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[Harry Potter] Malfoid Stories

Malfoid: Flirt 16 New
Ron, Hermione and Daphne walked some distance upstairs before the corridor opened around a familiar statue. Monty the Flighty stood frozen mid-gesture, one hand raised as if still conducting an invisible performance. He had been a beloved entertainer in his day, famous for animating puppets into epic battles, until an unfortunate allergy to cockroach clusters ended both the shows and the man. The painted smile on the statue felt increasingly out of place.

Ron drew a breath and tried to find the nerve he had managed in Dumbledore's office. It was harder here. Hermione, somehow, was more intimidating than Snape or Lucius had been.

"Hermione, I—"

"I'll make it simple, all right, Ron?" Her smile was tight and uncomfortable. "I don't care who you date. As long as you're happy, it's fine. It's not like you see me as anything other than a friend, right?"

"I… well, I mean… before now, yeah? But—"

"But nothing. I'm just your friend. That's it. That's simple, right?"

"Yeah, but what about you—?"

"Me? I'm fine. Just fine. You two? Have fun. I'll see you at dinner." She kept the smile in place, turned, and walked away at a pace just short of storming.

Daphne watched her go. "…She's still really mad."

"Yeah…"

Ron started after her. Daphne's hand closed lightly around his wrist.

"It's probably better to let her cool off for now, Ron."

"Yeah, but… ugh. Despite everything, I do… she's my friend."

"And she still will be. But as you said… we just need to go slow. And we'll all get used to it."

"You think so?"

"Humans can get used to all sorts of things. Like not being naked. That must have been strange, early humans needing clothes and not being naked."

Ron's ears warmed. "Ah… uh… yeah?"

"Are you thinking of me naked, Ron?"

"Wha—no!"

"Really? I'm thinking of you naked."

"Gah?!" His ears went bright red.

"Joking again."

"O-oh…"

"Maybe."

He stared at her. "…I'm not letting you meet Fred and George."

"Oh no. Boo hoo. Boo hoo. My boyfriend is ashamed of me. Won't introduce me to his family."

Ron groaned, then chuckled under his breath. He was, he supposed, asking for it with a girlfriend this odd. And this fun. The statue of Monty the Flighty continued to smile at nothing in particular as they stood there, Daphne's hand still lightly in his, the corridor quiet around them.

---

Finding a quiet, private place to cry had been a skill Hermione had needed to develop in primary school. Being so much smarter than everyone around her had forced her to learn where to hide from bullies. Hogwarts, fortunately, had no shortage of deserted places. In this case she found Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, shut herself in a stall, and let the tears come. She kept the sobs quiet, wiped at her face with the back of her hand, and still felt no better for it.

A knock sounded against the stall door.

"Go away," she managed, voice thick.

A handkerchief floated under the door. She took it, blew her nose, and stared at the fabric for a moment.

"…Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Alarm cut through the rest. She stood, pushed the door open, and found Fred and George standing near the sinks. Both of them looked uncharacteristically serious. The usual grins were absent.

"What do you want?" she snapped. "What prank—?"

"Hey, hey, hey. Easy there, Mione." George lifted both hands. "We've had a little sister who cried her eyes out before. We know the drill."

Fred held out a Chocolate Frog. Hermione eyed it with open suspicion, the handkerchief still clutched in one hand, and did not reach for it yet. The bathroom was quiet around them except for the slow drip of a tap and the faint, distant sound of Myrtle complaining to herself somewhere deeper in the stalls.

"Come on, Mione." Fred's voice was gentler than usual. "You can't think we'd prank you now, do you?"

"It wouldn't be funny at all," George said.

Hermione reached out slowly and took the Chocolate Frog. She bit into it, chewed, swallowed. The sugar helped a little. She sniffled again.

"…I don't even know why I'm crying."

Fred nodded. "We get it."

"Had a crush on this bird from Hufflepuff," George said. "Nymphadora Tonks."

"We fought over her. Pranked other people to make her laugh."

"And turns out, she was head over heels for Charlie."

"Our older brother."

"The shame."

"The injustice."

"Of course we didn't exactly get how girls and boys work then."

"We were idiots."

"But we do know heartbreak," George finished, quieter. "And not being sure of what it means."

Hermione finished the frog. She wiped her eyes with the handkerchief. "…Thank you."

Fred's grin returned, smaller than usual. "Hey. It's what we're here for."

"And really," George added, "you and Ron? Might want to wait for him to grow up a bit more."

"'Cause ya know, Greengrass's dad is loaded. Noble."

