The bustle and noise of the day finally passed.
After evening, Baelon and his group walked toward Hagrid’s hut by the Forbidden Forest.
As soon as the wooden door opened, the massive black dog in the corner immediately raised its head.
Seeing familiar faces, it wagged its tail and trotted over, as gentle as could be.
Hagrid looked up, closed the Fantastic Beasts Field Guide in his hand, and grinned: “Just in time, the cookies are fresh out of the oven, and the hot cocoa is ready too.”
Michael bent down to rub Fang’s head and grabbed a cookie: “Madam Hooch was practically breathing down my neck today.
I veered the broom slightly and she docked points on the spot.”
Hermione sat on a wooden stool, gently blowing on the steam from her cup: “You’re always distracted in class; if she doesn’t dock your points, whose would she?
The Potion Class essay hasn’t even been started yet; if you delay any longer, you won’t make it.”
Michael’s shoulders slumped with a bitter face: “I get a headache just looking at the ingredient ratios.
Hermione, can’t you just tell me the key points?”
“I can, but you must organize them yourself first,” Hermione replied coolly.
Hannah smiled and squatted down, gently stroking Fang’s ears: “Fang is always so enthusiastic, sticking to us every time.”
Terry leaned against the doorframe, glancing at Hannah playing with Fang: “Today’s classes are finally over.
Any longer and I wouldn’t even be able to hold my wand steady.”
Baelon walked to the hearth and sat down, his gaze unconsciously falling toward the pitch-black Forbidden Forest outside the window, silent.
Hagrid saw this, moved his large mug over to Baelon, and lowered his voice: “Baelon, have you been going into the Forbidden Forest at night lately?”
Baelon’s fingertips paused slightly, and he nodded gently.
Hagrid’s face darkened, his tone grave: “I must warn you, be extremely careful lately.
The Forbidden Forest hasn’t been peaceful at all.
Professor Dumbledore clearly issued a ban long ago, strictly forbidding students from entering, but these kids just won’t listen, always trying to sneak in, treating warnings like wind past their ears.”
Hagrid’s tone grew heavier: “I’ve guarded this place for many years, and I’ve never seen so many people sneaking in.
Many are using classes or ‘exploration’ as an excuse to go deep inside, all asking about dragons.”
Hermione frowned slightly: “We’ve noticed too.
There are indeed many rumors in the Castle lately about a dragon hidden in the Forbidden Forest.”
Hannah’s expression turned tense: “So, those people are close to finding Sunfyre’s location?”
“It’s not just students,” Hagrid added emphatically.
“There are also some strange Wizards from outside, acting suspiciously.
They hide near the forest during the day and roam around at night.
I’ve already chased off several groups, but I can’t keep them all away.”
“What do they actually want?” Terry asked seriously, losing his casual demeanor.
“What else,” Hagrid gritted his teeth.
“Dragon scales, bones, blood—they’re worth a fortune on the black market.
They’re after Sunfyre, wanting to capture it for profit.
I can’t watch the whole forest by myself.
I can stop one group, but not a second.
If some slip through the cracks…”
Baelon clenched his fingers, a heavy pressure weighing on his heart.
Sunfyre was still young; if those people succeeded, he didn’t dare imagine the consequences.
Hermione looked at Baelon, her expression serious and worried: “This is too dangerous.
Should we tell the Professors?
Let the school strengthen patrols and protection for the Forbidden Forest; it would be much safer.”
Baelon was silent for a moment, then nodded gently: “You’re right, finding a Professor is indeed the safest way.”
He paused, his tone becoming firm: “But we can’t rely too much on Professors.
I brought Sunfyre here, and I should be the one to protect it.
I can’t put all the pressure on others, and I can’t let Sunfyre fall into new danger because of too much attention.”
“I understand your concerns,” Hermione nodded, no longer insisting.
“But don’t try to handle it all alone; we’re all on your side.”
“We’re friends,” Michael said seriously.
“We watched Sunfyre grow up too.
We can’t just stand by and watch you face danger alone.”
“I have the ability to protect Sunfyre,” Baelon said steadily.
“Just act as you usually do.
Don’t do anything unusual because of this, or you’ll attract attention.”
Hannah nodded gently: “We understand.
You must ensure your safety.
Tell us if anything happens.”
“I will,” Baelon replied.
Hagrid looked at them and warned solemnly again: “Remember, for the time being, no one go near the Forbidden Forest.
Those people will stop at nothing.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After some small talk about school matters, they stood up to say goodbye to Hagrid.
