Harry Potter: From Muggle Cousin to Conceptual Archmage

The Black Lake is located south of Hogwarts Castle, and it is home to many magical creatures.

The main inhabitants include a group of ugly merpeople and a giant squid.

The mermaids here are ugly, unlike the mermaids in legends. They are rude in behavior and not gentle in nature. However, they have a magical covenant with Hogwarts. They have lived in the Black Lake for generations, acting as the southern defense line of Hogwarts, and they won't harm the students of Hogwarts.

As for the giant squid, despite its large size, it is a friendly and gentle creature. If a wizard falls into the lake, it will use its huge tentacles to rescue the wizard and send them back to the shore.

So, Malfoy's concerns about jumping into the lake to take a bath were actually a bit excessive.

But Malfoy was right about one thing.

That is, taking a bath in the lake really couldn't solve their dilemma.

Because the transfiguration spell on Dudley couldn't be removed simply by washing with water.

"Dudley, look behind! It seems they're going to cause trouble again!"

On the chained boat in the front position, Hermione, who was in the rear boat, noticed something strange behind them and quickly passed the message to Dudley in the front boat.

At this time, Dudley had already heard the rapid and disorderly sound of rowing from behind. He roughly guessed what Malfoy was thinking, let out a soft laugh, and warned his companions:

"Hold on to the side of the boat and sit tight! We're going to speed up!"

After saying that, Dudley gently patted the chained boat and released his magic power.

In the next moment, the chained boat carrying Dudley and the other four shot forward like an arrow leaving the bow, suddenly accelerating, kicking up high splashes of water, and dashing towards the faintly visible destination at top speed.

It left the other boats far in the rear.

It also caught Hagrid, who was leading the way, by surprise.

He let out a helpless, silly laugh, took out his oak wand that no longer needed to be hidden under an umbrella, waved it twice, and also increased the speed of the other first - years' boats.

However, to ensure safety, the speed Hagrid added was far less than the speed Dudley had given to the chained boat. It couldn't even reach the water splashes from the chained boat.

The Malfoy Trio, who had rowed to the middle of the fleet, watched the chained boat speeding away in the distance and felt completely disheartened.

"Is this Dudley Dursley really going too far?"

Malfoy said angrily. But then he remembered the shocking remarks Dudley had made in the compartment, and his full - blown anger immediately turned into a long sigh.

"Boss Malfoy, should we still chase them?" Goyle asked in a low voice.

"Chase what! They're clearly trying to embarrass us! Not only may we not catch up, but if we do, we'll only end up in more trouble!"

Malfoy was at a loss. For now, the only thing they could do was to seek help from the Hogwarts professors. They hoped that the professors coming to greet the first - years would respect their privacy and take them to a secluded place to lift the spell.

"Why aren't you rowing?"

Malfoy suddenly asked, which left Crabbe and Goyle completely confused.

Since Malfoy had decided not to chase, they had stopped rowing and were just letting the boats move at a constant speed with the spell cast by Hagrid.

"Boss, didn't you say we shouldn't chase anymore?"

"

Crabbe asked in confusion.

"We're not chasing them anymore, but we have to find a professor at Hogwarts to lift the curse first! Two idiots, keep rowing quickly!"

...

The Malfoy Trio didn't get the upper hand after all.

It wasn't just them who had hands; the other first - years did too.

Originally, everyone was admiring the night view of the castle in the distance, looking forward to the upcoming Sorting Ceremony, and in high spirits.

But the three stinky mud - covered guys who rowed into the middle of the fleet at high speed ruined everyone's mood.

Everyone used their own methods to increase the speed of their boats and strived to be the first, trying to leave the Malfoy Trio's boat far behind, so as not to smell the stench that wafted with the wind.

As a result, they were in a tug - of - war with the Malfoy Trio.

When everyone accelerated, it was impossible for the Malfoy Trio to rush to the front. They managed to keep up only thanks to the fat on Crabbe and Goyle that provided strength.

After a hearty rowing race.

The mud - covered robes on the Malfoy Trio were mixed with a lot of sweat, becoming even stickier and messier, and the stench became even stronger.

After they docked, as expected, they received a barrage of complaints, accusations, and scolding.

Their mental state was almost on the verge of a breakdown.

Meanwhile, Dudley and his four companions had already landed early and were waiting there with grins, waiting for Hagrid to lead the other first - years to arrive so that they could lead the way.

When Malfoy saw that smiling face, his hatred grew even stronger.

But he had no way to deal with Dudley. He could only continue to act like an ostrich with Crabbe and Goyle, bowing their heads. No matter how harshly the others scolded, they didn't dare to talk back, for fear of revealing their identities and tarnishing their family's reputation.

Hagrid obviously also noticed the three mud - covered guys in the group. He originally planned to deal with them, but when he saw Dudley's half - smiling expression, he instantly understood that these three had offended Dudley.

Those who pissed off Dudley? They ain't no good kids. Serves 'em right to have a taste of hardship.

Thinking like this, Hagrid simply ignored them. Anyway, he would bring everyone to the Great Hall later, and the great Principal Dumbledore would handle everything.

So, Hagrid pretended not to see anything and led the group of first - years to the gate of Hogwarts Castle.

The group formed the familiar three - section formation again: Dudley and his four companions were in the front, the Malfoy Trio was at the back, and the other first - years were in the middle.

The place where the first - years docked was the underground pier of the castle, which was reached after passing through a dark tunnel.

There was a gravel road leading upwards here.

After walking along this road and then passing through a rock tunnel carved in the mountain, everyone finally came to an open grassland.

Not far ahead, after climbing some stone steps, was the mysterious and magnificent gate of Hogwarts Castle.

Hagrid held up his lantern and stepped forward to knock on the door firmly.

The door opened automatically. There appeared an elderly - middle - aged witch with long black hair, tall in stature, wearing square glasses and a pointed wizard hat, and dressed in a bright green wizard's robe. She pursed her lips, with sharp eyes, looking very serious.

It was Ms. Minerva McGonagall, the current vice - principal of Hogwarts.

Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall first nodded to Hagrid and asked if all the first - years had arrived. After getting an affirmative answer, she was about to take over from Hagrid and lead the first - years into the castle.

Unexpectedly, when she casually swept a glance over the line of first - years, she noticed three masked and muddy boys standing isolated at the end of the line.

"Oh my god! Merlin's beard! What's going on here? Are you three first - years? Who turned your clothes into this mess?"

Professor McGonagall walked through the automatically parting line of first - years and, enduring the stench, came up to the Malfoy Trio. She asked them earnestly.

She didn't use the Bubble - Head Charm on herself to keep the stench away. She thought it would hurt the three boys' self - esteem even more.

"Could... Could you take us somewhere else and help us lift the curse?"

Malfoy squeaked, trying to change the tone of his voice. He pleaded humbly with Professor McGonagall in an extremely respectful and pitiful tone.

He wasn't acting as arrogant as usual at all.

Professor McGonagall immediately understood Malfoy's intention not to lose face. She immediately said she'd be happy to help them, but first she needed to know who did this.

The upright Professor McGonagall would never tolerate such a vicious bullying incident among the students.