"Goes around in a monocle."

"So hey. It might fall apart."

"So you can catch him on the rebound."

Hermione snorted, wet and unwilling. "I… I don't even know if I'm… if I want a romance right now. I just don't want to be left behind."

"Fair, fair."

The twins stepped closer and offered her their arms, one on each side.

"Well then," George said. "In that case, would you do us the honor of taking our arms?"

"And joining us for a bit of mischief?" Fred asked.

She flushed. "Um… what kind of mischief?"

"Oh, nothing like setting a teacher on fire."

"Or fighting a giant basilisk."

"Or chasing after a fugitive Dark wizard."

"It's not like I wanted to do those things!"

"True," Fred said. "But it does keep happening."

"So why not join us for something more mundane?" George offered. "Replacing Professor Snape's shampoo with hair degreaser."

"…He'll kill you."

"Not if you're along."

"What do you say?"

Hermione sighed. She tried, and failed, to hide the small smile. She took their arms.

"Fine. But if you turn me into a juvenile delinquent—"

"You aren't already?"

She kicked George's shin. He winced, still grinning.

"Let's just go."

"As you wish," Fred said, and the three of them left the bathroom together, the sound of Myrtle's distant complaints fading behind them.

---

Ginny sat on a stone bench near the greenhouses, watching the singing lilies. Their current tune was low and mournful, the petals trembling with each note. It matched her mood perfectly as she watched them sway, despair on her face. She had been there long enough for the cold of the stone to settle through her robes but it just didn't seem to help.

"Hello, Ginny."

She looked up and saw a slight blonde girl in Ravenclaw robes.

"Huh? Oh. Hello, Luna."

They had known each other since childhood—one of the few magical children in Ottery St. Catchpole who wasn't a Weasley. She, Ron, and Ginny had played together every so often, less often after Luna's mother died. Luna stood a few feet away in her usual radish earrings and two-toned glasses, a copy of the Quibbler held upside down under one arm. She crossed to the bench and sat beside Ginny without ceremony.

"We have Charms in twenty minutes."

"I—I know. I'm just…"

"Oh. Harry Potter?"

Ginny nodded, miserable. "…I mean… it's not like he ever gave me a look after he saved my life, but…"

"Sorry, Ginny. All the Nargles around him and Malfoy have gone. They cured them quite easily, and they'd had a terrible case of it for a while."

Ginny sniffled. "…Yeah, I suppose."

"But I'm sure you'll find someone to cure your Nargles with one day. Someone special."

Ginny looked up at her friend, hopeful.

"Really?"

Luna smiled, small and certain, and squeezed her hand. "I'm sure."

"Thank you, Luna. I mean…" Ginny blushed. "I do think Dean Thomas is… Is nice. He's very artistic."

Luna's expression turned thoughtful. "Dean Thomas? That's… hmmm. That might not be good."

"Huh? Why? Because he's half-blood?"

"No, no. But his ancestry, you see. It's all wrong."

Ginny gasped and covered her mouth. "Luna! You're not… you're not opposed to it because he's black, are you?!"

Luna looked off at a spot five inches to the left of Ginny's shoulder.

"I think he's more wenge or dark chocolate brown. But no. It's because he's from a long line…" Luna's voice dropped, grave. "Of West Ham football hooligans."

Ginny blinked.

"…Eh?"

"Football hooligans. If their team loses, they burn down the city and riot. If their team wins, they burn down the city and riot—but more cheerfully. They'll consort with dark forces called FIFA to rig games and riot anyway. It's in his blood, Ginny. You date him, you'll turn into one too and hijack a double-decker bus and end up in…" She shuddered. "Luton."

Ginny stared, then giggled, the sound wet but genuine. She wrapped her arms around the smaller girl. "Thank you, Luna. You always know what to say to cheer me up."

Luna sighed and hugged her back. "Very well. But bring me back a tire to burn when you two become the Hooligan King and Queen."

"I will!"

---

Snape and Lucius emerged from the meeting room at the Three Broomsticks. Lucius summed up their feelings after dealing with the irritating former Quidditch star in a single sentence.

"I need a drink."

"You're buying."

They headed downstairs. The common room was already crowded. Madam Rosmerta smiled warmly when she saw them and guided them to a private booth near the back. Lucius nodded politely. Snape managed a sneer that was almost civil. Rosmerta paid it no mind. She summoned a dark bottle from behind the bar with a flick of her wand.

"Bottle of Werewhiskey, 1877, Mister Malfoy?"

