Chapter 71. Teaching in the Forest
At the edge of the forest, the Slytherin and Gryffindor students stood in two separate clumps, distinct as black and white.
"In a moment we will be going into the forest to study," said Professor Kettleburn to everyone.
As his words fell, the Gryffindor students erupted into loud cheers and began chattering away.
The Slytherin students were a little quieter, but not by much, and each face wore barely suppressed delight.
The Forbidden Forest was a place the school had expressly forbidden them to enter, and now they actually had the chance to have a lesson there.
Everyone looked forward to the lesson to come.
"Quiet, quiet!" Professor Kettleburn was forced to use the Amplifying Charm (Sonorus), working hard to drown out everyone's voices.
"Before we go in, there are a few things I must warn you about!"
"First, Duncan is my teaching assistant, and you must follow his arrangements.
Oh, and Hagrid as well.
You must listen to him too."
Professor Kettleburn pointed at Duncan as he spoke, almost forgetting Hagrid, but Hagrid's thunderous cough reminded him in time.
"Second, in the forest you may only use the magic I permit you to use, and you absolutely must not harm any creature in the forest."
"Third, you may only move within the area I have marked out.
If you're thinking of sneaking off, don't come crying later."
Professor Kettleburn swept everyone with a stern gaze.
"Have you all remembered what I said?"
"We have!" the students answered at the tops of their voices, one after another.
"Professor, can we go in now?" a Gryffindor student asked, hand raised.
"Follow me, and don't even think of slipping away halfway."
Professor Kettleburn nodded, turned, and walked towards a small path he had opened up the day before.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin students formed two files and followed behind him.
"Duncan."
Fred and George squeezed forward, catching up to Duncan at the front.
Keeping his voice low, Fred asked, "Where is Professor Kettleburn taking us?
Is it dangerous?"
"So long as you follow the rules, it won't be," Duncan replied with a smile.
"And if we don't?" George asked quickly, very concerned about this question.
It was, after all, a question that had everything to do with how many Galleons they could make.
Duncan narrowed his eyes and sized everyone up.
"Why don't you two try it and find out?
It'll be just right to let the other students know the consequences."
"Duncan, tell us, don't tease," Fred begged.
"Are you two hiding something from me again?" Duncan looked at them suspiciously, then said, "It wasn't easy for the professor to get Dumbledore to agree to let him take students into the forest to teach, and this is the first lesson.
The professor has already cleared the hazards in the teaching area over these past days, so as long as you don't go and hang yourselves from a tree, there won't be any danger."
Joy appeared on Fred and George's faces at the same time, and they asked again, "What if someone goes out of the teaching area?"
"Goes out of the teaching area?" Duncan said with a smile.
"I think with your abilities, no one will manage it."
"Why?"
"You'll know when the time comes.
I guarantee that anyone who tries it will deeply regret it..." said Duncan.
Just then, Professor Kettleburn at the front beckoned him over.
Duncan said goodbye to Fred and George and moved to the head of the group.
"Where have you arranged the pixies?" Professor Kettleburn asked.
"Just a moment," said Duncan, and he clapped his hands.
A dozen or so seconds later, the pixies dropped down from the swaying branches above.
"Look, what are those?" the student who first spotted them pointed up in delight.
"Are those the creatures we're learning about this lesson?
They look awfully ugly," said a Slytherin student.
The pixies didn't understand his words, but they understood the disgust on his face.
Duncan reckoned that once the game began, they would definitely give that impolite fellow special attention.
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan looked at the little imps only a few dozen centimetres tall, let out a breath, and happily slapped palms.
It was as if they could already see Galleons waving at them.
They even felt they might take the lot this time.
"Let's have some quiet," said Professor Kettleburn.
"Does anyone know what those magical creatures up there are?"
Seeing everyone's eyes focus on them, several pixies pulled their mouths wide and went "puh-puh" as they stuck out their tongues.
The students were amused by the pixies' mischievous antics, and cheerful laughter rang through the woods.
Although Professor Kettleburn had already introduced pixies in class, only a few people called out their name, while the rest shouted all sorts of things, as if they were emptying out every creature name that popped into their heads to try their luck at a correct answer.
"You few are right.
Three points each to Gryffindor and Slytherin," Professor Kettleburn said without the least annoyance, showing the high calibre of a teacher as he continued.
"These magical creatures are usually found in England's Cornwall, so people commonly call them Cornish Pixies.
They are viviparous and like to play with humans, only they can be a touch mischievous..."
Professor Kettleburn's voice echoed in the forest, and the students were plainly far more attentive than in a classroom.
From time to time a few students even put their hands up to ask questions—something that had never happened before.
In class they were doing well if they didn't fall asleep.
"All right, I've told you what needs telling.
Off you go, then.
Before the end of the lesson, so long as you can bring back one pixie, you'll have full marks for this lesson.
Don't forget those tips I mentioned, and be sure not to hurt them," Professor Kettleburn said with a smile.
"Also, let me remind you once more..."
"Mind your ears!" several students chimed in together.
"Professor, you've said it several times already."
Professor Kettleburn nodded with a laugh.
"Then off you go, and when you see the white markers, turn back.
Don't step beyond this area."
"Got it!" the students cheered, then swarmed into the forest to search for the pixies who had long since flown off.
"I told you, Care of Magical Creatures ought to be taught out in nature," Professor Kettleburn said with satisfaction as he watched the students go, then grumbled, "Dumbledore didn't want to agree at first and wanted my lesson taught in a classroom.
Utterly absurd!"
"That's because your track record is too long," said Duncan.
"You nearly contracted the beds in the hospital wing."
Professor Kettleburn's smile froze, and he coughed twice in embarrassment.
"Those were all accidents..."
"Professor, are you sure you've checked this whole area?" Duncan reminded him.
"You and Professor Dumbledore do have an understanding..."
"Don't worry.
I guarantee there's no problem!" Professor Kettleburn said with solemn assurance.
"Good." Duncan nodded.
"You handle things here.
Hagrid and I are off on patrol."
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