Chương 49: Fool, You Are a Fool
On Saturday night, David slipped out of the dormitory again, but this time, he wasn't heading to the three-headed dog. He had figured out the purpose of that area well enough.
"There's no point going back there yet," he thought. "I'll wait until my chess skills improve before I try again."
Instead, David decided to explore another part of Hogwarts. He carefully avoided Filch's patrols, only briefly locking eyes with Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. She meowed once and darted away, leaving him unbothered.
David smiled to himself as he crouched behind a tall stone statue. He pulled out some dried fish and placed it near the base of the statue. This had become a little secret deal between him and Mrs. Norris, who loved to rest there. By the time he returned, the dried fish would be gone, and she would leave him in peace.
The castle grounds were dark, illuminated only by moonlight, but it was enough for David to find his way. He crossed the open fields, passed Hagrid's hut, and approached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
The lights in Hagrid's hut were still on. Curious, David tried peeking inside, but the high stone walls made it impossible to see. He shrugged. "Probably up to something strange," he muttered.
With his wand drawn and his body alert, David stepped into the forest. Newt Scamander's advice echoed in his mind: Stay cautious, be respectful, and move quietly.
The Forbidden Forest was thicker and wilder than the woods near David's home. Branches twisted together, forming natural barricades. After a while, David stepped off the well-worn trail and moved into a denser area.
Suddenly, something on the ground caught his attention.
David crouched down to examine a small hole in the dirt. Freshly dug soil formed a mound around it, and bits of gray and white fluff were scattered nearby. Beside the mound, messy footprints pointed outward.
David picked up a tuft of the fluff, inspecting it closely. He sniffed the air and smiled.
"A Tufty Mink," he whispered.
Tufty Minks were magical creatures that lived underground. They mostly ate goblins or rodents but occasionally emerged to enjoy the fresh air.
Pulling out his wand, David waved it over the mound. Golden mist rose from the tip, swirling into the shape of a flat-headed, slender-bodied creature with short legs.
"I knew it!" David said, recognizing the projection as a Tufty Mink.
He followed the golden trail left by his spell, finding bits of fur caught on bark and bushes. The trail led him deeper into the forest until the magical projection vanished.
David peered ahead and saw three Tufty Minks. One was gray and much larger, likely the father. The other two were smaller and white, probably its children.
"Which fool is there?" the gray mink called, spotting David.
David laughed. Tufty Minks were one of the few magical animals that could talk, though their vocabulary was limited to simple phrases, most of which were insults.
"Come out, fool!" the smaller minks echoed, giggling.
David stepped out from the bushes and waved at them. The minks tilted their heads, shouting, "Big fool! Big fool!"
David chuckled and walked toward them, but they hopped a few steps away, teasing him. "Come here, fool!" they called.
The chase was playful. The minks enjoyed taunting him, and David didn't mind. But as they ventured farther into the forest, a foul stench filled the air.
David stopped abruptly, alarmed.
"Wait!" he shouted to the minks.
The Tufty Minks didn't listen and ran ahead. Moments later, a massive hand reached out from the shadows, grabbing one of the white minks.
A towering mountain troll stepped into view, standing over three meters tall. Its bald head glistened in the moonlight, and its bulky, stone-like muscles twitched as it moved. An iron chain hung around its neck, rattling with each step.
David froze. "Is this… the troll that broke into Hogwarts?"
The troll clutched the mink in one hand while swiping at the others with its other hand. The minks dodged easily, scurrying just out of reach.
The troll, frustrated by its slow movements, focused on the mink it had caught. It held the small creature close to its mouth, preparing to eat it.
David acted quickly. He pointed his wand and whispered, "Relaxo!"
The troll's grip loosened, and the mink slipped free, bouncing off the troll's stomach and landing safely on the ground. It scrambled to join its companions, all of whom retreated to the edge of the troll's chain range.
David sighed in relief. "That was close."
Just as David thought the danger was over, a louder growl echoed through the forest. The stench in the air grew stronger, making David gag.
He turned to see another troll stepping out from behind the trees, its bulk even larger than the first.
David's heart sank. "Another one? Are trolls invading Hogwarts now?"
The Tufty Minks huddled together, trembling. David gripped his wand tightly, his mind racing for a way to protect them—and himself—from the approaching danger.
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