Fang wagged his tail and saw them to the door, rubbing his head against Hannah’s hand before slowly retreating back inside.
Leaving Hagrid’s hut, Michael still couldn’t help complaining: “I didn’t expect things to be this serious, that someone would actually dare to come near Hogwarts to target a dragon.”
“Sunfyre wasn’t entirely safe in the Forbidden Forest to begin with, and now that outsiders are targeting it, its situation will only get harder,” Hermione said in a low voice.
Terry looked toward the dark Forbidden Forest: “I hope those people are caught soon, otherwise living in fear isn’t the way.”
Hannah grabbed Baelon’s arm, her voice full of worry: “Baelon, don’t go in tonight.
Wait a few days until things blow over.”
“I must go,” Baelon said without hesitation.
“Sunfyre is used to me visiting every day.
If I suddenly don’t go, it will get anxious and start looking for me, which would make it even easier to be discovered.”
“Then you must be careful,” Hermione urged again.
“Stay alert to your surroundings.
Don’t push yourself if you encounter danger.
Protect yourself and Sunfyre.”
“I know,” Baelon nodded.
The group parted at the Castle entrance.
After confirming his companions had entered, Baelon turned and circled around the side, sneaking toward the Forbidden Forest under the cover of night.
He moved cautiously, his boots crunching on rotting leaves.
He successfully reached the dragon’s den where Sunfyre was—an abandoned Troll nest.
The entrance was hidden by waist-high vines.
Inside, the ground was covered with thick hay and coarse hair shed by the Troll, with a few rounded boulders piled in the corner.
Seeing him arrive, Sunfyre immediately rose from the hay, its golden eyes shining brightly in the dark.
It stepped quickly to Baelon, gently nuzzling his hand with its snout and making soft, gentle sounds to show its joy.
Baelon stayed quietly with Sunfyre, stroking the smooth scales on its neck for a long time.
The Forbidden Forest was exceptionally calm tonight; there was no unusual movement or sign of suspicious individuals.
After confirming everything was safe, he quietly comforted Sunfyre, pushed aside the vines, and left the Troll nest to return to the Castle.
…
Since that conversation, Baelon became extremely vigilant every time he visited Sunfyre.
He was no longer as relaxed as before.
Every step was steady and careful, avoiding dry branches.
His attention remained highly focused, ears listening to the wind and rustling in the woods, his mind sensing for any unfamiliar presence.
That night, he pushed aside the vines as usual and entered the abandoned Troll nest, Sunfyre’s current den.
Sunfyre was napping in the hay and immediately looked up at the sound, its golden eyes bright in the darkness.
It wagged its tail and walked quickly to Baelon, nuzzling his hand and making soft sounds of joy.
Baelon raised his hand, slowly stroking the smooth scales on its neck, but his gaze swept across the shadows of the cave, landing on the vines at the entrance without any relaxation.
In that instant, his body suddenly stiffened.
The faint sound of fabric rubbing against a tree trunk came from outside.
His body instinctively signaled danger; someone was watching.
He expanded his perception and instantly sensed several figures filled with intense malice rapidly approaching the Troll nest.
Sunfyre became alert almost at the same time.
It jerked upright, letting out a warning growl, its wings tensing slightly.
Baelon stepped forward, standing firmly in front of Sunfyre and leaning slightly to shield it.
Behind him, Sunfyre also leaned forward, wings half-spread, golden pupils staring sharply into the darkness of the entrance.
Its claws dug into the hay, radiating an aura of inviolability.
Baelon placed a hand gently on the side of Sunfyre’s neck, signaling it to stay quiet, while his other hand gripped his wand tightly, eyes calmly watching the deep thicket outside.
“Click.”
The slight sound of a dry branch snapping pierced the silence of the forest.
Three dark figures stepped slowly from the shadows.
Their hoods were pulled low, completely masking their faces.
They held their wands tightly, forming a triangle as they bypassed the vines and closed in on the boy and the dragon.
Their steps were light, clearly experienced in stealth.
Their eyes were locked onto Baelon from start to finish, not even glancing at Sunfyre.
Clearly, they wanted the dragon alive and intended to eliminate him as the obstacle first.
“Found it at last after searching for so many days,” the leader whispered, his voice laced with undisguised greed.
“The rumors were true; there really is a dragon hidden in the Forbidden Forest.”
“Kid, I’ll give you one last chance.
Get lost.” Another person pointed their wand at Baelon, their tone cold and ruthless.
