Hogwarts: Don't Starve in the Forbidden Forest Chapter 106 106: The Greenhouse... Exploded?

"Perhaps," Kane said, taking a seat across from Dumbledore. "During the few days I spent with him over the holidays, I noticed that as long as he isn't constantly bragging about himself, he's almost a normal person.

Right now, he either doesn't want to lose face or he's genuinely worried. Either way, he wants to re-learn magic so his title as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor can be slightly more..."

"Mmm..."

"Deserving of the na?" Dumbledore supplied with a twinkle in his eye.

"Exactly. That."

Dumbledore smiled warmly. "You know, Kane, I have always been a forgiving man. If a person hasn't committed an unforgivable wrong and shows even a glimr of a desire to turn over a new leaf, I will support them."

"So you agree?" Kane raised an eyebrow. "Though whether he's 'turning over a new leaf' is debatable. I think he just doesn't want to look like a fraud."

"Don't judge a man by what he thinks, but by what he does," Dumbledore said. He picked up a titable from his desk and tapped it twice.

The ink shifted and reorganized into the second-year Defense schedule. "Next Monday, he has the third-years.

They want to learn the Disarming Charm and the Tongue-Tying Curse... I believe teaching those to you should be no trouble at all."

After a two-hour private tutoring session, Kane prepared to leave. Dumbledore called out to him as he reached the door.

"Kane, if you feel it's appropriate, you can bring Lockhart along next ti. It's not as if I haven't taught him before; it'll just be a few extra lessons after graduation."

"Got it. I'll let him know." Kane yawned and headed back toward Gryffindor Tower.

As he approached his dormitory, he heard an agitated voice from inside.

"I suggest you get out of here right now and don't show your face to again!" it was Harry.

"Yes, riding a broomstick is fun, but that is no reason for you to try and force to leave Hogwarts! It's illogical! It's like... like soone enjoying pain, but that doesn't give you the right to walk up and punch them in the street!"

"Fine, I'm done talking to you. I hear Kane's footsteps. If you don't leave now, you might not be able to leave at all!"

There was a muffled pop, followed by a long, shaky exhale from Harry.

"Whoa. I heard that," Kane said, stepping inside. He'd waited a mont in case it was private. "Who were you talking to? Sothing that can Apparate inside Hogwarts?"

"Nothing special. Just a house-elf," Harry said, his face flushed with anger. "According to him, he was the one who blocked the barrier at Platform 9¾. I'm furious."

"Why? Actually, I'm not that curious about 'why.' What I want to know is what kind of image I have in your head? 'If I co, he won't be able to leave'? Am I so kind of monster?"

"I was just scaring him," Harry shrugged. "You wouldn't believe it. This elf's master apparently told his children never to cross you because your 'dark magic' is so thick you might actually murder them in secret.

So the elf thinks you're a dangerous villain and told to stay away from you. Naturally, I used you to terrify him."

"Great. My reputation is officially in the gutter," Kane sighed. "Did he say why he doesn't want you at school?"

Harry leaned back against his pillows. "He said there's a danger this year. Sothing hiding in the shadows that can kill anyone. He made it sound like it's coming for ."

Kane lay down and stared at the ceiling. Shadows... killing anyone... targeting the individual...

"Isn't that just my Tuesday night?" Kane muttered. Whenever he forgot a light source, Charlie would reach out from the dark. Sotis even with a light, she'd try to snuff it out just to ss with him.

Does Charlie... like ?

The thought made him chuckle. He shook his head, clearing the weird idea. He looked at Harry. "Do you believe him?"

"Er..." Harry bit his lip. "Actually, I kind of do. Because lately, I've been hearing things. Unpleasant things. Talk about killing... eating... ripping..."

"Auditory hallucinations?" Kane raised an eyebrow. "I get visual ones sotis. Claws reaching for my lantern, shadows trying to bite .

Usually, I'm the only one who sees them. It's likely a specific curse. I'll ask Dumbledore about it."

Ron, who had been half-asleep, suddenly raised a hand. "Uh, Kane? Those things you see... they aren't hallucinations. We see them too."

Kane froze. "You can see them? Since when?"

"Since the beginning," Ron said, sitting up with a worried look. "Sotis your shadow twists into so grotesque monster and lunges at you.

We just thought you were so 'soaked' in Dark Magic that it was leaking out. Is it actually a curse? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just think of it as playing house with my shadow," Kane said dismissively. "Let's focus on Harry. You're sure we can't hear these voices?"

Harry nodded. "We're together nearly twenty hours a day. Every ti I hear it, you guys act completely normal."

Kane and Ron shared a look. This seed serious.

The next morning, the four of them—including Hermione—headed to the Headmaster's office after a quick breakfast.

Harry ate like nothing was wrong, while Kane and Ron watched Dumbledore, and Hermione stared at the Headmaster with such intensity she barely touched her porridge.

When Dumbledore stood up to leave, they followed him imdiately.

"Age before beauty," Dumbledore joked, stepping aside to let the four students enter his office first.

"Thanks, Professor. This is urgent. It's about Harry," Kane said, seating Harry across from Dumbledore like a patient with a therapist.

"I'm hearing voices, Professor," Harry explained. "Voices no one else hears. Talking about killing and tearing. It sounds... evil."

"May I check?" Dumbledore drew the Elder Wand. "I'll just touch the tip to your forehead. Nothing more."

Hermione watched with fascination; it was her first ti seeing the gnarled, knobby wand Kane had described. It didn't look comfortable to hold.

Dumbledore eventually pulled back. "Harry, you aren't cursed. Nor have you been poisoned."

"But I heard it!" Harry insisted, worried that the Professor hadn't looked hard enough.

"Believe , Harry. I used this wand to check every fiber of your being. The reason you felt nothing is simply because I am very good at what I do.

I can probe magic, health, and even mory without a trace. Your body is clean. Perhaps it's just a sound only you are capable of hearing."

"What does that an?"

"Precisely what it sounds like. Once, on a ship, a scientist used an instrunt to hear the song of a whale that I could only see swimming silently. It's likely sothing similar." Dumbledore's eyes lost their twinkle for a second.

"However, while you are fine, I suspect Hogwarts is not. There may be a creature speaking a language only you understand... but don't worry about that for now. Go play chess or Quidditch. Kane, you stay."

After the others left, Kane didn't sit back down. He stood behind his chair, looking at Dumbledore with extre suspicion.

"What did I do now?" Dumbledore asked, amused.

"You said you can read mories. I'm taking precautions."

Dumbledore laughed. "Have you heard the phrase 'the eyes are the windows to the soul'? Guess what the dium for mory-reading is?"

Kane imdiately covered his eyes with both hands.

"Can you see them now?" the chair seemingly spoke.

"..." Dumbledore sighed. "Co out. I respect your privacy. If I wanted to see your mories, I would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?"

Kane peeked out before cautiously sitting down. "Fine. Why did you keep here?"

"My supply of Mandrake Draught is gone," Dumbledore said, throwing up his hands. "And between the holidays and the start of term... well, you forgot to restock . I thought I should let you know."

"I can't help it! Mandrakes aren't in season. You can't buy them, and the greenhouse ones are still babies. Maybe you could try sothing else? Like that Forget--Lot tea? You seed to like it."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Useful, but the effect isn't strong enough for what I need."

"Fine, but quality depends on talent," Kane said, standing up. "Prepare a cauldron. I'll be right back."

He headed toward the greenhouses, planning to harvest so fresh herbs. But as he turned the corner and the glass structures ca into view, he stopped dead in his tracks.

The greenhouse... had it exploded?

🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: Patreon/kazama677

🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 200 Power Stones summon another

🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.