At this moment, Albert was running for his life through a blazing tunnel of fire, Fang close behind him.
The Acromantula were agitated by the sudden flames, instinctively moving away from the wall of fire, giving Albert enough time and space.
After rushing to the guardian tree, Albert didn't even catch his breath before immediately waving his wandand casting the Flame Charm again.
A ring of fire began to burn in the direction Albert's wand pointed, blazing fiercely ten feet from the guardian tree.
The fire looked intense, but it had no fuel to sustain it; the decaying soil and fallen leaves on the ground simply couldn't keep the wall of fire burning.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Albert waved his wand, casting the Levitation Charm on the hound Fang, making him float.
The latter was greatly startled, whimpering in terror, his four paws flailing wildly in the air, as if he were swimming in water.
"Quick, pull me up!" Albert also began to climb the tree, and Fred and George reached out to pull him, allowing Albert to quickly get onto the tree.
Fang was soon released from the Levitation Charm, trembling and cowering on the wooden platform Alberthad created with a Transfiguration Spell.
"How did you get here?" Fred and George had recovered from their daze, looking at Albert in shock; they had never imagined that the person who came to rescue them would be Albert.
"Otherwise, who did you think it would be?" Albert, having just caught his breath, glared at the Weasley Brothers, "Professor McGonagall? Or Professor Dumbledore? By the time they found you missing, you would have long been torn apart by the Acromantulaand become food for those monsters."
Their faces flushed crimson, feeling somewhat ashamed, but they had to admit Albert was right; it was Easter!
If Albert hadn't discovered their disappearance immediately, and had been any later, Hagrid might have come to collect their bodies tomorrow, or perhaps not even find their bones.
"What do we do now?" Fred moved over, making space for Albert.
"Wait for rescue. When I came, I sent Lee Jordan to find Professor McGonagall." Albert was regulating his breathing, comforting them, "The Professors should be here soon. You keep firing red sparks into the sky to guide them."
"You, you entered the Forbidden Forest alone?" Georgesuddenly realized something, staring at Albert with wide eyes, hardly believing such a fact.
"How on earth did you do it? You actually managed to find us in the Forbidden Forest." Fred also understood what George meant, and after realizing it, he also stared at Albert in astonishment.
They simply couldn't believe that Albert had ventured into the Forbidden Forest alone in the dead of night and had successfully found them.
"Otherwise?" Albert didn't pay attention to the Twins' shocked expressions, because he noticed that the ring of fire below had extinguished, and the surrounding spider army was once again closing in.
"How did you provoke this group of Acromantula? Did you poke their nest, or steal their eggs?" Albert frowned slightly, raised his wand, and knocked down an Acromantula trying to approach the guardian tree.
"No, we encountered a few Acromantula on the way, so we ran nearby to seek refuge under the guardian tree, but we didn't expect the number of these Acromantulato grow so large." Fred's expression was a bit conflicted.
"And it turned into the scene you see now," Georgeadded.
"Arania Exumai!"
Another spider was struck down by the spell. Looking down from the guardian tree, the dense swarm of Acromantula below looked terrifying.
"Keep firing red sparks, don't stop," Albert instructed.
"Oh!" George continued to fire red sparks into the sky, then secretly glanced at Albert.
Honestly, the Twins found it very hard to imagine how Albert had managed to cross the Forbidden Forest in the dead of night and find them. Even a Professor might not find it that easy to locate someone deep in the dark Forbidden Forest!
"Protego Totalum! Protego Totalum! Protego Totalum!" Albert cast three defensive spells in quick succession, completely enveloping the guardian tree.
The Acromantula outside crashed into the magical barrier, as if hitting an invisible wall of air, and were firmly blocked.
"What kind of magic is this!" George's eyes widened in surprise, because they saw the charging spiders crash into the wall.
"Now we should be safe!"
"Don't think too much. If the Professors don't come soon, just wait to be eaten!" Albert took a breath, shaking his head to remind them, "Haven't you noticed these Acromantula are getting more and more agitated?"
Fred and George exchanged glances, quickly realizing Albert was right; initially, they hadn't dared to approach the guardian tree.
The two couldn't help but feel lucky; if Albert had been any later, they really might have been eaten by those Acromantula.
"Why didn't you come with the Professors?" Fred still couldn't help but ask the doubt in his heart. Given Albert's personality, he shouldn't have ventured deep into the Forbidden Forest alone at night.
"I originally planned to ask Hagrid for help, but Hagridwasn't in his hut, so I could only bring Fang to find you. Thanks to Fang, I wasn't ambushed by the Acromantula." Albert stroked Fang's head.
This timid hound had a rough night too.
