Chapter 98: The Centaur
The Forbidden Forest was dark and eerily silent. Moonlight filtered down through the branches above like shattered crystal, scattering silver-white fragments across the fallen leaves below.
After walking for a short while, Kyle began to notice that the surroundings felt strangely familiar. Just a few yards away, a group of Mooncalves gazed at them with wide, curious eyes, peeking through the trees.
At that moment, Hagrid commented, "Besides the Unicorn cub, it seems there are far fewer Mooncalves here as well."
Kyle's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a calm expression as he asked casually, "Are we searching for them tonight, too?"
"No, no need," Hagrid replied, shaking his head. "The other Mooncalves don't seem to be actin' differently. I reckon they've probably just wandered south to the woodlands where the larger herd roams."
"That's... good to know," Kyle murmured, feeling relieved as he followed Hagrid deeper into the forest. Before moving on, he discreetly tossed a handful of Dittany leaves near the Mooncalves, a small snack to tide them over.
Hagrid noticed but was too preoccupied with the missing Unicorn to question it, assuming Kyle had simply grown the Dittany himself.
As they continued their search, Hagrid's expression grew more anxious with each step. Kyle noticed and, after a moment's thought, asked, "Could another creature have taken the Unicorn cub?"
"No way," Hagrid said firmly. "Unicorns are fiercely protective of their young, and they're powerful magical creatures. Even a Dragon wouldn't be able to snatch a cub without some kind of trickery."
They wove through a patch of moss-covered ground, with mushrooms sprouting around their feet, until they came upon a winding stream.
"Ow-oooh..." Fang suddenly howled.