At this moment, Basil was breaking into Safehouse No. 7, left behind by Voldemort.
Seven. The number Voldemort was most obsessed with and believed to be the most magical.
His original plan was to create seven Horcruxes.
So what would Safehouse No. 7 be like?
That was why, after meeting Quirrell, even though Transfiguration class was next...
Basil didn't have the patience to wait.
He teleported directly to the Slytherin statue, called for Lala the House-elf, and had Lala take his Diary to that safehouse.
He himself projected part of his consciousness onto the Diary.
Although Basil didn't have the same extraordinary dominance over item/creature Summon Cards as he did with plant cards...
He could still project his consciousness into them and experience things as if he were there.
Just like when he replicated Harry's inner fear earlier: he merged with the Boggart, read the fear image through its eyes, and projected it into Harry's mind.
Right now, although he was physically in Transfiguration class...
His consciousness, another self, seemed to spin on the spot with the House-elf Lala and Apparate away from the Slytherin statue.
The sensation was extremely peculiar.
He didn't know how House-elf Apparition differed from a wizard's.
Maybe it was because the Apparition distance was too far.
Before reappearing...
That is, in the intermediate stage between vanishing from the original spot (Disapparition) and appearing in the new location (Apparition)... the feeling was marvelous.
Everything around turned pitch black. Intense pressure came from all directions—up, down, left, right, front, back.
He couldn't breathe.
His chest felt like it was being squeezed tight by iron bands; his eyeballs seemed forced back into his head; his eardrums were pushed deep into his skull.
Although this feeling lasted only an instant, it felt like a century had passed.
It was a severe test of mental and physical stamina.
He wondered if it would be less uncomfortable once he was proficient, or if wizard Apparition was different.
Then, a cramped, narrow room appeared before his eyes.
The walls were inlaid with green, cold-glowing gems.
The ceiling had been enchanted.
He could clearly see the view above—a dark, deep riverbed covered in water weeds.
Dotted with patches of snow-white gravel.
Judging by the Scottish salmon swimming past occasionally, they probably hadn't left Scotland.
This lake connected to the sea.
Also, the eels here were enormous, each 7 to 8 meters long.
Once upon a time, to pick up a British backpacker girl traveling in China...
He had specifically researched famous scenic spots near her home.
So, this was Loch Ness?
Normally, eels leave Loch Ness around age 10 to travel to the Atlantic and Florida, where they mate, spawn, and die quietly.
But because there are no natural predators in the lake...
A large number of eels go against their nature and stay.
Combined with the low water temperature and lack of movement, they grow bigger and bigger.
The "Loch Ness Monster" is actually just these giant eels.
Of course, that was the Muggle explanation—or the explanation from his past life.
In the wizarding world, this wasn't a secret.
The Loch Ness Monster is actually the world's largest Kelpie.
Kelpies are shape-shifting water demons found in Britain and Ireland.
Although they can take various forms, they most commonly appear as a horse with bulrushes for a mane. They lure unwary people onto their backs, then dive straight to the bottom of the river or lake, devouring the rider and letting their entrails float to the surface.
The one in Loch Ness prefers the form of a sea serpent.
Observers from the International Confederation of Wizards confirmed its identity as a Kelpie when they saw it transform into an otter as a team of Muggle investigators approached, then turn back into a sea serpent once they left.
The Office of Misinformation works hard to convince Muggles that all photographic evidence of "Nessie" is fake.
So, in this world...
The Loch Ness Monster isn't treated as a giant eel.
But as a product of sensationalism.
"So, you want to create a new Summon Card? A Kelpie?" Riddle, emerging from the Diary, spoke to Basil in his mind.
Just now, while Basil was thinking, Riddle had dealt with the trap Voldemort left behind.
Those glowing green gems.
If the visitor wasn't a House-elf, Voldemort himself, or someone he had given the counter-curse to...
The light would turn into threads, boring into the intruder's body.
Controlling the intruder and sending a message to the trap's creator.
But the one who came was Riddle.
Who was practically the same person as Voldemort.
So he simply cast a Lumos; the magical signatures matched, and the trap deactivated automatically.
On the other side, Basil, pretending to guide Ron on Transfiguration points, replied mentally: "Of course. This is the largest Kelpie in the world. The creature summoned by a Summon Card is based on the imprinted original. This way, the Kelpie I summon will also be the biggest and most majestic. Not to mention it can be upgraded later!"
Enlightened about the nature of cards by Riddle, he could now take photos through his summon's eyes.
"But first, inventory the safehouse. I wonder what treasures are inside?" Basil rubbed his hands together like a fly.
"Mr. Granger, what are you doing?" Professor McGonagall, feeling a bit uncomfortable that Basil hadn't sought her attention today, found fault with him.
"Professor, Basil is teaching me Transfiguration," Ron explained quickly. "Adding an extra step to your method: silently reciting the object to be transformed three times in your mind before casting. It increases the success rate."
"That is indeed a good method," McGonagall nodded. "But in a duel, no one will wait for you to recite three times. This is purely a test-taking technique. Once you succeed, I suggest gradually reducing the number of recitations. 5 points to Gryffindor!"
She paused. "However, that wasn't what I asked. I was referring to Mr. Granger's strange movements."
Damn! You're just picking on me, aren't you!
Basil rolled his eyes and made up an excuse. "This is a movement to focus my attention. Friction heats the palms. To perceive subtle changes in my palms."
"Oh?" McGonagall pursed her lips. "Have you been reading books from the Introspection School?"
"What is the Introspection School?" Basil was surprised.
Did a blind cat just catch a dead mouse?
The students practicing around them stopped and looked at Professor McGonagall curiously.
McGonagall looked around and said helplessly, "I didn't want to mention it. This school of thought is too whimsical. Or rather, it might lead you astray."
"The founder of this school, Benjamin Morden, believed that the best way for a wizard to strengthen themselves is to look inward. He claimed that every wizard is a strong being who determines how the world is through their Self. Not a weakling who needs to learn theory, knowledge, and observe how the world is."
"A wizard only needs to close their eyes and meditate all day, using perception to detect subtle changes within themselves. If they persist, various abilities will emerge automatically."
"Is that true?" Ron raised his hand eagerly.
Seamus and Neville also looked eager.
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "This school was popular in Yorkshire in the 17th century. The best among them... only mastered a Levitation Charm that required no wand, incantation, or gestures. Their leader's most powerful feat was merely condensing a fireball in his palm out of thin air."
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