Filch stormed into the office the moment he saw Mrs Norris beside Lucien.
"What did yeh do to my Mrs Norris?!"
He charged forward furiously, but the instant he got close enough to see the cat clearly, his expression froze completely.
"My Mrs Norris…"
Filch stared in disbelief.
"She's become beautiful!"
The old caretaker looked utterly stunned. The cat that had accompanied him for years seemed like an entirely different animal after disappearing for only a few minutes.
If not for those familiar dark green eyes, Filch would've thought Lucien had secretly swapped her with another cat from outside the castle.
"Mr Filch," Lucien said calmly, "Mrs Norris was already a very beautiful cat."
"Wh-what did you call me?"
Filch looked as though he had just heard something impossible.
During all his years at Hogwarts, the only names students ever used for him were insults, mockery, or cruel nicknames. Even when professors addressed him, it was usually out of habit rather than genuine respect.
But Lucien was different.
There was no disgust in his eyes.
No contempt.
No impatience.
Lucien looked at him the same way he looked at any other wizard.
For the first time in years, Filch felt a kind of respect he had always secretly longed for but never received.
"If you dislike that form of address," Lucien added politely, "I can call you something else."
"No need! No need at all!"
Filch shook his head frantically, almost afraid Lucien would suddenly start calling him the same horrible nicknames as the other students.
"This is fine. Perfectly fine."
"That's good."
Lucien glanced down at Mrs Norris, who was happily eating fried fish.
"Still, I'd recommend paying more attention to her hygiene in the future. And if possible, try giving her more fruit."
In his previous life, Lucien had kept cats before, so he knew a fair amount about caring for them. Originally, he had nearly suggested vaccinations and proper cat food before remembering this was the wizarding world.
Filch remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
"I'll remember that."
He picked up an old oil lantern from the desk and lifted Mrs Norris into his arms.
"Come on then. I'll take yeh to the Forbidden Forest."
As they stepped outside, Filch noticed the thin robes Lucien was wearing and hesitated briefly before speaking again.
"The Forbidden Forest gets colder than the castle at night. Yeh should probably go back and wear another layer."
He paused awkwardly.
"Hagrid's experienced, though. Long as yeh stay close to him, yeh won't be in danger."
"Thank you for the warning, Mr Filch. I already put extra clothes on underneath my robes."
Lucien accepted the concern with a smile rather than refusing it.
Filch personally escorted him all the way to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid was already waiting there, holding up a lantern.
"Lucien! Over here!"
Filch finally stopped walking.
"Go on then."
But he still didn't leave immediately. Only after watching Lucien reach Hagrid's side did he finally turn around and head back toward the castle with Mrs Norris in his arms.
Nighttime fog blanketed the Forbidden Forest heavily.
Twisted trees stretched in every direction like enormous claws, while strange rustling noises occasionally echoed through the darkness. Deep roars from within the forest made the atmosphere even more unsettling.
"Woof! Woof!"
Lucien looked down in surprise as a small boarhound suddenly appeared beside him, sniffing curiously at his robes.
"Don't be scared," Hagrid said cheerfully. "This is Fang! Might look a bit silly, but he's a great helper."
Lucien glanced at the trembling dog hiding behind Hagrid's legs and chose not to comment.
"Come on then," Hagrid continued. "We're only patrolin' around the outer edge tonight. Most creatures deeper inside don't like bein' disturbed."
Hagrid walked in front carrying the lantern, his enormous figure almost completely blocking the path ahead. Lucien was more than happy to let the half-giant lead the way.
Judging from Hagrid's relaxed attitude, there had probably been no recent incidents involving injured unicorns.
That indirectly confirmed something important.
Voldemort's current focus was still entirely on the Philosopher's Stone.
Without Voldemort wandering around drinking unicorn blood, tonight's patrol was relatively safe.
"Watch yer footing, Lucien," Hagrid warned. "These paths aren't easy ter walk at night."
The moment he finished speaking, a strange rustling sound suddenly came from beneath a nearby tree.
Fang, who had been walking ahead moments earlier, instantly whimpered and bolted straight back behind Hagrid.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Hagrid had only just praised him as a reliable helper.
"Er… Fang's just a little timid."
Hagrid coughed awkwardly before walking toward the source of the noise.
Lucien quietly drew his wand, remaining vigilant.
Then Hagrid's excited voice suddenly echoed from ahead.
"Lucien! Come quick!"
"It's a Mooncalf!"
"You're incredibly lucky!"
Lucien immediately stepped forward.
Several pairs of large pale green eyes peeked nervously from the darkness beneath the trees. The strange creatures stared at them shyly while shrinking backward cautiously.
Mooncalves.
Lucien's eyes brightened slightly.
He hadn't expected to encounter such rare magical creatures inside the Forbidden Forest.
"Look at 'em," Hagrid said excitedly. "Aren't they adorable?"
His voice softened immediately whenever magical creatures were involved.
"Shame I didn't bring any tools tonight. If yeh collect Mooncalf droppings before sunrise, they make plants grow incredibly well."
The half-giant enthusiastically explained everything he knew while the Mooncalves nervously watched them from a distance.
"They're very shy," Hagrid continued. "Only come out under the full moon."
He quickly lowered his voice afterward.
"Best not ter scare 'em."
After observing the creatures for a while, the two resumed their patrol through the forest.
With Hagrid leading the way and Fang occasionally sniffing ahead, the journey remained surprisingly smooth.
"Hagrid," Lucien asked after some time, "don't you get lonely patrolling the forest by yourself every day?"
"There were some problems at first," Hagrid admitted casually. "But yeh get used ter it after a while. Besides, there're loads of lovely creatures here ter keep me company."
Lucien remained silent for a moment.
Sometimes he genuinely felt Hagrid's life was rather tragic.
As a half-giant, he never truly belonged among giants. At the same time, most wizards were unwilling to fully accept him either.
Then he finally met Dumbledore and found a home at Hogwarts, only to be framed by Voldemort afterward.
His parents were gone.
His only remaining family member was Grawp, who could barely communicate properly.
Most days, Hagrid spent his time alone beside the Forbidden Forest without anyone to talk to.
No wonder he had been so happy when Lucien visited earlier.
Time passed quickly during the patrol.
Before they realised it, they had nearly completed the night's route and were preparing to leave the forest.
"Wish yeh could come keep me company every night," Hagrid sighed as they approached the edge of the trees.
Lucien chuckled softly.
"If I ended up in detention every day, Professor Snape would probably murder me personally."
"That's not what I meant!"
"I know."
Lucien smiled faintly.
"I'll visit more often whenever I have time."
Just as the two prepared to leave, sudden footsteps echoed from deeper within the forest.
Fast.
Heavy.
Definitely not an ordinary animal.
Hagrid instantly stepped in front of Lucien protectively while Lucien raised his wand without hesitation.
The figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
It possessed the upper body of a man but stood upon four powerful horse legs.
"It's you, Firenze."
Hagrid finally relaxed and patted Lucien's shoulder reassuringly.
"Lucien, this is Firenze. Firenze, this is Lucien Grindelwald — a friend of mine."
"Hello, young wizard."
Unlike many other centaurs, Firenze remained relatively friendly toward humans. He lowered the bow in his hand slightly while greeting Lucien calmly.
"By the way," Hagrid asked curiously, "what brings yeh all the way out here tonight? Don't yeh usually patrol deeper inside the forest?"
Firenze's sapphire-blue eyes slowly shifted toward Lucien.
"For him."
....
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