“The dragon is ours.
If you dare stand in the way, we don’t mind leaving you here forever.”
Baelon stood before Sunfyre, lowering his center of gravity, his voice calm but firm: “You shouldn’t have come here, and you certainly shouldn’t have targeted it.”
“Stubborn brat!” The lead Wizard’s face darkened as he barked an order, “Aim for him, don’t hurt the dragon!”
Green light suddenly flared, carrying the chill of death, shooting straight toward Baelon’s chest while completely avoiding Sunfyre.
Baelon’s pupils constricted.
He lunged to the left, his wand pointing at a piece of deadwood partially embedded in the ground.
“Transformation Spell!”
The deadwood rapidly expanded and took shape, turning into a thick wooden shield in front of him.
“Boom!”
The green light struck the shield, sending wood chips flying.
Baelon gritted his teeth and held the shield steady.
Sunfyre immediately stepped up, pressing its body against the other side of the shield to help him maintain his balance.
Crucio and the Blasting Curse followed.
Baelon moved the shield to block, while Sunfyre opened its mouth and exhaled a blast of scorching, holy golden flame, forcing the Dark Wizards back and disrupting their casting.
A Wizard circled from the side.
Sunfyre turned immediately, its roar making the man stumble.
Baelon seized the opening, casting two spells in an instant—one at the Wizard on the side, and one at the vines on the ground.
“Petrificus Totalus!” “Transformation Spell!”
The blue light hit accurately, and the Wizard on the side instantly stiffened and fell.
The vines on the ground, fueled by magic, hardened into tough ropes, quickly binding another Wizard’s limbs and pinning him to the spot.
Seeing this, the leader became enraged and pointed his wand at Sunfyre.
Without hesitation, Sunfyre opened its mouth and breathed a blast of scorching, holy golden flame directly at him.
The Wizard reacted quickly, shouting in a low voice, “Shield Charm!”
A pale gold protective barrier expanded.
The dragon fire slammed into the shield, exploding in a brilliant flare of light, barely blocking the lethal strike.
In the moment the dragon fire exploded, a figure streaked through the air—Fawkes spread his flame-like wings and snatched the wand from the Wizard’s hand.
Almost in the same second, an old and steady figure stepped slowly into the nest.
Albus Dumbledore held the Elder Wand, his gaze calm and majestic.
With a flick of his wand and without a word, three invisible bonds fell, completely subduing the three Dark Wizards.
The situation was completely reversed.
Baelon leaned on his knees, gasping for air.
Sunfyre immediately pressed against him, panting slightly, still warily watching the subdued Wizards.
“Child, you were very brave, but also too reckless,” Dumbledore said, his eyes gentle.
After calming down, Baelon didn’t answer but stepped forward to search the three men.
From the leader, he found a Black Leather Pouch engraved with an Undetectable Extension Charm.
Sensing the interior, he found it was the size of a basketball court.
He also found dozens of Galleons, potions, and miscellaneous items, which he packed away before looking at Dumbledore…
Dumbledore watched quietly and nodded slightly: “It is more appropriate for these things to be kept by you.”
He bound the three Dark Wizards and looked at Baelon: “Protection is not about being reckless.
Remember, you are not alone.”
Baelon looked up, his voice still a bit raspy as he asked in confusion, “Principal, how did you come to be here?”
Dumbledore looked toward the Castle and smiled slightly: “It was Miss Granger who was worried about you and quietly told me.
I have been keeping an eye on your movements, which is why I arrived in time.”
With that, he took the Dark Wizards away, disappearing into the night of the Forbidden Forest.
The Forbidden Forest returned to silence.
Baelon gently hugged Sunfyre, who had buried its head in his chest, and his heart finally settled.
He looked at Fawkes and couldn’t help but chuckle.
He had missed seeing him several times in the Principal’s office, yet they met in such a critical moment.
Fawkes landed gently on his shoulder, lowered his head, and a crystal-clear golden tear slowly fell onto his scrapes.
Warmth instantly spread through his body; the wounds healed, and his fatigue vanished.
Then, it beat its wings and soared high.
A few soft golden feathers drifted down into Baelon’s palm, like a precious gift.
A moment later, it followed Dumbledore and disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Baelon gripped the feathers and looked down at Sunfyre, who was leaning on him, his eyes full of tenderness.
He quietly comforted Sunfyre and put it into the pouch he had just acquired.
Then, he walked toward the Castle in the night, his heart full of peace.