Chapter 467: Fire Crossbow

"You'd better explain it to me clearly! Rubeus Hagrid!" Professor McGonagall said very seriously, "There's actually a... in the Forbidden Forest... Sorry, I find it hard to identify what kind of beast this is."

"Professor McGonagall, please don't blame Professor Hagrid, because Dio is my pet," Bai Lang said as he walked up to the equally massive Dio, reaching out to grab its chin, "And, professor, at the end of the day Dio is just a big cat, right? Dio." The purring Dio also spoke, "That's right, professor, I'm just a cat."

"Merlin's beard!" they exclaimed in unison, Hagrid and Professor McGonagall both gasping, "It's a talking monster." Professor McGonagall adjusted her glasses—the reflective lenses seemed to glow on their own. "Mr. Ron, after this ends I want you to come to my office immediately and explain!"

"Alright, professor," Bai Lang said, simultaneously signaling the equally wide‑eyed Neville Longbottom that he could prepare to fight. "Don't worry, Neville Longbottom, you won't be bitten to death." Bai Lang patted the Hyena, and the beast let out a deep roar, lunging at Neville Longbottom like lightning. "Raise your shield, Neville Longbottom! Remember how to channel your magic for reinforcement!" It was no surprise that Neville Longbottom was knocked back, but Professor Bai Lang's technique let Neville Longbottom roll on the ground to dissipate the force; aside from his clothes being a bit dirty, he was unharmed.

Even Professor McGonagall could see that the Hyena was clearly controlling its impact; she let out a sigh—looks like her student really can control these two beasts. Neville Longbottom truly didn't activate magic, Bai Lang saw clearly, "Trying to force growth? Forget it, let him get used to fighting monsters; fighting humans and monsters isn't that different, right?" On the second charge, Bai Lang had Neville Longbottom practice dodging, rolling from the side and then quickly standing to resume combat stance.

After several charges, Neville Longbottom looked exhausted. Bai Lang muttered "Mummy Mummy Red" and recalled the Hyena, "Alright, Neville Longbottom, go wash up and then we'll head to class." He patted Dio, "Stay in the Forbidden Forest, Dio." Then he followed Professor McGonagall to her office. "I think you have something to say," Professor McGonagall said, looking at Bai Lang, "Your magic—the spell that summons a Hyena. If Gryffindor produced a dark wizard, that would be truly..."

Bai Lang kept it simple; he just said he found an egg, and the hatched creature was Dio. As for smuggling? That's impossible! Reporting to the Ministry of Magic? Hahaha even more impossible; he'd simply make Dio vanish from England's countryside, never letting the Ministry catch it. As for the magic, Bai Lang used a statue he picked up while traveling, melted it, and learned this spell to cover it up.

"It's a hassle, professor; you have to defeat the Hyena that the statue turned into before you can obtain the summoning spell," Bai Lang said. Professor McGonagall had been staring at him since he started speaking, only sighing now. "Alright, Mr. Ron. I have no proof you're lying, but I hope you... I hope you don't become overly attracted to this magic—Hyenas aren't... never mind, will you have Hagrid look after Dio?" she muttered a few vague words, "Alright, Mr. Ron, you may go have breakfast and then attend class." She sighed.

It seems Professor McGonagall isn't going to pursue it, Bai Lang's guess was correct—Professor McGonagall is also a cat, and she probably likes Dio's kind of "big cat" as well.

Christmas is just around the corner, and Bai Lang will be making a second trip to Hogsmeade—this time Harry still can't go, he still looks a bit down. But Bai Lang remembers that it was around this time he got the Marauder's Map from the Weasley twins—anyway, that brat Harry always finds a way to break school rules to get to Hogsmeade. Bai Lang thinks he needs to pick up the forge table and magical hammer he ordered last time, of course also buying desserts and a whole barrel of magically preserved butterbeer.

Bai Lang still returned to Hogwarts early; while he was casually leafing through a book by the fireplace in the common room, Harry and his friends passed by and said hello. Bai Lang looked up at Harry's disappearing figure on the stairs, "Strange, I feel he's full of hatred." But then Bai Lang refocused on his book, "Anyway, nothing will happen this year." As for Voldemort, Bai Lang wasn't really worried or paying much attention—he might become the Dark Lord, but Bai Lang is definitely a magic thug.

Just before the Christmas break, Bai Lang heard that Hagrid's case had reached a conclusion—he himself was fine, but the incident with the monster Buckbeak required him to appear before the Ministry of Magic for questioning on April 20, and the preliminary ruling was to execute the beast that attacked people. Hagrid has a chance to defend himself, but Bai Lang thinks that given the creature's massive brain and Old Draco Malfoy's pampered offspring, this eagle‑headed, horse‑bodied winged beast is doomed.

Bai Lang heard it from Harry and the others; they were still discussing how to help Hagrid. Ron suggested simply releasing Buckbeak secretly, "That way Hagrid would definitely be held responsible and lose his job!" Hermione Granger said, and Bai Lang agreed with her; in that case Hagrid would certainly be dismissed, even Dumbledore might not be able to protect him. So releasing it is the most foolish action; the only ways to save Buckbeak are twofold—winning the inquiry on appeal or having a clear responsible party release Buckbeak, and it must not be seen as Hagrid's doing.

Bai Lang definitely won't spend Christmas at Hogwarts; he returned home—but this time he plans to spend the holiday at a hotel in Monaco, since he hasn't spent much money this year. Apart from buying supplies and books, tuition is covered by the Ministry of Magic—every young wizard's tuition at Hogwarts is paid by the Ministry... So over these three years Bai Lang has saved up a bit, and now a vacation in Morocco is just right.

When Bai Lang returned to Hogwarts, he found Harry looking dejected again—"You say someone sent you the newest fire crossbow broom, and Professor McGonagall took it to check for curses? You're worried you'll miss the next Quidditch match? I tell you, youngster, I think life is a bit more important than Quidditch." Bai Lang said, but it was clear Harry and Ron didn't agree with him, while Hermione Granger strongly agreed with Bai Lang's view.

"Oh, right. I've analyzed Dio's mane and horn powder; it seems to have a strong dispersing effect—but I'm not sure... not very sure of the results." Hermione Granger felt a bit ashamed; she seemed embarrassed that she couldn't fully analyze the effects.