The Giant Python

After listening carefully for a moment, William walked towards a certain corridor, and Cedric and the others followed.

The other party couldn't possibly be a wizard. Strictly speaking, this area is still within Hogwarts territory. The Marauder's Map only shows the names of William and his three companions; there are no other wizards around.

They continued walking, their footsteps echoing strangely and unevenly in the long corridor.

Click!

William stepped on a rat skull. He lowered his wand and looked at the ground, finding small animal bones scattered everywhere.

"William, there's something over there..." Cedric grabbed William's shoulder and said in a low voice.

The four of them froze, staring at the scene.

William saw the outline of a huge, coiled creature lying motionless on the other side of the corridor.

He raised his wand, and the light shone on the object—a huge, pale snakeskin that looked like it had been peeled off long ago.

The snakeskin lay coiled on the corridor floor, hollow inside. But clearly, the python that had shed its skin was at least fifteen meters long.

"Good heavens," Fred exclaimed, stunned. "What the hell is this?"

At this moment, the echo became clearer. The four people exchanged glances, then turned and ran.

If we don't run, are we just going to wait to be eaten by that giant snake?

By the time the four of them ran back to the corridor on the fifth floor of Hogwarts, it was almost dark.

The group of people, still shaken, collapsed onto the corridor floor, panting heavily.

"How could the school allow... such a... giant snake deep within the castle..." Cedric exclaimed angrily.

When he sees something special, Cedric habitually likes to consider whether it can be made into a wand.

He had his eye on the Whomping Willow, Fluffy's hair, Dumbledore's Fawkes... but at this point, he no longer mentioned using the python as a wand.

After all, it might end up as someone else's snack.

"But..." Fred clutched his chest, panting, "Cedric, don't forget, strictly speaking, the secret passage is off-limits... We're breaking school rules!"

"That can't be left at school either, it's too dangerous! See that snakeskin? I bet that snake is at least sixty feet long!" George shouted.

William composed himself and asked, "Didn't you find any snakeskin when you came last time?"

"No!" Fred said with a wry smile, "If we found it, we wouldn't dare go through that secret passage; we'd be risking our lives."

George nodded in agreement.

William said, "Could that snake have been left behind by the Four Founders to guard the temple and the pyramids?"

"Possibly," Cedric thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Don't forget, Slytherin is most famous for Parseltongue; he might have left a giant snake at the school to guard the pyramids."

The four discussed for a while longer, but they couldn't come up with anything particularly useful, whether it was the temple, the pyramid, the coffin, or the giant serpent.

However, they all agreed that this secret passage was not safe to use for the time being; who knew if they might encounter a giant python that hadn't eaten its fill and make them its dinner one day?

Similarly, Hogsmeade is closed today, which is quite disappointing.

Overall, the adventure was quite thrilling, and William didn't sleep well all night.

He dreamt that a giant python swallowed him whole. And those coffins were always swaying around him, as if beckoning him to lie down inside them.

William woke up in the early morning, his mind still replaying the coffin.

William was somewhat annoyed. Although coffins were meant for lying in, wasn't it a bit too early to expect him to lie down in one now?

Even if he didn't live as long as Nicolas Flamel, he couldn't possibly have lived shorter than Dumbledore, could he?

William felt he needed to find some time to burn some paper money for the Four Founders, praying for their safety and that they wouldn't dream of those coffins anymore.

Hmm... they should all be dead?

Hmm... they must all be dead!

William sat up and didn't see Bobocha. It's been getting increasingly out of control lately, often running off at night to fool around.

William put on his coat and spent a little time washing up before going out.

The common room was already filled with young wizards; today was the Quidditch final, and although it had nothing to do with Ravenclaw House, who doesn't love Quidditch?

Given how badly the Chinese national football team played in their previous life, shouldn't we still watch it?

After sitting for a while, William opened the wooden door to the common room, intending to find Cedric and the others, but was startled by the scene at the doorway.

Robert stood at the doorway, his eyes red, staring at each young wizard who came out like a vampire.

His hair was disheveled, and he swayed unsteadily, giving the impression that he was about to die suddenly.

"Are you alright?" William stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little sleepy. I've been here since four this morning," Robert replied.

He really liked that door knocker; William thought he could buy a tape recorder and listen to it every day at home.

William wasn't one to meddle in other people's business. He took a couple of steps, but hesitated for a moment, then turned back and said with concern, "Prefect Robert, you should go to sleep."

William looked concerned, a warm smile playing on his lips.

"Well, once the Quidditch final starts and everyone goes to watch the game, I'll go back and get some sleep," Robert said gratefully.

William, like a wolf in sheep's clothing, fumbled in his robes and pulled out a blue bottle.

"Prefect, this contains my concoction of Draught of Living Death. I only gave it to a three-... dog, and the effect was quite good, but it hasn't been tested on humans yet."

However, I can guarantee that the medicine will be effective. Just two spoonfuls at a time will ensure that you can quickly enter a deep sleep.

Two hours is equivalent to eight hours for most people...

"Really?" Robert asked in surprise as he took the blue bottle.

He opened the bottle cap, skillfully checked the color of the liquid, and then smelled it; a wave of drowsiness washed over him.

"Yes, it really is the Draught of Living Death! That's great. With this, I only need to sleep for two hours to feel refreshed."

That way, after the Quidditch final, I can be refreshed and ready to continue guarding the door knocker... Junior, how much should I pay you?

William's smile widened. He patted Robert on the shoulder and laughed, "Forget about money. Just tell me the data after you wake up."

"I understand, I used to test drugs on Professor Snape all the time!" Robert laughed. "You can always come to me for this kind of thing in the future!"

William grinned and said, "Thanks, and good luck."

When William arrived at the Great Hall, many young wizards had already gathered there.

(First update, begging for recommendation votes, brothers and sisters, dear readers!)

Thanks to "Trooper1770", "20170714222337147", "I'm really not in love", three of them for their rewards(//?//))