Newt Scamander

Chapter 47: Newt Scamander

"Ding, ding, ding." Before the feast began, Dumbledore tapped the goblet in front of him three times, and the noise in the Great Hall gradually died down.

"Before you enjoy the food, I have an announcement to make," Dumbledore said, rising to his feet. "Our Professor Kettleburn has suffered a bit of misfortune and is still recuperating. Fortunately, however, I convinced the author of your textbook to fill in for him."

"Please welcome Professor Newt Scamander."

Warm applause broke out across the Great Hall. Sean could hear Hermione whispering in astonishment from nearby, "He's the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! The Ministry of Magic's Werewolf Registry was practically founded by him alone, and he was also responsible for the order banning the breeding of creatures for experimental purposes. He even received an Order of Merlin, Second Class—and he's going to teach us?!"

Sean's applause was especially enthusiastic. Turning his head, he added with a smile, "Professor Scamander is on a Chocolate Frog Card too."

"That's not the point!" Hermione sounded far more aggrieved. "Care of Magical Creatures isn't available as an elective until third year. I can't even attend his class!"

Sean could only shrug. He couldn't exactly hope Professor Kettleburn would remain bedridden so Professor Scamander could keep filling in forever.

Amid the enthusiastic applause, Newt stood up. He seemed unaccustomed to such an atmosphere and merely offered a shy smile.

"Thank you, thank you, everyone." Newt gave a small nod of acknowledgment, then quickly sat back down.

Sean looked at him with curiosity for a moment longer. Just as the stories said, this Newt Scamander was devoted to the protection and study of magical creatures and wasn't particularly skilled at socializing.

Once the feast began, Dumbledore smiled and pulled over a plate. "Have some. You've been away from Hogwarts for so many years—I wonder whether the kitchen's dishes still suit your taste."

Though Newt's hair was completely white, he remained full of energy. Hunched over, he spoke at a rapid pace. "Thank you, Dumbledore. The journey here from Dorset exhausted me. I really do need to replenish myself."

"Oh, Newt, it wasn't the journey that exhausted you. It was your case," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Oh, I don't have the energy I had when I was young anymore. There are only a few little ones left in the case now," Newt said quickly.

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, then lifted his goblet. "Let's hope so, Newt. Thank you again for accepting my invitation."

"It was no trouble, Dumbledore."

When the feast ended, Sean quickly said goodbye to Hermione and hurried after Newt.

Dumbledore, who was speaking with Professor McGonagall, saw the scene and smiled faintly.

Though Newt's hair and beard were both white, his steps came quick and close together. Sean had to jog to catch up with him at a corner on the third floor.

"Professor Scamander," Sean called out politely.

"Oh, hello, but it isn't time for class yet." Newt glanced at him, nodded, and prepared to continue upstairs.

"Professor, I'm sorry to disturb you, but a question has troubled me for a long time. I've seen a Magical Creature Egg, and I'm very curious about what's inside. It had bluish-green patterns, densely packed blood-red lines around the edges of those patterns, and it gave off a bright red glow. As for its size..." Sean gestured at his own head. "It was about as big as my head."

Sean was worried that something might happen if he left the egg alone for too long, so he could only seize the chance to bother Professor Scamander just after his journey.

And Newt was a wizard who preferred being around magical creatures far more than being around humans. Only by throwing out his question quickly could Sean catch his attention; otherwise, Sean suspected Newt would give him a perfunctory answer or two and hurry away.

Sure enough, Newt stopped at once and turned around, his eyes shining.

"The egg you saw—are you sure it looked like that?"

"I'm sure." Sean nodded seriously.

Newt leaned against the stone wall, his hands unconsciously tapping against it.

"Strange, it sounds like... but where did the blood lines and red glow come from... a mutation, or a new species..."

Sean didn't interrupt him. He simply stood to the side with a smile.

After quite a while, Newt finally came back to himself.

He checked his watch. "Oh... sorry, could you come to my office with me? I have a small picture book, and you might be able to identify it... Oh, sorry, what's your name?"

"Sean Wallop, sir."

"Come along, Mr. Wallop, if you don't mind going to bed a little later."

"Of course, sir."

Sean followed Newt into an office, and his sharp eyes immediately spotted the leather case on the desk.

The corners of the suitcase were somewhat worn, and the brass dial in the middle had been scuffed badly as well.

"Thump—bang—" The suitcase bounced twice on its own, and a muffled sound came from inside.

"Don't worry." Newt took off his coat and pressed one hand against the case.

"You can find somewhere to sit. I'll go look for it." With that, Newt picked up the case and entered a small room by the wall.

Looks like we're not familiar enough yet. He won't take me in to have a look.

Sean sighed regretfully, then began examining the room.

It looked ordinary enough. Calling it an office wasn't even quite accurate—it was more like a tiny bedroom, since there was nothing in the room besides a desk, chairs, and a bed. There was only a wooden stand behind the door, though Sean had no idea what it was for.

Suddenly, Sean felt something tug at his trouser leg.

Looking down, he saw a sprouting bluish-green branch using its tiny hands to pull at his trouser leg. It was a Bowtruckle.

"Hey, little guy." Sean lowered his hand toward the ground.

The Bowtruckle examined Sean with its brown little eyes. After a brief hesitation, it leaped onto Sean's palm.

"Hello there. Are you Professor Scamander's friend, or did you run over here by yourself?" Sean teased it gently.

The Bowtruckle didn't seem shy at all. It wrapped both hands around Sean's finger and began swinging from it like a swing.

"It really likes you, Mr. Wallop." Newt emerged carrying a thick illustrated book, a smile on his face.

"I suppose Magical Creatures have always liked me, sir." Sean smiled and cupped his hands together, giving the Bowtruckle more room to move.

"Bowtruckles don't readily accept a wizard, especially when he doesn't have any woodlice on hand." Newt nodded with mild surprise, then handed over the book.

"Take a look. Is it this?"

Sean looked at the open page and immediately knew.

The illustration showed exactly what his egg had looked like before.

A line of small print beneath the picture read: Swooping Evil.