his hand, the silver light on the back of his hand now somewhat dazzling. The next moment, Hermione felt a faint tremor in the ground beneath her feet. The tremor was continuously growing stronger, and at the same time, a rumbling sound was rapidly approaching. Trees not far away were falling to either side.
Looking at the falling trees, Evans couldn't help but rub his forehead. This was still near the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, close to Hogwarts, theoretically considered school territory. They wouldn't make him pay, would they?
Just as Evans was thinking this, in Hermione's line of sight, a golden hill appeared above the distant treeline. The hill was moving rapidly towards them, and in a moment, accompanied by a tremendous rumbling sound, the trees in front collapsed, stirring up a cloud of dust.
As the dust cleared, a colossal golden creature appeared before Hermione's eyes.
Then it charged towards Professor Kahn's chest
(End of Chapter)
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