"I'm sorry, Professor Oren." Kyle stood motionless, "First years aren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest. I think we should return to the castle."
"Following rules is good, but sometimes you needn't be too rigid, Kyle." Professor Oren said with a smile, "You might miss out on some interesting things."
"That won't do." Kyle shook his head, "If Professor McGonagall finds out, we'll be expelled."
"It's not that serious. Minerva just says that to scare you. Besides, I'm here, aren't I?" Professor Oren placed one hand on his waist and gestured toward the Forbidden Forest with the other, "Come now, as Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I give you permission to come with me to the Forest and broaden your horizons."
...Well, no need to guess anymore. Kyle knew who the person with the Swooping Evil was.
Come to think of it, how could anyone become Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor without having some hidden identity?
Kyle had harbored suspicions about Oren ever since reading about the incident in the newspaper months ago — this disposable professor had caught his attention.
But when he'd subtly questioned Professor McGonagall, he'd learned that Oren had taken the position in July, while the magical creature smuggling gang hadn't entered the country until late August. That two-month gap gave him a perfect alibi.
How had he managed it...
Kyle grumbled internally but held his tongue this time.
Professor Oren's hand rested on his waist near his wand, ready to draw it with the slightest movement. This gesture alone confirmed Kyle's suspicion that he was the "mysterious person".
It was nothing short of a threat.
"Alright." Kyle shrugged, "If the professor permits it, then it's fine."
"A wise choice." Professor Oren said, raising an eyebrow.
After taking a few steps forward, Kyle turned to Kanna as if suddenly remembering something, "Oh right, I forgot to bring the jerky I prepared for Fluffy. Could you help me get it? It's on the table in the common room — you'll see it right when you enter."
"Um... okay." Although Kanna sensed something odd about his words, she didn't dwell on it and turned toward the castle.
Professor Oren remained silent, as if Kyle had been his only target all along.
Seeing this, Kyle felt slightly relieved. At least Kanna would be safe...
Just then, something unexpected happened. The rat called Porgy suddenly leaped from Kanna's pocket and darted toward the Forbidden Forest.
"Porgy... come back!" Kanna cried out and chased after it without thinking.
It happened so quickly that Kyle couldn't stop her — she had already pursued Porgy into the Forbidden Forest.
"I—!" Kyle's eye twitched, but it was too late now.
To keep Kanna from getting into trouble in the Forest, he had no choice but to follow.
The Forest was dense with trees, making it impossible for humans to catch up to a rat. Soon, Porgy vanished from their sight.
Kyle caught up to Kanna and grabbed her, preventing her from going further.
"Go back first!"
"But Porgy..."
"There's no time to worry about that rat now — go back to the castle!" As Kyle gripped her arm, about to pull her back forcefully, he turned to find Professor Oren standing behind them.
"I must criticize you, Kyle. You can't be so rough with a young witch — it's most ungentlemanly." Professor Oren said expressionlessly, "Come, let's help Miss Prince find her pet."
Kyle frowned, about to speak, when Professor Oren walked over, bent down, and said with a smile.
"Let's not waste any more time. That's quite a special rat — it would be a shame to lose it."
From his angle, Kyle could clearly see the professor's wand tip pointing at Kanna.
"You're right." Kyle took a deep breath and gave a forced laugh, "I'll do as you say."
"Good boy."
Under Professor Oren's lead, the three of them began walking deeper into the Forbidden Forest.
Along the way, he appeared genuinely intent on finding the rat, constantly scanning their surroundings.
When they encountered aggressive magical creatures or spiders, he dutifully drove them away.
After walking for what seemed like ages, Professor Oren suddenly asked, "Kyle, Minerva tells me your Transfiguration grades are excellent. Have you considered learning to become an Animagus?"
"Not at all, Professor." Kyle's expression remained unchanged, "Animagus transformation is a very advanced form of Transfiguration. It requires not only extensive knowledge but also extremely precise magical control. I'm far from that level right now."
"Oh?" Professor Oren used his wand to move a fallen tree trunk blocking their path and said teasingly, "You seem quite knowledgeable about Animagi."
"Professor McGonagall demonstrated it in our first class." Kyle said, "I found it fascinating, so I looked up some information about it in the library."
"Yes... a spell that lets people transform into animals is indeed fascinating. Many wizards who walk the line between light and dark dream of mastering it." Professor Oren said quietly, "Animagus transformation makes certain activities very convenient for them. After all, no one suspects a cat, an insect, or... a rat.
That's why the Ministry requires all Animagi to register under their real names, though few are willing to do so. And that's the right choice. If you learn to become an Animagus in the future, I wouldn't recommend registering either."
He spoke as if giving a lecture, explaining these insights in a gentle tone.
"Professor, it's too early to discuss this with me." Kyle narrowed his eyes, "My Transfiguration skills are just beginning. I probably won't be qualified to learn Animagus transformation until after fifth year."
"No, I think you'll be ready next year." Professor Oren glanced at him and said, "A person's talent and ability can't be hidden — especially for a young wizard like you with so little experience. Though you perform ordinarily in my class, I've noticed your magical control is extremely precise, and your spells have remarkable stability.
Think of it this way: if other young wizards' spells are like cotton thread, yours are like wire. Even when you deliberately reduce your magical output, you're merely making the wire thinner, but its fundamental nature remains unchanged.
Cotton thread and wire are entirely different materials — anyone with a touch of experience can tell them apart. You probably haven't realized..."
He suddenly laughed.
"We professors have discussed you privately more than once, trading stories about your poor acting in class. We've even placed bets on how long you can maintain this charade.
Aurora didn't participate, but Minerva and Filius both wagered third year, Pomona bet on fifth year, and Severus... well, he was rather cryptic, but let's say seventh year."
Kyle felt thunderstruck, a wave of embarrassment washing over him.
Damn, he'd thought he was being so clever...
✭✭✭
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