Lucius's mouth curved. "Good memory."

"It's almost the most expensive thing in the tavern. Not many others buy it." She poured them each a glass, left the bottle, and bustled off to the next table. Lucius and Snape both took a fortifying sip. Lucius smirked faintly.

"Kicks like a mule."

"I believe that's the point."

Lucius studied him for a moment. "Severus… tell me the truth. Potter's… my daughter—"

"I believe he is sincere." Snape turned the glass once between his fingers. "He is… not entirely like his father in that regard."

Lucius's expression went deadpan. "I think you're a bit biased in that respect, old friend."

"…Perhaps." Snape took another drink. "But I will keep an eye on things. Potter has issues connecting with others. That their rivalry was fuel for their feelings, well… as I said. I'll keep an eye on them."

"Thank you." Lucius sighed. "The last thing I need is a wandpoint wedding between my daughter and Harry bloody Potter."

Snape's mouth twitched. "Narcissa would be happy."

"Ugh. She's actually encouraging this. Encouraging Lyra to pursue him."

"If he wasn't Harry Potter, he would be the perfect match." Snape's sneer returned. "But of course, he is because he is Harry Potter. The paradox."

"I am well aware. Still… if they take it slow, that gives me time to convince Lyra to break it off."

Snape's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Because denying her something will absolutely make her not want it."

Lucius scoffed, but he did not argue the point. He took another sip. "Well, this is shaping up to be a fantastic start to the year."

"Really?" Snape's tone was dry. "That little show at the Quidditch World Cup wasn't worth it?"

Lucius pinched the bridge of his nose. A low growl escaped him. "That little show… I had nothing to do with it, Severus. Really. Right there, in front of the entire world? You have any idea how many business deals I've had to renegotiate over that stunt? Nobody wants to invest in Britain if terrorists are causing trouble. Those fools think it's the old days. That they can run around and cause terror. That that's power." He shook his head.

Snape sighed. "They never really grasped what power was. They operated under his protection. Without that… they threw themselves on the mercy of the Ministry."

"It was the only move to make." Lucius scoffed and drank. "They mock me, but I had a family, a legacy to think about. And I still do."

A pause. Snape watched him. "…Would it be accurate to say you have no love for our former Master?"

A dangerous silence settled between them. Lucius sipped his whiskey and chose his words carefully.

"…You know if he returned, I would return to his side, Severus. We are bound to his service. And indeed… if I knew where he was… I would of course seek him out."

Snape's stare was hard. "Of course."

"…But we are doing far better financially in an environment where he does not rule. I cannot escape that."

"Which of course means, should he return… he will not let you forget it."

"…No." Lucius finished his drink. "Well. In which case… thank God for Harry Potter."

Snape sneered into his glass. "Indeed."

The bottle sat between them, mostly full. Outside the booth, the tavern continued its ordinary evening noise. Neither of them moved to refill their glasses just yet.
 
b4x77f.jpg
 
Luna's expression turned thoughtful. "Dean Thomas? That's… hmmm. That might not be good."

"Huh? Why? Because he's half-blood?"

"No, no. But his ancestry, you see. It's all wrong."

Ginny gasped and covered her mouth. "Luna! You're not… you're not opposed to it because he's black, are you?!"

Luna looked off at a spot five inches to the left of Ginny's shoulder.

"I think he's more wenge or dark chocolate brown. But no. It's because he's from a long line…" Luna's voice dropped, grave. "Of West Ham football hooligans."

Ginny blinked.

"…Eh?"

"Football hooligans. If their team loses, they burn down the city and riot. If their team wins, they burn down the city and riot—but more cheerfully. They'll consort with dark forces called FIFA to rig games and riot anyway. It's in his blood, Ginny. You date him, you'll turn into one too and hijack a double-decker bus and end up in…" She shuddered. "Luton."

Ginny stared, then giggled, the sound wet but genuine. She wrapped her arms around the smaller girl. "Thank you, Luna. You always know what to say to cheer me up."

Luna sighed and hugged her back. "Very well. But bring me back a tire to burn when you two become the Hooligan King and Queen."

"I will!"
This was hilarious. Well, lets hope Ginny can become the Hooligan queen lol. I liked the bit with Hermione, Fred and George too. This was great.
 
