Harry Potter and the Cataclysm

Edge of the Forbidden Forest

"Why exactly are we going into the Forbidden Forest?"

"Because it's close to the school!"

"Alright, Hagrid's not here. Let's move!" Carnie gripped his wand, leading the group.

"What exactly are we doing here?" Hermione asked from behind him.

"Obviously, we're here for an adventure!" The Weasley twins followed closely, excitement written all over their faces.

Ron had refused to come, too scared of the possibility of running into werewolves. Harry, on the other hand, was still sleeping.

"Carnie, is this all we're bringing?" George asked, carrying several empty sacks, while Fred had coils of rope draped over his shoulder.

"Shh—" Carnie whispered. "I've spotted a wild snake."

Carnie had activated his magic sense the moment they stepped into the Forbidden Forest. The magical energy in this place was far denser than in the outside world—at least several times stronger.

"With magic this thick in the air, this place should be a paradise… So why is it considered forbidden?"

"Aguamenti!"

Carnie flicked his wand, sending a jet of water toward a nearby tree, wrapping around a black snake coiled on its branches. He swirled his wand in small circles, spinning the water like a washing machine until the snake went limp from dizziness.

"Ladies and gentlemen—our first catch! One fresh, wild black snake!" Carnie triumphantly lifted the snake by the head.

"Is it poisonous? It doesn't look like it." George stepped closer.

"It's a Black-scaled Viper, a common venomous snake." Hermione immediately identified it. "Its venom and fangs can be used in potion-making."

Carnie grinned. "I have a feeling today's going to be quite profitable." He tossed the snake into the sack George was carrying.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "How did you even spot it? The bark of these trees is almost the same color as the snake."

Carnie shrugged. "Good eyesight."

He wasn't about to explain the intricacies of magic sense—it wasn't something just anyone could master. He'd spent weeks refining it, aided by the strange spiritual energy within him.

As they ventured deeper, the light dimmed considerably. The trees here were several times taller than those outside the forest.

Looking up, all they could see were interwoven branches and dense, dark green leaves.

By now, their collection had grown substantially—several snakes, bugs, and even a few bird eggs.

"Hey, aren't there supposed to be werewolves in the Forbidden Forest?" George mused, adjusting the sack over his shoulder.

"Yeah, but we haven't seen any," Fred added.

"What about trolls?"

"There should be some, but what use are trolls? They don't seem very appetizing."

Fred smirked. "Actually, I read about a strength potion that requires troll blood."

Carnie suddenly remembered something. "Wait… That troll I took down…"

"Oh, that?" Hermione responded. "I think Snape took it to use for potions."

Carnie clicked his tongue. "Figures."

"I thought the Forbidden Forest was supposed to have unicorns, centaurs, and giant spiders. Where are they?" Carnie frowned, closing his eyes to expand his magic sense.

Immediately, a powerful presence popped up on his radar.

"Something's coming. Stay ready."

"GRRROOOARRR!!!"

A massive gray wild boar, the size of a podium, burst out from the undergrowth.

Its tusks jutted out menacingly, and its hooves thundered against the ground.

"That's a Razorback Boar!" Hermione gasped.

"GROOARR!!!"

The boar charged straight for them.

"Aguamenti!"

Carnie immediately conjured a water wall, shifting its shape as the group scattered.

Grabbing Hermione's hand, he pulled her aside, knowing he couldn't trust the water barrier to fully stop the beast.

The crystalized water wall formed just as the boar crashed into it.

CRACK!

The impact sent cracks splintering across the wall, but the boar was momentarily stunned, stumbling backward, dazed.

"Hit it now! Stupefy!" Carnie shouted.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

"Diffindo!"

"Incendio!"

The twins quickly launched a barrage of spells.

"ROOOARR!!"

The boar bellowed in pain as Fred's Severing Charm carved a bloody gash into its back. However, it shook off Hermione and Carnie's control spells without issue.

"It's resistant to magic!" Hermione realized.

The boar locked eyes on Fred—the one who had hurt it.

"Shit."

Fred barely had time to react before the boar charged straight at him.

"Aguamenti!"

Carnie conjured another crystalized water wall, throwing it in the boar's path.

Fred froze in place, eyes wide. The boar's massive form barreled toward him.

But just before impact—

SLAM!

The boar collided with the barrier, momentarily halted.

Carnie immediately followed up.

"Aguamenti!"

This time, he conjured a massive sphere of water—larger than a podium—engulfing the entire boar.

The boar thrashed violently, but Carnie struggled to keep control.

"Hit it with more Petrificus Totalus! Slow it down!" Carnie commanded.

"Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus!"

Three spells struck the trapped boar, slowing its movements.

Carnie tightened his grip on the water, shrinking it down until it only covered the boar's head.

The water began crystallizing.

The boar's eyes widened in panic, realizing what was happening.

It thrashed wildly, ramming itself against trees, desperately trying to shake off the encasing crystal.

"Alright, we've got it! Dinner's on me tonight!" Carnie grinned.

The boar's movements weakened, its struggles growing sluggish.

Finally, with one last wobble—

THUD!

It collapsed.

"Carnie, you're an absolute genius!"

"I can't believe you just froze its head to suffocate it!"

Fred and George hurried to gather their scattered supplies.

Carnie smirked. "Nothing beats real combat experience."

He understood now why so many legendary figures constantly sought out battle—growth came fastest in life-or-death situations.

Fred nodded. "You know, now that I think about it, we've learned all these spells, but we never really use them. This is way more fun than just reading about magic."

George grinned. "Yeah! Battling is actually exhilarating!"

Hermione, however, stayed silent, her face flushed red.

Not because of the fight.

Because Carnie was still holding her hand.

Should she pull away… or just… leave it?

"That thing is HUGE. How are we getting it back?"

"We'll leave it here for now. Nothing's gonna eat it in the next few hours."

"We can levitate it back to the castle later."

Carnie nodded. "How's everyone's magic reserves? You guys still good?"

Fred and George smirked.

"What, just a few spells? Please. We're fine."

Carnie opened his mouth to respond—

Then suddenly—

"Clack… clack… clack…"

A rhythmic clicking sound echoed through the trees.

Carnie immediately tensed, instinctively pulling Hermione closer.

"Clack… clack… clack…"

Everyone froze.

Carnie's expression darkened.

"That doesn't sound like an animal."

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