Chapter 5: Where lies the Engulfer
"As I presume, the Kappa is a Korean water demon," Severus Snape said.
"Korean? I thought the book says it's Japanese," Zak whispered to Harry. But he got a whip from Snape.
"Is there anything you wish to share with the class, Mr. Saturday?"
"Nothing..."
"He's always like that. Don't mind him," Harry whispered back but Snape noticed him too. He too got a whip.
"Talking in class again, huh, Potter? Five marks deducted from Gryffindor,"
The Gryffindor students in class groaned. The school bell finally rang.
"Is he always that strict?" Zak asked.
"Yup,"
"Zak, way a go there," Ron said.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "Don't encourage him."
"I'm not. In case you hadn't notice, Snape didn't read Newt Scamander's book of Fantastic Beasts. That book was awesome,"
"Which class is next?" Zak asked.
"I'm guessing is Quidditch! Yes!"
"I'm sorry to say but there won't be any Quidditch today," Hermione said.
"WHAT?!" Harry's and Ron's mouths were wide opened.
"Didn't you hear? The storm was worsening. Any outdoor activities are cancelled."
"Good," Zak said.
"Why?"
"Time for some investigation,"
"What investigation?"
"Oh, right, you don't know, but don't tell anyone,"
In a dark corner.
"That boy is sent here to find that cryptid; we have to be careful,"
"Right."
"Keep an eye on him. We don't want any trouble."
"Yes."
"ZAK! GET YOUR BROTHER OFF MY FIZZING WHIZZBEES!" Ron's voice filled the air. He tried to shoo Komodo but it was not working. Komodo kept on chasing him—and Ron kept on running. Komodo even grabbed some of his cape.
"Ronald, just give those to Komodo," Hermione said. "The poor fellow's just hungry."
"Hungry? He ate all my fizzing Whizzbees! All of them! This is my last!" Fiskerton then snatched the fizzing Whizzbees from Ron and swallowed them. Komodo whipped Fisk with his tail and Ron gave him a slap. Hermione shook her head.
Meanwhile, Zak and Harry just came back from Dumbledore's office. Zak was holding a wand. "Zak, you got your wand," Hermione exclaimed.
"Professor Dumbledore used unicorn horn dust and green pine wood to make it. He says it will amplify his power," Harry said.
"I like it." Then Zak sniffed his wand. "It even has a pine scent!"
"Good, you're back. Can you control your brothers NOT to eat all my food?!" Ron yelled.
"Sorry. Komodo's hard to be controlled. When there's food, nothing could control him," Komodo growled in agreement.
"Now, it's time for some investigation. From the clues we got before, it will be easy," Zak said.
"What clues?" Ron asked, assuming he didn't join the party.
"Well, my powers temporarily couldn't sense any cryptids nearby except my siblings, but I did pick up a claw mark at the corridor just outside Slytherin's common room."
"What kind of claw mark?"
"I had checked the books. It looked like something big and sharp made those. But temporarily I couldn't identify it." Hermione added.
"The main point is, when was the claw mark made? Who had even took a creature inside Hogwarts without any notice? There are students everywhere." Harry said.
"But not at night," Ron said.
"They smuggled a cryptid during night?"
"It's possible. During night, everyone's asleep, right?"
Zak's phone rang. "What's that?" Ron asked.
"Umm... my phone... please excuse me..." Zak walked to a corner with Fisk. "Hello?"
"Zak, is that you?" Drew's voice asked.
"Mum? What's wrong?"
"Oh, sweetie, I missed you so much. How are you?"
"Uh... mum, you're calling me just to say that?"
"Rummy!" Fisk yelled.
"Oh hi, Fiskerton, I missed you too. Of course not, Zak. There's grave news indeed. We received news from Dr. Cheechoo that someone was spotted taking some 'water' from the Lake of Engulfer,"
"Wait... Engulfer? But I thought we cemented them,"
"Unfortunately he managed to take some of them too. You got to be careful. Our side isn't looking good,"
"Why?"
"You see, the first cryptid missing was a Naga. And the Nagas were pretty upset right now. We'll try our best to convince them NOT to attack your school,"
"When did the Engulfer was taken?"
"The suspect was found taking them this afternoon,"
"Thanks mum, love ya'," Zak shut his phone and turned to his friends.
"What's wrong, Zak? You looked upset," Harry asked.
"We have a situation in our hands. Another cryptid, or cryptids, were missing. And the Secret Scientists saw the suspect but couldn't make out who's he."
"Cryptids? You mean more are missing?" Hermione asked in concern.
"Yeah, only they're in micro-size."
"Huh?" Ron had question marks over his head.
"Bacteria that lived in water causing the water to act like 'alive',"
"Ugh..."
"When was it missing?" Harry asked.
"This afternoon,"
"Well, there's a storm this afternoon, so I don't think our students would have done it,"
"That means someone is letting Hogwarts taking all the blame!"
"You bet,"
"Then we have to keep a lookout for any suspicious bottles with greenish water. That's our only way," Zak exclaimed.
"Then what are we doing here? Let's go!"
The gang searched high and low for the suspicious bottle containing the Engulfer. They searched the bathrooms; closets; under sofas; behind pictures hanging from the wall; and even almost everyone they met during the day. Finally, they agreed to reunite at the fountain outside.
"Any luck?" Harry asked.
"Nope, not at west wing," Hermione replied.
"Neither at East or South." Zak said.
"Even at north, we couldn't find anything at all," Harry exclaimed. "Are you sure the Engulfer is around here somewhere?"
"I'm definitely sure,"
"Wonderful," Ron said sarcastically. He placed his hand into the fountain's water and played with it. But then something grabbed his hand and dragged him into the water without notice. He struggled for his friends' help. But they didn't notice.
"Where do you think they hid the bottle?" Zak said.
"It's probably anywhere. Hey, have any of you checked the greenhouse?" Hermione asked.
"Good idea Hermione! Let's go! Wait, where's Ron?" Harry looked around but still no signs of Ron.
"Maybe he left,"
"Let's forget him. Come on," Harry led the way but then there were gasps from around and there were noises behind them. A Patronus spell was released in air and gave a powerful shining light.
"Where did that come from?" Zak asked.
Then, another Patronus spell was released again and heading towards them. Luckily they dodged quickly and the spell corroded a wall.
"It came from the fountain!" Hermione yelled. Next, Ron was thrown by something from the fountain and landed in front of them.
"Why in the world you do that, Ron?" Harry asked, angry at him for casting such dangerous spell at them.
"Because of that…" he pointed at the greenish 'water' which was rising from the fountain.
"I think we found the Engulfer…"