https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-268-An-Unexpected-Encounter-with-Newt/13460533/
Chapter 269: Everett
Chapter 269: Everett
Recalling the palm-sized Niffler Felix had just seen, he understood that an adult Niffler was at least a foot long.
Newt glanced at him and then looked around the office. Inside, Amos's voice sounded agitated, "Where are those forms again?"
"Can you give me a hand?" Newt asked.
"What?" Felix looked at him in surprise.
"I need to feed them some potion... These three are a bit weak, not as strong as their siblings."
"Glad to help", Felix said after a moment's thought. He noticed a unique quality in the old man, a mix of seriousness and innocence that he had only seen in young children.
"What do I need to do?"
"Block the way—yes", Newt said, leaning to one side. He took out a silver pocket watch from one pocket and a thumb-sized glass vial from another, unscrewing the cap. Felix noticed the cap was attached to a dropper.
"Just three drops..." Newt focused on the watch, "I'm opening it, Mr. Hep."
"Click."
The front of the watch popped open, and a small black creature immediately darted out, leaping nimbly in Newt's palm—
"Niffler, come here!" Felix whispered. The Niffler's flat hands flailed, but it ended up flying backward and was quickly scooped up.
"Thanks—there you are, Valen. You should be feeling better now", Newt said to the little creature. The Niffler in Felix's hand turned its head and made a few low sounds.
"Hey, you can't talk like that", Newt said, then looked up, "Holding her like that is a bit uncomfortable, Mr. Hep. Not squeezing, I know you're not using force—but it's better to cradle her."
Felix adjusted his grip.
"Great, open your mouth, Valen. You don't want to get sick, do you?" Newt said to the Niffler. Reluctantly, the Niffler opened its mouth, and Newt dripped three drops of a clear potion inside.
Then, he placed the little creature back into the watch, but Valen immediately poked its head out. "Oh, no, no!" Newt placed a finger on its pink snout, looking into its bright black eyes, "Call your two brothers out."
The Niffler was unmoved, and Newt tilted his head, "I insist, Valen."
It reluctantly grunted, its pink snout retreating as the watch filled with a chaotic noise. Newt seemed to explain to Felix, "Their sibling relationships are complicated."
Soon, another Niffler's half-body emerged—though Felix couldn't tell the difference.
"Sar, here you go—" Newt dripped three drops of the potion into its mouth, "Now it's Thorpe's turn."
Once he finished, he let out a sigh of relief. Noticing Felix's gaze, Newt said, "Nifflers are very lively creatures. They're very friendly with humans, of course, I don't recommend keeping them as pets—they'll ruin your house—"
"They're interested in money too?"
"Yes, they can cause quite a mess if you're not careful. You can always shake a bunch of shiny things out of them", Newt said, "But they're fun to be around. You can race them to find coins, see who's faster... Their sense of smell is very keen, they can help you find people or old objects."
Newt suddenly stuffed the watch back into his pocket and pretended to adjust the edges of his clothes. After a couple of seconds, a young man in a finely tailored and brightly colored green wizard robe walked out of the office, a round badge pinned to his chest.
"Mr. Scamander, Diggory said you were here."
"I think I've seen you somewhere before", Newt said.
"Yes, I've been working here for... several years", he gestured to the sign on the office door, "I'm Mr. Magnair's assistant."
Newt frowned, "Dangerous Creatures Committee?"
"We may not be understood, but someone has to do it", the young man said, his arrogance fading, "Mr. Scamander, the Eisilon herd in Antrim County is getting restless. You should go and check it out."
The Eisilon is a chestnut-maned flying horse, recognized as one of the four most common flying horses along with Thestrals, Griffins, and Nightriders.
"Oh... that's odd... this isn't the mating season", Newt said, puzzled.
"Who knows what those beasts are thinking?"
"Has there been a change in their leader?"
"I don't think so... that's why I suggest you go and investigate the cause."
"Environment?"
"None."
Newt asked each question seriously, and the young man struggled to respond. His answers grew shorter, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead. By the end, even Felix, who wasn't very familiar with these creatures, could detect the contradictions in his words.
Newt looked the young man in the eye for the first time, "Perhaps... my knowledge tells me that you are lying... you want me to leave here."
The young man averted his gaze awkwardly but quickly realized it and forced himself to meet Newt's eyes, "That's a serious accusation, Mr. Scamander. As a Pureblood—"
"Excuse me", Felix couldn't help but interrupt, "I have a feeling that your tone sounds familiar. Are you Chesterfield?"
Chesterfield turned to look at Felix, his expression tinged with impatience, "Who are you? Can't you see we, we—Felix Hep?"
His voice wavered with agitation.
"It's me, Chesterfield", Felix greeted him.
The young man seemed at a loss, "Oh... hello, I didn't know..." After a few seconds, he finally calmed down, "Long time no see, Mr. Hep."
Felix nodded, "Indeed, it has been a long time. You were the prefect when I first enrolled, and many of the things you said were quite memorable."
"Really... I, I don't remember much", Chesterfield said.
"By the way, which family are you from?" Felix asked bluntly.
Chesterfield muttered something.
"I didn't hear that..." Felix stared into his eyes.
"It's—ah, Everett—" Chesterfield stammered, "Everett."
"The head of the Everett family is your—"
"—cousin."
This was not a pleasant conversation, at least not for Chesterfield. After a few more words, he tried to leave, "Mr. Mcneill might need me—"
Felix watched his retreating back, and Newt stood quietly by, occasionally casting curious glances.
At that moment, Amos finally emerged, a few sweat drops on his red face, "These forms haven't been used in years. I found them in the previous member's file cabinet, a bunch of pests had made a home in there—Who are you?"
"Felix Hep, I work at Hogwarts", Felix said.
"Good heavens", Amos's eyes widened, "You're the professor of the Ancient Runes Class and the head of the Duelling Club?"
Felix gave him a curious look. Was he a parent of one of his students? He said, "Yes—"
"During the holidays, Cedric mentioned you. Cedric Diggory, he's my son", Amos said excitedly, "The boy is a bit shy, but he holds you in high regard. He told me you gave him a lot of extra guidance in the Duelling Class... and the power of the spells, truly remarkable..."
"Cedric, indeed, he is very talented. He also performs exceptionally well in Ancient Runes."
"He's also the captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team! I recently talked to his mom about whether Cedric should join the Ministry of Magic or the national team after graduation... She told me to ask for his opinion—ha ha..." Amos chattered on, like all parents do, until a tall man hurried over from the other end of the corridor.
"Mr. Hep?" the tall man said, "I'm the one you've been corresponding with, Walsh. You're finally here—"
"What's the matter? I arrived an hour early."
"Minister Fudge is waiting for you", Walsh Sidwell pulled at Felix's arms, "Sorry, Diggory, I have to take your friend."
"No, no, it's fine. Business comes first", Mr. Diggory said.
Felix stopped, causing Walsh to stumble, "Oh, wait—there's something I need to say", he looked at Newt, "Mr. Scamander, I've been following Hagrid's case. We should talk about it sometime."
Before Newt could respond, Amos interjected, "Is it the lecture at two today? The Muggle Expert you mentioned? I'll definitely come, Mr. Hep."
Felix smiled at him and then left with Walsh.
Newt mused, "Muggle Expert? His clothes are indeed comfortable."
(End of Chapter)
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