"Argus?"
Hagrid was puzzled.
"This is his first time in the Forbidden Forest, why are we looking for him?"
"Guided by the stars."
Firenze's eyes hadn't moved since he saw Argus.
Argus was completely baffled.
"The stars tell me that a distinguished guest will arrive in the Forbidden Forest tonight."
"I have been waiting here for a long time."
Astrology?
Argus became interested.
He had inherited Grindelwald's bloodline, and his left eye was the same as Gellert Grindelwald's.
They were both prophetic eyes capable of predicting the future.
Unfortunately, he couldn't foresee the future decades in advance like Grindelwald had.
At most, he could see what would happen a few seconds later.
It also consumed a lot of mental and magical energy; in severe cases, it could even keep him bedridden for a day or two.
In contrast, astrological signs, which were also prophetic, appeared much milder.
While they might not be as detailed or convenient as the Eye of Prophecy, they were not necessarily incapable of applying to other situations.
"Do the stars only see that I'm coming?"
"Of course not!"
Firenze quickened his pace, his long platinum blonde hair fluttering in the wind.
If you ignored the hoof-like features on his lower body, he was definitely a handsome man no less so than any human.
"Through the stars, I saw that the fate of the centaurs was about to change."
"If Mr. Grindelwald is willing, please allow me to take you to the settlement of centaurs and unicorns."
"There, I will tell you everything about the prophecy."
"A settlement of centaurs and unicorns!"
Before Argus could speak, Hagrid cried out in surprise.
He rubbed his palms together and gave a simple, honest smile.
"A unicorn colony! My God, I can't believe a human wizard could come into contact with such beautiful little creatures all at once!"
"Firenze, can I come with you?"
"You know, I've always loved unicorns..."
"I'm sorry, Hagrid."
Firenze shook his head: "The centaurs have never welcomed other intelligent races, including... giants."
"If I have the chance, I'll introduce you to some unicorns."
"Mr. Grindelwald, please follow me…"
Whoosh!
Before Firenze could finish speaking, an arrow came hurtling towards him from afar!
It shot straight between Firenze and Argus!
"Firenze, you traitor!"
Immediately afterwards, a red-haired, red-bearded centaur appeared before them, bow and arrow in hand, his aim pointed directly at Firenze and Argus.
His eyes were filled with rage.
"The centaurs do not welcome wizards! Firenze, you not only tell him the prophecy, but you also take him to the settlement!"
"I will definitely tell my people to banish you from the Forbidden Forest!"
"Mr. Centaur, I advise you to put your bow and arrows away."
Argus spoke calmly, but his eyes gleamed coldly.
"Get out of here, little pony! The Forbidden Forest doesn't welcome you!"
The red-bearded centaur stomped the ground twice, kicking up a cloud of dust.
He was clearly less rational than Firenze, and would make a show of defiance at the slightest provocation.
"Expelliarmus!"
Argus had his wand in his hand the moment he saw the arrow.
The disarming spell was fired without hesitation.
Bang!
A level 6 Sectumsempra was already a level that many elite Aurors might not be able to reach.
As soon as the shot was fired, the red-bearded centaur looked as if he had been hit by a missile.
He crashed heavily into the tree behind him.
As the bow and arrow flew from his hands, splinters of wood flew everywhere, and he coughed up blood.
A noticeable dent was visible on his chest.
"Mr. Grindelwald, please wait a moment!"
"Ronan did not intend to attack you!"
Firenze clearly hadn't expected Argus to act so decisively, and even less had he expected Argus to deal with Ronan so easily!
By the time he realized what was happening, Ronan had already collapsed in front of him.
Hagrid was dumbfounded.
In his mind, Argus should have been the kind of nice guy.
The sudden contrast caused his mind to momentarily go blank.
Once he regained consciousness, he immediately grabbed Argus's shoulder from behind.
"Calm down, Argus!"
"He was just trying to scare you, don't be so nervous!"
"I didn't intend to kill him, I just wanted to teach him a lesson."
Argus explained to Hagrid expressionlessly, then turned to look at Firenze.
"Mr. Firenze, it seems I will not have the chance to hear your prophecy."
"Invite me to visit when you've reached a consensus among the centaur tribes."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Hagrid glanced at Firenze, then at Argus, and hesitated for a moment.
"Firenze, his injury..."
"I'll handle it."
"That's good. I'll go take Argus back to his dorm first. If you need anything, just let Fang call me."
Under Firenze's gaze, Argus's figure slowly disappeared.
"Don't touch me, you centaur traitor!"
Ronan struggled fiercely in Firenze's arms.
Firenze took out the white peony he always carried and applied it to his wound.
"You know, he's the one from the prophecy!"
"But he's a wizard! How can centaurs place their hopes on a wizard!" Ronan was so emotional that he almost coughed up blood again.
"This is the guidance of fate, and has nothing to do with race!"
"No matter what you say, I will never obey the orders of a human wizard!"
...
Back to Hogwarts Castle.
Argus regretted not having had a late-night snack at Hagrid's.
Thinking about being caught for going out at night last night, he decided to hold back.
He could always go out for breakfast earlier tomorrow morning.
As soon as he stepped through the castle gates, a system notification popped up in his head.
[Congratulations, host, on completing your first patrol of the Forbidden Forest and earning the achievement: Forbidden Forest Guardian]
[Achievement Point Reward: 50]
"Something is better than nothing, it's better than nothing at all."
Argus made his way back to the Slytherin common room.
Draco stood like a hero on the high platform in the lounge, boasting about how he had fought the "evil" Weasley in flight class.
He showed no embarrassment or guilt upon seeing Argus.
Blow it however you want!
"Well done, young man!"
"Fall on the grass and toughen up your skin!"
Argus smiled and shook his head; he didn't expose the boy's vain hobby.
Back in his dorm, the exhaustion of the past two days immediately overwhelmed him.
Without even taking off his clothes, Argus fell into a deep sleep.
He was still groggy when he came to the lobby for breakfast the next morning.
"Argus, didn't you sleep well last night?"
Draco arrived with his two henchmen, Goyle and Crabbe.
Seeing the faint dark circles under Argus's eyes, he offered words of comfort.
"You're in luck today."
"The first class in the morning is Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Professor Quirrell's lectures are even more boring than Professor Binns's in the History of Magic, and he never cares what you're doing in the classroom!"
"What class is the first period in the morning?"
"Professor Quirrell's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, what's wrong?"
Damn it!
Upon hearing Quirrell's name, Argus's mind immediately cleared.
He had just escaped from him, and now they were going to meet again after only one day?
He dared not forget that a big boss was waiting for him at the back of Quirrell's head!
"Argus, are you sick? You look terrible."
"Draco, if I told Professor Snape right now that I had a fear of heights during flying class yesterday, do you think he would believe me?"
"Or maybe you caught a cold last night!"
"Or get scared by animals in the forbidden forest!"
The next second, a gloomy voice sounded behind Argus.
"Or, have your head ripped off by your dean!"