Albert looked up, and by the white light from the tip of his wand, he vaguely saw Professor McGonagallwalking quickly towards them, followed by... their roommate, Lee Jordan, and... Headmaster Dumbledore.
The aged man was smiling as he observed the three of them.
"Bard, you found them, that's excellent!" Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze falling on Albert, Fred, and George, seemingly checking if her students were injured.
"It should be said… Mr. Anderson found the two Mr. Weasleys." Professor Broad explained with a smile, "When I arrived, Mr. Anderson had already rescued the Mr. Weasleys, who were trapped in a Rowan tree, from a large group of Acromantulas."
"Excuse me, you said a group of… what?" Professor McGonagall's voice involuntarily rose a few octaves, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"Acromantulas, Minerva." Professor Broad turned his head to look at Dumbledore. "There should be an Acromantula nest deep in the Forbidden Forest. These monsters basically have no natural enemies and have multiplied into a large colony."
"I see." Dumbledore curiously observed Albert and smiled, "However, I am more curious about how Mr. Anderson found the Mr. Weasleys, and how he dispersed that group of Acromantulas. As far as I know, those monsters are not something an ordinary first-year student can handle."
Albert looked at Lee Jordan, skillfully avoiding Dumbledore's gaze. Even if Dumbledore didn't use Legilimency, he was an expert in that field, and if their eyes met, Albert would find it very difficult to lie in front of Dumbledore.
"Yes, actually, regarding this, I am also very curious." Professor Broad's tone shifted, and he kindly reminded them, "But I think the most urgent matter is to send them to the Hospital Wing first. We used a Portkeywhen we came back, and they are still… Portkey sick."
"You are right, Bard." Professor McGonagall nodded, then sternly looked at the three and said, "Follow me!"
"Excuse me, come and help me support Fred." Albertdirectly ignored Professor McGonagall's stern gaze and said to Lee Jordan. He himself was exhausted and didn't have much strength to help others.
"Oh, right, and this dog, it seems to be Hagrid's pet. Albert seems to have relied on it to find the Mr. Weasleys." Professor Broad pointed to Fang at his feet and said, "However, it seems unable to adapt to Apparition."
"Don't worry, I've already informed Hagrid, and he'll be back very soon." Dumbledore said gently.
A moment later, he seemed to notice something, turned his head to look in a certain direction, and said with a smile, "Look, Hagrid is already back."
Yes, Hagrid was back, returning from the direction of Hogsmeade with a lamp. He was a bit drunk, exuding a strong smell of alcohol, and was striding quickly towards them.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall… Professor Broad?" Hagrid stifled a burp and greeted the three Professors, then his gaze fell on Albert and the others. Seeing that they were fine, he also breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's great that they're alright. These little fellows always like to sneak into the forest when I'm not paying attention."
"Alright, Hagrid…"
Dumbledore explained the situation to Hagrid, and the gamekeeper said he would take good care of his pet.
Everyone bid farewell to Hagrid and soon arrived at the Hospital Wing.
Waking up in the middle of the night, Madam Pomfreywas not in the best mood, but she still dutifully treated the three of them.
"Nothing serious. The two Mr. Weasleys are just not used to the Portkey and haven't recovered from the Portkey sickness. As for Mr. Anderson, he's just too tired; a good night's sleep will do him good." Madam Pomfrey gave her diagnosis after examining the three.
"They need rest. They will be fully recovered by the day after tomorrow at the latest."
Now, the matron was ready to send people away.
Unfortunately, even Madam Pomfrey had no better solution for Portkey sickness; a day or two of rest would resolve it.
"Poppy, we need to understand the whole story. Just a few minutes." Professor McGonagall said.
"Five minutes at most. The patients need rest." Madam Pomfrey frowned and handed Albert a piece of chocolate.
"Now, tell me, what exactly happened?" Professor McGonagall's tone softened slightly as she looked at the three and asked.
Albert briefly explained the situation: when he returned to the dormitory to rest, he found that Fred and Georgehad not returned.
Later, he learned from Lee Jordan that the two might have gone into the forest but had not yet returned.
Then, Albert recounted how he used an owl to confirm that the two were indeed still in the Forbidden Forestand prepared to seek Hagrid's help. Finally, because Hagrid was not there, he had no choice but to enter the forest himself to find them, and then had Lee Jordanreturn to the Castle to ask a Professor for help.
"You violated a lot of school rules along the way, but how exactly did you find the two Mr. Weasleys, and how did you escape death?" Professor McGonagallcouldn't help but ask, "And what about the group of Acromantulas Professor Broad mentioned?"
"At first, I thought Fred and George were just lost. It's very easy to get lost in a place like the Forbidden Forestwithout a guide." Albert continued to recount his journey. Later, he said he encountered Centaurs and, with the help of one Centaur, found the direction of the red sparks.
"The red sparks were Albert's way of reminding us in his letter." Fred pulled out Albert's handkerchief, on which was clearly written: "Shoot red sparks into the sky. If you need help, you can ask the Centaurs; they will lead you out of the forest."
