Blast-Ended Skrewts

Around 10 a. m., it suddenly started raining.

As the raindrops gently tapped against the windowpane, Kyle and Kanna sat there contentedly, sipping hot pine needle tea and chatting with Hagrid.

The topic quickly shifted to the Triwizard Tournament.

"How does it feel to become Champion?" Hagrid asked, somewhat curiously.

"It's not quite clear yet," Kyle said, "But it's going to be quite a lively time... Everyone's so enthusiastic, I felt like I drank two pints of Butterbeer last night."

"Of course, after all, you represent Hogwarts," Hagrid said with a smile. "But you need to work on your drinking capacity. Two pints of Butterbeer isn't enough."

Hagrid spoke casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world... After all, when he went to the Three Broomsticks for drinks, he always ordered at least three pints.

"I drank after the dinner," Kyle said, trying to explain to Hagrid that it wasn't that he couldn't hold his liquor, but that he genuinely couldn't drink anymore.

Honestly, Butterbeer is only good enough to get a graduated Prefect drunk.

However, judging from Hagrid's expression, he didn't seem to care at all what Kyle said.

"Look at what you're saying, I wouldn't go to Three Broomsticks on an empty stomach..." He placed a copper kettle on the stove. "It's alright, it's not shameful to have a low alcohol tolerance, and I won't tell anyone else."

Kyle opened his mouth, but ultimately gave up on explaining... It didn't matter anyway, Hagrid wouldn't listen.

The topic quickly shifted to the Triwizard Tournament.

"The competition is sure to be exciting. I never thought I'd see the Triwizard Tournament resume in my lifetime."

Hagrid grinned and said, "You'll see things you've never seen before. The First Task is amazing... oh, I shouldn't have said that, I shouldn't have."

"Go on, Hagrid," Kanna urged. "What's the First Task?"

But Hagrid simply shook his head.

"I don't want to spoil your fun," he said, "But that's not allowed. The Champion keep all information completely confidential before the project begins, and I think it's perfectly fine for Kyle to not know."

Kyle really wanted to tell Hagrid that he cared a lot about the competition, especially after Chris said the First Task was an obstacle course.

Since it's a challenge, there can't just be one dragon; the more you know, the better.

But Hagrid didn't give him that chance, and immediately changed the subject, talking about the Abraxan in the paddock.

After listening for a while, Kanna got a little bored and started looking around at the other things in the cabin.

By chance, she noticed a large wooden box under Hagrid's bed, and a faint crackling sound was coming from inside, as if there was something inside.

"Hagrid, what's in there...?" Kanna asked curiously, "Is it related to the Triwizard Tournament?"

"What?" Hagrid turned his head, then smiled and said, "Of course not, but I think they're just as beautiful as that big guy in the project."

"A beautiful, big guy?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, feeling like he had discovered some hidden information.

The only creatures that could be described as beautiful by Hagrid are probably those Fantastic Beasts with fangs and claws.

However, Hagrid didn't realize he had let something slip; he had already stood up and pulled the box out from under the bed.

"The little guy was just born yesterday." Hagrid excitedly opened the box and placed it in front of Kyle and Kanna.

Kanna's face began to turn pale rapidly, and she instinctively leaned back, trying to get away from the box in front of her.

Inside were a group of grayish-white, slimy things. They looked like shelled lobsters, or some kind of legged slugs—their appearance was simply grotesque.

Moreover, their tails would occasionally spew out sparks; what Kanna had just heard was the sound of sparks hitting the box.

"What is this thing?" Kanna's face turned deathly pale.

Compared to this thing, she felt that the Flobberworm was quite handsome.

"The ' Blast-Ended Skrewt,' that's what I named it," Hagrid said. "I'm planning a big project where students will be responsible for raising them."

Kanna's expression changed again.

She clearly didn't think it was a good idea, but didn't know how to persuade Hagrid to abandon the idea, so she could only look to Kyle for help.

"Okay..." Kyle nodded and said, "Hagrid, are you sure you want to do this?"

"What?" Hagrid looked away from the Blast-Ended Skrewt. "Of course! Don't you think it's a very rewarding thing... to watch a little guy grow up."

"I understand your point," Kyle said, "But I have only one question... These are newly bred Fantastic Beasts, right? After all, I've never seen them before."

"That's right," Hagrid said proudly. "It's a descendant of Manticore and Fire Crab."

"Very good, a new species," Kyle said. "You haven't forgotten, have you? My dad is one of the referees in the Triwizard Tournament, and he'll be coming to Hogwarts quite often this year."

"Of course I know, but what does this have to do with the Blast-Ended Skrewt ..." Hagrid paused mid-sentence.

He then remembered that Chris was the deputy Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, which was in charge of all things related to Fantastic Beasts; judging was just a side job for him.

Moreover, because of the incident involving the Snake-bodied Swallow-tailed Beast a few years ago, he had already been summoned to the Ministry of Magic many times.

This time, the Blast-Ended Skrewt, like the Snake-bodied Swallow-tailed Beast, is clearly illegal.

"This... um... actually..." Hagrid looked at Kyle and stammered, "I, I just put them together... I didn't mean to... it was all a coincidence."

"I can keep this a secret for you," Kyle said, "But I don't know about the others. If someone accidentally lets it slip and my dad overhears them discussing the Blast-Ended Skrewt, then there's nothing I can do..."

Hagrid's face showed a conflicted expression.

Is he really going to have to give up on this big project he's been looking forward to for so long?

"And another thing," Kyle continued, "Even if you want to introduce the Blast-Ended Skrewt to everyone, that's fine, but before that, I think you'd better figure out their habits first."

Don't forget they're related to the Manticore, so their temperaments are definitely not docile. You wouldn't want to see a student get hurt in your class, would you?

"Of course not!" Hagrid blurted out.

Chris discovered it, and with the possibility of students getting hurt as a result... Kyle's words helped him make up his mind.

After hesitating for a moment, Hagrid dejectedly stuffed the boxes back under the bed, abandoning his idea of bringing them to class.

Seeing this, Kanna also breathed a long sigh of relief.

Thankfully, they were finally able to have a normal Care of Magical Creatures afterward.