Chapter 11: Drill Officers

Albus Dumbledore had heard everything from the students sitting right in front of him. He remained silent for a while, which scared the students. To Zak, when adults remain silence after hearing to explanations, they will think up all sorts of punishments. What would Dumbledore do to them?

He wouldn't ground us, right? But he looked so nice…and besides I have a good excuse. I'm here to solve the mystery, the conspiracy. Right? Zak looked at Harry, but he looked just as afraid as Zak was. Zak gulped.

"Hmm…"

"Umm…" Hermione spoke up bravely. "Mr. Dumbledore? Could you tell us what are you actually thinking? Your silence is bugging us."

"Hermione," Harry tried to stop her from continuing.

"Professor Dumbledore?"

"Do not worry. I shall not punish you," Dumbledore smiled. The kids were in relief.

"Thank goodness…" said Ron. "I thought we were toast."

"But—"

"I knew it. There is always a price," murmured Zak.

"Since the news of the INCIDENT just now, the whole school was spreading about cryptids attacking our school. And worse. A rumour about a war between magic and cryptids is about to commence spread too far. Students are getting worried. We all know those are just rumours, but the other students doesn't. At least now I know you, Zak, have help from Harry, Hermione and Ron for assistance to solve the mystery. But you MUST solve the mystery fast. Before things get worse."

"Does Umbridge knows about this?" asked Harry.

"Temporarily I gave her an excuse of having unexpected training drills around the school, example for the flies and the living water incident. But she'll not buy this any longer. If any more cryptids endanger the school, I'm afraid M.O.M will start taking over. Starting by Umbridge. I shall not cover you for long, Zak. Solve the mystery, quick. Before it's too late."

"Why?" Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Ronald, you have no idea what Dumbledore was talking about all this long?" Hermione sighed.

"No, but I'm not dumb. I'm just confused. It's just a few cryptids missing. But why does it involve M.O.M? And why does M.O.M is so serious about this? It doesn't make sense. At least, if the cryptids missing, it involves Zak's secret scientist thing, right? Not magic, right? You get what I'm talking 'bout? And at first why those snake-looking creatures are attack Hogwarts anyway?"

"You didn't explain to them even though they joined your investigation without any reasons?" Dumbledore asked.

"Umm…hehe…maybe I missed out that part…" Zak felt guilty instantly.

"We help Zak because he's our friend. Helping friends need no reasons," Harry explained.

"We helped him but in the end we ended up almost being killed!" Ron retorted.

"Ronald! Zak's our friend!"

"I know, but—we almost got killed TWICE, remember? That drives me insane!"

"I'm sorry…"Zak apologized with guilt. He didn't know he caused so much trouble to his friends.

"Zak, I didn't want you to apologize. I don't blame you. I just want to know what the hell was going on."

"Really? You don't… blame me?"

"We got killed all the time, thanks to Mr. Potter here, but at least for some reasons. But this time I got killed for reasons that I don't know, twice! Now could you explain, Zak?"

"Phew… I really thought you would be mad…" said Hermione.

"Yeah I would be really mad if you don't tell me now."

"Ok… so here goes. It all starts when—"

"So you mean, a snake—I mean a 'Naga' snake-napped from its home and PROBABLY brought to here because someone wanted to do whatever on it and try to frame Hogwarts for it? Man that's bad!" gasped Ron after hearing Zak's story.

"No wonder those Nagas attacked us before," said Hermione.

"And to slow down the process of the investigation, those bad guys tried to kill us with flies and water. That sounds… reasonable…" Harry tried to sound convincing. "But at least I got a clearer picture than before."

"Thank goodness you guys finally get it. I thought I have to explain it all over again for the third time…" Zak glared at Ron.

"Hey! Don't glare at me! You're the one who didn't tell us at the first place!"

"Now, are you children clear?" asked Dumbledore. He too seemed bored.

"Yes."

"Yup!"

"Yeah."

"Well then I sure you will give Zak the assistance he needs. But just to be sure, to prevent any suspicion in case anymore cryptids attack again, I now hereby appoint you, Zak Saturday, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley as Hogwarts' one and only 'Drill Officers'. If there are 'drills' happening, you will know what to do. Defeat the cryptids or the so called 'drills', and evacuate and to calm down the students. Do I make myself clear?"

"YES SIR!" the four raised their hands before their foreheads to honour their new 'job'.

"Good. Now I wish you good luck and solve the conspiracy before anything bad happens."

"YES SIR!"