"So, you just went into the Forbidden Forest by yourself." Both of them couldn't help but open their mouths wide.
Now, Fred and George finally understood why Albertwas sorted into Gryffindor. The courage and daring he displayed now, all the Gryffindor students combined might not be able to match him.
"Alright, bring it out!" Albert suddenly said.
"Bring out what?"
"The map, of course, that secret Gryffindor Treasure Trove map." Albert looked at the two, shaking his head helplessly, "You actually believed that kind of nonsense. Didn't I warn you before? The Forbidden Forest is very dangerous, but you didn't listen. Now you've almost become spider food, and you still haven't learned your lesson?"
Fred and George thought carefully, and indeed, that had happened.
Back then, Albert had warned them that there might be an Acromantula breeding ground in the Forbidden Forest, and had said things like being careful not to be eaten by Acromantula.
That almost came true!
Speaking of which, George also remembered that the first time they went out for a night stroll, Albert had warned them to be careful not to be locked out of the common room by the Fat Lady... that also came true.
Are your words cursed or something!
How come whatever you say comes true!
"How did you know there was an Acromantula breeding ground here?" Fred asked curiously, wanting to know who was raising these dangerous monsters in the Forbidden Forest.
"Professor Broad told me." Albert saw through their thoughts and sighed, "But, don't be silly, this is probably not a breeding ground, otherwise this group of Acromantula wouldn't attack you."
"But what's going on with this group of Acromantula? Don't tell me these monsters originally lived in the Forbidden Forest."
"Someone probably released Acromantula into the Forbidden Forest. There are almost no natural predators for Acromantula here, and food is relatively abundant, which is why these Acromantula have multiplied so much." Albert looked at the Acromantula below, muttering, "Maybe this is Hagrid's fault."
Albert, of course, knew very well that the so-called Acromantula breeding ground was purely a joke; it was simply Hagrid releasing a pair of Acromantula into the Forbidden Forest, and after decades of reproduction, the current massive spider colony formed.
Crack!
While they were talking, the protective barrier Alberthad created began to crumble. This was the disadvantage of its large size; it was far less sturdy than a smaller version. After continuous impacts from the Acromantula, cracks gradually appeared in the defensive barrier.
"What should we do?" Fred looked at Albert uneasily.
"Keep firing red sparks and drive back those approaching Acromantula."
After the defensive barrier shattered, Albertimmediately used the Flame Charm to drive back all the Acromantula trying to approach the guardian tree.
The situation was not optimistic.
However, Albert was not worried about his safety, and he was still using the Spider Repellent Charm on the spiders below. Since there were so many Acromantula, almost every shot could knock one down, so there was no need to aim.
"What spell are you using that can knock down a spider in one go?" George couldn't help but ask. The spell Albert used was very powerful, and each blow caused great damage to the Acromantula.
Albert had no time to answer the Twins' question; he was busy harvesting experience.
The Professors were probably coming, so he should harvest as much experience as possible before they arrived. After all, two Acromantula gave 100 experience points, which meant one level of magic.
To initially master a magic, a lot of time needs to be spent practicing.
This was a very good deal.
After an unknown period, most of the Acromantulasurrounding the guardian tree were knocked down. These big guys actually felt fear and no longer dared to charge the guardian tree.
Fred and George looked at the Acromantula knocked down by Albert below and were completely dumbfounded. They had never thought that Albertwould be so brave!
One person taking on a whole group of spiders.
"I feel like my tongue is about to tie itself in knots." Frequent spell-casting made Albert tired, and he was stuffing chocolate into his mouth.
"Those spiders are retreating!" George shouted excitedly, "Can we go back now?"
"It's best to wait here obediently. Leaving the protection of the guardian tree makes it easy for spiders to ambush us," Albert reminded them grumpily, "Also, think carefully about how to deal with the Professor later, and about the map."
"What do you want the map for?" George asked suspiciously.
"To confiscate it, of course. Do you think I'd let you continue adventuring next time?"
"We won't."
"People always like to repeat their mistakes."
"Speak human, we don't understand."
"I know you'll try to find the so-called Gryffindor's secret Treasure Trove again, so give me the map. Without the map, you won't have any more stupid ideas about finding any Treasure Trove." Albert reached out to Fred for the map.
"Don't be like that," George mumbled, "We won't."
"Do you even believe that yourself?" Albert glared fiercely at George, maliciously reminding him, "I think you'd better think about how to explain this to Professor McGonagall when we go back. She'll probably tell your family."
"Oh, no!" Fred shrieked in horror, almost falling out of the tree. Albert was quick-witted and reached out to pull him back.
