Chapter 418: An Unexpected Guest
Hogwarts was especially quiet late at night. A few lights twinkled in the castle where common rooms were located, and a few energetic students stretched their evening fun as late as possible, lingering over Exploding Snap or wizard chess before reluctantly heading to bed.
Outside, the full moon cast its glow over the grounds. In the moonlight, two figures—a tall one and a smaller one—crept silently along, skirting the Whomping Willow without making a sound.
"Kyle, it's not too late to turn back..." whispered Newt Scamander, who was leading the way. "You're still a student, after all. If the professors catch you out here, you could be expelled."
"Right, as if this wasn't your idea," Kyle muttered, following behind.
All Kyle had done was send Newt a letter asking for advice on how to handle the Manticore in the Forbidden Forest. Who could've predicted that Newt would show up at Hogwarts in the dead of night, slip into the Hufflepuff dormitory using a Disillusionment Charm, and wake Kyle with a whisper? At first, Kyle had thought he was hearing things. But no—Newt had actually traveled there himself.
Kyle half-jokingly thought he ought to file a complaint against the Dementors—they were letting just anyone stroll onto the grounds these days!
"I only came to confirm if there's really a Manticore here in the Forbidden Forest," Newt said, casting a glance back. "I didn't drag you along on a nighttime adventure. You followed of your own accord, and if you get expelled, it's hardly my fault."
"Anyone in my place would've followed you," Kyle replied with a shrug. "And it's just a night walk. Even if I get caught, they won't expel me for that."
The two of them soon reached Hagrid's hut.
"Do we have to go around?" Kyle asked. "Hagrid's got a hound here with an excellent nose. If we go any closer, it's bound to pick up our scent."
"No need," said Newt, producing a small vial from his pocket. He opened it and waved it over himself a few times, then handed it to Kyle. "This is pollen from the Flutterby Bush. It'll mask your scent perfectly."