The flying carpet glided slowly eastward.
The three Blakes lay on it, gazing at the stars in silence. The sky was clear—no clouds to obscure their view. Blake's weather spell was too effective for that. No dark cloud could linger under its influence for even a second. Eventually, he found it tedious to keep clearing the sky, so he simply had the carpet fly above the clouds, ensuring nothing obstructed their view of the vast, glittering night.
"We should reach Sweden by tomorrow, right?" Luna asked.
"Definitely."
"How are we supposed to find the Snorlax?"
"We look where Snorlaxes like to be."
"Oh..." Luna fell silent for a moment before hesitantly asking, "What if... What if we can't find it?"
Blake glanced at her, surprised. He hadn't expected Luna—who was always the most steadfast believer in the Bent-Horned Snorlax—to voice such doubt. Could it be that she was questioning its existence? Had her belief only been an act to support her father?
Still, Blake didn't hesitate in his response. "We will find it. As long as this creature exists in the world, I can track it down. And if it didn't exist before—well, now it does."
Luna exhaled. "Good... Sometimes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment."
Blake noted her rare moment of uncertainty but simply reaffirmed, "We will find it."
The carpet's pace seemed slow, but because it flew in a straight line, the journey wasn't as long as it felt. They rested on the carpet for the night, recuperating before their search began.
Early the next morning, they landed. The hunt for the Bent-Horned Snorlax had begun.
Blake led them with purpose, focusing on swamps, dense forests, and caves—environments that suited the Snorlax's supposed habits. When Blake had created this species, he had followed Xenophilius's descriptions exactly. The Snorlax was designed to prefer cold, damp places and to avoid light and heat.
Luna knew these details well, yet even she wasn't aware that Blake had done more than create a single Snorlax. He had introduced an entire population into Sweden.
"We need to mask our scent," Blake instructed, pulling out two bottles of spray and handing them to Luna and Nagini. "Snorlaxes are extremely cautious and can Apparate. If startled, they'll simply vanish. That's why they're so hard to track."
Following his guidance, Luna and Nagini sprayed themselves thoroughly. According to Blake, this solution would make them undetectable to magical creatures—and as a bonus, it would keep mosquitoes at bay in the woods.
While they prepared, Blake unfurled a map, marking key locations. Of course, he included some "detours" to visit habitats of other magical creatures, like the Swedish Short-Snout dragon.
Once the markings were complete, Blake retrieved three broomsticks from his bottomless pocket pouch. After handing one to Nagini, he turned to Luna.
"Have you had flying lessons? Can you handle a broom?"
"Of course," Luna said confidently, accepting the broom.
"Good. Follow me."
Blake soared ahead, his broom modified for stability and speed. Luna followed with ease. Satisfied, Blake pointed toward their next destination.
But before he could speak—
"There! Catch it!" came a voice from nearby.
"I've never seen a creature like that before! It'll fetch a fortune!"
A group of men was shouting, clearly in pursuit of something.
Blake tensed.
A grey blur shot past them—a creature the size of a goat, with grey-brown skin, an enormous snout, and a curved, glowing white horn.
Blake's breath caught. "A Bent-Horned Snorlax!"
Luna gasped in delight. "We found it!"
Blake, however, felt conflicted. He had planned a longer journey—one where they could explore, collect magical creatures, and maybe enjoy themselves a little. But now, the very thing they sought had come straight to them?
This wasn't supposed to happen. He had released these creatures far from their landing spot specifically so they'd have to search for them.
Yet, here one was.
The Snorlax locked eyes with Blake and let out a deep, excited noise—something between a cow's moo and a rhino's grunt. It rushed toward him eagerly.
Of course, it did. Blake had tamed these creatures himself. Now, in danger, it had found its master and sought protection.
Blake sighed and jumped off his broom. The Snorlax rubbed its massive head against his robes.
"Easy there," Blake muttered, pushing the glowing horn away before it could poke him.
Luna watched in astonishment. "Aren't they supposed to be incredibly shy? Why isn't it running away?"
Before Blake could answer, the bushes behind them rustled violently.
More than ten figures emerged, wands raised.
Poachers.
The Snorlax trembled and hid behind Blake.
Nagini and Luna landed beside him, realizing the danger. Luna wanted to marvel at the Snorlax but now was not the time.
The poachers' leader sneered. "Hand over that creature, and we won't hurt you."
Another man stepped forward, eyes flicking between Nagini and Luna. He smirked. "Why waste time talking? Kill the guy and take the women."
The others raised their wands.
In a flash, a shimmering red shield enveloped Blake and the others. Spells rained down upon it, but the barrier held firm.
Blake pulled out his wand. His eyes darkened.
"Boom!"
A beam of fiery red light shot from his wand, sweeping through the poachers like a laser. Every man it touched flew back, crashing into trees with scorch marks across their chests.
In seconds, the forest fell silent.
Only the leader remained standing. His hands trembled as he stared at Blake, who strode toward him with cold determination.
"Don't come any closer!" the man stammered, raising his wand. "Avada Kedavra!"
The green light shot forward—but Blake flicked his wand, deflecting it with ease.
The poacher fired again. And again. Each time, Blake swatted the curses aside effortlessly.
Finally, Blake stood inches from the man.
"Avada—!"
Blake slapped him so hard that he crashed to the ground.
He stepped on the poacher's wand, snapping it in half, then grabbed the man's collar. With a flicker of golden sparks, he vanished—teleporting them both to a secluded location.
The leader sobbed. "Please—I'll give you all my money—"
Blake's eyes glowed with fierce golden light. "I didn't bring you here to negotiate. I brought you here because you made me angry."
The leader screamed as golden fire consumed him.
When Blake returned, he found Nagini standing among the bodies, her wand still raised. Luna looked shaken but resolute.
"You finished the rest?" he asked Nagini.
She nodded.
Blake sighed. "Let's go back."
Luna, still processing everything, simply nodded.
Blake flicked his wand, summoning a shimmering portal. "You two go first. I'll clean up here."
Nagini led Luna and the Snorlax through the portal, returning to the entrance of Hogsmeade.
Luna turned, watching as Blake remained behind, surveying the aftermath of the battle.
Then the portal closed.
=============
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