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-| Chapter 13 |-

The girls giggled, their conversation momentarily drowned out by Hagrid's booming voice as he led the class towards a secluded area on the grounds. Anticipation crackled in the air as they approached a small, reinforced enclosure nestled amidst the towering trees and vibrant vegetation. This was their chance to witness the legendary Abyssal Serpent firsthand.

Professor Hope's demeanor switched to one of cautious respect as she approached the enclosure, her wand held tightly in her grasp. Hagrid, ever the gentle giant, reached out and stroked the cold stone wall with reverence. A low rumble emanated from within, sending shivers down more than a few spines.

"Alright, everyone," Professor Hope called out, her voice firm enough to penetrate the excited buzz. "Let's gather around and observe, but remember, silence is key. We don't want to disturb this magnificent creature."

The students inched closer, hesitant but captivated. As the darkness within the enclosure shifted, a colossal shape emerged. Its sleek, black scales shimmered with an otherworldly sheen as the Abyssal Serpent glided effortlessly through the water. Its eyes, glowing with an eerie luminescence, scanned the students with an intelligence that sent shivers down Maddy's spine.

A collective gasp rippled through the group. Neville, ever the brave Gryffindor, stammered a question, his voice barely above a whisper. "Professor, how do we know it can't sense our magic even if we stay still?"

Professor Hope nodded thoughtfully. "An excellent question, Mr. Longbottom. While remaining still discourages aggression, some Abyssal Serpents possess a heightened sensitivity to magical energy. However, Hagrid and I have taken precautions by placing dampening charms around the enclosure."

As the students continued their observations, an eerie silence descended. The only sound was the gentle lapping of water against the enclosure as the enormous serpent continued its mesmerizing movements. Maddy, however, couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Not by the serpent, but by something else. Her gaze darted nervously around the clearing, catching a glimpse of a dark figure disappearing behind a large oak tree.

"Who was that?" she whispered urgently to Lisa, her heart pounding in her chest.

Lisa, completely engrossed in the spectacle of the serpent, shook her head. "Didn't see anything, Maddy."

Maddy frowned, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. Could it have been Draco? Or someone else entirely? The memory of Professor Percy's cryptic warning about Professor Park fueled her anxieties.

Meanwhile, Professor Park, observing the Care of Magical Creatures class from a distance, furrowed his brow. He too had spotted the fleeting figure vanish behind the oak tree, and his mind raced with possibilities. Was it a student playing a prank? Or something more sinister?

His gaze flitted between the students and the retreating figure, his handsome features etched with concern. Torn between investigating the potential threat and his own class responsibilities, Professor Park let out a frustrated sigh. He needed to tread carefully, find a way to discreetly gather more information without raising unnecessary alarms.

As the lesson concluded, Professor Hope and Hagrid led the students away from the enclosure, their hushed discussions trailing behind them. Maddy lingered at the back, her eyes scanning the clearing for any sign of the mysterious figure.

Suddenly, a crumpled piece of parchment fluttered down at her feet. She bent down, a thrill of anticipation shooting through her as she picked it up. Unfurling the note, she found a single sentence scrawled across the page in hurried handwriting:

"Meet me by the Whomping Willow tonight. Come alone."

Maddy's breath hitched. Who could have sent this? And what secrets did they hold? A rush of excitement mingled with fear coursed through her veins. Clutching the note tightly, her mind whirled with questions. Was it a prank? A dare? Or something more serious?