Malfoid: Flirt 17 New
Two weeks later, the students stood lined along the shore of the Black Lake. Slytherin and Gryffindor had claimed the front. Harry and Lyra stood near the center of it, hands joined, scarves wrapped against the October chill. Ron and Daphne were a few feet away, also holding hands. Tracey Davis hovered just behind them, looking as though she would rather be anywhere else. Hermione stood with the Weasley twins and Ginny; every so often her gaze cut toward Ron and Daphne with enough force that Ron winced even while his fingers stayed laced with Daphne's.

Pansy and Neville stood together a little farther down the line. Crabbe and Goyle loomed behind Harry and Lyra, Millicent beside them. Lavender and Parvati murmured and giggled near the twins, watching the pairs with open interest.

"…So," Ron said, low. "You think Hermione will forgive me any time soon?"

"I'm thinking sometime in the next century," Harry said dryly.

"Not funny."

"Little funny?"

"Not at all," Lyra said.

"She'll get over it." Daphne's voice was calm. "The Triwizard will start tonight, after all."

"That's true!" George called. "Hermione, you're up for some bloodsport, aren't you?"

"Someone getting eaten by a monster," Fred added. "Who couldn't love it?"

"Hmph." Hermione's arms were folded. "I find the whole practice barbaric."

"You say that about everything!"

"Still not talking to you, Ron."

"But you're doing it right now."

She flushed. "I am not!"

"You did it again," Daphne observed.

"I—I was talking at him, not to him!"

"There's a difference?" Harry asked.

"Wizards," Lyra said, exasperated.

"Oi!" Ron, Harry, and the twins said together.

The surface of the lake began to turn. A whirlpool formed, then deepened into a vast watery vortex. Out of it rose a great sailing ship, dark-hulled and proud, cutting onto the now-still water as if the lake had always been its harbor. It pulled in close to the shore, and lowered a great ramp down to the sand. Overhead, a gigantic white carriage shaped like a small fairy-tale castle descended, towed by four massive golden pegasi. They landed near the shore in a rush of wings and neighing. Hagrid stepped forward at once, broad grin in place, and took their bridles, murmuring to the great beasts until they settled. The students watched, scarves and cloaks stirring in the wind off the water, as the representatives of the other schools arrived at last.

The headmasters of each school came forward to meet Dumbledore on the shore: Igor Karkaroff of Durmstrang, pale and sharp-eyed in heavy furs, and Olympe Maxime of Beauxbatons, elegant and towering in silk. With them were a handful of Ministry officials—Bartemius Crouch Sr., Ludo Bagman, and Percy Weasley, who hovered at Crouch's elbow with a stack of parchment and the expression of a man already behind schedule.

The students followed in large, orderly groups. Ron's eyes went wide as one particular figure stepped onto the grass.

"Viktor Krum," he said, low and reverent. "That's Viktor Krum!"

"Wow." Harry watched the Durmstrang Seeker with open interest. "Brilliant."

"Y-you think I can talk to him?"

Lyra snorted. "Of course you can. It won't be particularly interesting. I met him at the World Cup. In the private box."

Ron gaped at her.

"Wha—seriously?! You never told me?!"

"Should I?"

"What was he like?" Harry asked, heading off Ron's fanboy enthusiasm.

She sighed. "About as uncomfortable an experience as my father could make it. He was thinking of pushing Krum into… you know. Courting me."

Something sharp and unpleasant settled in Harry's chest. His grip on her hand tightened. Sirius's advice surfaced, unhelpful and familiar, and he made himself breathe.

"Oh?"

Lyra's smirk was small and dismissive. "Oh, don't stress, Potter. Sure, he's great at Quidditch, but he's a bit of a bore. He wasn't keen on being matchmade anyway."

Harry stared at her. She huffed, then softened, leaning lightly against his side.

"Really, Harry… no need to be jealous."

"Oh. I wasn't," he said, maybe a little too fast. Lyra smirked.

"Really? Would I ever settle for a world-class Quidditch star over you?"

"Heh. I guess not."

"Did you at least get his autograph?" Ron pressed. "Shake his hand? Ask him about the Wronski Feint?!"

Daphne's voice was mild. "…I'm feeling a bit jealous."

"No, no, it's not like that, Daphne, I promise!"

"Perhaps I should take up Quidditch."

Viktor had noticed them. He was watching with the focused attention of someone used to being stared at and used to being waved at. Lyra's smirk returned. She lifted a hand.

"Wave, you lot."

They did. Ron's was by far the most enthusiastic. Viktor inclined his head once, small and precise, then turned back toward Karkaroff as the formal greetings continued along the shore.

