Chapter 39: The Forbidden Forest is a Good Place
"That's great. Let's go!"
Neville was happy to have Dylan join him, and even more so at the prospect of good food.
Dylan didn't bother tidying up much, just shoved the books onto the table and got ready to head to Hagrid's hut with Neville.
"Meow~!"
Coal Ball followed them.
"You want to go too?" Dylan smiled.
"Meow!" Coal Ball chirped crisply.
"Let's go then." Dylan smiled and opened his arms to Coal Ball.
Coal Ball leapt into his arms like a shadow.
Neville looked at the fluffy Coal Ball, a little envious.
He wished he had such a cute pet.
"Wait, I think I forgot something again."
Neville stopped, blinking.
Dylan, who was already ahead, turned back, looking at him quizzically. "What's wrong?"
"Oh? Nothing." Neville shook his head and hurried after him.
He tried to keep the conversation going to make the journey less dull for Dylan.
Dylan played along.
When they arrived at Hagrid's hut, Hagrid was standing at the door, seemingly dawdling.
His eyes lit up when he saw them.
"Two little wizards, where are Harry and the others today?"
Dylan approached. "Harry has a match, and Ron went to watch."
"A match? Oh! It's a pity I can't go!" Hagrid looked disappointed.
But soon, his attention was drawn to Dylan's messy hair. "Did the poltergeists prank you?"
"No."
Hagrid blinked and looked down at Coal Ball in Dylan's arms.
"Hey, little guy, hello! Are you here to play with everyone today?"
Coal Ball, having explored this area when it sneaked out, knew Hagrid.
It jumped into Hagrid's open arms, playfully tugging at Hagrid's thick beard, making Hagrid laugh.
Despite his size, Hagrid was gentle with Coal Ball.
He scratched Coal Ball's chin and ushered Dylan and Neville into the hut.
The hut was warm, filled with the scent of wood and smoke.
Hagrid let Coal Ball roam around his spacious room while he went to the kitchen.
He brought out a plate of treats.
"I just made a batch of rock cakes today, they're fresh. Want to try some?"
Neville, seeing the steaming cakes, remembered Dylan's praise and nodded.
"Please give me one!"
"Oh, sure."
Hagrid handed Neville a whole rock cake, uncut.
"I'll pass. I just ate, and it's too early for afternoon tea." Dylan declined with a smile.
"Alright." Hagrid nodded, then looked expectantly at Neville.
Neville's eyes sparkled, and he grabbed the rock cake, taking a bite under Dylan's equally expectant gaze.
"Crunch—!"
Neville's eyes widened.
His mouth hung open, his face twisted in pain, and his expression fell.
"Ouch..." Neville instinctively covered his mouth, looking at Dylan with a pained expression.
Dylan, suppressing a grin, couldn't help but chuckle.
"Haha! It's actually really tasty, just a bit tough to chew."
"Dylan!" Neville recovered and playfully punched Dylan.
Hagrid scratched his head. "Still a bit tough? Then..."
Fang, sensing an opportunity, rushed over, wagging his tail at Neville.
Neville glanced at Hagrid.
"Just give it to him, he loves it." Hagrid nodded.
Neville gave the rock cake to Fang.
Dylan stopped laughing and told Hagrid their purpose.
"Flame Thorn's special fertilizer?"
Hagrid was confused. "Didn't I send some to Professor Sprout?"
Dylan explained, "The professor has some, but Neville doesn't. Professor Sprout specifically asked Neville to grow the Flame Thorn, and the previous fertilizer is used up. It's not convenient to ask the professor for more."
"I see." Hagrid understood.
Flame Thorn wasn't easy to grow.
It was picky and needed fertilizer mixed in a specific ratio.
Otherwise, it might get angry and self-combust.
"Professor Sprout entrusted you with such a seedling. She must think highly of you."
Neville was a little shy. "It's all thanks to Dylan."
Indeed, Professor Sprout let Neville grow the Flame Thorn because of Dylan's praise during their tutoring sessions.
And Neville had a talent for Herbology.
Professor Sprout agreed to Dylan's request, and Neville was invited to the tutoring sessions.
Neville struggled to keep up, but he made significant progress.
"Flame Thorn's special fertilizer is tricky to make, needing many ingredients. But luckily, the Forbidden Forest has plenty of fertilizer. We can mix some to get a similar effect. Is that okay?"
"Of course!" Neville agreed.
Dylan, having accompanied Neville, didn't interrupt their conversation and looked out the window.
The Forbidden Forest was dense, with tall trees and thick foliage obscuring the view.
"The Forbidden Forest is a good place."
He mused.
He had been doing potion research with Professor Snape lately.
Professor Snape provided the ingredients for almost every tutoring session.
Dylan couldn't do all his potion research on Saturdays.
He needed ingredients to practice on his own.
He couldn't ask Professor Snape for more.
And the professor's ingredients were for advanced potions, too wasteful for practice.
So, where to get ingredients?
(End of chapter)
[author]
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who support me on this journey. Your contribution make a real difference!
As a patron, you unlock:
Exclusive Access: Get advanced chapters ahead of everyone else.
👉 Join now: patreon.com/Chaos_God
[/author]