"When flying through any magical forest, you must remain constantly vigilant for potential threats that may emerge from anywhere around you," Evans instructed, floating effortlessly in mid-air while consulting the detailed map spread between his hands. "If possible, try to navigate through the forest canopy rather than flying at high altitude like we're doing now."
The crisp autumn air carried the earthy scent of decomposing leaves mixed with something wilder, more primal, that seemed to emanate from the ancient depths below. Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy in dappled patterns, creating an ever-shifting mosaic of light and shadow across the forest floor far beneath them.
"Why is that, Professor?" George manoeuvred his broomstick closer to Evans's position, genuine curiosity lighting his freckled features.
"Because..." Evans had barely begun his explanation when a tiny shadow suddenly erupted from the verdant canopy below, streaking directly toward Fred, who was showing off with elaborate aerial manoeuvres on his broomstick.
"Whoa!"
By the time anyone spotted the projectile, it had already closed to within striking distance. Fred's hand flew to his wand with practised reflexes, but the dark blur had already reached his face with lightning speed.
A translucent barrier materialised instantly before him, intercepting the attack with a crystalline shimmer that sent ripples through the air.
"...if you fly at high altitude, you easily become a target for certain creatures or plants." Evans completed his lesson while flicking his wand with casual precision. The tiny creature that had collided with his protective shield and was now spinning dizzily through the air flew directly into his waiting palm.
"A Billywig," he announced, examining the metallic-blue insect with professional interest. "Consider yourselves fortunate. These creatures are notoriously difficult to capture. Some Potions masters would pay handsomely for a specimen this intact."
With practised efficiency, Evans produced a translucent collection box from his robes and carefully secured the valuable ingredient inside.
"Professor, should we reduce our flying altitude?" Percy asked, his prefect instincts triggering concern for group safety.
"Not necessary at our current location. This remains territory I've thoroughly explored." Evans folded his map with sharp precision. "However, once we advance further, we'll need to land and continue on foot."
The mysterious depths of the Forbidden Forest stretched endlessly in all directions, its ancient trees whispering secrets that had been accumulating for centuries. Somewhere in those shadowed depths, creatures both wondrous and terrible made their homes, following laws far older than wizarding civilisation.
Approximately thirty minutes later, Evans raised his hand in the universal signal to descend. The group of over a dozen students landed gracefully on a small clearing carpeted with moss and fallen leaves, stretching limbs that had grown stiff during their extended flight.
"Pass me your broomsticks. I'll store them safely for you."
George watched with obvious envy as Professor Kahn effortlessly compressed over ten broomsticks into his enchanted pocket. "How incredible would it be if we possessed such abilities?"
Fred nodded enthusiastically beside his twin. "Exactly! We could transport enormous quantities of supplies and stage the most magnificent pranks imaginable!"
"Interested in learning?" Evans's mouth curved into an amused smile at the twins' characteristic enthusiasm. "Work diligently on your performance. When your scores reach sufficient levels, you can study under my guidance."
"Performance points?" Percy's head snapped up with obvious confusion. As a prefect, he prided himself on knowing every academic system within Hogwarts. "What exactly are those?"
"Examine your club badges and channel magical energy into them," Evans instructed softly.
Following his directions, the young wizards focused their power into the metallic badges pinned to their robes. Silver-white light emanated from each badge, revealing the number zero displayed prominently across their surfaces.
"This represents a function I designed some time ago but only recently perfected and activated." Evans gestured toward their glowing badges with obvious satisfaction. "All future meetings will take place within the Forbidden Forest. Sometimes we'll assist in maintaining magical creature population health, other times we'll clear dark creatures that have invaded the perimeter, and occasionally, like today, we'll explore unmapped regions alongside me."
The forest around them seemed to pulse with hidden life. Somewhere in the distance, a creature called with a haunting melody that spoke of ancient magic and untamed wilderness.
"If your performance during these expeditions proves exemplary, the numbers on your badges will increase accordingly. Though this enchantment's evaluation criteria remain somewhat rigid, it can roughly convert your contributions into performance points stored within the badges themselves."
Evans waved his wand with fluid grace, conjuring a lengthy piece of parchment that materialised from thin air and drifted down among the eager students.