There was one other person staring intently at them. A tall, statuesque blonde from Beauxbatons stood a little apart from her schoolmates, blue eyes locked on Harry with open interest. Ron shivered, half in disbelief. Harry felt a familiar, unwanted tug low in his chest.

"…She's a Veela," Ron hissed. "She's got to be."

"Fleur Delacour," Lyra answered, cool. "Daughter of a French wizard politician. Quarter Veela."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I've met her at a few functions."

Fleur's mouth curved. The look she sent Harry carried a raw, deliberate heat. Color rose in his cheeks. The pull on his senses sharpened—something close to the Imperius, slippery and insistent. He narrowed his eyes, felt Lyra's hand still in his, and tightened his grip until the warmth of her fingers grounded him.

"Geez," Ron muttered. "Part Veela…"

Daphne's scowl was small and immediate.

"Not that I—I mean, she's just—!"

Hermione snorted with dark humor.

"Well, well, well," Hermione taunted him. Ron growled. The twins laughed.

"Now now, Hermione," Fred said. "You were eyeing Krum pretty closely, you know."

She flushed. "I—I was not!"

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander, eh?" George added.

"No! It's just—it's just really cold! We should get inside and get something warm!"

"Oh, good," Tracey said brightly. "We can ogle him better in there."

"N-no! No!"

Tracey beamed. "Come on, Granger. You're finally acting like a real girl. Don't squander it."

Lyra laughed, short and delighted. "Wonders will never cease."

"Hmph!"

Ron glanced at Daphne, worried. She shrugged, unbothered.

"I'm fine with ogling you anywhere, Ron."

"I—that wasn't my… good."

Fleur's gaze lingered a moment longer before she turned back toward Madame Maxime. The wind off the lake was sharp. Harry kept Lyra's hand in his and decided, firmly, that he had no interest in whatever had just tried to pull at him from across the shore.

---

The Great Hall had been transformed. The usual house banners were gone. In their place hung the flags of the three competing schools, and the ceiling reflected a clear, cold night sky scattered with sharp stars. The long tables had been pushed back. The Goblet of Fire stood alone in the center of the room inside its circle of gold, flames leaping blue-white above the rim. Every seat was filled. The air smelled of woodsmoke, roast meat, and the particular tension that came when several hundred people were trying very hard not to stare at the same thing.

The fires roared in the hearths, the tables were heavily laden, and the noise of three schools settling in rose and fell in waves. The Durmstrang students took seats among the Slytherins. The Beauxbatons students joined the Ravenclaws. At the Gryffindor table, Harry had a front-row seat to Ron and Hermione's latest argument.

"I was not ogling him!"

"Oh, you absolutely were. You can deny it all you like, but you were."

"W-well, you were ogling that French blonde!"

"So you admit you were staring at Krum!"

"No!"

"Ha!"

"Shh," Lavender hissed. "The ceremony is starting!"

Ginny, who had been watching the argument with morbid fascination, nodded quickly. "Yes! Yes!"

Attention turned toward the Goblet of Fire as it began to glow brighter. Fred and George were already muttering about odds. Harry glanced at the Head Table. Moody was there. He caught Harry's eye, gave a small wink with his remaining one, and a short nod. Harry managed a smile in return. His gaze moved on, searching the Slytherin table until he found Lyra. She sat among a few Durmstrang students, laughing a little too brightly at something one of them had said. She looked up, found him, and the smile softened. He smiled back.

Dumbledore rose. The hall quieted.

"The Goblet is almost ready to make its decision," he said. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber—" he indicated the door behind the staff table "—where they will be receiving their first instructions."

He sat. The minute stretched. Fred and George were still whispering about odds. Hermione had her hands folded tightly in her lap. Ron kept glancing between the Goblet and the Slytherin table, as if he could not decide which was more likely to explode.

It was an incredible moment, one Harry tried to give all his attention to. He had been uneasy all day, if he was honest. Every Halloween since he had arrived at Hogwarts had gone badly. So far, nothing had.

The flames inside the Goblet turned suddenly red. Sparks flew. A tongue of fire shot into the air and a charred piece of parchment fluttered out. Dumbledore caught it.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, "will be Viktor Krum."

A storm of applause. Krum rose, slouching, and walked the length of the hall. He looked neither pleased nor surprised. Harry clapped with the rest. Ron's applause was considerably more enthusiastic.

The Goblet turned red again. Another slip of parchment.

"The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"

The Beauxbatons students applauded with elegant restraint. Fleur rose, silver-blonde hair catching the light, and made her way forward with the air of someone who had expected nothing less. Harry felt the faint, slippery pull of her presence as she passed and tightened his hand on the edge of the table until it faded.

