Upon hearing this, Ethan thought: I didn't expect to attract a Kelpie.
Neville nodded like a pecking chicken, his face pale. "Y-yes! How about we head back tonight and find a professor first—"
"—What a pleasant surprise!" Ethan interjected.
Neville: ??
Ethan clapped his hands and exclaimed with delight, "While picking flowers, we can also witness rare magical creatures! This trip was worth it!"
Neville fell silent. He should have gotten used to Ethan's unconventional way of thinking by now.
At the same time, Neville breathed a sigh of relief, thinking: Ethan's attitude is so relaxed—he must be confident in dealing with the Kelpie! I won't be in any danger.
Neville relaxed and quickly caught up with Ethan.
Meanwhile, Ethan thought: A horse-shaped Kelpie that carries people on its back and drowns them... I wonder what it feels like to ride one? It must be very interesting.
Ethan and Luna exchanged glances, both revealing expectant smiles. He looked at Neville and saw that he was smiling too. Ethan nodded knowingly. I understand. You want to play too, right? Everything was unsaid.
Crossing the land scattered with branches and thick pine needles, the three people and one dog stealthily arrived at the lakeside.
What greeted their eyes was a beautiful and vast lake, almost endless at a glance. The shimmering water reflected the moon's radiance, like a silver road leading to another world.
And on the vast lakeside, there was a field of argon-white flowers.
"Wow," Luna exclaimed softly. Her blue eyes, like the lake, sparkled. "They weren't in bloom last time I came... They're so beautiful."
"Indeed," Ethan nodded. He took a deep breath, inhaling the elegant and magic-filled fragrance.
He saw white flowers, each about the size of a fist, swaying gently in the night wind. It was like an ocean made of pearl powder, surrounded by countless pale yellow fireflies. It emitted a misty white magic. It was truly like a hidden wonderland in the deep forest, incredibly beautiful.
—In the present world, the moonpetal flower, which should have been extinct, was cultivated by them! By changing the past, the seeds were preserved. And then, through the hands of the extraordinarily talented "gardener," Neville Longbottom, finally, they were able to bloom again in the torrent of history!
Ethan's heart surged. He turned his head, looked at the uneasy Neville, and smiled. "Want to give Professor Snape a surprise? Let that sarcastic old bat know that preparing potion ingredients is just as important!"
"E-Ethan...!" Neville's eyes welled up with tears, moved beyond words.
"From now on! Make Professor Snape kneel while teaching you!" Ethan continued.
"Okay—huh???" Neville replied.
Neville's smile froze. His immense emotion immediately turned into horror.
Neville reached out his hand, but before he could shout "Ethan, no!" a loud "splash" suddenly echoed from the lake.
A huge shadow rose. What appeared before them was a monster with a long neck and a body covered in dark green, seaweed-like hair! Through the gaps in the "seaweed," a pair of glowing eyes were revealed. It was glaring down at them furiously!
"Roar—!!!" It roared, throwing its head back. The forest birds scattered and flew away!
"E-Ethan!!" Neville shrieked.
Sirius lowered his body, letting out a threatening growl.
"What a big fellow," Ethan said. "It seems it's mistaken us for intruders."
However, compared to the dragon he dealt with in his first year, this little Kelpie is still too green!
—"Incarcerous!"
As the words rang out, Ethan flicked his wrist, and his wand, transformed into a paintbrush, drew a circle in mid-air.
Immediately after, a golden circular barrier suddenly rose around the Kelpie! It was firmly bound within. No matter how furiously it crashed, it couldn't shake the barrier!
"Luna!" Ethan called.
"Mm!" Luna responded.
Waving her slender and pale hand, her wand danced lightly in the air, and an ethereal blue magic surged forth. Like the gentlest of hands, it enveloped the delicate flowers, protecting them.
One gold, one blue. Like the sun and moon. In the blink of an eye, they easily controlled the violent and terrifying Kelpie!
One should know, Ethan and Luna might only be the size of one of this behemoth's claws!
