The Last Slytherin - Chapter 40
After the Dueling incident, rumors about Harry being one of the Slytherin’s descendants began to fly around and then after knowing how reckless and rule-breaking Harry is, a weird rumor started by Malfoy.
He again brought up the buried incident of the dead cat, Mrs. Norris, and writings on the wall stating the heir opened the chamber of secrets. Since Harry is a Parselmouth, many students thought that Harry believed himself as the heir of Salazar Slytherin and wanted to frame Neal, the true heir by killing Filch’s pet but didn’t know that the chamber has already been found by Neal.
As all the logic is against Harry, Ginny began to feel sorry for him because she was almost sure that she’s the culprit. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine decided to catch the real culprit at all costs. Their biggest suspicion is Malfoy as he kept on making trouble for them from the moment they met.
As the librarian was a fan of Lockhart, Hermoine used his autograph, which she got as a prize in one of the quizzes, in exchange for a potion book in the restricted section. She then began to brew the Polyjuice Potion in Myrtle’s bathroom.
Meanwhile, Neal went to the Forbidden Forest with his suitcase along with Isle while looking at the detailed map he found in the vault of Fear, one of the five cursed vaults. He slowly made his towards the centaur colony base taking a detour from the area where Forest Trolls live.
But when he was nearing it, he saw all of them are gathered for something. Upon spotting him, they led him inside to meet Magorian, the leader of the Centaurs. He greeted Neal with respect, “Mr. Neal Slytherin. You are here. I’ve been waiting for your arrival for a while. I’m really in need of that map of yours, now”.
Neal asked, “what’s happening?”. Magorian’s face turned dark, “the war is here”.
One Year Earlier.
At a random place in the Forbidden Forest, A dozen centaurs were standing behind Magorian. Beside him, few wolves and their leader stood. In front of them, five to six Giants stood. The Giant leader spoke, “We have a lot of brothers who will migrate here. The food also won’t be enough for us. You have to move to the edge of the forest”.
Magorian replied furiously, “the forbidden forest belongs to us. Why should we give our way to outsiders like you guys”. The leader of the giants smirked, “please understand our issue while I’m being polite. Both of your tribes have one year to settle elsewhere.
After one year, we’ll use force if we have to drive all of you from the forest”. The wolf leader suddenly attacked the Giant. As the other wolves started to attack them, the centaurs too joined them but as the leader of Giants roared before his last breath, the ground began to shake as they saw a dozen Giants started to run before them.
Meanwhile, Neal was just roaming inside the Forbidden forest examining the little animals, trees and noting down names and their behavior. Just then, he saw the birds and the animals began to run away while the ground is shaking.
As Neal’s trying to balance himself, Isle hissed, “let’s get away from here quick”. But before he could even move, he saw a centaur with heavy injuries running weakly and a few Giant beings of 20-25ft high which have an appearance of humans running towards him.
Instead of running, he went towards the unconscious centaur and checked whether he’s alive or not. He sighed with relief as the centaur was still alive. He changed the suitcase to auto mode to help him out. But then, the Giants already reached and one of them spoke, “we don’t have any enmity with humans. Step aside from the centaur”.
Neal’s eyes were narrowed as he looked at the Giant, “and what if I don’t step away?”. He replied, “you’ll be squashed like a bug”. Neal snorted, “do you think you can live after killing me? Professors from Hogwarts and Aurours from Ministry will search you and kill you. You can’t afford to offend us”.
The Giant laughed, “hahaha, this little bug is arrogant. do you think we are just this? Once our brothers migrate here, with the Forest Trolls, we will rule the Forbidden Forest. Then, it will be your little Magic school next”.
As his mind was connected with the suitcase upon becoming its owner, he opened the suitcase and ejected Buck out, The Giants were taken aback after seeing a Giant Anaconda of over 200-220ft long with a horn on its head. Neal then spoke in parseltongue, “Buck, enjoy your food”. It hissed, “thanks”.
As Buck instantly caught one of them with his tail and crushed him into a pounds of meat and swallowed him, they began to run away for the fear of their lives. Buck chased them and eventually ended them up in its stomach.
Then it spoke with delight, “ah, I’m full. I won’t be needing food for a few years. Let me return. I’m sleepy”. Neal nodded and suċkėd him inside the suitcase and later suċkėd the centaur inside the suitcase too. Then, continued his work.
Only later, did he understood the mess created by Buck during his chase. The Acromantulas who were afraid of Snakes flew from their previous settlement to the very edge of the forest. The unicorns, birds, Forest Trolls, etc… everyone was rushing here and there while screaming very loudly making Hagrid almost cut his hand while cutting the woods at the edge of the forest.
Later, he met the centaurs who were waiting for their leader and their brothers and relayed the story that he saw and brought out Magorian’s unconscious body. But Bane, one of the centaurs requested Neal to safeguard their leader in his magical suitcase until he is healed as they were moving to a different settlement which is near the Forest Trolls because of the mess Buck made. Neal accepted it without hesitation as he was partly responsible for the mess and also because he pities them.
While he’s returning, Firenze who is the diviner of the centaurs told him that he will get attacked by a Wolf while returning to Hogwarts. Neal waved his suitcase, “do you think I’ll fear a mere little wolf?”. He said goodbye to them and started to return. By the time he’s returning, it already got dark and he missed the dinner.
After walking for an hour, he frowned, “why am I not seeing the exit, yet? I have been walking for an hour. Did I get lost?”. He immediately woke up Isle who is sleeping for a while. It hissed, “I can’t sense a human, nearby. There are a couple of animals. I’ll ask them”.
With Isle as a translator, Neal soon found his way in the Moonlight. But just then, he heard a howl, “Awoo”. He frowned, “is it a wolf that Firenze predicted. He took out his wand and while slowly walking step by step, Isle hissed, “hurry, something is coming”.
He dodged as a wolf suddenly dashed towards him and tried to bite. While it’s growling and looking at him, Isle hissed, “I can smell wolf and human inside of it”. Neal frowned, “a werewolf?”. The werewolf began to stand on two legs as it is walking towards him while growling.