Harry Potter's : Fantastic Beasts Guide

The moment David stepped out of the castle, his body twisted and vanished in an instant. He reappeared deep within the Forbidden Forest, keeping his distance as he assessed the situation. Hidden behind a massive tree, large enough to shield three grown men, he observed the chaos unfolding before him.

Through the gaps in the foliage, David caught sight of the basilisk, its massive body coiled in the center of the battlefield. However, his attention was soon drawn to the creatures attacking it.

They resembled dragons, yet their skeletal structure was eerily visible beneath their tightly clinging black fur. Their bodies, reminiscent of enormous black horses, ended in long, dragging tails. From their shoulder blades sprouted large, bat-like wings, flapping lightly to lift their gaunt frames into the air.

Thestrals.

But these were not the same creatures David had read about. Something had changed them.

The basilisk struggled, swaying its head weakly at the entrance of the Eight-Eyed Giant Spiders' lair, fending off attacks from the mutated Thestrals. Its scales bore deep wounds, where the sharp teeth of its attackers had torn through.

David's heart sank. Even the Thestrals had mutated? This forest was no longer safe.

As the basilisk twisted in pain, it suddenly stopped. Its tongue flickered, tasting the air. In an instant, it turned toward David's hiding spot, slithering in his direction with evident excitement.

David stiffened.

Behind the basilisk, the Eight-Eyed Giant Spiders hesitated at the mouth of their cave, torn between fear and hunger. Then, silently, they began creeping out.

The basilisk's movement also alerted the Thestrals. Their hollow red eyes flicked toward David's position. With a collective shift, their dark forms turned, and then—

They attacked.

David raised his wand, prepared to fight, but he quickly realized he was outmatched. Unlike the spiders and the tree-dwelling monkey-frogs he had faced before, the Thestrals could breed rapidly in their surroundings. If he stayed here too long, more might appear.

Oh, this is bad...

A sudden realization struck him—Snape must have felt the same way just moments ago.

Decisively, David moved his wand in intricate patterns, whispering incantations. The surrounding trees trembled as their massive branches stretched toward the sky. The moment the Thestrals flew past them, the branches snapped shut, trapping the creatures in a cage of living wood.

The Thestrals screeched and struggled, their bat-like wings flapping frantically. Some branches creaked under the strain, but then, with another flick of his wand, David reinforced them. The wood shimmered with a metallic sheen, making their struggles futile.

Professor McGonagall would've definitely awarded him points for that transfiguration.

Meanwhile, the basilisk, long tormented by its attackers, seized the opportunity. It coiled around a massive tree, then lunged at the trapped Thestrals with renewed vigor.

"Alright, enough," David said, stepping forward and gently placing a hand on the basilisk's scales. "No grudges."

The basilisk hesitated, its large head stretching toward the Thestrals for a moment before reluctantly retreating.

"Good boy," David murmured, patting its jaw before turning his attention to the spider's cave.

The few spiders that had ventured out quickly realized the tide had turned. They scuttled back into the darkness of the cave at an astonishing speed.

David frowned.

Even if the basilisk guarded the area, he couldn't be sure other creatures wouldn't mutate and attack. The forest was unpredictable now.

Just as he was lost in thought—

Whoosh!

The sharp sound of an arrow cutting through the air made David's instincts kick in. He twisted backward just in time to see a long arrow whiz past, its tip trembling mere inches from his eyelashes before embedding itself into a tree behind him.

Accident?

Or an attack?

David raised his wand defensively, scanning the surroundings.

In the distance, the rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed through the forest. Within seconds, a group of centaurs emerged, galloping toward him with fierce determination. Their leader, a burly centaur, bellowed an order.

As they charged, they loosed a volley of arrows, turning the sky into a storm of deadly projectiles.

The centaurs, too, had been affected.

Reacting swiftly, David tore off his school robe, flicking his wand. The robe stretched and expanded, transforming into a massive cloth barrier that shielded both him and the basilisk. With another flick, he enchanted the fabric—any arrows that struck it would lose all momentum and slide harmlessly to the ground.

With a firm tug, David reclaimed his robe, leaving the centaurs' arrows clattering uselessly around him.

"Time to go," David muttered, scrambling onto the basilisk's back.

"Let's head for the castle."

The basilisk didn't need further prompting. It surged forward, slithering at breakneck speed, weaving between trees. The centaurs and other creatures chased relentlessly, but David and the basilisk were faster.

Just as they neared the forest's edge, a thunderous beating of wings erupted from above.

David looked up. A flock of Hippogriffs dived toward him, their fierce red eyes flashing. The sky darkened as their massive wings blotted out the moonlight.

"Move!" David urged.

The basilisk lunged forward, its momentum barely keeping ahead of the attackers. As the centaurs continued their pursuit, David flicked his wand at the ground behind them, instantly softening the earth into a swampy bog.

The centaurs galloped straight into it. Many became stuck, their lower halves sinking into the thick mud. Though some managed to leap over, the delay gave David the lead he needed.

In the distance, the familiar shape of a wooden hut appeared.

Hagrid's hut.

"HAGRID!" David shouted, his voice barely audible over the roaring rain. He cast a quick Amplifying Charm and bellowed again, "HAGRID!"

The door creaked open. Hagrid stood there, an apron wrapped around his waist, confusion written all over his face.

"David? What in Merlin's name are yeh doin' riding a basilisk in this rain? Get inside before ye catch a cold!"

"No time!" David shouted. "All the creatures in the forest are attacking! We have to get to the castle—NOW!"

The basilisk skidded to a stop outside Hagrid's hut. At that moment, Fang, Hagrid's boarhound, noticed the approaching threats. With a terrified whimper, Fang bolted straight for the castle, leaving Hagrid behind.

