Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 377 Horse-Shaped Water Monster

“Sirlen, where have you been? I just went to the common room and they all said they didn’t see you.”

Upon returning to the castle, Celen was immediately blocked by Fred and George, one on each side.

"I'm with Hagrid. What do you need me for?"

“It’s the thing you mentioned last time, the one that can pinpoint location.” Fred took out something the size of a golden sly… It had a round frame on the outside and a pointer-like object embedded inside.

“The tracking scope, we found it from Devis-Bans,” George said. “Once you take them apart, the gyroscope changes direction.”

“Like this…” Fred reached out and broke off a piece of the ring on the scopy lens, placing it to the left of Siron.

The next second, the pointer inside immediately changed direction, and the arrow quickly pointed at Fred's hand.

“That’s really nice,” Siron said. “But is there any magic on it? Like a tracking spell or something.”

He asked Fred and George about this, mainly so that he could quickly determine the location of the finish line for the second project.

If the referee chooses friendship, it will most likely be Harry or Hermione. As long as he puts the item on them beforehand, he can save a lot of time searching for it.

However, Xiren was unsure whether the referee would confiscate their magical items beforehand, as they would likely be discovered if they had tracking spells on them.

"Don't worry, we've checked it."

"It's not a tracking spell."

"It's just a special effect that comes with alchemical items."

"Even Professor Moody would never have imagined it could be of any use!"

……

"That's not necessarily true," Xiren thought to himself.

Whether Professor Moody could see it or not, he didn't know, but Dumbledore certainly could, after all, he himself was a famous alchemist, and such things would definitely not escape his eyes.

But that's alright. If only Dumbledore can figure it out, he probably won't bring it up on his own. As long as Maxim and Karkaroff can't figure it out, that's fine.

"How many did you buy?" he asked.

“Two,” Fred said. “Didn’t you say you needed two?”

“Indeed.” Xiren nodded, took the two viewing mirrors, and paid them.

This thing is quite expensive; one costs five gallons. The anti-fraud spyglass he bought in Egypt last time only cost one gallon.

It's a magical artifact unique to Egypt. When there are untrustworthy people or deception in the vicinity, it glows, spins, and emits a piercing whistle. Many visiting sorcerers choose to take a few back as gifts for their friends.

After paying ten Galleons, Siron put the two spyglasses in his pocket, deciding to find an opportunity to put them on Hermione and Harry's clothes when the second project was about to begin.

"What are you doing at Hagrid's?" Fred asked casually as he accepted the Galleons. "There have been a lot of explosions coming from his cabin lately."

“It must be a blasting snail,” George said. “I’m so glad I didn’t choose the Conservation of Magical Creatures class this year, so I don’t have to take care of those naughty little cuties.”

"Don't say that, the 'Bombtail' snail is actually quite good," Xilun said with a smile.

After thinking about the horse-shaped lake monster, Xilun decided to keep it a secret.

It wasn't that Xilun didn't trust them; it was just that he wasn't entirely confident he could tame the horse-shaped water monster. If he told them and still failed, it would be a bit embarrassing.

……

The next day, Saturday.

It snowed again after entering February, but it was much lighter than before, and it quickly turned into sleet. Xilun had been looking forward to it since morning.

He finally waited until nightfall. At eight o'clock, he transformed into a cat in the dormitory and left the Gryffindor common room through the window.

The field outside was pitch black. Xiren arrived near Hagrid's cabin and transformed back to his original form.

Hagrid was already waiting, and waved to him when he saw him.

"follow me."

The two arrived at the shore of Black Lake, but Hagrid did not stop. Instead, he untied two small boats moored on the lake, gestured for Siron to sit in one, and then rowed forward with him.

Xilun remembers that this was the boat he took when he was a newborn crossing the river, and the route was exactly the same as it was back then.

Hagrid led him all the way to the edge of the school, stopping in an open area near Hogsmeade Station.

When he was in first grade, they crossed the river from here to go to Hogwarts. Unexpectedly, he returned by ferry when he was in fourth grade.

"Just in case," Hagrid said, "Demstrand's large ship is anchored on the lake near the castle. If they hear any noise, they'll definitely come out to investigate."

Xilun nodded in understanding.

At that moment, he also noticed that where Hagrid had moored his ship, there was a large patch of seaweed-like material floating up and down on the water.

Are there still things like this in Black Lake?

Before Xilun could react, the "seaweed" suddenly stood up, and a python as thick as a bucket emerged from the black lake. The seaweed that Xilun had just seen was now wrapped around its back.

"Don't be nervous, talk fast. Siren is my friend, don't be nervous." Hagrid stepped forward quickly and patted the python.

Fast talker?

Is this its name?

Once he came to his senses, Xilen looked at the massive creature in the water, which was at least twenty feet long, and couldn't quite understand it.

However, the next second, the giant python transformed into a green horse-shaped creature right in front of him.

It was about the same size as Beauxbatons' steed, but its mane was long seaweed that covered its entire body, and its hooves were split and turned backward, somewhat like a deer's hooves.

Especially its mouth, when opened, reveals two rows of sharp, dagger-like teeth.

“The Kelpie can change its appearance,” Hagrid explained to Siron. “But they usually prefer horses and snakes, which makes it easier for them to hunt.”

“I know,” Siren said.

After talking with Hagrid yesterday, he went to the library today to look up a lot of information about the Kelpie. This magical creature can not only shapeshift, but it also preys on humans.

They disguise themselves as tall, magnificent horses that have just emerged from the water. If someone doesn't recognize them and rides on the back of the horse-shaped water monster, the water droplets on its skin will become as sticky as glue, firmly attaching the person to its back, making it impossible to break free.

Then it will lead its prey back into the water for a feast.

Of course, these weren't the things Xilun cared about.

Although the Kelpie is dangerous, Hagrid's agreement to bring him here means he's confident he can handle these problems... at least Siren doesn't need to worry about being eaten as a midnight snack.

So from the moment he started looking, his eyes were fixed on the seaweed-like mane of the horse-shaped water monster.

Do those special bristles have a sense of touch?
If he accidentally pulls out a few, will he be discovered?
……

(End of this chapter)