40 Polyjuice Potion
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Dumbledore gazed helplessly at Hagrid and Ethan, recognizing the complexity of the situation. Despite being the most powerful white wizard, Dumbledore found himself momentarily at a loss.
"Hagrid, this matter has nothing to do with Ethan; we killed Aragog"
Bane, Ronan, and Firenze finally spoke up. Centaurs preferred to avoid unnecessary conflicts with wizards, especially when Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard, was present. Though uncomfortable with the situation, the three centaurs stood up and supported Ethan.
"Why did you kill Aragog?" Hagrid's large, tearful eyes showed bewilderment. Hagrid had always shared a good relationship with Firenze and Ronan, who provided him with painkillers.
"Your pets invaded our territory recklessly, harming our people, even our children. Without Ethan's help, a foal might have died in front of us" Bane roared angrily. He couldn't fathom why someone would sympathize with a creature like the eight-eyed giant spider, let alone keep it as a pet.
Hearing Bane's explanation, Hagrid looked at Firenze, who nodded in confirmation. Hagrid, covering his face with his broad palms, muttered in pain, "Oh, poor Aragog. It must have been bewitched by some bad guy. I swear it doesn't eat people." Bane rolled his eyes helplessly, convinced that the half-blood giant's mind must be a bit scrambled.
Ethan seized the opportunity to discreetly place Aragog's head into his bag, understanding that holding a friend's severed head was a significant shock for Hagrid. Dejectedly, Hagrid sat on a large tree stump, took a dirty handkerchief from his pocket, pinched his nose, and blew a loud snort.
Snape, disgusted, took a couple of steps away from Hagrid upon hearing the noise. He then casually remarked, "Since there's nothing to do here, I don't see any reason for us to linger." Snape cast a meaningful glance at Ethan, expressing a hint of envy for the substantial amount of acromantula venom he had collected.
Dumbledore nodded in agreement. While he wanted to talk to Ethan, the unruly Hagrid disrupted his plan. Dumbledore decided to leave the scene and continue the discussion elsewhere.
Hagrid, still weeping on the stump, received a whispered message from Dumbledore. After listening, Hagrid nodded and cooperatively stood up. Dumbledore's influence on Hagrid remained strong.
Dumbledore bid a polite farewell to Ethan and the centaurs, returning to the castle with Snape and Hagrid. As they parted ways, Hagrid shot Ethan a resentful look, leaving him somewhat perplexed. Despite knowing Hagrid's innate goodness, Ethan had somehow earned Hagrid's disdain today.
Simultaneously, the young wizards at Hogwarts Castle were buzzing with excitement. News had spread that Ethan was engaged in a monster battle in the Forbidden Forest, linking it to the monsters in the Slytherin Chamber. The thunderous noise and flames emanating from the Forbidden Forest substantiated the intensity of the confrontation.
The young wizards gathered to discuss and speculate on Professor Ethan's exploits in battling the forest monsters. Many believed the rumor that the monster was a fire dragon. Ron, privy to the real story, disdainfully refrained from joining the discussions.
"Can you believe it? They think the monster in the chamber is a fire dragon" Ron chuckled, leaning against the wall of the women's bathroom, and observing his gullible classmates.
Hermione, with her wealth, had already purchased the semi-finished polyjuice potion. Now, in the small single room of the women's bathroom, she squatted over a cauldron on the toilet, the crackling sound underneath indicating she had conjured a fire using her magical skills.
Harry, standing nearby, hesitated about entering Slytherin to gather intelligence. Watching Hermione busy with her task, he voiced his concerns, "If Professor Ethan has dealt with the basilisk, there's no point in doing this now. Getting caught by Snape would be a real pain." The thought of Snape catching him sent a shiver down Harry's spine.
"It's impossible for the basilisk to have ventured that far from the castle; otherwise, it would have been discovered long ago," Hermione retorted, rolling her eyes at "Silly Potter." She added, "Professor Ethan must have tackled other monsters. I know there are plenty of dangers hidden in the Forbidden Forest. That's why it's off-limits to students. Professor Ethan must have cleared up that monster."
But... Hermione frowned, admitting she lacked insight into this audacious plan.
"We'll finally find out what Professor Ethan did," she remarked, her curiosity piqued.
"We can ask Hagrid" Ron exclaimed enthusiastically to Harry and Hermione. "Hagrid's the gamekeeper; he must know everything in the Forbidden Forest" Ron's voice was a bit loud, prompting Hermione to quickly hush him and place a finger on her lips.
"Honestly, Ron, consider what we're doing. Do you want to alert all the professors?" she scolded in a low voice.
Ron, feeling embarrassed, stuck out his tongue and apologized. After Hermione added some lacewings to the decoction, she sighed in satisfaction—the polyjuice potion was now ready.
"In the meantime, we can use Veritaserum to get the truth from him whenever we need to. But first, let's go see Hagrid and find out what's happening in the Forbidden Forest," Hermione said in a satisfied tone.
After swiftly cleaning up the pot and sundries, and confirming that nothing was missing, Hermione led Ron and Harry to the door of the women's bathroom. Hermione exited first, checking both left and right to ensure no one was around, and then gestured for Ron and Harry to follow. The two boys walked out with a shrug.
As Hermione, Ron, and Harry strolled down the corridor discussing their visit to Hagrid, Hermione suddenly halted and remarked, "But Professor McGonagall said we must stay in the castle unless we are in the classroom"
"I think," Harry suggested in a softer tone, "it's time to get my dad's old invisibility cloak out again."
