The Restroom Around the Corner

Sean considered for a moment before speaking. "Professor Dumbledore, you know Mr. Newt Scamander, the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, don't you?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Newt attended Hogwarts as well. I taught him at the time, and after he left Hogwarts, we remained on very good terms. In fact, the person I just said you resembled was Newt."

"Because of magical creatures?"

"Yes, Sean." Dumbledore smiled at him. "In fact, even Newt could not have quickly tamed an underage dragon."

Sean blinked unconsciously. This was, in fact, one of his doubts.

A Magical Creature Affinity score of 9 was certainly high, but he still felt its effects were a little too exaggerated. As long as he made eye contact with them, magical creatures would obey him?

If that was truly how the ability worked, it was naturally incredibly powerful. But Sean felt a vague sense of unease.

When he had been in Diagon Alley, he had also visited magical creature shops. The toads, Kneazles, and other creatures there had indeed been very friendly and affectionate toward him, but he had never sensed their emotions.

Yet today, he had sensed them twice in a row.

And it just so happened that the Forbidden Forest had erupted into chaos while they were serving detention. That was far too much of a coincidence.

Dumbledore seemed to have seen through Sean's confusion. He patted Sean on the shoulder. "It is indeed rather unusual. It's good that you noticed it—it shows that you're a careful person."

"Then, Professor, was it because of the disturbance in the Forbidden Forest, or...?"

Dumbledore looked toward the Forbidden Forest again. "I'm sorry, Sean, but I cannot give you an exact answer either. However, I do have a small guess."

Dumbledore slowly brought his hands together. "Whether due to potions or magic, those magical creatures' rationality was suppressed. Like a spring, the slaughter and brutality pressed that spring of reason all the way down."

Sean rested his chin on his hand. "You mean I helped them break free, and when their rationality rebounded, they became especially affectionate toward me?"

"Not precise enough, but that is roughly the idea." Dumbledore lowered his hands. "When I cast the spell, I discovered that waking those poor little creatures was not difficult. As long as you could tear open even a small gap in their rationality, the magical creatures could break free by themselves."

Dumbledore looked at Sean with clear satisfaction in his eyes. "Newt possesses the same quality when facing crazed magical creatures, which is why I think you are alike—in terms of talent."

"Of course, what you resemble each other in even more is that you are both brave and kind." Dumbledore's expression grew increasingly pleased. "You did not abandon Hagrid. Instead, you found a way to save him. That was good, very good."

Sean smiled slightly, though he felt Dumbledore was perhaps a little too pleased.

"All right, Sean. Tonight has been tiring enough. Go back and enjoy your sleep; I must be going as well. Oh, right—because of your brave performance today, Ravenclaw receives ten points." He winked at Sean.

"Thank you, Professor." Sean gave an elegant bow. Flames rose around Dumbledore, and then he vanished from where he stood.

After the sparks faded, Sean smacked his lips enviously.

A phoenix was far more useful than Apparition.

Sean turned to head back when he saw someone walking back from the direction of Hagrid's hut.

"Professor Kettleburn?" Sean recognized the newcomer.

Kettleburn walked on his prosthetic limbs and did not look particularly happy.

"Wallerup? Why haven't you left yet?" His frown relaxed.

"I just said a few words to Professor Dumbledore. I was about to head back."

"I was wondering why I saw a flash of fire just now. Oh, right." Kettleburn's wrinkled old face suddenly took on a sly expression. "Did you see the Headmaster's phoenix?"

Sean shook his head. From beginning to end, only flames had surrounded Dumbledore; the phoenix itself had not appeared.

Kettleburn regretfully stamped the ground with his prosthetic limb. "Albus keeps hiding his phoenix and won't let me see it. I only want to study it..."

The kind of study you're talking about doesn't sound very proper... Sean thought to himself.

"By the way, has everything been taken care of on Hagrid's side?" Sean asked casually.

At that, Kettleburn puffed out his beard in irritation. "That bastard Hagrid said he wanted me to come back and recover from my injuries, but he actually shut me outside! He just wants to study that dragon by himself!"

What enthusiasm... Sean maintained his polite smile. He had not forgotten the other man's identity, and he still had a Magical Creature Egg waiting to be hatched.

The two of them entered the castle along the covered bridge, and as they talked, their conversation grew increasingly animated. Kettleburn did not care much about other things, but when it came to knowledge related to magical creatures, he was exceedingly proud.

Sean had always liked such things, and from time to time, he employed the tricks he used when dealing with his uncles—offering a few sincere compliments.

By the time they reached Clock Square, Professor Kettleburn had already taken a liking to this first-year Young Wizard.

After chatting for a while longer, Kettleburn stopped reluctantly. Somewhat regretfully, he said, "Ravenclaw Tower is here. You should go back and sleep, Sean."

"Thank you very much for your guidance. If you have time, may I come to you to learn more about magical creatures?" Sean wore an expression brimming with thirst for knowledge.

"Of course, of course. My office will always welcome you." Kettleburn stroked his beard with satisfaction.

Sean then put on an expression as though he had suddenly remembered something and said casually, "Professor, I forget which book I saw it in, but it left a deep impression on me. Is there any magical creature egg about the size of a head, with bluish-green patterns? Oh, and it seemed to glow a little?"

Kettleburn thought for a moment before replying slowly, "Glowing? It could be a Welsh Green Dragon, but the size of the egg does not quite match... And magical creature eggs can change depending on the environment they are born in, so I cannot give you a precise answer. Go back and find that book, then come see me."

"I understand. I'll have to trouble you then, Professor."

Although he was somewhat disappointed not to receive an exact answer, getting to know Professor Kettleburn was still a fine gain.

After saying goodbye, Sean headed toward the tower alone.

When he reached the foot of the stairs, he suddenly felt the urge to urinate. Looking at the long spiraling staircase above him, Sean decisively headed for the restroom at the bottom of the tower.

"So far away..." Sean unconsciously quickened his pace. When he reached the turn beside the restroom, he was about to round the corner when he heard two people arguing.

The voices came from the direction of the restroom and were somewhat muffled, but Sean still frowned.

He had just said goodbye to the owner of one of those voices, while the other voice also sounded very familiar.

Thanks to Zero Score Cat, Great Emperor Ha, and all the generous supporters for your rewards. Thanks as well to everyone who voted—sending you all some love.