Chapter 72 - 72 Homing Snakes

Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Homing Snakes

"Silvanus, are you sure you're not joking?!" Professor McGonagall said tightly, glaring at Professor Kettleburn, who was standing on the basilisk, her expression full of anger.

"Putting such a dangerous creature in the Forbidden Forest next to Hogwarts Castle—what if it escapes and causes harm to the students? Will you take responsibility for that? Or do you think that sixty-two detentions aren't enough and you want to break your own record again?"

Professor Kettleburn awkwardly laughed, pretending not to hear, and lowered his head to continue examining the basilisk's body.

"This is a truly rare species. I never expected to see a basilisk in my lifetime," he marveled, looking at the basilisk's eyes. "I recall that snakes and geckos, like other reptiles, don't have eyelids. But this basilisk can close its eyes. Is it due to its innate abilities?"

Seeing Professor Kettleburn once again immersed in studying magical creatures, Professor McGonagall shot him an annoyed glance before turning back to rejoin the conversation between Dumbledore and Dracula.

However, the moment she turned her head, Professor Kettleburn performed an unexpectedly agile move for his age and slid down from the basilisk.

"Oops, I forgot Minerva was still here," he muttered quietly, then leaned on his cane and limped towards the door.

At the door, he seemed to remember something and looked back at Dumbledore.

"Albus, let's discuss where to place the basilisk in the Forbidden Forest next time when Minerva isn't around!" he called out.

Professor McGonagall, furious, rushed after him to demand an explanation from Professor Kettleburn.

Seeing her follow, Professor Kettleburn quickened his pace, tapping his cane on the ground as he went.

The two elderly people walked out of the room at a surprisingly brisk pace, as if competing in a race...

In the blink of an eye, the room where the Mirror of Erised was located was left with only Dracula and Dumbledore, standing face-to-face.

"Dumbledore, do you have any thoughts on where to place this basilisk?" Dracula asked, stroking the basilisk's smooth, cool head. "It can't really be placed in the Forbidden Forest like Professor Kettleburn suggested, can it?"

"Let's skip the Forbidden Forest," Dumbledore said decisively. "Even if we disregard the impact and conflict the basilisk might have on the native species of the forest, there is another issue to consider—"

"I am well aware that many brave students might secretly venture into the Forbidden Forest. If we place a creature like the basilisk, which could kill with its gaze, in there, it would indeed be too dangerous."

"So, you are aware that students sneak into the Forbidden Forest?" Dracula raised an eyebrow at him, with a strange look. "I thought the warning you gave at the school feast about forbidding entry into the Forbidden Forest was just for show. I've never seen you enforce it."

"Ahem, occasional adventures can help develop young wizards' courage, creativity, and adaptability," Dumbledore said, clearing his throat. "So I usually don't stop them from exploring the forest's periphery, provided it's done safely."

"But how do you ensure those mischievous ones won't venture deeper into the forest?" Dracula asked.

"Don't worry. The most dangerous areas of the Forbidden Forest are protected by appropriate magical defenses, so the young wizards cannot enter them," Dumbledore said with a wink. "If they do enter dangerous areas, it would definitely be because I allowed them to."

Hearing the latter part of his statement, Dracula couldn't help but sneer and uninterestingly pop a blood-flavored lollipop into his mouth.

He had almost guessed that Harry Potter and his friends would likely face more trouble—

At the right moment, this old headmaster would definitely secretly lift the magical protections on the Forbidden Forest and allow the so-called savior to venture into the more dangerous depths of the forest, to test his courage, creativity, and adaptability.

Such long-term scheming and training were something Dracula found utterly boring.

He patted the basilisk's head and changed the subject.

"Since we're not going to place it in the Forbidden Forest, do you have any other ideas?"