For most young wizards, there was really nothing about Hogwarts they didn't like.
Even the magical staircases, which occasionally caused students to get lost on the way to class, were met with more resignation than annoyance.
But things weren't always perfect. A few places were decidedly unpopular.
Setting aside the legendary Chamber of Secrets and the peril-filled Forbidden Forest, Professor Snape's office and the Potions classroom easily took the top two spots as the least-loved locations. Coming in third was Hagrid's Hut.
Hagrid's half-giant status had always set him apart in the wizarding world, and the dangerous creatures that constantly surrounded him made the area even less inviting. For the sake of their safety, no one wanted to risk getting bitten by one of those creatures. Naturally, aside from class time, almost no one willingly came near Hagrid's Hut.
Perhaps out of consideration for her brothers' feelings, and because she didn't want too many people to know, Ginny had chosen this location to meet Draco and his group. That explained the earlier conversation.
...
Just as Luna was inviting Draco to dinner at her house, Ginny's attention fell on Pansy Parkinson, who had been standing far from them for some time.
Pansy had clung tightly to Draco the entire way here. Now, her foot-stamping and spinning in place made it seem as though she were avoiding some kind of filth.
"I know our relationship with you lot isn't great, but isn't this going a bit too far?"
Noticing the suspicion in Ginny's eyes, Pansy stopped and crossed her arms. "Don't get the wrong idea—I just can't stand the smell and the environment here. As for the Weasleys… I couldn't care less."
"Hmph… what a haughty thing to say."
Not wanting to reveal any weakness in front of others, Pansy puffed out her chest and forced herself not to look at Hagrid's Hut, offering her explanation with pride.
However, this "Draco-style" display of arrogance only made Ginny's face grow darker.
Meanwhile, Hermione, observing their exchange, noticed the changes around the hunting hut after Pansy pointed them out. Calling it a "change" wasn't quite accurate; the place had become even filthier.
An overturned wooden barrel lay on the ground, feathers of unknown origin scattered around it. Dried blood inside the barrel made one gag, and the bottom held an unidentifiable liquid. It was difficult to imagine what Hagrid had used these barrels for.
Among these barrels, the most striking sight was a pile of bloodstained rags heaped nearby. They appeared to be used for bandaging wounds, though it was unclear whose.
Hermione, her expression puzzled, glanced at them a few times. "Could it be that Hagrid has been raising some Magical Creatures again?"
"I haven't heard anything about that. Maybe it's for a lesson?"
"I don't think so…"
Hearing Hermione mutter to herself, Ginny, standing nearby, joined in. Compared to Hermione's seriousness, Ginny's interest was much more casual.
Meanwhile, Draco, who seemed to have remembered something, suddenly focused on the blood-stained scraps of cloth. Though called scraps, they were more like bandages.
As for Luna, she had once again started staring blankly into the distance.
...
Noticing the conversation had shifted, Pansy, unable to stay silent any longer, finally urged Draco and the others to move on. Frowning at the puddles of unknown liquid, a chill ran down her spine as she stomped her foot.
"I mean, now that we're done talking, shouldn't we be leaving this place?"
"So why did you even come along in the first place?"
"How could I possibly miss anything Draco's involved in?"
"Is there really a direct connection between the two?"
To Draco, the bickering between Pansy and Hermione was hardly unusual. It had gradually become part of his daily routine.
To Ginny, however, it was a strange and surprising sight. She had never seen Hermione like this—or rather, Hermione had never shown this side in front of her and Ron. Surely, one could only be this genuine with someone considered a true friend.
As Ginny stood there, her mouth slightly agape, shifting her gaze between Hermione and Pansy, Luna, who had been daydreaming beside her, suddenly spoke.
"Something is coming."
"Huh? Did you just say something, Luna?"
"Feet."
"Feet."
Knowing her best friend sometimes made startling remarks, Ginny assumed Luna was talking about some imaginary creature. Draco, however, seemed to notice something as well and narrowed his eyes.
Turning toward the Forbidden Forest, he said, "Something… is coming."
"Draco?"
Though her tone was confused, Hermione, trusting Draco completely, immediately went on high alert. Pansy, who had been standing at a distance, scowled and hurried over to his side.
The three moved in perfect unison, leaving Ginny, still unsure of what was happening, momentarily stunned.
The next second, vibrations shook the ground beneath their feet. Ginny finally understood what Luna had meant.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
A series of thunderous booms echoed from the depths of the Forbidden Forest, growing closer as if something were approaching.
Aside from birds startled into flight above the canopy, Draco and the others could see trees toppled as if pushed by some immense force.
The sight gave Ginny a strange sense of déjà vu. Just as she was about to suggest they leave, Draco's low, warning growl stopped her.
"They're coming!"
Rustle, rustle, rustle~
Thud, thud!
A shadow darted out of the forest, landing directly in front of them. Behind it, several similar figures followed.
"Are these… Centaurs?"
The beings were, like their newly appointed Divination professor, members of the same race. A wise race born with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse.
Centaurs...