0197 Race (Part-3)

0197 Race (Part-3)

The oak boat that came into their sight was twice as big as Harry and Hermione's boat. This was a special favor from Professor Watson to accommodate the huge size of the two young wizards on board.

Slytherin's Crabbe and Goyle!

Harry felt a wave of anger and disgust as he recognized the bulky figures of Malfoy's cronies. Because Professor Watson had said that this was a race, Draco Malfoy had ruthlessly abandoned his two loyal lackeys and chosen Pansy Parkinson, a simpering girl with a pug-like face, as his partner.

Harry's face sank as soon as he saw these two. He turned the rudder and changed direction to get away from them, but Hermione stopped him.

"Wait, Harry, look at their faces."

Hermione blinked and looked at Crabbe and Goyle, who were slowly drifting towards the orange light. She realized right away.

"They seem to be bewitched by Hinkypunk!"

That was indeed the case. Even though their boat was twice as big as the others, Crabbe and Goyle's eyes were still dazed, and they looked silly. They stared blankly at the orange glow, ignoring Harry and Hermione not far away, and just controlled the boat to slowly go there.

"It's not easy for these two big fools." Harry sneered.

"I guess their heads smoked before they figured out how to make this boat move, and that's how Hinkypunk took advantage of them and controlled their minds."

"Don't say that, Harry."

Hermione said in a slightly reproachful tone, then looked anxiously at Crabbe and Goyle, who were sliding into the foggy vortex.

"Do you think we should warn them, Harry?"

"Are you crazy, Hermione?"

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "These two big fools won't appreciate our kindness, and besides, Professor Watson won't let the young wizards really get into trouble, he just wants to teach them a lesson. Malfoy used such a despicable way to frame Hagrid, and lied to avoid playing against the Gryffindor team. In my opinion, it's just right to let them go down and take a bath!"

Frowning slightly, Hermione hesitated and nodded.

"Alright, you're right."

Splash!

Just as they were about to mind their own business and change direction to continue exploring, a horned, green-toothed, long-fingered monster suddenly jumped out of the pale green mud under the calm water.

The monster grabbed the boat's gunwale with one hand and reached straight for Crabbe's collar with the other, as if it wanted to drown them both in the water! It was a Grindylow, a small water demon with a vicious temperament and a carnivorous appetite.

"Relashio!"

Seeing this scene, Hermione didn't have time to think, and instinctively acted. She took out her wand and pointed it at the Grindylow. After a clear shout, a faint stream of air jumped over sixty feet in an instant, hitting the claw of the thin and long finger that was holding the gunwale. The Revulsion Jinx was effective underwater, as it shot jets of boiling hot water that scalded the Grindylow's skin and made it release its grip and retreat.

Poof!

"Damn it!"

Harry was quick-witted. He figured out what Malfoy had told the Slytherin gang of stinky snakes.

"Go to the stern, Hermione!" He shouted. "I guess Malfoy gave them orders, as soon as they see our boat, they'll attack!"

He knew that Malfoy was a coward, who would never face Harry himself, but would use his minions to do his dirty work.

"But, Harry!" Hermione stumbled back to the stern, injecting magic to make the oak boat move.

"Professor Watson clearly said that we are not allowed to attack each other!"

She was a rule-abiding girl, who always respected her teachers and followed their instructions. She did not want to get into trouble, or worse, lose points for Gryffindor.

"Professor Watson only said that we are not allowed to use our wands to attack each other, Hermione!" Harry said. Since last year, when he was tricked by Professor Watson in dealing with the 'Inferi', he had learned to listen carefully to his instructions.

As Harry said, Crabbe and Goyle drove their boat straight at them, and this was no fun. Their boat was twice as big as normal, and once they hit it, they would be superior to others. Due to its mass, there was no way Harry and Hermione's boat could survive the damage. It would be smashed to pieces, and they would be thrown into the water, where they would face the dangers of the Grindylows, the Silverback Fish, and the Hinkypunks.

Clang!

It was just a slight collision. As Hermione screamed, the two people's boat shook violently from side to side, and Harry and Hermione might have been thrown out of the cabin if they hadn't been prepared enough. They held on to the gunwale tightly, and tried to balance the boat.

"I thought their boat would be slow!" Harry gritted his teeth.

"Professor Watson probably put a spell on this boat, ignoring the weight factor, and only considering our magic!" Hermione screamed.

She realized that Professor Watson had enchanted the boats to match the magic level of the occupants, and that Crabbe and Goyle had an advantage over them. They had not used much magic, while Harry and Hermione had used a lot to deal with the obstacles and the creatures in the water. Their boat was slower and weaker, and they had to find a way to escape.

In the process of dodging the Silverback Fish just now, Harry and Hermione had consumed a lot of magic. Harry and Hermione had to use their wands to deflect the water arrows, and to stun the fish that came too close.

Because of the fast speed, Crabbe and Goyle's boat drew a huge arc when turning on the water surface, and taking advantage of this time, Harry and Hermione barely stabilized the boat and ran in another direction, but Crabbe and Goyle chased them up with a grin.

"These two stupid fools probably never had such a glorious moment in their lives!" Harry thought angrily. He felt like he was riding a Nimbus 2000 and competing with a Firebolt, being crushed in a straight line, and could only rely on constantly flexible turning to avoid Crabbe and Goyle's repeated collisions.

"Show them what you just did, Hermione, or we'll end up feeding the fish."

Harry said. He was referring to the Improved Levitation Charm that Hermione had used earlier, to knock out the Grindylow that had attacked them.

"Oh, no, Harry!" Hermione stubbornly said with a sweaty cheek.

"You said it yourself, Professor Watson doesn't allow us to use magic to attack each other!"

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