"Why aren't we moving…?" Hagrid noticed Kyle had stopped and turned around, asking, "Did you spot something?"
Kyle was lost in thought and didn't answer immediately. Hagrid, curious, followed his gaze and soon noticed the Mooncalves dancing in the distance.
"Oh, that's what caught your attention," he said, understanding. "Yes, their dance really is something special. But we're… well, since it's a rare sight, we can head back to the castle a bit later if you want."
Though anxious, Hagrid didn't press Kyle to hurry, seeing how captivated he was. With Hogwarts' curfew in place, young wizards were normally forbidden from leaving the common room after 10 p.m., so he figured Kyle didn't often get the chance to see something like this.
"No, Hagrid, let's stick to business. We should get back quickly." Kyle shook himself out of his thoughts and continued walking toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
As he walked past Hagrid, he suddenly asked, "By the way, did you come to the Forbidden Forest before Christmas?"
"Before Christmas?" Hagrid repeated, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"It's nothing," Kyle replied. "I was just curious. Do you need to come to the Forbidden Forest every day?"
"No, not every day—maybe twice a week," Hagrid said, thinking it over. "As for before Christmas… I don't recall anything out of the ordinary. I think it's been the same."
"No unusual occurrences?" Kyle frowned. "Like, if you noticed something wrong, would you have come to check on it in the middle of the night?"
Hagrid shook his head firmly. "The Forbidden Forest has been quiet. I only come out at night if I'm collecting Mooncalf droppings or visiting Fluffy."
"Got it." Kyle gave Hagrid a thoughtful look but said nothing more.
The two walked across the dark grounds back to the castle and headed straight for the Headmaster's Office on the eighth floor. As they climbed the stairs, Hagrid muttered, "I hope Dumbledore isn't asleep yet, or we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"Don't worry," Kyle reassured him. "Elderly people are light sleepers—a little knocking should be enough."
When they reached the second floor, they ran into Filch and Mrs. Norris descending the stairs. Filch had clearly been patrolling the Trophy Room on the fourth floor and looked less than pleased to see them.
"Why are you back so soon?" Filch's face was dark with anger. "This is against school rules."
"Move aside, Filch," Hagrid said impatiently, pushing past him. "I've got to see Dumbledore right now, no time for your nonsense."
Filch, scrawny and frail compared to Hagrid, was no more trouble than a feather. Red-faced with anger, he momentarily looked as though he might try to grab Hagrid, but quickly reconsidered upon glancing up at the half-giant's towering three-meter frame.
Filch, though thoroughly indignant, felt he was a reasonable man. He stepped back, waving his arms and launching into a lecture about school curfew rules, trying to use his words to shoo Hagrid and Kyle from the castle. In his zeal, he didn't notice his arm hitting the portrait beside him.
"Thud!"
"Ouch! Who hit me in the face?" The portrait awoke, clearly unhappy about being slapped for no reason. His eyes snapped open as he scolded, "What do you think you're doing? It's bedtime!"
Filch muttered an apology, then turned back, only to find that Hagrid had already gone up the stairs and disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
"Stupid oaf!" Filch grumbled as he straightened the portrait, which he'd knocked askew, and then stalked off with Mrs. Norris down the opposite stairs.
Meanwhile, Hagrid, who had made it past the second floor, couldn't help but mutter, "That cranky old coot! Every time I come to the castle, he makes that cat tail me. I'd like to see what happens if I introduced her to Fang."
Kyle shrugged nonchalantly. Truthfully, Fang's timid nature would make him no match for Mrs. Norris.
They soon arrived at the gargoyle statue on the eighth floor. Hagrid cleared his throat and said, "Iced lemonade."
With the correct password, the statue jumped aside, revealing a staircase behind it.
"Dumbledore told me to inform him as soon as I had any news," Hagrid whispered as they ascended the stairs.
When they reached the top, Hagrid began knocking—or rather, banging—on the door. Despite his best efforts to be gentle, the heavy oak door resounded with loud thumps. Kyle doubted he could make such a sound even if he tried kicking the door.
…
Inside the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore, dressed in light pink pajamas covered with a strawberry pattern, sat behind his desk. With a wry smile, he said, "Hagrid, I won't be going to bed anytime soon, so you could try knocking a little softer."
"Sorry, Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said sheepishly. "I'll be more careful next time."
"No scolding intended, Hagrid. It's just that I don't have the time to find a new door right now," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "Now, what brings you here so late at night?"
"Well, we found something really strange in the Forbidden Forest," Hagrid began. "I found my own footprints in a spot where I know I've never been."
Kyle stepped forward, setting the soil sample with the footprint and the piece of decayed tree trunk on Dumbledore's desk, then described the discovery in detail.
Dumbledore bent over, peering closely at the items on the table. His crooked nose was almost touching the soil as he examined it. Then, he ran his hand thoughtfully over the decaying tree trunk.
"So… you found evidence of your presence somewhere beyond your memory?" Dumbledore murmured. "A peculiar situation, indeed. But not beyond the realm of possibility… it might only need a small… push."
Hagrid's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "Do you know what's going on, Professor?"
"Not just yet," Dumbledore replied, straightening up and gazing thoughtfully around the room. "I'll need some time to think about it." He turned to Kyle with a gentle smile. "But, Kyle, it's time for you to head back and rest. I hope this time spent in detention proves fruitful."
"Alright…" Though Kyle felt a pang of disappointment at not learning more, he respected Dumbledore's words. He nodded and said, "Well… goodnight, Headmaster. Goodnight, Hagrid."
"Goodnight, Kyle."