Chapter 6

The Black Lake

The rest of the train ride passed quickly, which included Alan becoming hyperactive after downing ten chocolate frogs, Patrick popping a huge bubble of Drooble's Best blowing Gum on his head, Allegra rummaging through her spell books, searching for an anti-stick charm, and the cards catching on fire three times during our Exploding Snap match.

A prefect came by t notify us that we would be arriving at school soon so we changed into our robes. Once in uniform we all sat down.

"Well, this is it," Cheyenne said as the train came to a halt.

"Yep," Patrick nodded, "the moment of truth," We laughed.

"Just remember guys," Alan reminded us, "keep calm and carry on!"

We laughed again, rising from our seats, out of the train to Hogsmeade station.

"Live long and prosper!" Alan called in farewell as he and Patrick disappeared into the crown. I shook my head. Alan was a strange character.

"Ready?" Cheyenne asked. I nodded.

"Firs year, o'er here!" a booming voice called. I glanced up.

"Whoa," it was a man, one of the hugest I had ever seen. He had thick, mangled brown hair, covering half his face and he was so tall!

"How will we be getting to the school?" Cheyenne asked.

"Just follow me," He winked.

A crowd of us first years followed him though the village towards the lake.

"Did you feel that?" I asked Cheyenne.

"What?"

"Rain,"

She shrugged and I turned my attention back to the giant man who had led us to a fleet of boats.

"4 to a bout," he said. I glanced from Cheyenne to the other girls.

"I'll find someone else to go with," Mina offered, "don't worry,"

"Alright," said Cheyenne, "see you inside,"

Cheyenne, Allegra, Lisa and I got into our boat and pushed off the shore. Soon we were all off, following the giant man.

"I'm professor Hagrid by th' way," he introduced himself, "Care of Magical Creatures professor, Hogwarts gamekeeper,"

"My brother mentioned you!" Lisa exclaimed suddenly, "said that his friend got attacked by a Hippogriff," She blushed, realizing that she practically just insulted him, "but he must've provoked it somehow," she added quickly.

"Proud creatures, them Hippogriffs," Professor Hagrid nodded, "don't wanna get on their bad side,"

I looked back at Lisa.

"Shouldn't have brought it up. My brother and his friends are idiots,"

"Malfoy, you mean?" Allegra asked, "I heard about that. My brother knows him. He hangs around with those two big blokes Crabbe and Goyle,"

"Yep," Lisa nodded, "that kid is a menace, honestly. So greedy and self-centered and fake,"

"I met him too," I told her, "my dad works with his dad,"

'And?" Cheyenne asked.

"He seemed okay," I shrugged, "but I get why you say fake,"

Lisa nodded, "spoiled twit, he is,"

"Better not let him hear you say that," Cheyenne warned.

"Yeah, I heard the rest of Slytherin treats him like a god," Allegra added, "he'll probably call his Daddy on you," We laughed.

"Oh he knows what I think of him," Lisa shrugged, "I just hope the rest of Slytherin isn't as conceited as he is,"

Thunder cracked in the air.

"Hold on tigh-!" Professor Hagrid called, and soon enough it was pouring, the water raging.

"Oh my god!" Allegra cried as our boat tipped, letting water in.

"Ugh!" I cried, a splash soaking my back. I knew that this wasn't a good idea.

"Argh!" a voiced screamed in agony. A boy had fallen overboard.

"Professor!" I called as the boy struggled. Professor Hagrid reached out to grab him, but he was pulled under the water. Screams echoed over the lake and something hit the underside of our boat.

"Oh no!" I cried, as I saw a tentacle bob above the water.

"Sea monsters?" Lisa screamed.

"The Lochness?" Cheyenne asked.

"What?" Allegra called.

"Calm down! No need to be afraid!" Professor Hagrid called. However, no one paid him any attention.

"Holy shit!" Lisa cursed. I turned and from behind her a tentacle protruded, holding the boy.

"Thanks buddy!" he called happily to the tentacle who lowered him back into his boat behind. The creature then disappeared, swimming underneath us to the other side of the Black Lake.

"He was so cool!" the boy broke the silence, "what was it?"

"Giant squid," Professor Hagrid answered, "there's a couple o them here!"

"Awesome!" the boy said over enthusiastically. Someone's been living under a rock, I thought. Although I had been frightened at first it made sense.