Harry Potter: Archmage of Another World

As the day waned and the sun cast its lingering warmth across the valley, a golden glow spread over the land. Hermione stood in a shaded clearing, using a stick to sketch a rough model on the ground beneath her feet.

"Starting from here, based on an average walking speed, we should have covered about four kilometers of forest buffer zone in thirty minutes. If the trees are also moving at the same rate, every marked tree we pass would appear to remain constant, but in reality, the movement of the trees reduces the true number of marks to about half. In other words, if we think we marked ten trees in thirty minutes, the actual count would only be five—or fewer—because they are also shifting." Hermione continued, "To test this hypothesis, I'll be the starting point, Ron will act as the axis, and Harry will move as the endpoint of the line. We'll time nine minutes of walking. If the number of marks we encounter is three or more, the theory doesn't hold. If not, it proves this is a moving forest."

Harry nodded. "Just tell us what to do."

Hermione laid out the plan to Harry and Ron. Then the three of them began their experiment.

Starting from a tree marked as the origin, Hermione made another mark on it. The three of them walked for three minutes at a normal pace. Hermione then stopped at her position, carving another mark into a nearby tree. Ron and Harry continued onward for another three minutes, with Ron halting to count the marks along his path. Ron recorded one mark. Lastly, Harry walked the final three minutes and recorded zero marks before both he and Ron returned to Hermione.

The results were conclusive: in nine minutes of walking, the group had encountered only one marked tree. In short, the forest was shifting in an unobservable and traceless manner.

"What now? How do we fix this?" Harry turned his gaze to Hermione.

"It's simple. Since the trees can move, they must also have some kind of instinct for self-preservation. All we need to do is create an environment that feels dangerous enough to drive them away." Hermione crossed her arms, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she stared at the nearest tree.

"Create danger?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"Exactly," Hermione said, pulling out her wand. Her grin turned slightly wicked. "We just need to set a big fire. If the trees can move, I doubt they'll sit still once the flames spread."

"Uh…" Ron asked nervously, "What if they don't run—or worse, they move too slowly? Won't we just get trapped in the fire ourselves?"

Hermione shrugged nonchalantly. "Then we'll have to hope for the best. Honestly, I'd say this plan has an 80% chance of success."

"I don't care anymore. I can't stand being stuck here any longer," Harry said firmly, glancing around the forest. "Let's do it!"

"Bingo!" Hermione snapped her fingers, then approached a nearby tree. She gathered dry leaves and branches, building a small pile. Drawing her wand, she prepared to cast a spell. "It's been a while since I set a forest on fire. The last time was when I accidentally burned down a grove trying to roast a dragonfly as a kid."

"Cough! Cough! Wait a moment!"

A deep, rumbling cough suddenly echoed through the air. Hermione jumped, nearly dropping her wand.

An ancient face appeared on the bark of the nearby tree, as though it had been carved there. The wrinkled, kind features of an elderly figure seemed to gaze warmly at the three of them.

"My dear guests from afar, it was only a small prank. Why resort to such drastic measures as burning down the forest?"

"A talking tree?" Ron's jaw dropped, and he rubbed his forehead in disbelief.

"Young lady, we mean you no harm. Keeping you here was merely a way to offer you a friendly warning," said the tree in a gentle and benevolent voice.

"Oh? Trapping us here counts as a friendly warning?" Hermione replied calmly.

"This region's power over us has grown stronger. There is still some time before nightfall, but I cannot tell you more just yet. If you trust me, I will explain everything after the sun sets," the tree said sincerely, lowering its voice.

Hermione looked thoughtful, remaining silent.

"Of course, if you insist on leaving now, I will open a path for you," the treant added with a resigned sigh, seeing their hesitation.

"Honestly, there's no harm in staying until sunset," Hermione finally said, her tone firm and decisive. "I'm intrigued by what you have to say, and I want to hear this 'information' you're offering. So, we'll stay here until the sun goes down."

The treant smiled with relief, its bark creaking as it seemed to nod. Then, it gradually disappeared back into the tree.

"Wait, Hermione! How could you agree to its request?" Ron's voice was full of indignation. "That tree clearly has no reason for trapping us here. It said it could let us leave, so why not just go? Why trust it at all? For all we know, it's pretending to be kind while hiding something sinister. We shouldn't even be talking to creatures like that!"

"Are you done?" Hermione snapped, glaring at Ron with clear annoyance. "If you're so against it, you can leave on your own. No one's stopping you."

"You—!" Ron's face turned red with anger. He stared at Hermione, stunned by her blunt response.

Turning to Harry, Ron's expression darkened, clearly hoping Harry would support him.

"Forget it, Ron. Honestly, I'm curious about what the tree has to say," Harry said, trying to mediate. "We're in an unfamiliar place, and learning more is better than knowing nothing. Besides, the treant might even have information about our five missing team members. So waiting until sunset doesn't seem like a bad idea."

Ron snorted quietly and turned away, leaning sullenly against a tree trunk.

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