Warren did not go to see Hagrid immediately. The next day, after receiving a small package from Pigwidgeon, he collected it, took Milo, and left Hogwarts castle. He followed a stone path down the hill behind the castle and arrived at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It was a flat, grassy clearing, likely maintained to stop the forest from encroaching. There were barely any bushes.
Hagrid's hut stood out clearly. It was a ramshackle wooden cottage. A gravel path from the castle led to its door. Moss grew on its stone foundation. A simple fence ran along the base, enclosing a pumpkin patch behind the house.
When Warren arrived, Hagrid was sitting on his doorstep, peeling potatoes into a large copper basin at his feet. Above, smoke billowed from the hut's crooked chimney. Seeing Warren approach, Hagrid set down his work and wiped his massive hands on his apron.
"Warren Weasley?" he called out.
"That is me."
At the sound of a stranger's voice, a large dog came bounding out of the house, barking. Hagrid quickly seized him.
"Fang, you silly thing. Shut up."
Warren approached briskly. He glanced at the muddy, scruffy dog and smiled as he held up his parcel.
"Hello, Hagrid. I brought you a small gift for our first meeting."
"Oh, well, this is..." Hagrid's face flushed beneath his bushy beard. He seemed unsure what to do with his hands. He stammered for a moment, then suddenly collected himself and hurriedly pushed open the door. "Come in, come in. That is too kind of you. I just wanted a quick word, nothing formal. I never expected..." Hagrid showed none of the composure one would expect from a full-grown wizard. He was practically vibrating with nerves.
Warren followed him inside. The hut was not particularly tidy. It reminded Warren of the bachelor flat he had had in his previous life, back when he had first started working. Items were piled everywhere, yet Hagrid could probably lay his hands on whatever he needed the moment he wanted it.
A fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, making the room warm and cozy. Enormous tables and chairs stood by the fire, with a moleskin overcoat and a pink umbrella tossed on top of them. Hagrid swept the clutter aside hurriedly. He gestured for Warren to take a seat and started pouring tea, talking nonstop.
"You really did not have to bring a gift. You are too kind. I was not prepared at all. What would you like to drink?"
"You are pouring the tea already, Hagrid."
"Huh? Oh, sorry. I mean, not many people bring me gifts when they visit. I am a bit nervous." He handed Warren his tea, then sank into his enormous chair. His small, beetle-black eyes kept drifting toward Warren's package.
Warren smiled and opened it. Inside lay a picture book.
"I heard from Ron that you like animals. I am sure you know far more about magical creatures than I do, so I had my dad pick up this encyclopedia of Muggle animals. It features animals from all over the globe, some you might not have seen. Hopefully it will help pass the time."
The gift clearly touched Hagrid. He opened it carefully and leafed through the pages. The book was standard size, making it look tiny in Hagrid's enormous hands. This seemed to make him cherish it all the more. After flipping through a few pages, he put it away. Accepting the gift made it difficult for him to say the things he had been planning to say.
He explained, "The Philosopher's Stone is connected to Headmaster Dumbledore. That is why I specifically asked you to keep it a secret. No offense meant."
"I know. I have not told a soul besides Harry and the others, Hagrid. You can rest easy."
Hagrid let out a sigh of relief. Warren continued, "Actually, now that I am here, I was hoping to ask a small favor."
Hagrid immediately puffed out his chest. "What is it? Anything I can do."
"I would like to have a look around the Forbidden Forest."
Hagrid blinked, then shook his head vigorously. "No, no. Students are strictly forbidden in the Forbidden Forest. Warren, I have heard you are a good student, right? Do not follow the example of your two brothers. Fred and George, those two little rascals, have given me no end of trouble."
Warren interrupted him. "Let me finish, Hagrid. I would not be alone. I need you to guide me. Show me where to find different magical creatures and plants."
"Er, what for?"
"I am a potioneer. I am currently working on a new potion that might need certain ingredients, so I want to observe them in their natural habitat."
Hagrid hesitated. He had heard of Warren's reputation from Harry and Ron, of course.
Noticing his hesitation, Warren launched into a long explanation of his potion ideas, their significance, and the difficulties of sourcing ingredients. He talked until Hagrid's head spun. Finally, Hagrid nodded slowly.
"All right, all right. I can take you. But we have to agree: no going deep into the forest. No going anywhere I think is dangerous. Like the Acromantulas or the werewolves. Oh, and the centaurs. They are not easy to talk to either. They are always going on about signs and omens."
Hagrid was a man of action. Since he had agreed and Warren said he was free that day, he put on his moleskin coat, grabbed his crossbow from beside the door, and decided to take Warren with him immediately.
"Fang, come on. Oh, what a beautiful cat, Warren. What is her name?"
"Milo," Warren called out. "Milo, stop swatting Fang. He is hiding under the bed."
After a few more swats that sent Fang scurrying for cover, Milo proudly returned to Warren's side.
Hagrid was not angry. "I am not surprised," he explained. "Fang is a coward. He is all bark and no bite. But he is good help. Lots of animals in the forest know him."
With the cat and dog in tow, the two of them soon entered the Forbidden Forest. The ancient forest felt completely different from the world outside. Towering trees formed a canopy that blocked almost all sunlight, leaving only scattered patches of light on the forest floor to keep the darkness at bay. Thin wisps of mist clung to the massive trunks. The forest was quiet, likely because it was daytime and most creatures were not yet active. The air itself felt still. The only sound was the crunch of their footsteps on the thick carpet of fallen leaves.
Warren drew his wand. Hagrid noticed and reassured him, "Do not worry. I have lived here for decades. I will not let anything happen to you."
He had warned them of the danger only moments before. Now that they were actually inside the forest, he had taken charge. Warren offered a silent smile and kept his wand at the ready. He knew that the Forbidden Forest was anything but safe this year.
//==============//
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