Newt Scamander (Part 2)

Purely in terms of the experience, Apparition felt even worse than the Fireplace.

Vaughn felt as though he had been squeezed into a circular tube and sent hurtling around its center. After spinning until he was dizzy, he was squeezed back out again.

The moment he set foot on the ground, he staggered and nearly fell, his stomach churning.

Fortunately, he did not throw up.

Dumbledore said lightly, "You did better than I expected, Vaughn. In fact, Fawkes has always been rather impatient. When it comes to Apparition, he is much rougher than many Wizards."

"Then you should have warned me, Albus."

"Wasn't it a delightful surprise?"

"No! No wonder Professor Snape described you to me as having a twisted sense of humor, being eccentric, and senile."

"I never expected Severus to think of me that way. How heartbreaking. He still doesn't understand what fun is!"

Dumbledore spoke with a smile. After looking around for a moment, he said happily, "Oh, Fawkes did not go to the wrong place this time. Come on, Vaughn. My kind friend must be preparing to give us a warm welcome."

Dumbledore spoke with a smile. After looking around for a moment, he said happily, "It seems Fawkes remembered the Scamander Residence. I thought we might end up at the seaside again like last time."

Vaughn also raised his head and looked around.

They had appeared on a country lane. Far behind them, the sea reflected faint moonlight beneath the night sky, while the roar of waves drifted over from the distance.

Scamander...

Vaughn already knew whom they had come to see—Newt Scamander!

This was Dorset?

It was only after raising Guoguo Tea that Vaughn had begun taking an interest in Magical Creatures. In the current Wizarding world, if there was anyone who knew the most about Magical Creatures, it was undoubtedly Newt Scamander, author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

During Summer Vacation, Vaughn had even asked Arthur to inquire about Newt's whereabouts.

But since he had never had any contact with him before, he only knew that Newt lived in seclusion in Dorset.

Of course, his circumstances were different from Nicolas Flamel's. Presumably, no one would target a retired magizoologist.

So his house was not hidden. It stood right beside the country lane where the two had appeared.

It was a small two-story villa of red brick and white tiles, simple yet refined.

Dumbledore led Vaughn over and knocked on the door.

Not long after, the door opened, revealing a somewhat thin old woman.

Dumbledore had just raised his hand in greeting. "Good evening, Tina, I—"

The instant the old woman saw him, her expression darkened, and she slammed the door shut with a bang!

Vaughn tugged on Dumbledore's robe. "This is the warm welcome you mentioned?"

Dumbledore: "..."

Ten minutes later, inside the little villa.

Warm flames licked at the logs in the Fireplace, bathing the living room in a fiery glow.

Dumbledore and Vaughn sat on the sofa as Newt Scamander brought them tea.

"Sorry, Dumbledore, Tina..."

Before he could finish, Tina snatched Dumbledore's tea away. "When has he ever come looking for you without asking you to help solve some trouble? I saw through him long ago. We are retired now. Retired, do you understand?"

Newt gave an awkward, sheepish smile. "Tina, don't be like that. There's a child here."

Tina looked at Vaughn, and the frost on her face quickly melted away. Smiling gently, she said, "Don't be afraid, child. Grandma Tina isn't a bad person. The one beside you named Dumbledore is the bad one."

They studied Vaughn, and Vaughn studied them in return—mainly Newt.

Newt looked quite ordinary, with nothing especially noteworthy about his appearance. Only his eyes stood out, bright not in Dumbledore's soul-stirring way, but with an innocence that did not belong to someone of his age.

He was a little like Hagrid, and Professor Kettleburn from Magical Creatures Conservation.

Vaughn suddenly realized that people who liked Magical Creatures seemed to have very pure hearts.

"You're a Weasley, aren't you?" Newt suddenly asked. "The traits are far too obvious. That really is a large family. Before I retired, I worked at the Ministry of Magic. I heard there was a Weasley in the Department for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. Some time ago, I went to Romania to study Dragons, and there was a Weasley there as well."

Vaughn answered, "The one at the Ministry of Magic is my dad, Arthur Weasley. The one in Romania is my brother, Charlie Weasley, Mr. Scamander."

"Oh, oh, how wonderful..."

After exchanging a few stammered pleasantries, the somewhat socially anxious Newt left Vaughn with Tina to fuss over.

He himself said to Dumbledore, "So, Dumbledore, you want me to look after that herd of Unicorns for a while?"

"Yes, Newt. I cannot think of anyone more suitable than you."

Newt did not show the slightest hesitation and answered readily, "I can help. There is still room in the basement, but I must say that it cannot be for too long. Unicorns yearn for freedom, and a confined environment is very bad for them."

Dumbledore nodded. "It will not take long. Once that Dark Wizard is dealt with, they can return."

"It is truly unbelievable that such vicious Dark Wizards still exist."

Newt said indignantly. Like Hagrid, he was a man of action. After accompanying Dumbledore and Vaughn for a cup of tea and barely fulfilling his duties as host, he hurried upstairs.

A short while later, he came back down already changed, carrying an old suitcase in his hand.

"I knew it. Nothing good ever comes from him visiting you. I should have stuffed you into the Fireplace the moment I slammed the door."

Though she complained, Tina still stepped forward to straighten Newt's collar.

Dumbledore's expression did not change. "Tina, there will be no danger. I guarantee it."

Tina acted as if he did not exist, merely calling Vaughn over kindly. "Come, child. Let the old men handle their business. Grandma will take you to see some Magical Creatures."

Thus, the two old men Apparated away. Before leaving, Dumbledore winked at Vaughn.

Vaughn suddenly realized something.

He had sought out Old Dumbledore to use as muscle, but Old Dumbledore seemed to be using him as a pawn too.

He had long known that Tina disliked him and would likely refuse to let him inside, which was why he had deliberately brought Vaughn along.

He had counted on Tina being too embarrassed to make a scene in front of a child.

Damn it!

They were evenly matched!

Meanwhile, in the Forbidden Forest, Dumbledore led Newt in search of the herd of Unicorns and asked, "Newt, what do you think of Vaughn Weasley?"

Newt did not understand why he was asking. After thinking for a moment, he said, "He is very complicated. Not like a child..."

"Yes, very complicated." Dumbledore sighed. He told Newt about Vaughn's achievements so far, then continued, "I worry that he is too immersed in reason and power, but he is too mature. I cannot think of any good way to guide him."

Newt blinked his bright eyes, looking slightly bewildered. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Today, he took the initiative to suggest relocating the Unicorns. I think that is a good sign. He seems to have some fondness for Magical Creatures... I was thinking, why not try to cultivate that interest?"

Newt finally understood. "You want me to teach him?"

Looking at Dumbledore's old face, Newt suddenly felt that Tina had been right. Nothing good ever came from this old man showing up at his door!