Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Water Margin

Chapter 32 Scarface Encounters Enemy in the Forbidden Forest

Picking up where we left off, Harry scissors and bowed, leaving the centaur momentarily at a loss for words.

He had lived in the Forbidden Forest for decades and had met many wizards, but he had never seen such a ceremony.

The centaur, thinking he was making a fuss over nothing, helped Harry up and said, "It's alright, Mr. Potter. Even if you weren't here, I would still fight that guy who killed the unicorn to the end. The Forbidden Forest is my home."

It should be known that this forbidden forest covers hundreds of acres and is extremely vast and dense. Countless ferocious beasts lurk within, more dangerous than Peach Blossom Mountain and more treacherous than the Red Pine Forest.

Harry thought to himself: In such a dangerous place, this man calls himself a writer. He must be a skilled swordsman. Why don't I get to know him?

He cupped his hands and said, "Brother, you're being too formal. Just call me Harry."

The centaur paused for a moment, then said, "Ah... my name is Ferenze."

He muttered Harry's strange words to himself and said, "Please get on my back, Harry. I think you'd be safer with Hagrid right now."

Harry replied, "I am perfectly healthy and unharmed, so why should I need my brother to carry me?"

"But you only have two legs, it's hard for you to keep up with my speed."

Harry declined several times, but seeing that he couldn't refuse such earnestness, he finally said, "Since you say so, I thank you in advance, brother. If you ever need my help, I'll go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"

"Ah... Harry, it's been so long since I've seen a wizard other than Hagrid. Do wizards all talk like you these days?"

Harry mounted the horse, grabbed its mane, and said, "Brother, that's strange. You just say what sounds right, who cares about the method?"

Ferenczek pondered for a moment, nodded, and galloped away on all fours.

The horseman moved with incredible speed, covering several miles in no time. Seeing him heading straight for the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Harry exclaimed, "Brother, have you taken the wrong path? Hagrid is still in the forest; how can we get out?"

"Hagrid has left the Forbidden Forest; the planet told me that." Ferenze continued walking, gazing up at the sky. "The planet holds many secrets, both of the present and the future, which the centaurs see more clearly than the wizards."

Harry was surprised that the centaurs actually possessed the skills of an astronomer.

He cupped his hands and said, "If you, brother, possess such abilities to discern fate and observe the stars, please inquire among the planets: what is the name of that blood-drinking man in black robes?"

Ignoring Harry's question, Ferenczer countered, "Harry, do you know what unicorn blood can be used for?"

"I've only ever used fur and horns, but I have no idea what use this blood is."

"The blood of a unicorn can prolong your life," Ferenze sighed. "Even if you are on the verge of death, when its blood touches your lips, you will have a half-dead life."

As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Having heard about the benefits of consuming unicorn blood, Harry knew there was more to it than met the eye, so he asked, "If it's good, what about the bad?"

"You will be cursed for the rest of your life, cursed by this pure and noble creature."

Harry said, "A single curse won't hurt. But to murder someone just to prolong one's life is not the act of a true man."

"But some people don't care—Harry, do you know what's hiding in the school right now?"

"Could it be the Philosopher's Stone?"

"So, you still don't understand?" Ferenze stopped and turned around, saying, "Who exactly is it in the school who wants to obtain the power of immortality?"

Harry said, "That's me."

Upon hearing this, Ferenze's eyes glazed over like copper bells, and his tongue felt as if it were being pressed down by a thousand-pound millstone; he couldn't utter a single word.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, "No, Harry, I'm talking about the half-dead man who needs this cursed blood to prolong his life so he can use the Philosopher's Stone."

Frenzer was intentionally giving him a hint, and Harry certainly understood. Besides Voldemort, whose fate was unknown, who else could it be?

The scarred man's mouth made a cracking sound, like two broadswords grinding against each other between his teeth, and sparks flew from the corners of his mouth, almost burning the forbidden forest to ashes.

"Damn it! I'm furious! That scoundrel Voldemort managed to escape!"

Upon hearing the name Voldemort, Ferrenze became uneasy and began to stomp his hooves.

He was about to speak when Harry suddenly jumped off his back, turned, and headed deep into the Forbidden Forest. Ferrenzer called out, "Harry, where are you going?"

"Of course I must kill that bastard Voldemort and avenge my parents!"

Seeing him swaying menacingly, Ferenc quickly stepped forward to stop him, "Harry, he's already run away, he won't be coming back."

Harry's eyes widened in fury, nearly grinding his gums to powder. "Tell him to run! I'll catch him myself!"

"How can I vent my anger without dissecting this scoundrel's heart and liver to make soup, chopping up his flesh and bones to fill my stomach, and pulling out his tongue to drink with?"

Centaurs are known to be peaceful by nature; they've never heard such vicious words before. Harry's words, like the hoarse groan of a demon, sent chills down Frenzer's spine and made his heart tremble.

“But he won’t appear in the Forbidden Forest anymore, because he’s already been exposed.” Ferenze swallowed hard and took two steps back. “Then the only time he’ll reappear is when he’s stealing the Philosopher’s Stone.”

The centaur repeatedly tried to persuade Harry with kind words, which finally calmed Harry down.

"Come on up, Harry, we'd better get out of the Forbidden Forest quickly."

"Damn it! You truly hate me to death!"

Ferenczek remained silent and quickened his pace.

Once the two left the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid and his two companions, leading the dragon, had been waiting for them for quite some time.

Upon seeing Harry and Frenzied, Hagrid exclaimed, "Oh! Frenzied? What are you doing here?"

"Good evening, Hagrid." Ferrenze nodded. "I ran into Harry by chance, and now he's in your hands."

Having said that, he turned and headed straight for the forbidden forest.

The horseman had vanished. Hagrid asked, "Harry, how did you run into Ferrenze? Did something happen to you?"

Harry nodded. "But you can't hide this from me, brother. I ran into that bastard Voldemort."

These words were like a thunderclap in mid-air, or a giant tiger leaping out of the ground. They startled the group, making their souls tremble and their spirits waver, as if they had been frozen in place. Even the fire dragon folded its wings and dared not utter a sound.

"Ha, Harry, you can't joke like that!" Hagrid finally came to his senses after a long while, then said hastily, "He's gone!"

Ron, also pale-faced, said, "Harry, are you sure you're not seeing things?"

Seeing their disbelief, Harry took off his robe, revealing the silvery bloodstains. "If you don't believe me, just look at this blood!"

Hagrid knew all about magical creatures; how could he not know that this was unicorn blood?

He exclaimed in horror: "Merlin's beard! He's really back?!"

Harry ignored her, picked up his robe, and headed straight for the castle. Hermione, seeing this, quickly called out, "Harry, where are you going?"

"I have my own words to say to that old man Dumbledore!"