George wasn't so lucky. He was further from Albert and fell directly from the tree, letting out a painful whimper.
"Are you alright!" Albert leaned down and asked.
"No, it hurts!"
"Alright, stop talking nonsense, give me that map!" Albert warned, "Next time, you'll probably end up directly in an Acromantula's nest. One stupid mistake is enough."
Fred reluctantly handed the map to Albert, who didn't even look at it and stuffed it directly into his pocket. Then, he reached out and pulled George back up the tree. Although the spiders had retreated, it was still not safe here.
Around three o'clock, a Professor finally arrived.
To Albert's surprise, the person who came to rescue them was not Professor McGonagall, but Professor Broad.
The old man was wearing a dark purple robe, but the robe was a bit torn, probably scratched by branches while walking through the Forbidden Forest.
"It seems you are alright." Professor Broad's eyes glowed with an unusual light in the darkness, and he smiled at Albert, reminding him, "Mr. Anderson, I must tell you that your actions were too reckless. Of course, I must admit, you did very well, and you surprised me greatly!"
"Good evening, Professor Broad." Albert smiled and greeted the old man, "I didn't expect it would be you who came to rescue us. I originally thought it would be Professor McGonagall."
"Coincidentally, I was going to the restroom to relieve myself, and I just happened to run into Mr. Jordan," Professor Broad said as he walked towards the three, "He told me everything, so I rushed over. I was just worried that you wouldn't find the two Mr. Weasleys and would get into trouble yourself."
"I brought Fang, Hagrid's hunting dog. With him, no creature in the Forbidden Forest will harm me." Albertused Hagrid's words to counter Professor Broad.
"Do you believe that?" Professor Broad looked around and asked with a half-smile.
Albert was a little embarrassed; those words were only for fooling others.
"By the way, what spell did you use to knock down these Acromantula? These monsters are really too dangerous."
In fact, Professor Broad had tracked Albert to get there.
On the way, he was very surprised when he found the knocked-down Acromantula, and there were quite a few spiders knocked down by spells.
However, all of that combined did not shock Professor Broad as much as the scene before him. There were no less than a hundred Acromantula lying here; the number was truly astonishing!
Three first-year students simply couldn't have done it. The spells learned in first year were not enough to fight even one Acromantula.
However, here, hundreds were knocked down, not one, not ten, but hundreds. This number was truly terrifying.
These knocked-down Acromantula undoubtedly proved Albert's power.
"Watch out!" George shrieked.
"Arania Exumai!" Albert raised his wand and used the Spider Repellent Charm on the struggling Acromantula. He didn't even know how many times he had used it; he was very skilled.
"Oh, oh, thank you, Mr. Anderson. If one of these big guys bit me, I'd probably have to resign early." Professor Broad turned his head to look at the Acromantulablasted away by the spell, and the surprise on his face quickly returned to normal.
Professor Broad walked towards the three. After seeing the guardian tree, he understood how Albert had defeated these Acromantula. He said to the few of them, "Let's leave here as soon as possible. Let me see if there's anything suitable to make a temporary Portkey."
"Use this!" Albert handed Fred's hat to Professor Broad.
"Why do you carry a hat with you?" Fred curiously examined the hat Albert took out, somehow feeling it looked familiar.
"This is your hat. I originally took it to have Fang help me find you," Albert said grumpily.
"Portus."
The Wizard hat immediately glowed blue.
"Alright, you might feel a bit uncomfortable using the Portkey to go back, just bear with it!" Professor Broadsaid gently.
"What about Fang?" Albert asked.
"Don't worry, I'll Apparate him back," Professor Broadsaid, "Alright, get ready. I'll count to three, and then you all grab the hat together."
"One..." Professor Broad whispered, "Two... Three..."
The three of them simultaneously reached out and grabbed a corner of the Wizard hat. An invisible force seemed to pull the three of them up, carrying them flying forward like a gust of wind, unable to see anything clearly.
A few seconds later, Albert fell heavily to the ground. Fred and George fell even worse than him, their faces making direct contact with the dirt.
The Wizard hat, serving as the Portkey, slowly floated down from the sky and landed perfectly on Fred's head.
Ugh!
Fred and George started dry heaving after getting up, clearly suffering from Portkey sickness.
Albert was a little better than them. After all, he had used Apparition before, so his resistance to the discomfort caused by using a Portkey was higher than theirs.
"Don't worry, this is Portkey sickness." Professor Broadlooked at the two dry heaving, shaking his head, "Madam Pomfrey will cure them. We'd best take them to the Hospital Wing. Help me with one."
"I hate this feeling!" Albert grumbled. As he reached out to help Fred, he heard a rush of footsteps approaching.