"T-too amazing!" Neville stared wide-eyed, muttering in a daze. "Is this the power of magic...!"
At the same time, Neville was completely relieved. The biggest threat was resolved.
All that was left was to pick moonpetal flowers—huh??
Ethan turned his head. Under the cool moonlight, he flashed an incredibly sunny smile at the dumbfounded Neville. He grabbed his arm. With his other hand, he linked with Luna.
He smiled and said, "Ready to go!"
Neville screamed in terror: "Wait—"
"Water monster, fly!" Ethan commanded.
In an instant, with a whoosh, the Kelpie, pulled by magic, crashed into the barrier. It couldn't move an inch.
And Ethan and his companions, subjected to an incredibly powerful recoil, suddenly shot into the air! They flew rapidly towards the Kelpie! They landed precisely on the Kelpie's seaweed-covered back!
It was at this moment, the barrier trapping the Kelpie disappeared!
The next second, the Kelpie, carrying three "stowaways," furiously plunged into the water!
"Help! Gurgle gurgle gurgle—" Neville cried.
As for Ethan and Luna, they had already prepared by casting the Bubble-Head Charm. Clutching the Kelpie's mane, they swam freely in the underwater world. They admired the strangely shaped rocks and laughed as small fish swam in schools.
"How interesting," Ethan murmured. He curved his eyes and exchanged glances with Luna. He watched her golden hair float behind her like silk.
Neville: "Gurgle gurgle gurgle—Puh-ha! S-save me—"
Luna curved her lips, raised her hand, and gently brushed away the stray hair from Ethan's forehead. Her eyes sparkled, and she said softly: "Yes. More interesting than visiting villagers' homes at night."
"E-Ethan! Please, you—" Neville pleaded.
Ethan chuckled, a nostalgic expression on his face. "We were so young then, and the arterial bleeding effect was still very crude."
Neville: "Gurgle gurgle gurgle—"
Neville's eyes rolled back, and he clung desperately to the Kelpie's mane purely out of survival instinct. He looked a bit "dead." This formed a stark contrast with Ethan and Luna beside him.
The lake surface churned like boiling water as the Kelpie thrashed. Sirius sat on the ground, listening to the screams and laughter that echoed through the night. He couldn't help but sigh: "Youth..." Meeting Ethan, you've found your fortune for this lifetime.
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"Heave-ho."
Ethan jumped off the exhausted Kelpie's back and raised his hand to catch Luna. He comfortably stretched his limbs. He felt his whole body stretched out.
"Indeed, sometimes a Gryffindor adventure is quite interesting," Ethan said.
He turned his head. He saw a "water-soaked sack" softly rolling off the Kelpie's back.
Neville's eyes were spinning, and he mumbled vaguely: "Grandma... this magazine really belongs to my classmate..."
Ethan nodded. "So energetic."
"Roar." The Kelpie growled, glaring indignantly at Ethan. It still eyed him menacingly, wanting to swallow this two-legged beast that had trespassed into its territory.
However, this time, Ethan squinted and cast a light warning glance.
In an instant! As if being stared at by some unspeakable terrifying beast, the Kelpie suddenly felt an immense pressure!
With a slither, it plunged into the lake like a loach! It was utterly silent.
"Good boy," Ethan said, his lips curving slightly.
He thought to himself: Next, it's time to collect the moonpetal flowers.
According to historical records, moonpetal flowers, like unicorns, only allow those with pure hearts to approach them. Preferably pure maidens. If approached by someone with evil intentions, the blooming moonpetal flowers would quickly wither. But what exactly is 'purity'? There's no standard... I think I fit the description very well.
Just as Ethan rolled up his sleeves, intending to pick them himself, he turned his head and froze.
He saw Luna standing amidst the white flower field, surrounded by fireflies. Her golden hair fluttered slightly in the night wind, her blue eyes curved, filled with pure joy.
In her hands, she held a fully bloomed, delicate, and dewy moonpetal flower.
She chuckled softly: "Ethan, I got it~"
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