Hogwarts' Golden Glory

"I'm more concerned about whether we can come back alive."

Ron interrupted him, his voice trembling slightly.

"George and Fred said that there are things in the Forbidden Forest that are more terrifying than werewolves and spiders."

Harry was about to say something when he suddenly heard a familiar, dragging sound of footsteps coming from the shadows of the castle.

Filch's hunched figure slowly came into view, carrying a swaying oil lamp.

Mrs. Lorris crouched on the other person's shoulder.

"Ah ha," Filch's hoarse voice sounded like fingernails scraping a blackboard, "it seems our little criminals are quite punctual."

"We're here on time," Harry said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Where's Hagrid?"

Filch let out a piercing laugh. "In such a hurry to die, Potter?"

He slowly approached, the light of the oil lamp illuminating three tense faces. "I bet you regret breaking the school rules now, don't you?"

Ron's ears turned red. "We just—"

"Just what?"

Filch suddenly raised his voice, spittle flying everywhere, "Just wandering around in the middle of the night?"

His voice grew increasingly shrill, "What do you think Hogwarts is? An amusement park?"

Neville shrank back, but his eyes still gleamed with anticipation for the Forbidden Forest.

Filch noticed, and he grimaced as he moved closer to Neville.

"Longbotton, your stupid excitement disgusts me."

He hissed, "The Forbidden Forest will teach you what fear is, I promise. Maybe you'll understand the importance of following the rules when you're torn to shreds by werewolves."

Harry felt a surge of anger. "You can't threaten us like that!"

Filch suddenly turned to Harry, the oil lamp almost touching Harry's nose.

"threaten?"

He chuckled, a chilling laugh. "This isn't a threat, Potter, it's a fact. The Forbidden Forest isn't a place for arrogant little wizards like you, but since you enjoy breaking the rules so much..."

He made an exaggerated gesture, "Then go and experience the consequences for yourself."

Mrs. Lorris let out a scream in response, jumped down, and circled around the three men's feet, as if considering where to start biting.

"If you could have even half of what Master Kane was like," Filch suddenly changed the subject, his voice carrying a strange longing, "maybe you wouldn't have ended up like this."

Harry and Ron exchanged a puzzled look.

Kane Malfoy? Why does Filch admire Kane so much?

"Kane Malfoy?" Ron couldn't help but exclaim, "That Slytherin guy—"

"—Exemplary student,"

Filch interrupted him, a strange light flashing in his eyes, "Yes, Weasley, the excellent wizard who doesn't disregard the rules like you."

Just then, heavy footsteps and Hagrid's booming voice came from afar: "Hey there, lads!"

Filch's expression immediately returned to its usual disgust. "Looks like your executioners have arrived."

He said in a low voice, then raised it, "Remember, Rupert, these boys have to stay with you the whole time, not a single step away. If I find out they're slacking off or running away..."

After all, this was Professor Snape's request.

"Don't worry, Argus," Hagrid said cheerfully, his massive figure emerging from the darkness, "I'll take good care of them."

Filch gave the three of them one last glare. "Think carefully about what Kane Malfoy would do," he hissed. "Maybe that's how you'll come back alive."

Having said that, he dragged himself back into the shadows of the castle, the light of the oil lamp gradually fading away.

Only his shrill voice echoed in the night air: "You must be back before midnight, or else..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the threat was obvious.

The edge of the Forbidden Forest is like a black wound torn across the land of Hogwarts.

Hagrid's massive figure paused at the entrance.

Although the lantern he was holding was several times larger than Filch's.

But the flickering firelight could only illuminate a few feet ahead.

"Stay close to me, lads," Hagrid said in a low voice, turning back, his beard gleaming bronze in the lamplight. "These nights haven't been peaceful around here."

Harry walked at the front, the tip of his wand shimmering with the glow-in-the-dark charm.

Ron was pressed close to his left side, his breathing noticeably more rapid than usual.

Only Neville seemed utterly fearless, his round face filled with anticipation, his fingers constantly stroking the spine of the Fantastic Beasts Encyclopedia in his arms.

"Hagrid,"

Harry spoke suddenly, his voice unusually clear in the silent woods, "You used to...know my dad and Sirius, didn't you?"

Hagrid paused noticeably, the glow of his lantern casting a swaying shadow on the tree trunk.

"Of course I know them," his voice suddenly softened, "James and Sirius, and Lupin...they were very brave."

Harry's heart raced. Although he already knew from what everyone had said yesterday that the godfather was innocent.

But I have never met him, and I have rarely heard any specific stories about his past.

"What kind of person is Sirius Black?"

Harry tried to make his voice sound curious rather than eager.

Hagrid suddenly stopped and turned to face Harry.

The light shone from his chin upwards, adding a touch of gentleness to his rugged face.

"Him," Hagrid's voice was tinged with nostalgia, "was your father's best friend, closer than a brother. Brave, intelligent, but a bit reckless..."

Harry felt a warmth in his chest, as if he had drunk a cup of hot cocoa.

Ron leaned closer curiously. "Really? But everyone said he was the mysterious man's henchman!"

"Everyone is wrong," Hagrid interrupted him firmly.

"Harry, the motorcycle I gave you before was given to me by Sirius. He was the first to arrive after your parents died. If it weren't for Dumbledore..."

Hagrid's words were interrupted by Neville's sudden scream.

Neville pointed to a glowing trail in the distance, his excitement bordering on incoherent: "Are those unicorn tracks? The book says their hoofprints glow in the moonlight!"

All eyes turned to the direction Neville was pointing.

Hagrid's expression instantly turned serious. He strode towards the glowing area, with Harry, the other two close behind.

Those are not hoof prints.

On the ground, the silvery-white liquid shimmered eerily under the moonlight.

"Merlin's beard..." Hagrid knelt down, his fingers trembling as he touched the liquid. "This is unicorn blood...fresh..."

"He was injured by something, and he's badly hurt. I found a dead unicorn last week! We need to find this guy as soon as possible."

Neville's face instantly drained of color, and the book in his arms fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Ron's Adam's apple bobbed. "What if the one who hurt the unicorn also tries to hurt us?"