The Forbidden Forest lies to the west of Hogwarts Castle and stretches endlessly, an eerie and dense woodland. According to school regulations, students are strictly forbidden from entering the forest. Its towering trees block out the sky, and a thick undergrowth makes it nearly impossible to navigate. The forest is home to countless dangerous creatures and magical beings, yet it remains irresistibly fascinating to students.
No matter how many times professors warn students against entering the Forbidden Forest, there are always those who cannot resist the temptation to explore it. The forest's perils are far beyond the capabilities of younger students. Among the most dangerous plants in England are the Dragon's Claw Vine and the Hempthorn Tree. The Dragon's Claw Vine is particularly lethal; its long, slimy tendrils lie in wait for unsuspecting victims. Once it ensnares an animal, it digests it completely, leaving not a trace behind. Its highly acidic mucus is strong enough to dissolve bones, a vital part of its nourishment.
The Hempthorn Tree is equally deadly, though its threat comes from its roots. Known as the nightmare of any living being, its roots sense vibrations in the ground and break through the soil to drag creatures beneath the earth, slowly digesting them without leaving any trace. Any wizard who enters the Forbidden Forest alone without sufficient knowledge or caution is unlikely to return.
Dangerous creatures also populate the forest. The acromantula is one of the most numerous species. Originally, they were not native to the Forbidden Forest; it was Hagrid, who as a student released an acromantula he had raised, and later found a mate for the male. As a result, the population grew uncontrollably, spreading over a significant portion of the forest.
Since the proliferation of acromantulas, conflicts with the centaurs have never ceased, as centaurs also hunt for their food. The centaur tribe in the Forbidden Forest is the largest in the entire Kingdom of Ying, and they are quite hostile toward wizards. However, students, whom they affectionately call "little ponies," are generally spared and guided safely out of the forest.
Interestingly, no wizarding environmental laws exist to hold someone accountable, otherwise Hagrid, who inadvertently introduced an invasive species, would face serious consequences. Acromantulas are not native, and no formal agreement exists between them and Hogwarts to prevent interference. While they currently stay within the forest, this is largely due to Aragog, the original acromantula Hagrid raised, who keeps its offspring in check. What might happen once Aragog dies remains completely unknown.
Near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, not far from Hagrid's hut, Solim spotted Professor Kettleburn. As recognizable as Hagrid, Kettleburn's distinctive features made him easy to identify: he had only one arm and one leg, replaced with worn prosthetics covered in scars and burn marks. Kettleburn was a passionate, sometimes reckless man who deeply cared for the creatures he studied. His fascination with dangerous beasts often led to accidents, earning him no fewer than sixty-two detentions during his tenure.
Like Hagrid, Kettleburn tended to underestimate the dangers of magical creatures. He once enchanted an ash snake to appear in a school play, resulting in the Great Hall catching fire—a story famously documented in Hogwarts: A History. Despite his eccentricity, Kettleburn was well-liked by both students and staff.
Solim approached, greeting him. "Good afternoon, Professor."
Kettleburn looked back, noticing Solim. "Ah, it's you, Solim. Come closer. Let me test you—do you know what these little cuties are?"
Several cages lay on the ground, and Solim recognized them as the magical creatures intended for that afternoon's class.
"They're Motla rats, Professor," Solim said cautiously. "I'd rather not get bitten."
Motla rats resemble ordinary mice but have anemone-like growths on their backs. They inhabit coastal regions of the UK. A bite from a Motla rat can induce nausea and, in severe cases, make the victim's chrysanthemum emit sparks for up to forty-eight hours. The growths on the rats' backs can be pickled and eaten to increase resistance to curses, but overconsumption may cause unsightly purple ear hair. Their juice also has healing properties, capable of treating cuts and relieving pain.
Kettleburn chuckled. "You're right. If this little fellow bites you badly, the only thing you can do is endure it."
Then he remembered why Solim had approached him. "Is there something you wanted to ask me about?"
"Yes, Professor," Solim began. "It's about my cousin, Neville. He has a toad that disappears inexplicably. Even in closed spaces, like a train compartment, the toad vanishes. Could it be some kind of hybrid?"
Kettleburn scratched his face. "A toad that disappears? How exactly does it vanish? Does it teleport like a ball-chasing bird, or is it invisible?"
Solim, knowledgeable about magical creatures, nodded. "It's not invisible. The toad reappears near Neville on its own, usually when he returns to the common room. But it vanishes without anyone noticing. This even happened in the train compartment—doors and windows closed, yet the toad disappeared and reappeared only beside Neville."
"That's very unusual," Kettleburn frowned.
"Could it be due to special bloodlines or hybridization? Perhaps an offspring of magical creatures with invisibility traits?" Solim asked.
"Unlikely," Kettleburn replied. "If a new magical species is bred, it must be registered with the Ministry of Magic. No record exists for this toad, and giving a potentially illegal hybrid to a child is highly irresponsible. It could be dangerous."
Solim considered Kettleburn's words. If the toad truly had unusual abilities, it would likely be a hybrid—but such a species would almost certainly be documented by the Ministry. The scenario of an elder wizard giving an illegal creature to a child seemed improbable.
Kettleburn shook his head. "Whatever the case, Solim, this is highly irregular. Keep a close eye on it. Magical creatures of unknown origin are never something to take lightly."
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Johnybairstow