Hogwarts: Don't Starve in the Forbidden Forest Chapter 9 9: Living Logs

"Oh... I'll need to get in touch with Newt. He might have so idea..." Dumbledore muttered. He was about to use a Portkey to head straight to Newt Scamander's house before suddenly rembering that he was the Headmaster and didn't need to be so dramatic. He vanished on the spot.

anwhile, Professor McGonagall was already sprinting toward the Forbidden Forest. While the appearance of a new magical species was significant, she was far more concerned with the actual lives of Kane and Hagrid.

Back in the office, Dumbledore reappeared shortly with another white-haired old man. The two of them imdiately turned their attention to the scene in the crystal ball.

A tree, four ters tall and as thick as a water barrel, had abruptly yanked its roots out of the soil. In a disturbingly humanoid fashion, it was stomping toward Hagrid, its branches flailing and lashing out in a wild attack.

Behind the tree-beast was a small wizard, swinging an axe with everything he had, hacking away at the trunk.

The two elder wizards watched for a full three seconds. Finally, the Magizoologist, Newt Scamander, gave the answer Dumbledore had expected.

"I don't recognize it. But the Forbidden Forest is vast; finding a few magical plants or animals we've never seen before is perfectly acceptable. Though, shouldn't you be more worried about protecting those two children?" Newt asked.

"Well, seeing as they grew this big fellow themselves—or more accurately, the young wizard grew it himself—I'm inclined to believe they have the ability to handle it," Dumbledore said calmly.

He then heard the sound of Newt Scamander's heart nearly jumping out of his chest.

"What did you say?" Newt stared at Dumbledore in shock. "This thing... was grown? Is it so sort of mutant Whomping Willow?" Newt imdiately went into research mode, though it still felt off.

"I think I'll go ask the boy myself," Newt said, pulling a traveling broom from his pocket and flying straight out the window.

"Still as enthusiastic as a young lad," Dumbledore smiled as he watched Newt fly off. He then stepped out of his office and began a leisurely stroll toward the castle grounds.

Things were not quite so peaceful in the Forbidden Forest.

The damage Kane dealt with his axe was far greater than anything Hagrid was doing to the tree-beast, so, unfortunately, the "Treeguard" had shifted its target entirely to Kane.

However, it wasn't that unfortunate. To Hagrid's eyes, watching Kane fight this massive entity was like watching soone bully a toddler.

Kane would dart under the tree's "feet," land four quick chops—thud-thud-thud-thud—and then sprint a safe distance away, waiting for the tree's heavy strike to land before rushing back in for more.

But just as a mother always thinks you're hungry, Professor McGonagall always thinks you're in danger.

She landed her broom gracefully and shouted, "Mr. Heath, get back! I'll handle this monster!"

Kane was more startled by her sudden appearance than by the tree's attacks. He quickly jogged over to block her path, waving his hands frantically. "No, no, no! This Treeguard has to be killed by my hand for it to work!"

"But it's dangerous!" McGonagall barked, hands on her hips, incensed by Kane's apparent recklessness. She hadn't even settled the score with him for running away and making her trip to Little Whinging a waste of ti.

"But this big dummy isn't scary at all. Look, we've been talking for a while and it's only managed three steps," Kane explained.

"Sigh..." McGonagall groaned. She flicked her wand, and the solid ground erupted into stone pillars that bound the Treeguard from head to toe, pinning it so it couldn't move an inch.

"Go on then, get it over with," McGonagall said crossly. As she watched Kane charge back in with his axe, she turned to Hagrid. "Hagrid, go help him."

Hagrid spread his hands helplessly. "He won't let ! Kane says the 'item' he needs only appears if he deals the finishing blow."

McGonagall was baffled. Soon, Newt Scamander arrived as well. Watching Kane's axe bite into the wood, Newt felt every blow as if it were landing on his own skin. He instinctively wanted to save the tree, but McGonagall held him back.

"Mr. Heath says this is for... obtaining sothing specific."

Newt sighed. Since the boy had grown the tree himself, Newt had no standing to demand he spare it. He could only comfort himself with the thought that plants don't have nervous systems.

Finally, with one last blow, the Treeguard collapsed. It dissolved into several logs and one specific item: a stick about thirty-five centiters long and as thick as a fist, bearing a distorted face that was currently wailing and twisting in agony.

Dumbledore, having arrived at so point, walked over. He didn't touch it; he simply squatted down to observe the screaming piece of wood before looking at Kane.

"Is this what you required? It certainly looks like a... unique material for a wand," Dumbledore noted.

"It looks like it's in pain," Newt couldn't help but say, stepping forward.

"Oh, it's faking," Kane said, poking it with a finger. "Stop screaming or I'll burn you."

The log went silent instantly, letting out only a low, muffled sob as Kane picked it up.

"And who are these two?" Kane asked, looking at McGonagall and Newt.

"Minerva McGonagall. You may call Professor McGonagall. I am the Head of Gryffindor House, Deputy Headmistress, and the poor soul who went to Number 4 Privet Drive today to investigate your disappearance. You've made run a very long errand, young man," she said pointedly.

"My apologies, Professor." Facing the Deputy Headmistress, Kane maintained a polite, charming smile.

McGonagall looked at the young wizard. There was an old saying: 'At three, you see the child; at seven, you see the man.'

Judging by what Kane was willing to do before even starting school, she could already imagine the chaos he would cause once he was actually a student.

A talented Gryffindor? she wondered. But rembering the Dark Magic he left on Harry's clothes... Ravenclaw or Slytherin were just as likely.

"I don't bla you. The Dursley ho is... not a place for many to thrive. But you must explain yourself to Harry. He was very worried," McGonagall added.

"I'll go back to see him during the holidays," Kane said. He felt it was too early to see Harry—his dark circles were terrifying right now.

If Harry saw him like this, he'd look like a fool who chose to suffer for the sake of pride. Better to wait until he was "cleaned up" at Hogwarts and perhaps learned so magic that wasn't so "shady" to help Harry's situation.

The adults exchanged strange looks. It was clear Kane didn't realize Harry was a wizard too. They decided not to spoil the surprise. Seeing their reunion at the Sorting Ceremony or on the Hogwarts Express would be a treat.

When it was Newt's turn, Hagrid introduced his idol first. "This is Newt Scamander, a very brilliant Magizoologist."

Newt knelt down in front of Kane with a smile. "Child, this Treeguard... you grew it?"

Kane looked at Newt. He wasn't worried about being captured as a "seed-making machine"; he answered honestly. "I used my magic to modify an oak seed. Once the modified seed grows, it becos a Treeguard."

"And can this seed be mass-produced?"

"I wouldn't recomnd it. It wouldn't be good for the world. As for why I did it... I suppose I was being a bit selfish," Kane said awkwardly.

"No," Dumbledore shook his head. "You weren't being selfish. You were being unexpectedly responsible."

"Pardon?" Kane looked at Dumbledore, wondering what the wise old man had seen.