Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Water Margin

Chapter 31 The Black-Robed Monster's Curse and Silver-Blooded Desire

Picking up where we left off, Hagrid agreed to let Harry practice his swordsmanship in the Forbidden Forest and also offered to let the young dragon be his protector.

Ron and Hermione, upon hearing this, both clamored to go along. Hagrid, unable to dissuade them, finally nodded, but his initial intention to protect Harry shifted to protecting Ron and Hermione.

After the three said goodbye and left the house, Hermione asked, puzzled, "Harry, why did you tell Hagrid that we were planning to go to the Forbidden Forest?"

Harry bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Reporting to my elder sister, it was not my fault. However, the Forbidden Forest is treacherous, and I was afraid for your safety, so I told you everything. I hope Hagrid will give Norbert to me so that you can be protected."

Although these words were sincere, Ron was unconvinced. He wanted to refute them, but he could only open his mouth wide and not utter a single word.

It seems...it appears...Harry was right after all.

Hermione and I only know some everyday spells, so we can't really help Harry much—no, Hermione is very smart, so the only one who can't help... is me?

Ron's heart churned. He clenched his fists, drawing five purple welts into his palms. He bit his lip so hard his teeth ground together. He wished he had eight arms to sweep through the Forbidden Forest and help Harry.

That night, Harry, Norbert, and their two companions donned the Invisibility Cloak and went to Hagrid's hut. They packed their belongings, took their wands and weapons, and, with Norbert by their side, headed straight for the Forbidden Forest.

It should be known that this nighttime exploration of the Forbidden Forest to practice swordsmanship was a pretext; the real purpose was to search for the Philosopher's Stone. Harry found an excuse, instructed Hagrid and Norbert to protect Hermione and the other, and then left on his own.

After several dozen days of this back and forth, the map of the Forbidden Forest was marked with crosses, but there was still no trace of the Philosopher's Stone, leaving Harry and his companions completely baffled.

It is:

They searched the castle without a trace, and searched the Forbidden Forest in vain.

The scarred young man is nowhere to be found; the magic stone lies hidden in the mist.

That night, Harry, Hermione, and the others returned to Hagrid's hut under the Invisibility Cloak. Hermione grumbled, "Where is the Philosopher's Stone? We've practically searched the entire Forbidden Forest."

Ron said, "Perhaps your reasoning is flawed? Maybe the Philosopher's Stone was placed in the Black Lake."

"Oh, my reasoning is never wrong. Hagrid didn't mention any magical creatures in the deep water to that passerby."

Harry exclaimed, "Those mosquitoes in the Forbidden Forest are really something else! One bite and I'm itching like hell. If I can't find any more, I'm not going to feed them blood!"

The three chatted for a while, and then, as usual, went their separate ways when they arrived at Hagrid's Hut.

Harry, carrying his knife, went alone, flipping through the map Hermione had drawn, and turned left onto a narrow path.

After an hour of chanting, he suddenly noticed the arm guard on his wrist glowing. Startled, he quickly wrapped the arm guard in his robe, drew his wand, and collapsed into the haystack.

It should be known that Flitwick had previously stated that the spell would illuminate in times of danger. Now that the gauntlets were glowing, how could Harry not know that something was amiss?

He looked around and suddenly saw something lying in the distance, with a pool of silver liquid on the ground.

Harry was startled, thinking to himself: Oh dear! Isn't this a unicorn?

He had used unicorn horns and tail hairs in Potions class and knew that it was a rare and magical creature.

Despite being born with a body full of treasures, no one dared to harm it, simply because this unicorn was noble and pure, and surrounded by auspiciousness.

Such an auspicious beast suddenly collapsed and died; it is unknown what kind of highway robber killed it.

Harry was lost in thought when he saw a rustling sound from the distant clump of grass, and suddenly a figure in black robes emerged and bent down to drink the unicorn's blood.

Upon seeing this, Harry thought to himself: This thief is hiding his face and not revealing a single detail. Could he be a passerby from Hogsmeade? I must capture this fellow and give him a good beating.

He propped himself up and strode forward, but the man in black robes, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, suddenly turned around, raised his wand, and shouted:

"Findfayl!"

This incantation is the Fierce Fire Incantation; with just one shout, a crimson fire serpent bursts forth from between the staff.

The fiery serpent came charging menacingly at Harry, who rolled away to avoid it. Unexpectedly, the serpent seemed to possess sentience, twisting its body and lunging again.

Harry was horrified. What a tracking spell!

As the saying goes, "With two swords, watch your footwork; with one sword, watch your hand." The fire snake lunged like a sharp arrow, but Harry remained as steady as Mount Tai. With a shout, he drew his sword and unleashed a powerful strike.

"drink!"

The blade, enveloped in the night wind, cleaved down from the skull, instantly causing the fiery serpent to vanish into thin air.

The man in black robes, unaware that the ring-shaped knife was a magical weapon, naturally effective against certain forms of magic, cried out in horror as Harry used it to cut through the fire, "How is this possible?!"

Harry ignored him, pointed his wand at a sharp-edged stone, recited a spell, and cast a levitation spell.

The stone received the command and began to float. Harry flicked his wand, and the stone flew straight toward the man in black.

The man in black robes twisted to avoid the stone, only to see Harry charging towards him with a knife in hand. With a flick of his wand, countless rays of light shot out from its tip. He used every spell he could think of, from the most effective to the least effective: the Hair Growth Charm, the Hardening Charm, the Expansion Charm...

Several spells erupted simultaneously, illuminating the Black Forbidden Forest. The man in black simply tapped his wand, donned a suit of armor to protect himself, and the spells vanished without a trace.

Seeing that this scoundrel could break all spells with a single curse, Harry cursed inwardly, hating that this damn school only taught fancy moves and never put real skills to the table.

The man in black robes stopped the spell and shouted again, "Avada Kedavra!"

Although Harry didn't recognize the spell, he knew it was powerful. Seeing the wand raised, he didn't hesitate and lunged forward.

This lunge was not only to avoid the curse, but also to close the distance. His arm swung like a full moon, the blade whistling as it slashed horizontally. A crack was heard, a flash of cold light, and the thief's left ankle was severed!

Know that the blade of this monk's knife is sharp and unimpeded. The man in black robes felt a chill on his ankle, as if he had been hit by an icicle. When he looked down, he saw that his legs had been separated and blood was cascading down like a waterfall.

"Ughhhhh!!!"

Just then, a horse neighing was heard in the distance. The man in black robes was on high alert. He flicked his magic wand, and a cloud of mist swirled around him.

When the party was over, the man had already picked up his broken leg and fled, leaving no trace.

As the horse neighed closer, Harry looked closely and saw that the approaching figure was half-human and half-horse, shirtless, with a head of platinum blonde hair.

"Are you alright?" The centaur bent down to pull Harry, and when he saw Harry's forehead, he exclaimed, "Oh, you're that Potter kid."

"I am the one who never changes my name or surname!" Harry bowed and said, "If it weren't for the hero's rescue, I'm afraid I would have risked my life to fight that bastard."

"Please accept my bow!"

A chance encounter with a demon lurked in the forbidden forest; a unicorn lay dead, its blood flowing. A deadly curse terrified the night; a scarred man severed its ankle. The neighing of horses and men pierced the darkness, like a rooster crowing to light the day. To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next chapter.