"This document catalogues every technique I've developed. Whether it's the Niffler's expansion pouch, the Diricawl's weather prediction abilities, the Diricawl's Flash Step technique, or even the cat-leopard's Legilimency skills, all can be acquired through performance point exchange."
The students studied the list with expressions ranging from amazement to desperate longing, their eyes widening as they absorbed the incredible magical possibilities laid out before them.
"As for when you'll qualify for these exchanges," Evans smiled with mysterious satisfaction, "that depends entirely on your demonstrated capabilities."
After the group finished their stretching exercises, Evans led them deeper into the increasingly gloomy forest. The canopy above grew thicker with each step, filtering the sunlight until only scattered beams penetrated the emerald twilight beneath.
True forest exploration demanded far more than simple cartography. Understanding the geographical environment, cataloguing magical creature distributions, and identifying potential hazards required methodical investigation that could take days or even weeks to complete properly.
Over the following hours, Evans guided his students through comprehensive survey techniques, teaching them to read subtle signs that revealed the forest's hidden secrets. Surprisingly, despite the area's obviously suitable conditions for dark creature habitation, they encountered remarkably few dangerous entities. Beyond several clusters of Bundimuns and a handful of Ghouls, the region seemed almost suspiciously vacant.
Even more puzzling, the population of ordinary magical creatures appeared unusually sparse. This contradicted everything Evans knew about forest ecology and raised uncomfortable questions in his analytical mind.
However, today's expedition represented only preliminary reconnaissance. If subsequent investigations revealed genuine cause for concern, they could always return for a more thorough examination.
Reaching the boundary of the next survey area, Evans consulted the sky's position and called a halt to their advance.
"We'll establish camp here for now. After lunch, we'll continue exploring the next section."
Ahead lay a relatively open plain with scattered vegetation, presenting far fewer challenges than dense forest terrain. They could probably complete that survey within two hours before beginning their return journey to Hogwarts.
Covering two distinct areas in a single day represented excellent progress by any standard.
Though these were merely the closest unexplored regions on the Forbidden Forest's western perimeter, maintaining this pace would allow them to gain a comprehensive understanding of the western territories before sixth-year students Percy and Wood graduated.
Of course, not every weekly meeting would focus on exploration. Their activities would necessarily adapt to the forest's current conditions and immediate needs.
Evans produced a compact picnic cloth from his robes, spreading it across the moss-covered ground before tapping it with his wand. The fabric instantly expanded, encompassing the entire clearing in waterproof comfort.
During their previous meeting, he'd informed the students that today's midday meal would take place within the forest itself, requesting they prepare appropriate provisions.
Naturally, even if someone had forgotten, it wouldn't present a serious problem. His pockets contained ample supplies of compressed biscuits. Admittedly, 1990s compressed biscuits were notable primarily for their complete lack of flavour, but they could certainly prevent starvation.
Fortunately, it appeared no one had forgotten their responsibilities.
The students unpacked their carefully prepared lunches, heating them with simple warming charms that filled the forest clearing with appetising aromas. The scents of home-cooked meals seemed almost surreal in this wild setting, creating a cosy bubble of civilisation within the untamed wilderness.
Harry combined his provisions with Ron and Hermione's contributions, crafting a substantial sandwich before lifting it toward his mouth.
But just as he prepared to take his first bite, a low, somewhat gurgling voice reached his ears from somewhere beneath the ground.
"Brother, it smells so wonderfully good! What could that amazing smell be?"
"I don't know, but we should definitely investigate!"
Subtle vibrations trembled through the earth beneath their feet, quickly escalating into thunderous footfalls that made the forest floor shake with increasing intensity.
The approaching sounds grew steadily louder until every student in their group could hear the unmistakable evidence of something massive moving in their direction.
Evans squinted toward the source of the disturbance, his mouth suddenly curving into an anticipatory smile.
"Pop quiz time, everyone. Deal with our current situation appropriately."
Before anyone could respond, he transformed into a silver-white arc of light and vanished completely, leaving the students entirely on their own.
Just as confusion began spreading through the group, those earth-shaking footsteps became absolutely deafening.
The next second, bushes and vines ahead were roughly parted by enormous hands, and a colossal figure sporting two distinct heads emerged into their peaceful clearing, its multiple sets of eyes focusing hungrily on the assembled students and their aromatic lunch spread.