"In fact, Centaurs are not very friendly." Albert self-deprecatingly said, "But the Centaurs said they never attack foals, which I assume means they won't attack students. Later, I said I was a friend of Hagrid and negotiated with the Centaurs, convincing them to lead me in the direction of the red sparks. After that, I encountered the Acromantulas."
Dumbledore nodded. He knew the Centaurs in the Forbidden Forest.
"How exactly did you defeat the Acromantulas?" Professor Broad asked the question everyone was most curious about.
"Because of Fang's warning, I wasn't ambushed by the Acromantulas, but Impediment Jinx and Stupefy had little effect on those Acromantulas." Albert lay on the bed, chewing chocolate, and recalled, "Later, I tried to use a Dancing Feet Spell on its legs, hoping to restrict its movement. In fact, this attempt was very successful."
"Ingenious. Your Defense Against the Dark Arts is excellent. I am proud of you." Professor Broad nodded.
"Later, after I calmed down, I remembered the Spider Repellent Charm I had accidentally seen in the Library." Albert sighed, "I didn't expect this spell to be so effective against those Acromantulas."
Albert slowly recounted the story of that night, finally describing how he relied on a guardian tree to take down most of the surrounding Acromantulas...
"Truly incredible." Professor McGonagall had already discerned the boldness and wisdom of this first-year student from Albert's narration. Whether it was his use of an owl and a hound to find the Twins, or the courage and ability he displayed when facing Centaurs and Acromantulas, even entering the Forbidden Forest in the dead of night required immense courage.
"Alright, I generally understand the situation." Professor McGonagall delivered the final verdict, "Mr. Weasleys, you have severely violated school rules. One hundred points will be deducted from each of you, and you will have a week of detention."
Fred and George both groaned, and Lee Jordan next to them was also startled. One hundred points each meant Gryffindor's already scarce points would practically hit rock bottom.
"As for Mr. Anderson." Professor McGonagall hesitated, seemingly considering how to handle Albert's situation.
Finally, Dumbledore spoke up, "Mr. Anderson displayed extraordinary courage and wisdom in this process, saving the lives of the two Mr. Weasleys. I think this is enough to earn you a Special Contribution Award for the school, and let me see, yes, you have earned two hundred points for Gryffindor."
Fred and George both breathed a sigh of relief, as it offset the points they had deducted. However, remembering their detention, they immediately looked miserable.
"Oh, and one more thing. When Mr. Anderson was in the Forbidden Forest, he helped me avoid the misfortune of being severely injured by an Acromantulaambush," Professor Broad said with a smile, "I think this is enough to earn Gryffindor an additional 50 points."
"Alright, let's go now! I think they should get some good rest." Dumbledore turned to leave.
"One more thing." Professor McGonagall suddenly said.
"What is it, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked.
"What were you doing in the forest?" Professor McGonagall sternly stared at the Twin brothers.
Under such intimidating pressure, the Twins confessed everything.
"Where's the map?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"I threw that map in the Forbidden Forest," Albert said, "to prevent them from having a brain fart and running into the forest to court death again."
"Alright, may I attend to my patients now?" Madam Pomfrey walked over, bringing the three sleeping potions.
"Drink this. It will help you get a good night's sleep."
Albert could guess what it was.
A Draught of Living Death.
Under Madam Pomfrey's watchful eye, Albert drank the potion. The effect was immediate; he felt his eyelids grow heavy and irresistibly closed his eyes, a dreamless slumber enveloping Albert.
...
"Alright, you should also hurry back to your dormitory to rest!" Outside the Hospital Wing, Professor McGonagallsaid to Lee Jordan, "Your actions were very sensible. You've earned 10 points for Gryffindor."
After Lee Jordan left, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both looked towards Professor Broad.
"What Mr. Anderson said is basically correct. However, I am also very shocked that he was able to find Mr. Weasley." Professor Broad sighed, "He is undoubtedly a talented genius. Oh, by the way, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I think I should resign early. This position truly brings bad luck and misfortune." Professor Broad said with a wry smile, "Resigning early is undoubtedly a very wise choice before the curse causes me harm."
"What about the Gryffindor secret treasure that Mr. Weasley mentioned?" Professor McGonagall suddenly brought up the map, frowning.
"There have indeed been similar legends, but none of it can be confirmed. You know, legends aren't necessarily reliable, even if they might have some historical basis."
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"I have heard similar legends," Professor Broad said, "Some people claim that the four founders each left their own secret treasures in Hogwarts, containing priceless treasures, possibly gold, prophecies, and other powerful magic items."
"There have indeed been such legends in Hogwarts Castle, but legends are just legends after all, and no one has ever found the so-called secret treasure." Dumbledore said softly.
The three of them fell silent. They all had their own judgment and naturally wouldn't easily believe so-called legends.
Yes, legends are just legends, just like the legend of the Chamber of Secrets that once circulated in Hogwarts, but no one ever found the Chamber of Secrets left by Slytherin.