The Created Monster

Cheers to my exam results!

Under the Beech Tree by Black Lake, Albert and his friends, having just finished their Final Exam, were raising their glasses of Butterbeer to toast each other, celebrating their escape from the sweltering classroom and the shadow of Final Exam.

After downing most of a glass of Butterbeer, the sweltering heat of June dissipated considerably, and a gentle breeze blew across the lake, bringing a touch of coolness.

"How many years do you think that Giant Squid in Black Lake has lived?" Fred asked casually, looking at the Giant Squid basking in the warm, shallow water.

"Several hundred years?"

"No ordinary animal could live that long!"

The three of them looked at Albert, waiting for his answer.

Who knows?

Albert lay on the recliner conjured by the Transfiguration Spell, yawning lazily, and said, "The Giant Squid must have lived for many years. I suspect it might have been a pet that the Four Founders kept in the Black Lake."

"Possibly. I've heard that Giant Squid won't harm Hogwarts students, and if someone accidentally falls into the water while Crossing the Lake, it will even carry them to the boat." As he spoke, Lee Jordan gently nudged its tentacles with a twig. As a result, the Giant Squid's tentacles lightly slapped the lake water, splashing Lee Jordan with water.

Fred and George couldn't help but laugh at this scene.

"No animal could live that long," Fred said, not believing Albert's words.

"Yes, Phoenix will do," Albert reminded him.

All three of them couldn't help but roll their eyes.

"Besides the Phoenix?"

"The Basilisk might also live a very long time," Albert said mysteriously.

"Basilisk, what is that?"

"In a very old book at Hogwarts, it is written: 'Many terrible beasts and monsters roam our country, the most bizarre and deadliest of which is the Basilisk, also known as the Snake King. This serpent can grow to enormous size and usually lives for hundreds of years. It hatches from a toad in a male egg.'"

"You actually memorized the whole book!" Fred looked at Albert in shock and couldn't help but mutter, "Just how much free time do you have?!"

"Is there something wrong with what you're focusing on?" Albert was speechless.

"It hatched from a male egg, from a... toad?" George found it very strange.

"Yes, the Basilisk is Magical Creatures created by Dark wizard. It is incredibly deadly. I've heard that Basilisk glare can kill. Anyone who gets stared at by its gaze will die instantly." Albert deliberately widened his eyes. "Like this."

"Can Basilisk kill people with its glare?" The three of them clearly didn't believe it.

"Probably! I'm not sure." Albert continued, "That's information I found when I was researching the Acromantula last time. Basilisk like to eat spiders, and they are the Acromantula's natural enemy."

"You think the Giant Squid is also Magical Creatures created by wizards?" Lee Jordan understood what Albert meant.

"Hmm, I think the Giant Squid might be Magical Creatures created by the Four Founders. They placed it in the Black Lake as a strong defensive line for Hogwarts," Albert said after thinking for a moment. "If anyone tries to Crossing the Lake to attack Hogwarts, they will be attacked by the Giant Squid on the lake surface, capsize, and sink to the bottom to feed the fish."

"Why do you think that?" George asked curiously.

"The Acromantula was created to guard the wizard's residence or treasure, and other monsters usually created with magic also serve this purpose."

"Alright, stop trying to fool us." Fred couldn't help but roll his eyes, giving us a look that said, "Don't think we'll fall for this."

"Haven't you noticed that the terrain around Hogwarts Castle is easy to defend and difficult to attack?" Albert knew that the three of them hadn't paid much attention to these things, so he just told them this as a joke.

"The castle also contains a large number of knight statues and Knight Armor. When necessary, the wizard can use magic to drive them and turn them into the most loyal soldiers to resist invasions from the outside world."

"That seems to make some sense," the three replied casually.

"That era was called the Dark Ages. Do you think it was dangerous?" Albert didn't seem to care and continued, "There were probably even fewer wizards back then than we are now, and there was no order. If a Muggle army attacked this castle, the wizards would ultimately be no match for it."

"Muggle attacking Hogwarts?" The three were stunned.

"Of course, it could also be other Dark Creatures, or evil wizards. A thousand years ago, this world wasn't very safe." Albert put away his somber tone and said with a smile, "However, I haven't found any record of any war taking place at Hogwarts in historical documents."

"So, what you just said was just to fool us again?"

All three of them couldn't help but roll their eyes, realizing they had been tricked by Albert again.

"It's just speculation!"

"Stop with the useless speculation. When are we going to find Gryffindor's Secret Treasure?" Fred looked around to make sure no one was nearby before lowering his voice to ask.

"Tomorrow morning!" Albert added, "I'll ride there on Flying Broom."

"Riding Flying Broom?" The three looked at each other in surprise. They had all thought they were going to venture deep into the Forbidden Forest, but they hadn't expected Albert to actually plan to fly over there on a broomstick.

"Otherwise what? You're planning to venture into the Forbidden Forest and fight the Acromantula?" Albert was speechless. Trying to cross the Forbidden Forest from the ground was too stupid. He never intended to take any risks from the beginning.

"Then what was the point of practicing magic combat for so long?" Lee Jordan couldn't help but complain, "And the spells to deal with the Acromantula."

"Of course, it's to ensure our own safety," Albert said, revealing his plan. "We'll ride our brooms to the vicinity of the Secret Treasure's location first, and then descend slowly to search for it."

"We were so stupid to try and cross the forest back then!" George felt that he and Fred were really foolish. How could they not have thought of flying overhead? "Back then, we didn't have Flying Broom!" Fred couldn't help but protest.

"What should I do!" Lee Jordan asked hastily. Of the four, he was the only one without Flying Broom.

"I'll have George drive you then." Fred chuckled, passing the buck to his brother, knowing Albert wouldn't have the time or energy for it.

"Idiot, doesn't Albert still have a Silver Arrow?" George admired his own quick wit. "Of course, Lee Jordan will ride a broomstick with us."

"I hope it doesn't suddenly fall down," Lee Jordan said worriedly. "After all, it's an old relic!"

"Probably not. Even if you fall, I'll catch you the moment you fall!" Albert casually reassured him.

"If you can't comfort people, then shut your stinking mouth!" Lee Jordan complained. "I don't want to experience the feeling of falling off a broom."