The Black Lake

This is a large body of water located to the south of the castle. It is about half a mile in diameter and the Hogwarts plumbing network drains into it. It is known that a number of things live in this lake, including merpeople, grindylows, and, of course, the Giant Squid. Students often enjoy sitting by the shores in warm weather beneath the shade of an ancient, weeping willow tree and sometimes swimming. In winter months, students can ice skate on it, though beware not to drift too far out into the middle where the ice is weakest.