"Fang!" Hagrid shouted, but before he could react further, David flicked his wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Hagrid's massive frame lifted into the air, soaring toward the basilisk's back before settling behind David.

"What the—" Hagrid began, but David cut him off. "Hold on!"

The basilisk lunged forward just as an arrow struck the hut's wooden frame. With the creatures closing in, they raced toward the castle, hoping to reach safety before it was too late.

"Don't think about it—look back!" David commanded urgently.

"Huh?" Hagrid turned around hesitantly, his massive frame stiffening like a petrified statue. His hands trembled slightly as he took in the chaotic scene. "Are they all crazy?" he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief.

"You're right—they've gone mad. And now, I don't even know if there are any mutated creatures lurking in the forest," David said grimly. He cast a glance behind him and exhaled heavily, his mind racing with worry about the professors.

The castle was supposed to be safe, but tonight, safety was a fleeting illusion.

"What do we do now?" Hagrid asked, his usual confidence faltering under the weight of the bizarre events unfolding before them.

"Get back to the castle. The professors are there—we can block them out," David replied.

The creatures chasing them were numerous, but thankfully, they weren't the strongest inhabitants of the forest. At least Hagrid hadn't been raising any deadly cystic leopards in the woods. That would've made things far worse.

Scrambling up a small slope, David gave the order. "Go!" The basilisk surged forward, slithering toward the castle gate with frightening speed.

Students lingering near the entrance screamed in terror, some freezing in place, their legs refusing to obey their instincts to flee.

"Move! Get out of here!" David bellowed, his voice cutting through the confusion.

"What's going on? Where have you been for so long?" Fred Weasley called out. He and George had been stationed at the castle gates ever since they'd informed the professors about the strange happenings in the forest. They had wisely chosen not to venture out after witnessing the horrifying sight of the Acromantulas in pursuit.

David didn't answer. Instead, he focused on guiding the basilisk through the doors. As soon as the massive serpent was safely inside, he slid off its back, flicked his wand, and with a loud creak, the castle's solid gates slammed shut.

Just in time.

Arrows from the centaurs clattered against the wooden doors before falling uselessly to the ground.

David's stomach twisted into knots as he surveyed the scene outside. Every creature from the Forbidden Forest—except for the centaurs—was now encircling the castle. They were holding back, for now, but the tension in the air was suffocating.

"What in Merlin's name is going on?" a sharp voice demanded.

David turned to see Professor McGonagall approaching, her sharp gaze darting between him and the enormous basilisk sprawled across the entrance hall.

"Have the merpeople been secured?" David asked instead of answering.

"We've sealed the lake, and the windows in the common rooms have been reinforced," McGonagall responded, though her frown deepened as her eyes remained locked on the basilisk. "Now, would you care to explain why there is a deadly serpent in my school and why the creatures of the forest are behaving like lunatics?"

David took a deep breath. "The creatures in the Forbidden Forest—including the centaurs—have gone mad. They're all outside the castle."

McGonagall's eyes widened slightly in shock, but before she could reply, a sharp crack split the air. The sound of breaking glass echoed from above, and an eagle-headed, winged horse thrust its head through one of the shattered windows, its eyes wild and unfocused.

Gasps erupted from the students gathered in the entrance hall. Some even screamed.

"Quiet!" Snape's voice cut through the panic. With a flick of his wand, the creature jerked back violently as though yanked by an invisible force. It disappeared within seconds, and the broken glass seamlessly reassembled itself as if nothing had happened.

McGonagall wasted no time. "Professors, escort the students to the underground classrooms at once! Search for any remaining students in the castle and bring them to safety."

David hesitated.

"David, go with them," McGonagall ordered sternly. "You are not of age to be handling this."

"But—"

"Go!"

At that moment, another window shattered, and more creatures tried to force their way inside. The professors engaged swiftly, repelling them with well-placed spells.

David clenched his jaw but obeyed. With a nod, he signaled the basilisk. "Go upstairs or return to the Chamber of Secrets," he instructed.

The massive serpent gave an eerie hiss before slithering away to find an escape route.

"Come on, David," Fred urged, gripping his arm. George grabbed his other, and together, they pulled him toward the crowd moving toward the underground classrooms.

The dimly lit corridors leading to safety felt colder than usual. In the procession of frightened students, David spotted Hermione and Harry, their expressions tense.

"What's happening?" Hermione asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We were in the library," Harry added. "Madam Pince suddenly started shouting and forced everyone out."

"The animals in the forest have mutated…" David began, his voice weary as he recounted the events.

Ron paled, his lips trembling. "So what do we do now?"

David tried to sound reassuring. "The professors can handle it."

The lights in the corridor flickered, and the air grew heavier as they descended the final staircase leading to the underground levels.

Once inside, the professors ensured every student was safely tucked into separate classrooms. Professor Flitwick used an amplification spell to address them. "Stay where you are. Do not attempt to leave. We will handle the situation above ground."

The frightened students barely responded. Many were still processing the horror they had just witnessed.

After a final check, Flitwick exchanged glances with Professor Vector. Then, with a wave of his wand, the entrance was sealed, thick stone slabs shifting into place to block the way out.

The only illumination now came from a few dim magical orbs, their faint glow doing little to dispel the tension hanging in the air.

David felt Hermione lean against him slightly. "David…" she whispered.

He reached out and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. The creatures aren't that strong. The professors will take care of it. We're safe here."

The words were meant to be comforting, but as he glanced around at the silent, anxious faces of his classmates, he wasn't entirely sure he believed them himself.