💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎
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After the bear faded, Hagrid tried hiding his disappointment. Walked slowly back to his hut with Anthony. Cool evening breeze blew gently. His drunkenness seemed mostly gone. Pulled Anthony into conversation about the Basilisk.
"All rats?" Hagrid asked.
"Mostly," Anthony said. "Some ferrets and such. Probably ate whatever it found."
Hagrid scratched his head. "Oh..." He sounded almost sympathetic.
Anthony asked, surprised, "Don't you dislike Basilisks?"
"I do," Hagrid said in a muffled voice. "But think about it—such a big creature... eating rats..." He shook his head. Sighed.
Anthony pushed aside a branch. "Probably better than eating people, I guess." He suddenly remembered something. "What does Aragog eat?"
"Oh, lots of things in the Forest," Hagrid said. "I know he takes fawns and foxes and such."
Then he started talking about Aragog. Hagrid could proudly say Aragog was a kind, loyal friend. Even though humans were on Acromantulas' menu, it never hurt people—afraid of making Hagrid sad.
Entering the lit hut, Anthony couldn't help stretching. Fang wagged his tail, circled Hagrid. Got pushed away. Enthusiastically went to lick Anthony's ear instead.
Hagrid shuffled to the treat cabinet. Tossed the big dog a ham. Shoved empty bottles into the bin. Told Anthony to ignore the table mess. Kicked around rock cake crumbs. Boiled water on the fire. Checked inventory in the box beside it.
Anthony went to play with Fang. Put his hand on the treat cabinet as if to open it. Then pulled back. The black boarhound stood up eagerly. Anthony laughed. Patted Fang's head. Pulled over a chair. Leaned back. Waved his wand. Lit the lamp beside Hagrid for him.
"Oh, thanks..." Hagrid muttered. "Strange, where'd my tea cozy go..."
Anthony solved this with a Summoning Charm. After some rustling, the cozy flew out from Fang's favorite patchwork cushion.
The big dog rested his head on Anthony's thigh. Wet nose twitching as it licked Anthony's hand. Unbelievably warm.
Hagrid shook out the messy cozy. Put it on the copper kettle.
"You should head back, Henry," he said. Pulled back the curtains. Looked out. "It's late... Oi! You! Come back!"
He leaped up. Threw open the hut door. Strode out.
Anthony sat up. Asked, "What's wrong?"
"Those Weasley brothers again." Hagrid whistled. Fang immediately ran over. "Since they enrolled, I've been trying to chase them out of the Forest almost weekly."
He hurried off. Anthony put on his coat. Closed the door for him. Grabbed a lamp. Followed.
"Hagrid!"
"Don't need that, I know the way..." Hagrid said. Fang was carefully sniffing the ground. "Hurry, Fang. Those two are slippery as rats."
"Could someone tell me what's so appealing about a pitch-black forest?" Anthony checked the time. "That you'd sneak past all patrolling professors at half past one in the morning to answer its call?"
He held up the lantern. Beside him, Hagrid examined one brother's leg wound. Fang lay on the ground, panting.
"It's nothing, Hagrid. Just scratched by a branch," the Weasley said cheerfully. "Your dog's getting faster."
Hagrid said gruffly, "Thanks to you two." He frowned. "How'd you get over there?"
"Something shiny went past," the other Weasley said. Leaned in to look at the wound. "It's swelling, Fred."
Hagrid said, "Looks like a splinter got in." He looked at his big fingers. Looked up at Anthony.
Anthony also crouched down. Handed the lamp to Hagrid. Picked at the splinter while asking, "What shiny thing?"
"Don't know," Fred said. "We hadn't caught up when we heard Hagrid coming. Ow..."
Anthony held the extracted splinter before him. "Hold this yourself, Weasley. Try standing? Remember to see Madam Pomfrey when you get back."
Fred stood from the stump. Limped a few steps. "Much better, Professor." He glanced at his brother.
"Professor Anthony, Hagrid, that's it!" George suddenly said. Pointed at the forest behind them. "Another one just went past!"
Hagrid raised the lantern high. Turned. "What thing?"
Anthony almost turned too. Reacted in time. Grabbed Fred's robes. Looked at the twins with amusement. "That trick won't work, Weasley."
Fred said innocently, "What do you mean?"
"Henry," Hagrid said. Maintained his turned position. "It's the unicorn you keep missing."
Anthony whipped around. "What—"
Then he couldn't speak. A pure white creature glided lightly over tangled roots. Passed through the deep forest. Behind him, the Weasley brothers also looked genuinely shocked. Stared open-mouthed where it vanished.
"They should be sleeping," Hagrid muttered. Handed the lantern to Anthony. "I'll follow."
Anthony nodded. "Let's go, Weasleys. Bedtime." He held Fang's lead. Watched Hagrid's figure disappear into the night. Lifted the lamp. Signaled the Weasley brothers to head back.
"A unicorn..." one Weasley marveled. "Worth it."
Anthony asked, "What were you originally out here for?"
The twins asked profoundly, "Have you ever felt that curiosity about exploring the unknown, Professor?"
"The courage to go against the current when all the rules tell you not to?"
Torches on the castle walls cast flickering light on uneven stone bricks. Windows pitch black outside.
Anthony stopped the Weasley brothers heading toward Gryffindor Tower. "Hospital wing."
"No need, Professor, no need," Fred said. Hopped in place. "Already fine."
He gave Anthony a sly smile. He'd been faking his limp the whole way. Changed the subject when Anthony warned them not to explore deep into the Forest.
Anthony shook his head helplessly. Said, "Good that you're fine. Don't let me catch you wandering at night again, Weasleys... ah, almost forgot. Ten points from Gryffindor."
He couldn't help reflecting. Since joining the staff, he hadn't deducted a single point in Muggle Studies class. But other matters—he'd taken quite a few points from students... All Gryffindor and Slytherin.
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