Chapter 105: Animagus
"I'm sorry, Professor Oren," Kyle said, standing his ground. "First-years aren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest. I think we'd better go back to the castle."
"It's good to follow the rules," Professor Oren replied with a calm smile, "but sometimes, you don't need to be overly disciplined, Kyle. That can make you miss out on a lot of interesting things."
"That's not possible," Kyle insisted. "If Professor McGonagall finds out, we'll be expelled."
"It's not as serious as that. Minerva was only trying to scare you. Besides, I'm right here, aren't I?" Professor Oren said, placing one hand on his hip and gesturing toward the forest with the other. "As the Hogwarts professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, I'm allowing you to join me in the Forbidden Forest today. Think of it as an educational experience."
Kyle's heart sank, but he tried to keep his face neutral. No need to guess anymore, he thought. Professor Oren must be the person with the Swooping Evil. It explained a lot. If Oren didn't have a hidden agenda, why else would he take up a teaching post at Hogwarts?
Kyle had had his suspicions for months—ever since he'd first read about the incident in the newspaper. He'd even asked Professor McGonagall indirectly about Oren's arrival. She'd told him Oren took the post in July, while the smuggling group had entered the country in late August, giving Oren a solid alibi.
How had he pulled it off? Kyle wondered. But he held his tongue. Oren's hand, resting on his wand, was poised to draw it in a heartbeat, a subtle threat that made Kyle sure he was dealing with the "mysterious person" behind Hagrid's memory loss.
"Fine," Kyle said, shrugging as casually as he could. "If the professor allows it, then I suppose it's alright."
"A wise choice," Professor Oren said, one eyebrow arched approvingly.