Filch roared and charged toward Argus the instant he saw Mrs. Norris.
Argus was stunned!
"My Mrs. Norris, you've become so beautiful!"
He couldn't believe it; the cat that had been with him for so many years seemed to have changed bodies after only a few minutes of absence.
If it weren't for Mrs. Norris's deep green eyes, Filch would have almost thought it was a pet that Argus had brought from outside.
"Mr. Filch, Mrs. Norris is indeed a beautiful cat."
"What...what did you call me?"
Filch suspected he was hallucinating.
In all his time at Hogwarts, aside from all sorts of strange and unpleasant nicknames, he had never heard any other name given to him by a young wizard!
Even when a professor calls on him, it's just out of routine.
It wasn't from the heart!
But Argus was different; he looked at him without any annoyance or contempt!
It's exactly the same as watching other wizards!
This made him feel a respect he had never experienced before, yet had longed for.
"Mr. Filch, if you mind this form of address, I can use something else."
"No need, no need! This one is fine!"
Filch was afraid that Argus would be given all sorts of nicknames like the other young wizards, so he quickly shook his head.
"That's good. As for Mrs. Norris, I suggest you pay attention to her hygiene."
"If possible, try to give it more fruit."
Argus had kept cats for a period of time in his previous life, so he had some experience in raising cats.
He had intended to suggest that Mrs. Norris get vaccinated and eat some nutritious cat food.
Realizing that this was the wizarding world, he changed his tune.
Filch was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I will be careful."
He took an oil lamp from his office and picked up Mrs. Norris.
"Let's go, I'll take you to the Forbidden Forest."
Seeing the thin wizard's robe on Argus, he hesitated for a moment.
Abruptly opening the door.
"The Forbidden Forest is not like a castle; you'd better go back and wear more layers."
"Hagrid is an experienced guard. As long as you stay close to him, there will be no danger."
"Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Filch. I had already put on some clothes under my wizard robes beforehand."
Argus did not refuse the other party's kindness and accepted it with a smile.
They escorted Argus all the way to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Hagrid was already waiting here.
Upon seeing the two arrive, he waved the lantern in his hand.
"Hey, Argus, over here!"
"Go!" Filch said, but did not leave until he saw Argus walk to Hagrid's side, then he returned with Mrs. Norris.
...
A thick fog blanketed the Forbidden Forest at night.
The twisted trees crawled and twisted, occasionally emitting strange noises.
The roars emanating from the depths of the Forbidden Forest were even more chilling.
"Woof woof!"
Argus only noticed when he heard the call that a small dog was sniffing around him.
"Don't be afraid, this is Fang! Don't let its small size fool you, it's a great helper!"
"Let's go, we just need to take a look around the outer edge of the Forbidden Forest. Those little guys inside don't like being disturbed."
Hagrid walked ahead carrying the lantern, his massive body completely obscuring the view.
Argus was happy to have this peace of mind.
Judging from Hagrid's words, there have been no reports of unicorns being injured in the Forbidden Forest.
This indirectly proves that Voldemort's target was still the Philosopher's Stone.
Without Voldemort, this trip to the Forbidden Forest would have been mostly safe.
"Watch out, Argus!"
"The roads here are not easy to travel."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange noise came from under the tree on the left.
Fang, who had just been scouting ahead, whimpered a few times and then scurried up behind Hagrid.
The atmosphere at the scene was somewhat eerie.
Hagrid had just praised Fang as a good helper, and then...
"Fang is just a little timid."
Hagrid offered an awkward explanation and walked toward the tree from which the sound had come.
Argus drew his wand, his face full of vigilance.
"Argus, come quick!"
"It's a Mooncalf!"
"You're really lucky!"
As soon as Hagrid arrived, he excitedly waved his hand, signaling Argus to come over.
Mooncalf!
There are such wonderful things in the Forbidden Forest!
Argus quickly stepped forward.
Several pairs of large, pale green eyes blinked, shrinking back as they stared at Argus and his companion.
"Look, what a beautiful little guy!"
"It's a pity I didn't bring any tools. If their droppings were collected before sunrise, they could make the plants grow tall and big."
When the mention of magical creatures was mentioned, Hagrid immediately became interested and patiently explained it to Argus.
"They are very shy and only come out during a full moon."
"Don't bother them. After your patrol, I'll take you back to the rest room."
Hagrid dusted himself off and continued patrolling the Forbidden Forest with Argus.
With Hagrid blocking their way and Fang clearing the path, they were able to get through.
The journey was smooth and unobstructed.
"Hagrid, don't you get bored patrolling the Forbidden Forest all by yourself?"
Argus, not wanting the atmosphere between the two to become too awkward, started to find a topic to talk about.
"There were some issues at the beginning."
"I gradually got used to it, and there were so many cute little creatures in the Forbidden Forest to keep me company."
Hagrid replied nonchalantly.
Argus sometimes felt that Hagrid's life was quite hard.
As a half-giant, he could not integrate into the giant race, and the wizard was unwilling to accept him.
He finally met Dumbledore and was taken to Hogwarts.
As a result, he was framed by Voldemort again.
His parents are missing, and he only has a younger brother, Grawp, with whom he cannot communicate.
He spends all day guarding the hunting grounds, and there might not be a single person to chat with him for days.
No wonder Argus was so happy when he came over.
Time flies.
Before they knew it, the two had completed their walk through the Forbidden Forest that night and were on their way back.
"I wish you could come and keep me company every day!"
As Hagrid neared the end of the Forbidden Forest, he let out a sigh.
Argus chuckled. "If I were in solitary confinement every day, Professor Snape would be in trouble with me."
That's not what I meant!
"I know, I'll spend more time with you when I have time."
Just as the two were about to leave, they suddenly heard footsteps behind them.
It was very urgent, and it didn't seem like an ordinary creature!
Hagrid shielded Argus behind him almost instantly, and Argus drew his wand, ready for action.
The figure gradually appeared.
It has the upper body of a human, but with four horse hooves.
"It's you, Firenze."
Hagrid breathed a sigh of relief, patted Argus on the shoulder, and gestured for him to relax.
"Let me introduce you, this is Argus, Argus Grindelwald, my friend."
"Hello, little wizard."
Firenze was one of the few centaurs who remained rational about wizards. He put down his bow and arrow and greeted Argus.
"By the way, Firenze, what brings you here?"
"Don't you usually patrol deep inside these areas?"
Firenze's sapphire-blue eyes stared intently at Argus.
"For him!"