Despite it being March, the weather around Hogwarts remained bitter. Whether it was due to the presence of the many Dementors, the snow surrounding the castle had only just begun to melt.
Albert walked across the muddy fields, following the gravel path toward Hagrid’s hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Something caught his eye, and he squinted toward the trees. Near the forest’s edge, he spotted a black dog sneaking across the lawn. Beside the dog was a cat—Hermione’s Crookshanks—trotting along quickly. The pair seemed to sense Albert’s gaze, as they vanished into the trees in an instant.
Albert pulled his eyes away and continued toward the hut.
Chapter 698