Thousands of years ago…
"Giant squid?"
The cool air of the vast lake wafted across its surface.
The youth with pale blue eyes gazed at the squid playing in the black waters before him, his gaze somewhat helplessly directed at the wizard beside him. The man had fiery red hair, a thick beard, and a sharp, angular face—like a fierce lion.
"Yes, I found this little fellow when I was clearing out a dark wizard's stronghold in the English Channel. It has Kelpie blood, and perhaps something else... The rats treasure it and want to tame it!" He laughed heartily. "But he's a brave lad. He's resisting them. I plan to adopt him."
The man was always like that. He loved seeing the weak possess the courage to resist their abusers.
"That's a funny joke today, Mr. Godric." The young wizard said wryly. However, there was a hint of skepticism flashing in his eyes. "You're adopting it? But I assume you're going to leave it in my care, right?"
He knew his mantra all too well.
Godric Gryffindor was brave and passionate—a steadfast and reliable companion. He was willing to try anything—battle dragons, defeat dangerous Dark wizards, or even challenge Muggles to a sword fight. But don't expect him to care for or feed anything... unless you have a grudge against it.
"No way! No way! I haven't finished the report Salazar asked me for the course, and I'm busy..." When he saw the boy was about to refuse, Gryffindor winked. "Haven't you always wanted to learn that spell I created? The one you think is so cool... I can teach you that," he said with a mischievous smile.
"...You're so cunning, teacher."
"Oh, I think so too—but it's a pity Salazar keeps calling me a reckless fool." Gryffindor stroked his beard cheerfully. "Then it's settled. But before that... well, we need to come up with a name!"
"Let's call him Shuja'ah. He's truly a brave man!" The boy decided on the Arabic word for 'brave.'
"Shuja'ah? I think so too!" Gryffindor said, picking up the ornate silver sword lying on the ground. "Then I leave it to you, my disciple." When I'm gone in the future—it will protect you, bless you, and accompany you."
Just like that moment in the Black Lake on the first day of school in 1991.
"Shuja'ah!" Ryan murmured the name softly, waving his wand. The giant tentacles swirling in the water stopped moving, and the giant squid's eyes, through the moonlight, gazed upon Lion, filled with deep longing. "She said the wrong thing, but she's not a Dark wizard—you don't need to hurt her, do you?" Ryan's voice was barely audible.
As he spoke, he flicked his wand, and Pansy Parkinson flew back to his side. The young witch was clearly terrified, her face pale as she gazed at the giant creature in the sea and at Ryan, standing at the side of the boat. She didn't know what had happened, or what Ryan had done, but there was no doubt—in that moment, Ryan towered over her.
"Well, I should go to the Sorting Ceremony," Ryan whispered softly to the giant squid. He made a gesture with his hand—a small gesture that both he and the giant squid understood, a gesture that meant, "I'll come back to play with you later."
And then...
Boom!
The giant squid's tentacles slapped the surface of the lake, as if nodding in the water, then its massive body turned and dove into the deep water.
"Wow!" This, understandably, caused another massive wave, drawing another round of exclamations from the young wizards. When the water returned to calm, the young wizards remained in a state of reverie.
"Huh," Hagrid sighed with relief, patting his chest. "Alright, little ones—it looks like the giant squid just played a joke on you." Despite being on the lake, his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
"A joke?" But then, a boy with amber-blond hair exclaimed, "Big man, what are you talking about—that monster almost killed Parkinson! It even ruined my robes. It shouldn't be here. If I tell my father, it'll be sentenced to death on the spot."
"Oh, don't be ridiculous," Hagrid said with a frown. "It's one of the oldest creatures at Hogwarts, and a precious magical beast... I mean, it'll protect you, young wizards!"
"Look at its wrist—feel, so strong and beautiful..." Hagrid's obvious enthusiasm about magical beasts didn't sit well with the young wizards. At that moment, most of them looked at Ryan with admiration.
"Wow! Bro, that move you just made..." Seamus, who was also on the boat, leaned closer. He excitedly pulled out his wand and whirled it around. "What kind of spell is that? Shah or something... so cool!" He didn't manage to cast any spells, but Ryan saw flames emanating from the tip of his wand.
"..."
Ryan, sensing the danger, stopped him immediately. "That wasn't a spell... I panicked, just reading what I saw in a book."
"Maybe Hagrid's right, the giant squid was just playing a prank on us?" He also added casually, but Seamus and the Parvati sisters still looked at him with admiration.
The other young wizards were no different. Their single-handed act of confronting the giant squid and saving their classmates under the moonlight was truly unforgettable! Especially Pansy Parkinson. She didn't apologize or thank him, but simply huddled in the far corner of the boat, her face pale, occasionally glancing at Ryan, then abruptly turning away before he could look at her.
But Ryan didn't care; he continued dealing with Seamus. After this little hiccup, the journey was uneventful. Passing through a curtain of ivy, the boat docked smoothly, and the young wizards hurriedly disembarked.
"Oh, you..." As they disembarked, Ryan heard Hagrid speaking to him.
"Ryan Elias." Ryan introduced himself quickly.
"Oh, Ryan, thank you—you're a brave and good boy, and that levitation spell was excellent," Hagrid sighed.
Although he now believed the giant squid might just be playing a prank on the children, he also knew that if Ryan didn't intervene, Pansy Parkinson would undoubtedly fall into the Black Lake. While she wouldn't necessarily be harmed, she could still get sick or frightened—and if that happened, it would be his responsibility as the guide.
"Headmaster Dumbledore trusted me to guide you, and I almost got him into trouble," Hagrid admitted, showing a great deal of trust and respect for the headmaster.
"You're welcome, Hagrid." Ryan responded politely.
Under Hagrid's guidance, they passed through a tunnel and across a lawn, arriving at the door of a hall. "Slow down, go down the stairs—Professor McGonagall is waiting for you at the hall's entrance. The sorting ceremony is about to begin."
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Author's note
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