great-warnovel Chapter 205 Thorns Ahead
Chapter 205 Thorns Ahead
Chapter 205 Thorns Ahead
"Just observing from a distance, we saw trolls, banshees, five-legged monsters, and man-eating trolls. They all had varying degrees of mutation. Some students even said they saw vampires, but I don't think that's necessarily true."
Maybe it's just a vampire.
"These dark creatures roam the forest, letting out terrifying roars from time to time, and there must be quite a few of them."
Hermione raised her hand and asked, "Aren't there any werewolves? I read in the book that a pack of werewolves used to live in the Forbidden Forest."
McGonagall forced a smile: "That's a rumor. In fact, Hogwarts once took in a pack of wolf pups born from werewolves, but they weren't werewolves."
In this world, werewolves can produce werewolves in the conventional sense if they mate and reproduce in human form. However, if two werewolves reproduce in wolf form, they will only produce pure wolf cubs, which are no different from wild wolves except that they are more intelligent and have a more human-like intelligence.
The wolf cubs that Hogwarts accepted back then were in this situation; they could only be considered animals, and in the Forbidden Forest, which was full of magical creatures, they were not considered dangerous.
The rumors from back then were simply spread by professors to stop students from wandering around.
"At least it's not a barren wasteland. With forests, we can use local materials to build," Dumbledore reassured himself.
"This magical forest, I thought it would disappear forever, but it not only flourished again, but also attracted so many creatures. Perhaps we can renew our pact with it?"
But McGonagall's expression remained serious.
"Could something worse be happening?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow.
The professor of Transfiguration said nothing, but took out a thin wooden arrow from his magic bag. The arrowhead was sharpened from a sharp stone.
"Centaur!?" Dumbledore's eyes sharpened.
"They survived too?"
Back then, apart from Frenzer, all the centaurs refused to enter Hogwarts, and Dumbledore watched them retreat into the burning Forbidden Forest.
Over the years, no one has ever found any trace of them, and the outside world has long assumed that the Jinlin Ma people have become extinct.
"A student tried to enter the Forbidden Forest from the north, but was nearly shot through the head by this arrow," McGonagall said in a deep voice.
"They have broken the custom of not harming foals."
"This arrow has a peculiar power." Hermione took the wooden arrow and examined it carefully.
On the sharp stone arrowheads, one can see streaks of crimson, shimmering like grime, but they are not poison; rather, they resemble an enchantment or curse.
"Aren't centaurs good at magical healing and divination? This power seems evil." She frowned, a bad feeling coming from her third eye, as if she were staring at a night sky that was weeping blood.
Countless feelings of despair, pain, and curses surged in like a deafening tidal wave.
"I'm afraid they, like the mermaids, have suffered a terrible mutation." Dumbledore frowned and slowly sat down.
"Even more ruthless and vicious than the mermaids, those who can survive in the Forbidden Forest ravaged by dark creatures—that land imbued with magic—has been twisted."
"Besides the Forbidden Forest and the Black Lake, we also observed Hogsmeade from the air," McGonagall continued.
"That ruin is now frequented by numerous wanderers, likely all victims of the disaster." Her voice was low and somber. Hogsmeade Village, once England's only wizarding village, was located next to Hogwarts.
They could not escape the bombing either; not many wizards managed to escape at that time.
"If we can clean that place up, it might serve as a new settlement. I think Aberforth would be happy to rebuild the Hog's Head," Dumbledore said softly.
Hermione didn't know who Aberforth was, assuming he was just a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
"We have pyroxene as our energy source. Once we get there, absorb the lethal dose of radiation, and then use the giant cannon to clear out the monster hordes that pose a significant threat, it shouldn't be too difficult to re-establish ourselves."
She reasoned that the power of the sapphire cannon fired at Voldemort was almost comparable to that of Comet Azrael; there was no creature in this world that could take a direct hit and emerge unscathed.
However, the problem is that these dark creatures are scattered and possess a certain level of intelligence.
"Seeing the mountain-like Hogwarts arrive, these monsters will most likely choose to lie in wait and attack us lone students afterward. We can't possibly bombard a single mermaid or troll with light cannons every day," Dumbledore said.
"We need to initiate a war to completely wipe out the vast majority of the monsters," McGonagall added.
Given the number of Hogwarts' teachers and students, they have no chance of winning without relying on the castle, and their supplies may be intermittent. Given Malfoy Castle's current actions, they will definitely not hesitate to cause trouble when the time comes.
"Is there any other way we can help?" Hermione asked, looking up.
Dumbledore nodded: "Lily has reached a deep cooperation with Vagado. We will receive a batch of herbs and metal raw materials, and there will be a continuous flow of trade afterward."
"Hagrid contacted Newt, who promised to come back to help, along with his animal friends."
McGonagall also said, "Many alumni have written to me saying they would provide supplies or come back to help, but the extent may be limited, as they also have their own families to take care of."
"And—" Dumbledore paused.
"Malfoy Castle might be able to hold them back then."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. She remembered that Malfoy Castle had a fairly strong air cavalry force, but they were clearly unwilling to support Hogwarts' northward march, and might even use this force to block other wizards coming to their aid.
"We should be thankful that Britain is isolated overseas, and the Soviet Muggles do not yet have the capacity to launch a naval operation. Gellert will not allow any Muggle creations to fly to Western Europe."
"Otherwise, we might have to face tanks, rampaging infantry, and bombing raids."
Dumbledore joked, "They'd be happy to drop another nuclear bomb on our heads."
"Don't worry, we have the strength to handle these situations."
D”
"In the second half of the year, I will gather members of the Order of the Phoenix to be stationed near Hogwarts. They will be the main force in this war." The gentle words fell into my ears, yet they were somewhat cruel.
These wizards, still clinging to ideals and justice, are likely to die in conflict with dark creatures.
"Oh, by the way, Gonuk contacted me. Their secret realm is safe again, and they've invited us to visit. Maybe we can even discuss a trade deal with the goblins. I'll let you know in advance, and make sure Harry and the others come along too."
Seeing Hermione still frowning and silent, Dumbledore smiled and patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Didn't you say that we still have at least the second-best white wizard in the world?"
McGonagall walked over and gently put her arm around Hermione: "Trust us old folks. Your task now is to enjoy this summer and, while you're at it, figure out how to balance being a third-year student and a teaching assistant."
Hermione took a deep breath. Indeed, with the Moving Castle powered by Brilliant Stone and the powerful Dumbledore, she could focus more on her own growth and helping her friends grow. The future of the school was not something she needed to worry about for the time being.