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Chapter 504: Snapped-Tailed Snail
Chapter 504: Snapped-Tailed Snail
Around 10 AM, rain began to fall from the sky.
As the raindrops gently tapped against the glass window, Kyle and Cona sat comfortably, sipping on hot pine needle tea and chatting with Hagrid.
The conversation quickly shifted to the Triwizard Tournament.
"How does it feel to be a champion?" Hagrid asked curiously.
"It's still unclear," Kyle replied, "but I imagine things will get lively from now on... Everyone's so enthusiastic. Last night, I felt like I drank two pints of Butterbeer."
"That's to be expected. After all, you're representing Hogwarts," Hagrid smiled and said, "But you'll need to work on your drinking capacity. It's just Butterbeer, and you can only handle two pints? That won't do."
Hagrid spoke casually, as if it were a matter of course... After all, when he went to The Three Broomsticks for drinks, he always started with three pints.
"I drank after the banquet ended," Kyle explained, trying to tell Hagrid that it wasn't that he couldn't hold his liquor, but that he genuinely couldn't drink any more.
To be honest, Butterbeer could only get someone as drunk as a graduated prefect.
However, Hagrid didn't seem to care about what Kyle said.
"Look, I wouldn't go to The Three Broomsticks on an empty stomach either..." He placed a copper kettle on the fireplace, "It's fine. There's no shame in your drinking capacity, and I won't tell anyone else."
Kyle opened his mouth but eventually gave up on the idea of explaining... It didn't matter, as Hagrid wouldn't listen anyway.
The topic quickly shifted back to the Triwizard Tournament.
"The competition will definitely be exciting. I never thought I'd see the Triwizard Tournament restored in my lifetime."
Hagrid smiled, "You'll see things you've never seen before. The first task is so amazing, it's... Ah, I shouldn't say, I really shouldn't."
"Go on, Hagrid," Cona urged, "What's the first task?"
But Hagrid just shook his head.
"I don't want to spoil your excitement," he said, "but it's not allowed. All information must be kept confidential before the tasks, and I think for Kyle, even if he doesn't know, it won't be a problem."
Kyle really wanted to tell Hagrid that he cared about the competition, especially after Chris mentioned that the first task was a challenge.
Since it was a challenge, there would likely be more than just one dragon, and knowing more would definitely be advantageous.
However, Hagrid didn't give him the chance and directly changed the topic, chatting about the Thestrals in the enclosure.
Cona listened for a while but found it boring, so she started examining the other items in the cabin.
Unintentionally, she spotted a large wooden box under Hagrid's bed, from which came a faint snapping sound, as if something was inside.
"Hagrid, what's in there..." Cona asked curiously, "Is it related to the Triwizard Tournament?"
"What?" Hagrid turned his head and then smiled, "Of course not, but I feel they're as beautiful as the big guy in the task."
"A beautiful big guy?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, feeling like he had discovered hidden information.
The only things Hagrid would describe as beautiful were probably those magical creatures with fangs and claws.
However, Hagrid didn't realize he had let something slip, and by now, he had already stood up and retrieved the box from under the bed.
"A little guy was born yesterday," Hagrid excitedly opened the box and placed it in front of Kyle and Cona.
Cona's face visibly paled, and her body instinctively leaned back, wanting to distance herself from the box in front of her.
Inside were a group of grayish-white, slimy creatures. They looked like shell-less lobsters or some kind of slug with legs, an unnerving sight.
Moreover, their tails occasionally emitted sparks, which Cona now realized was the sound of embers hitting the box earlier.
"What on earth are these things?" Cona asked, her face ashen.
Compared to these creatures, even the Felorbe's Mites seemed charming.
"Snapped Tailed Snails, that's what I call them," Hagrid said, "I'm planning a big project to have students raise them."
Cona's expression changed again.
She obviously didn't think this was a good idea, but she didn't know how to convince Hagrid to abandon it. She looked to Kyle for help.
"Okay..." Kyle nodded and said, "Hagrid, are you sure about this?"
"What?" Hagrid shifted his gaze from the Snapped Tailed Snails, "Of course! Don't you think this is a very fulfilling project... to watch a little one grow up before your eyes."
"I understand your idea," Kyle said, "but I have one concern... are these newly bred magical creatures? I've never seen them before."
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"Exactly," Hagrid said proudly, "they're the offspring of Chimaeras and Flame Crabs."
"Great, a new species," Kyle said, "you won't forget that my father is one of the judges for the Triwizard Championship, and he'll be coming to Hogwarts a lot this year."
"Of course, I know that, but what does that have to do with the Snapped Tailed Snails..." Hagrid trailed off, suddenly realizing something.
He just remembered that Chris was the Deputy Director of the Creature Control Department... no, the Head of Department, in charge of all matters related to magical creatures. Being a judge was just his side job.
And due to the Mermaid incident a few years ago, he had already been summoned to the Ministry of Magic several times.
These Snapped Tailed Snails were obviously illegal, just like the Mermaids.
"This... um... actually..." Hagrid looked at Kyle and stammered, "I just put them together... I didn't mean to... it's just a coincidence."
"I can keep it a secret for you," Kyle said, "but I don't know about others. If someone accidentally lets it slip and my father hears about it during a discussion about the Snapped Tailed Snails, then there's nothing we can do..."
Hagrid's face showed a conflicted expression.
This was the big project he had been looking forward to for so long, and now he had to give it up?
"Also," Kyle continued, "even if you want to introduce the Snapped Tailed Snails to everyone, it's fine. But before that, I think it's better to first figure out more about them.
Don't forget they're related to Chimaeras, so their temperaments probably won't be docile. You don't want to see any students getting injured in your class, do you?"
"Of course not!" Hagrid exclaimed.
With Chris possibly finding out and the potential for students to get injured... Kyle's words helped Hagrid make up his mind.
After hesitating for a moment, Hagrid sadly pushed the box back under the bed, abandoning the idea of bringing them to class.
Seeing this, Cona also breathed a sigh of relief.
At least, they would finally have a normal Care of Magical Creatures class from now on.
(End of Chapter)
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