Chapter 63

"What's its name?" Albert asked as he put another steak on the ground for the Cerberus to eat while he patted its head.

"This cute little boy's name is Fluffy," Hagrid replied with a proud expression.

"Fluffy? It feels like this dog's menacing aura disappears when you hear his name. How about changing it to something like Spike or ...?" Albert said while thinking of another name.

"I think Fluffy is a pretty good name," Hagrid said.

"Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself yet. Hi, my name is Albert Anderson. Are you a professor at Hogwarts because I have heard no one speak of a giant professor?" Albert asked.

"No, I am the Groundskeeper," Hagrid said as he shook his head in disappointed.

"So you look after the Forbidden Forest and Everything inside of it?" Albert said as he pointed toward the Forbidden Forest. Before Hagrid could answer, he continued, "I heard that there are werewolves and vampires in the forest. Is that true?"

"Are you, by chance, a Ravenclaw student?" Hagrid asked.

Albert glanced at his back and smirked at the three people. "No, we are Gryffindor students."

"Oh, you're from Gryffindor," Hagrid said while laughing, and then suddenly the emotions on his face vanished. "Yeah, you won't get into the forest."

"Ahem, that's a... cute dog. Can I pat its head and if I don't give him a treat, will he bite me?" George said as he quickly changed the subject. The three heads of the Cerberus growled at George and smacked their lips together as if they were looking at a tasty treat. "On second thought never mid. Albert, are you not scared when you look at that?"

"No, not really. I think my cat is scarier than Fluffy," Albert said as he analysed the Cerberus. "Excuse me, Mr Groundskeeper. The next time I visit, can I take a picture of Fluffy?"

"Call me Hagrid. Mr Groundskeeper sound too formal," Hagrid said before looking at Albert suspiciously. "And it depends what you are going to do with the picture."

"I want my family to know what life at Hogwarts is like. They are Muggles and I've already sent them pictures of Hogwarts. Now I want to send them a picture of Magical Beasts," Albert explained.

"That's fine, but remember not to show it to anyone else. I'll tell you boy, it's more trouble than it's worth and I learnt that the hard way," Hagrid said.

"Oh, you had trouble with the Statute of Secrecy?" Albert said.

"Yeah. I'm surprised a first year muggle born wizard to know about it. Most people wouldn't want to learn laws when they enter wizarding society," Hagrid said with his face showing clear signs of surprise. A Muggle wizard who had just entered Hogwarts actually knowing about the Statute of Secrecy was as rare as a unicorn letting a male touch them. Rare but not unprecedented. It reminded him of a muggle born Slytherin back when he attended Hogwarts. "I know little about the Statute. They made it clear to young wizards that they will be punished if they use magic in front of Muggle families. In residential areas, using magic in front of muggles is a criminal offence and may lead to getting your wand taken during the holiday."

"Have they have expelled anyone because of that? I know Gabriel almost did," Albert said.

"Poor lad, they almost expelled him. Apart from him, no-one has ever got that close," Hagrid said.

"Gabriel could've been the first," Fred said while the others looked at him. "I mean, it was only his second offence, so they should have warned instead him of receiving a Wizengamot Summoning."

"You still haven't answered the question yet, Hagrid. Why aren't we allowed in the Forest? What creatures we can expect to find there? Why doesn't Dumbledore allow us to go in there?" Albert said, as he tried to guide the conversation back to its original topic.

"There are many dangerous magical creatures in the forest," Hagrid said.

"Like what? Werewolves? Vampires? Dementors?" Albert asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, to werewolves; unless they're in the centre, no vampires; Dementors could not step foot on Hogwarts ground while Dumbledore is Headmaster," Hagrid said.

"Professor Brodt said that if we're bitten by a Werewolf, we'll turn into one. Why does Dumbledore allow them to stay in a close vicinity to students?" Albert asked.

"Werewolves stay between the boundary of the centre and the inner section and won't leave their territory without facing serious... consequences," Hagrid said while remembering an incident regarding a werewolf about thirty years ago.

"Hagrid, have you seen and touched a unicorn?" Albert asked.

"How many questions do you think he'll ask?" George whispered.

"Twenty pushing twenty-five," Fred responded.

"Don't forget. He'll probably mention a dragon, so that'll push the count up to about thirty," Lee said.

"We have three blessing each with a minimum of twelve or thirteen unicorns, and I've probably met them all," Hagrid said.

Hagrid and Albert continued to converse and, as Lee predicted, they moved onto the topics of dragons. Hagrid said that it was his life's goal to raise a dragon from birth. He then mentioned the outer ridges of the forest were safe and they held most of their Care of Magical Creature here.

"Hagrid, is there a Silverwood tree in the Forbidden Forest?" Albert asked.

Silverwood is said to properties that cleanse and purify the surrounding area, removing any negative energies and creating a sense of peace and tranquillity. They often use it as a gathering place for rituals and ceremonies, as they believe it to amplify the power of any magic performed beneath its branches. The tree is also said to have healing properties, and they often used its leaves and bark in potions and remedies to promote physical and spiritual well-being. People who spend time near the Silverwood report feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, as if their worries have been lifted away.

"Silverwood? Oh, I remember. Its near the centre of the forest. Why are you asking?" Hagrid said.

"If it's possible, can I get a branch for my sister? I'm going to make it into a bracelet and give it to her," Albert said. "I can pay."

"No need lad. If the schools get a commission for a branch, I'll sneak you a twig or two. I recommend you turn it into a ring or something small," Hagrid said and put his hand in his satchel. "Instead, take this. Although it's not the same, it is quite similar."

Hagrid's large, rough hands carefully cradled the bundle of unicorn hair, his fingers gently stroking the silky strands as he gazed down at them with a look of reverence.

"Here you are," he said gruffly, as he extended the bundle towards the student. "The finest unicorn hair you'll ever lay eyes on, that is. Pure and strong, it is, and it'll make you a fine wand or a decent protection charm. It's a symbol of purity and goodness. It is, and it'll help you protect your sister."

The student tentatively reached out to take the bundle from Hagrid, his fingers brushing against his calloused palm. He marvelled at the softness of the hair and the way it glinted in the open sunlight. Hagrid's eyes twinkled as he watched the student examine the hair, a look of pride and satisfaction on his face. As Albert carefully tucked the bundle of unicorn hair into his one of his many pockets in his robe, Hagrid clapped him on the back and beamed down at him.

"Thank you, Hagrid." Albert said gratefully, and he considered what Christmas presents he would give him.

"You are welcome." Hagrid said as scratched his head while being embarrassed. Like Fluffy, Hagrid's appearance was a contrast to his personality.

~~~~~~~

On the way back to the castle, the three boys gave Albert their thumbs up and praised him for his bravery talking to the enormous Hagrid.

"Do you want some? I have way too much," Albert said as he took out a handful from his pocket.

"No, Hagrid gave it to you as a gift, so forget about it. What are you going to do with it?" Lee asked.

"It's for my sister's birthday. I'm going to make this into a bracelet or into a string for a pendant," Albert said.

"Birthday present? Who would give Unicorn hair as a birthday present?" George said.

"Then what did you get for Ginny's birthday?" Albert asked.

"Liquorice Wands," Fred said.

"What about Ron?" Lee asked.

"Acid Pops and maybe, no definitely, Cockroach Clusters," George said without hesitation.