A third time the flames reddened.

"The Hogwarts champion," Dumbledore called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

He joined the applause with everyone else when Cedric Diggory's name was called. A small, automatic pang went through him when Cho clapped loudly and whooped. Another glance at Lyra banished it. Her smile made everything better, and he smiled back just as warmly.

Somehow, he had a girlfriend. His worst rival at Hogwarts was his girlfriend. All of it had started with a prank. It was bizarre, true, but he was starting to like it.

Maybe that was the strange thing for this year. Maybe that was all he had to worry about.

Dumbledore waited until Cedric had disappeared through the door, then turned back to the Goblet. It should have been finished. The flames had died back to their ordinary blue-white.

Then, they turned red again.

A fourth slip of parchment shot into the air. Dumbledore caught it. He stared at the name for a long moment. The hall had gone very quiet. Harry felt the old Halloween cold settle into his stomach.

Please not me. Please not me. Please not me.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. He looked up. His eyes found Harry.

"Harry Potter."

The silence held for one heartbeat. Then the hall erupted into noise. Harry sat frozen.

Oh, bollocks.

 
Great Serpents of the Magical World New
Great Serpents of the Magical World
The following creatures are magical squamates of the suborder Serpentes, belonging to varying lineages. They are distinguished by potent venom, elemental affinities or immunities, great size, and strong magical reactivity. They differ in scale, number of heads, and specific abilities. All have historically supplied high-value materials to the magical economy.
Greek Hydra
Native to the wetlands and river systems of the eastern Mediterranean, the Hydra evolved in warm, prey-rich marshes. Multiple heads and rapid regeneration allowed it to dominate local waterways. Its venom and regenerative tissues remain prized in advanced healing potions and curse-reversal work, though regulated harvesting has replaced earlier unrestricted hunting.
Northern European Jörmungandr
Adapted to the cold coastal and deep-fjord environments of Scandinavia, Jörmungandr is a massive, single-headed sea serpent. Its size and affinity for cold water made it the apex predator of northern seas. Venom, scales, and teeth enter the market as components for weather-resistant wards and large-scale binding rituals; populations are now confined to monitored northern reserves.
Middle Eastern Falak
The Falak developed in the arid river valleys and subterranean water systems of the Middle East. It is noted for extreme heat tolerance and venom that remains potent under desert conditions. Its hides and venom are used in protective enchantments against fire and drought magic. Trade is tightly controlled because of historical association with sacrificial practices.
Egyptian Apep
Evolved along the Nile and its seasonal floodplains, Apep is a large river serpent with a pronounced resistance to solar and fire magic. It once competed directly with human magical settlements for control of waterways. Scales and fangs are employed in anti-fire wards and certain ritual bindings; modern collection is limited to licensed preserves.
American Horned Serpent
(See prior entry.) Native to the waterways of eastern North America, it uses its horns to generate localized fog. Venom, hide, and horns supply wand cores and concealment charms. Populations are largely restricted to preserves after earlier over-harvesting.
Japanese Yamata no Orochi
Adapted to the forested river valleys of Japan, the Orochi is an eight-headed serpent whose multiple heads and size allowed it to control large stretches of terrain. Its venom and multi-headed regenerative tissues are valued for complex potion bases and ritual foci. Harvesting is strictly licensed; most specimens now reside in warded mountain reserves.
Indian Kundalini
The Kundalini is a large serpent native to the river systems and forested hills of the Indian subcontinent. It exhibits strong elemental affinity, particularly with water and earth. Venom and spinal material are used in advanced meditative and protective rituals. Trade is regulated by regional magical authorities to prevent depletion.
Chinese Jiaolong
The Jiaolong (a great river and lake serpent of Chinese tradition) evolved in the extensive waterways and karst systems of China. It possesses significant control over water and mist. Scales, bones, and venom are employed in weather magic, architectural wards, and high-grade potions. Populations are managed through a combination of preserves and licensed breeding programs.
Basilisk
The basilisk is unique among these serpents in being a deliberate artificial creation, produced by the ancient Greek wizard Herpo the Foul through a specialized breeding process involving a chicken egg hatched beneath a toad. Although originally confined to controlled conditions, escaped or released specimens have established themselves in suitable habitats and now compete with naturally occurring great serpents. Its lethal gaze, venom, and hide remain among the most dangerous and valuable materials in the magical economy; possession and trade are prohibited outside tightly supervised research and containment facilities.
 

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