"Using Transfiguration... conjuring a piece of cloth and wrapping its head... that's the right trick..."
Professor McGonagall faintly heard Artel's voice. She saw him extend his wand, wave it twice, and perform a complex Transfiguration spell.
The broken stone on the ground, shattered by the basilisk's attack, rapidly deformed and transformed into a massive black hood that landed squarely on the basilisk's head. Then, some broken wooden boards turned into ropes, tying the bottom of the hood tightly.
The basilisk struggled frantically, but couldn't shake off the black cloth covering its head. Its violent movements sent countless gravel pieces flying. It twisted desperately, trying to hide its body among the rubble.
"This..."
Professor McGonagall was momentarily stunned, even forgetting to control the stone puppet. One thought dominated her mind:
Does Transfiguration still work?
If they had known this earlier, they wouldn't have been so passive!
Snape opened his mouth and finally let out a smirk. He looked at Artel with genuine admiration:
"Nice job, Artel! A smart Slytherin!"
Professor McGonagall quickly followed suit. She removed the Transfiguration spell on the stone puppet and turned all the rubble on the ground into chains, which pierced through the ground and tightly entangled the basilisk, pinning it to the floor.
The basilisk writhed wildly, roaring, its tail thrashing the ground and sending boulders flying. Professor McGonagall's face grew even paler as her magic began to wane.
Snape cast two precise spells, striking the basilisk's eyes with shadowless divine sharpness. The rags covering its eyes turned back into rubble mid-air.
Blinded, the basilisk's struggle intensified. Professor McGonagall swayed but gritted her teeth and persevered.
"Although you're doing well, Artel, it's dangerous here. Hurry back..."
Snape looked sternly at Artel. He, too, followed Professor McGonagall's example, using Transfiguration to create more chains and further bind the basilisk.
Professor McGonagall felt a significant relief. She breathed a sigh of relief as Snape helped Nagini retreat to the door of the lounge.
"Artel... you've... done well. Go... go back!"
Nagini's face was bloodless as she fought back her weakness and tried to stand.
"I can't go back. You're all weak now... You can't hold the basilisk for long..."
Artel's words made Professor McGonagall's heart skip a beat. She was about to respond when Artel asked:
"The skin of this basilisk has magic resistance, and it's difficult to kill it with spells... You mentioned the Sword of Gryffindor can kill it?"
"Yes." Professor McGonagall nodded, catching her breath.
"We need to get it. Where is it?" Artel pressed urgently.
"It's in the headmaster's office," McGonagall replied. "But getting it won't be easy with the basilisk rampaging here."
Artel's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll find a way. Hold on a bit longer."
With a final, determined look at the professors, Artel dashed out of the room, heading toward the headmaster's office to retrieve the legendary sword that could save them all.
Professor McGonagall wanted to send Artel back, but seeing his determined gaze, she sighed and said, "That's the sword left by Gryffindor. It has the ability to kill basilisks... However, only those who truly possess the characteristics of Gryffindor can summon it when needed."
"Then where is this sword now?" Artel asked eagerly, his eyes showing a hint of excitement as he glanced at the basilisk being cornered by several stone puppets.
"I don't know exactly... Dumbledore mentioned that it's in the Sorting Hat, but..." Professor McGonagall, despite being the Head of Gryffindor, was not entirely certain about the sword's current location.
"I think I can try," Artel declared confidently.
Snape, still panting heavily, glanced at Artel with a hint of curiosity and skepticism. Artel stepped forward, positioning himself between Professor McGonagall, Snape, and the basilisk. His voice, though soft, carried to the three professors and the Slytherin students behind them.
"I believe I have the qualities of a true Gryffindor... A real brave person who, when faced with danger, dares to confront it, face it, and defeat it! I can't retreat because my friends are behind me! I love Hogwarts!"
Artel raised his right hand high and shouted, "Sword, come!"
The Slytherin common room fell silent. All the students held their breaths, listening intently. The only sounds were the basilisk's struggles and roars, and the faint rubbing of chains.
Draco Malfoy, watching Artel's back, felt a surge of envy. He wished he could trade places with Artel and bask in the spotlight. Pansy Parkinson clasped her hands tightly together, a small star of hope lighting up in her eyes.
"A Summoning Charm..." Professor McGonagall and Snape exchanged surprised glances. Summoning a specific object, especially something as significant as the Sorting Hat, was no simple feat.
A minute passed, feeling like an eternity to Artel.
Suddenly, an excited shout came from behind him, "Look! The Sorting Hat is coming!"
Cheers erupted among the students, but Professor McGonagall and Snape remained cautious. Even if the Sorting Hat had been summoned, it was uncertain whether Artel could draw Gryffindor's sword from it.
The Sorting Hat floated into the room, landing gracefully before Artel. He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and placed the hat on his head.
"Please, give me the sword," Artel whispered.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the hat spoke in a quiet, ancient voice, "Only those who are truly brave and worthy can wield the sword of Gryffindor."
Artel grabbed the Sorting Hat in his hand, and the moment he touched it, he influenced its judgment through the power of the One Ring. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he put his hand into the Sorting Hat.
"Sword, come!!"
As Artel pulled out his hand, a sword slowly appeared before his eyes.
It was a magnificent sword that gleamed with a cold light. The hilt was adorned with gems, and the blade shone brilliantly.
"Did he really pull it out?!!"
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened in astonishment. Snape looked equally incredulous.
He stared at the sword, feeling that it didn't quite resemble the Sword of Gryffindor. The Sword of Gryffindor wasn't this dazzling...
But what other sword could be in the Sorting Hat?
Snape shook his head, thinking he might have exhausted too much mental energy, causing him to be in a trance.
At this moment, Artel, holding Gramderin, had transformed into a formidable melee mage.
He could clearly feel significant changes in his body. His physical fitness had greatly improved, and various melee combat and swordsmanship skills filled his mind.
Artel twirled the sword effortlessly, a fluid and graceful motion.
A scream came from behind.
It sounded familiar—it was Pansy's voice.
The basilisk seemed to have sensed the threat. The creature, which had momentarily paused, began to struggle violently again, twisting with all its might and roaring in discomfort.
"Artel... be careful!"
Professor McGonagall's urgent voice came from behind. Two rays of light swept past Artel's side as Professor McGonagall and Snape cast their final spells to control the basilisk.
The basilisk's contorted body stiffened instantly. Artel's eyes sharpened with determination...
Without hesitation, Artel leaped forward, his body moving instinctively.
Under the disbelieving gazes of the three professors and the gathered students, Artel soared into the air. The long sword in his hand suddenly blazed with a dazzling light, so bright that everyone had to shield their eyes.
They could only vaguely see Artel holding his sword high, moving forward...
Like a knight slicing through the darkness, Artel brought the terrifying basilisk down with a single, powerful stroke, severing its head from its body.
....
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