Watching the basilisk affectionately coil around Luke's wrist like an emerald bracelet, he couldn't help but smile.
The spell he had just cast was a type of magical contract: the Blood Oath—a powerful pact ensuring neither party could harm the other. Of course, this was his own modified version.
It only bound the basilisk from harming him, while placing no restrictions on himself.
Moreover, he had made the basilisk the vessel of the oath—unless the serpent was killed, the pact would remain unbroken.
Now, he could raise the basilisk without worry.
"From now on, your name is Herpo."
Luke, terrible at naming things, simply borrowed the title of "Herpo the Foul", the first wizard to ever breed a basilisk.
He then placed the basilisk in a sealed room, reinforcing the door with magic to prevent escape or accidental intrusion.
After all, there were now thousands of dwarves outside the tower, along with villagers hired to cook for them. Inside, there was also Edward the butler and Legolas, who had just returned from Mirkwood.
Luke planned to carve a secret chamber into the mountain beneath the castle once construction was complete—a proper lair for the basilisk.
Time passed swiftly, and soon, the castle neared completion.
Atop Weathertop now stood a grand fortress.
The outermost layer was a towering, thick wall encircling the entire mountaintop, its battlements wide enough for patrols, lined with arrow slits and watchtowers at regular intervals.
The main gate was a pair of massive bronze doors, intricately engraved and mechanically fortified—impossible to open from the outside without the proper key.
Beyond the gates lay a vast courtyard, crossed by a straight white-stone path leading to a fountain at the castle's heart. The fountain's waters came from a deep underground spring, tapped after the dwarves dug nearly a kilometer down.
Atop the fountain stood a golden dragon statue—Smaug's personal request. He had even contributed gold from his hoard for its construction.
(The dwarves had initially wanted to sculpt Luke's likeness, but he vetoed the idea—the thought of guests gawking at his statue was too embarrassing.)
The fountain's overflow fed into a garden stream, passing between the Mallorn and White Tree, pooling into a small lake before cascading down the western cliffs into the marshes below.
The main keep, built around the original Amon Sûl tower, was a sprawling eight-story structure with multiple towers and annexes.
The old watchtower remained the tallest point, looming over the rest like a rocket surrounded by boosters.
Other facilities included greenhouses, stables, servants' quarters, and guest rooms.
The Great Hall, accessible from the tower, could host a thousand guests—perfect for feasts, celebrations, and official gatherings.
"How do you like it, Luke? Any changes needed?"
Balin, the project's overseer, led Luke on a full tour before asking for feedback.
Luke nodded approvingly. "Dwarven craftsmanship is unmatched. I have no complaints!"
Then he sighed. "Though I do wonder—how am I supposed to live in such a massive castle alone?"
Even the original Amon Sûl tower had been spacious. Now, with the expanded fortress, the place felt enormous.
Balin chuckled. "You're a lord now! You'll need servants, guards, and attendants—not to mention guests. This castle will fill up soon enough."
Luke considered it. He did need staff—someone to clean, tend the gardens, and feed Smaug, Herpo, and even the giant spiders.
He couldn't handle all that alone, not when his time was better spent on magic, alchemy, and meditation.
"Oh, and the underground tunnels are nearly done. Care to take a look?" Balin added.
Luke's eyes lit up. "Already? Let's go!"
They descended a hidden staircase behind the cellar, leading to a sheer, spiraling stairway carved into the mountain's heart.
At the bottom lay a concealed stone door, operable only with a special key.
When opened, it revealed a natural cavern with an underground river flowing outward.
"This connects to the marshes," Balin explained. "We can dig it into a lake, then keep boats here—an escape route if needed."
Luke nodded. "How long would that take?"
Balin grinned. "With Smaug's help? Less than half a month."
The dwarves had long realized why the dragon was so eager to assist—he wanted the construction over with, so the dwarves would stop draining his hoard on ale.
Two weeks later, a crescent-shaped lake encircled Weathertop's base, merging with the eastern and northern cliffs to form a natural moat.
The only access was now a stone bridge leading to the castle gates.
And so, the Castle was complete.
Luke named it—
Hogwarts.