A Certain Magical Hogwarts

To celebrate Christmas, the Great Hall at Hogwarts had been transformed into a spectacular wonderland. 

Holly and mistletoe garlands adorned the walls, while twelve towering Christmas trees stood proudly around the room. 

Some trees were decorated with glimmering icicles, while others sparkled with hundreds of floating candles.

Despite the festive decorations, most students were too preoccupied with the recent Black Lake incident to appreciate them.

Professor Quirrell was absent from the feast. Rumor had it that Filch had found him earlier that day, disheveled and covered in bruises, curled up in a corner clutching his scarf and sobbing uncontrollably.

Madam Pomfrey had declared the injuries beyond her expertise, citing psychological trauma that would require treatment at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. 

However, by the time Dumbledore summoned a specialist, Quirrell had mysteriously vanished.

Meanwhile, Professor Snape demanded that William and his friends lose house points for "destroying the noble friendship between wizards and merfolk." He also insisted that Cedric hand over the stolen mermaid hair.

Dumbledore, ever the diplomat, resolved the issue with the merfolk chief after a private discussion, and the matter was swiftly laid to rest.

…

The next day, as students packed their trunks and boarded the Hogwarts Express for Platform 9¾, William walked Cedric and the others to the train station before setting off on his own stroll.

A light snow continued to fall as William and Hermione walked together, their footprints forming two neat parallel tracks in the snow. William held a simple umbrella over Hermione, shielding her from the swirling snowflakes.

After they reached a quieter spot, Hermione asked curiously, "How are we getting to Mr. Flamel's? By train? Or maybe a bus or a Portkey?"

William shook his head. "None of those will work. You can't reach Nicolas Flamel's estate using ordinary methods."

Nicolas Flamel had lived for over six centuries. In that time, he had encountered countless wizards—and more than a few dark wizards who coveted his wealth and the Philosopher's Stone. 

As a result, Flamel's estate was surrounded by powerful ancient enchantments. Apparition was impossible, it wasn't marked on any maps, and no conventional mode of transportation could reach it.

Without a guide, no outsider could locate the estate or its entrance.

From his pocket, William retrieved two golden invitations, each bearing their names—William Stark and Hermione Granger.

Holding up the invitation, William said, "We're ready to leave."

The golden parchment floated into the air and burst into golden flames, consuming the letters without leaving a trace. 

From the ashes, a golden toad materialized, croaking twice before swelling to a massive four meters in height. A wooden door appeared on its side.

William turned the doorknob and stepped inside, followed closely by Hermione. As they entered, torches along the walls flared to life, illuminating a luxurious interior.

The room was spacious—about twice the size of Dumbledore's office. 

Bookshelves lined the left wall, while the right was stocked with an impressive collection of fine wines. The opulent decor was direct testament to Flamel's extraordinary wealth.

Standing to one side was a house-elf, impeccably dressed in a dark suit with a coffee-colored tie, tight trousers, and leather loafers. He bowed courteously as they entered.

House-elves were small creatures, typically two to three feet tall, with long, thin limbs, oversized heads, and bat-like ears. 

Most wore old pillowcases or tea towels as clothing. This elf, however, was a far cry from the norm. He looked impeccably groomed and elegant.

"Mr. Stark, Miss Granger," the elf said with a bow. "My name is Mercury. I will be at your service for the duration of your journey."

William nodded politely in return. Although he had seen house-elves before in the Hogwarts kitchens, none had been as well-kept as this one.

Unlike most house-elves, Mercury even carried a wand in his pocket. While technically illegal, such rules didn't apply to someone of Flamel's stature—what wizarding authority would dare challenge him?

Hermione, meanwhile, stared at Mercury in fascination. It was her first time seeing a house-elf.

William and Hermione settled into a plush sofa as Mercury gestured toward a tea set and a plate of biscuits on the table.

"If there's anything else you'd like to eat or drink, simply say the word," Mercury offered.

William marvelled at the toad's luxurious accommodations. Even their mode of transport was extravagant—this was what it meant to live on a different level.

No wonder Nicolas Flamel was a legend.

Mercury pulled a conch shell from his pocket and spoke softly into it. "Passengers confirmed. Mr. Flamel, I will deliver your guests by 5 PM. Let me know if you require anything further."

"What's that?" Hermione asked, pointing at the shell.

"A Whispering Conch," Mercury explained. "It's a small alchemical device created by Mr. Flamel."

Though Mercury made it sound simple, such items were rare and expensive, akin to magical two-way mirrors.

Mercury opened a small door and stepped inside, taking his place in the control room located in the toad's "eye." With him at the helm, the enormous golden toad began to move.

In two massive leaps, the toad reached the Hogwarts train station.

"Look! What is that?!" Lee Jordan shouted from the train, pointing out the window.

All eyes turned to the four-meter-tall golden toad as it crouched and sprang away from the station. After a few more bounds, it dove straight into the Black Lake, creating a huge splash. Waves rolled onto the shore as the toad disappeared beneath the surface.

Inside the toad, the transition was seamless. The enormous leaps and the plunge into the lake weren't noticed in the slightest from within.

Hermione, captivated, began exploring their surroundings, dragging William along.

"This is the dining room."

"This is the bathroom."

"This is the shower room… Wow, what a massive tub!"

"And this is…" Hermione suddenly slammed a door shut, her cheeks flushing red.

Through the crack in the door, William glimpsed a lavishly decorated bedroom with an enormous bed.

The toad's skin turned translucent as it sank into the lake, offering William and Hermione an unobstructed view of the underwater world. 

It was like sitting in an aquarium, watching the mysterious ecosystem of the Black Lake unfold before them.

The murky depths were filled with waving black seaweed that formed a tangled forest. Glittering pebbles lay scattered across the sandy lakebed, creating an otherworldly landscape.

As the toad swam deeper toward the lake's center, a large rock formation came into view.

Carved into the rock were depictions of merfolk wielding spears, led by a striking woman as they chased a massive squid-like creature.

Unlike the merfolk William had encountered earlier, this woman was breathtakingly beautiful. 

Her bare upper body revealed voluptuous curves, and her flowing hair cascaded down to her waist, accentuating her alabaster skin.

In her right hand, she held a gleaming silver trident.

For a moment, William felt as though the mermaid were alive. Her presence was mesmerizing.

Then, faintly, he heard it—a hauntingly beautiful song, like the voice of an angel.

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