Chapter 357: Cat-Dragon-Eagle

Can an owl turn into a fire dragon?

I’ve never seen—

Professor Newt, is this called a Cat-Dragon-Eagle…?

The young witches and wizards chattered around Newt, convinced that the well-traveled Scamander professor could answer their questions.

This is the effect of some alchemical product.

Professor Scamander explained patiently, yet still refused to look directly at them.

Oh—

All the young witches and wizards let out understanding murmurs.

It’s definitely a fairy tale biscuit.

Witch Witch Tina said, gazing at Wizard Sean with reverence.

I heard they’re sold only in Diagon Alley in Britain.

Some young witches and wizards glanced at Wizard Sean, then refocused their attention on Newt.

After all, Professor Scamander was now introducing them to the Niffler…

It was covered in black fur, had a long snout, and curiously locked eyes with many young witches and wizards.

As for fairy tale biscuits, the young witches and wizards were clearly familiar with this alchemical creation.

If something had been continuously reported for months in the Daily Prophet, Wizarding Weekly, Today’s Transfiguration, and so on, it would be stranger not to know about it.

Not to mention the new inventor on the Chocolate Frog cards—even if only a silhouette was shown.

Wizard Sean, meanwhile, was gently tapping Bai Yi’s head with his fingers.

The owl with silver-white tail feathers gazed at him pitifully, twisting its head a full 180 degrees as if sulking, refusing to look at him again.

The Bird-Snake was curled up inside Wizard Sean’s pocket—it and Tila were like two spectators.

Wizard Sean had always been unexpected; he hadn’t imagined the Bird-Snake would crawl into his pocket.

He silently extended his finger, and the Bird-Snake, as if sensing it, slithered onto his hand.

It felt cool and slick.

[You have gained the Bird-Snake (Una)’s favor at an expert’s standard. Favor +50.]

The interface chimed; Wizard Sean felt surprised again—he had underestimated his epic-level affinity for magical creatures.

…

The Magical Creatures class ended quickly.

Mr. Green, could you stay behind?

Newt said.

All the young witches and wizards turned to look at Wizard Sean; the heavily wrapped young wizard nodded.

If only I were in Britain, I could buy fairy tale biscuits—then I’d be kept behind by Professor Scamander too.

A tall wizard said.

But you’d need an invitation first.

Witch Witch Tina glanced at him.

But the Bird-Snake seems very fond of wizards—unlike what’s written in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them…

The witch with fiery red hair asked curiously.

Bird-Snake eggs are priceless; their shells are made of the softest, purest silver—so many wizards poach them.

There have been many reports of Bird-Snakes injuring people; your view is one I’ve never heard before.

Witch Witch Tina, with the precision of a genuine Horned Serpent, favored the idea that this was an isolated case.

Thus, the young witches and wizards chattered away.

Only Wizard Sean remained, walking toward his senior.

At that moment, the Bird-Snake in Wizard Sean’s pocket shot out swiftly; Newt, as if anticipating it, had already left a crack in his suitcase.

A Bird-Snake can grow as tall as nine stories, yet still retains its juvenile fear of owls.

Just like Alfie—it’s a Niffler, yet at an unexpected moment, it stole the most important thing.

Even the lowliest creatures have their own way.

Newt said softly.

Wizard Sean paused—he knew more facts.

For instance, it was the Niffler that stole their blood pact before Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s final battle.

That event happened after Senior Scamander caused chaos at the Ministry…

Headmaster Dumbledore, Senior Scamander, Harry—they had all once fought inside the Ministry.

An outstanding Hogwarts graduate must cause at least one major disturbance at the Ministry as part of their evaluation.

Can it drink tea?

Wizard Sean said.

Newt blinked, then laughed, finally looking directly at Wizard Sean.

Milk, please.

Newt said.

Remember to hide the teaspoon too.

Once, such a conversation had taken place in Hogwarts Castle, between the same professor and student.

I think you have great talent in Magical Creatures—animals can sense wizards more clearly…

Newt tilted slightly, gently pressing the Niffler into his pocket.

Would you like to come inside?

Wizard Sean nodded vigorously.

Whether or not there were Cat-Leopards inside, he could learn much—knowledge that would greatly aid him in crafting his seamless storage device and fairy tale biscuits.

Newt laid the suitcase on the ground, then his body vanished section by section.

Though he was ninety-five, his movements remained agile; he disappeared without a trace in moments.

After Senior Scamander was “swallowed,” Wizard Sean stepped onto the stairs with quiet excitement.

Passing through the narrow entrance, he found himself before an impossibly vast and open landscape.

Even with preparation, Wizard Sean was awestruck.

The first things to meet his eyes were a vast tropical grassland, a dense rainforest, and an endless forest.

In the distance, he saw endless snow-capped mountains, caves, hills, and deserts…

Higher up, above other habitats, floated glowing specks—here, Newt cultivated luminescent insects, where vines intertwined with tiny floating islands.

These places seemed forcibly cut, extracted, and relocated. Beside the snow mountains, even a scorching tropical grassland could exist—sparse trees grew here, providing habitat for the Horned Serpents.

A Bowtruckle climbed from the tree before Wizard Sean onto his shoulder; Wizard Sean regarded it curiously, and Newt smiled faintly beside him.

Those recognized by magical creatures, those with greater talent, often walk a path of greater responsibility.

Senior Scamander said, then walked forward.

So… why do we, as a society and as individuals, strive to protect and conceal magical creatures—even those fierce and untamable? The answer, of course, is: to ensure future generations of wizards may enjoy, as we do, the beauty and wonder of their forms and abilities.

Wizard Sean recited the exact words from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Few remember this passage—it’s less captivating than the dazzling descriptions of magical creatures.

Newt looked at Wizard Sean with a hint of shyness, as if his own words had been spoken aloud.

I think… magical creatures and we share the same magical world.

Wizard Sean stroked Bai Yi’s soft fur—in the Chamber of Secrets, in the Forbidden Forest, Bai Yi and Tila had both fought beside him.

Newt stared at the young wizard in realization—his description matched Dumbledore’s letters too closely, even surpassed them.

Follow me.

Newt smiled.