Chapter 565: Magical Creatures in the Arctic
Chapter 565: Magical Creatures in the Arctic
Meanwhile, Felix was building a house in the icy wilderness of the Arctic. Valen, hiding under his thick dragon-skin cap, found the endless glaciers hard to adjust to.
Felix had a very busy couple of weeks. After the Christmas dinner, he spent a day focusing on company affairs and then immediately headed to Newt's cottage. The Scamander couple welcomed him, and Newt's wife, Tina Scamander, a kind yet stern old lady, knew he was planning a short trip and thoughtfully prepared twelve different flavors of hot dogs for Felix.
"Dear, you could make some apple pie as a change", Newt said.
"I always have trouble with the heat", Tina glanced at her husband and replied.
Over the next three days, Felix followed Newt's advice and traveled to various Magizoological Reserves around the world, collecting the Magical Creatures on his list. In the last week of his vacation, he arrived at the Arctic, the place he was least confident about.
"A self-duplicating Magical Creature?" Newt said. "Was it my memory that told you? To be honest, I'm not sure if I saw it correctly, but I did see something like that in the far north once. It was a stoat, or a fox, or a wolf... it could be any of them. They split themselves when hunting, somewhat like the spectral cats guarding the important areas of the French Ministry of Magic. Although they are completely different, the spectral cats are not living beings but ethereal entities..."
Felix was very curious about this Magical Creature.
He had to admit that he was intrigued from the moment he first heard about it in Classroom Seven. Even though he knew Felix Felicis wouldn't help, he still used the last of his stock and began his extensive search.
His advantage lay in the superior mobility provided by Apparition and his ability to discern Magic.
However, the Arctic was vast, so vast that it was almost despairing. He could only draw circles outward from the approximate location Newt provided. Fortunately, he had found a precious gemstone from the American black market. The gemstone came from a local Horned Serpent, and the gem on its forehead granted invisibility and flight. Felix wove it into a flying carpet, allowing him to float effortlessly in the air without any burden.
Felix could fly on his own, but it consumed a lot of Magic. He rarely used this method unless in battle. In contrast, Voldemort seemed to handle it with ease. Felix wondered if Voldemort had dissected a Horned Serpent and transplanted its blood into his own body, or perhaps a Vampire Bat?
"We have two more days. If we can't find it, we'll go back", Felix said. The ice house was quickly built, and he entered to cast the Undetectable Extension Charm to expand the internal space. He then lit a fire, and only then did Valen jump out from under the cap.
"Weren't you having fun with those otters yesterday?"
"Chirp!"
"Is the Thermoregulating Pendant Box failing? It has been a while. I'll make you a new one, or maybe buy one." Felix took out thick blankets and a cast-iron pot from his ring, then looked at Valen hesitantly. "Do you prefer grilled fish or soup? Of course, we have plenty of hot dogs..."
Valen made a gagging sound.
"A bit tired of them? You're so picky." Felix smacked his lips. In the end, he didn't touch the hot dogs—two days in the Brazilian rainforest were enough for him.
On the new day, Felix sat on the flying carpet, looking down from thousands of feet above. Below was an endless, undulating expanse of ice. The flying carpet could go higher, but Felix's Magic vision couldn't keep up.
Valen leaned against his back, happily playing a small game. The game came from the school's Magic Painting Club, which was considering what theme to use for an interactive magic painting. At a crucial moment, Valen appeared, providing both the core inspiration and a significant amount of funding.
Thus, a magic painting game featuring a Niffler as the main character, titled 'Brave Warrior,' was born.
After spending some time "slaughtering" enemies, Valen took out a new magic painting. The Niffler waiting anxiously at the edge of the level jumped onto another magic painting, equipped with a deluxe wand, and began the new level.
Meanwhile, Felix made a new discovery.
A snow-white creature was nimbly darting across the white landscape. Following its path, Felix found a nest of Arctic Hares fleeing in a frenzy. The creature indeed resembled what Newt had described, combining features of an Arctic fox and an Arctic wolf, but it was much smaller, about the size of a stoat.
Most importantly, Felix saw a rapid flow of Magic from this creature.
The presence of Magic meant it was a Magical Creature.
Felix floated a few hundred feet in the air, unnoticed by the snow-white creature. It was incredibly fast, but so were the Arctic Hares, and they turned more nimbly. The Magical Creature, as it approached the hares, leaped high into the air and split into an identical form at the peak of its jump. Two white shadows crossed on the snow, acting in perfect harmony, and in the blink of an eye, caught an unfortunate hare.
Felix descended while observing, marveling at the sight. If he hadn't looked closely, he wouldn't have noticed anything unusual.
The snow-white Magical Creatures picked up the rabbit and turned its head to see a strange creature falling from the sky. It had never seen a human before and now stood guard, carefully examining Felix.
Felix showed a friendly smile.
"Little fox? Little wolf? Little ferret? I have delicious hot dogs here..."
Two days later, Felix released it.
"Got a good haul, let's go, Valen." Valen waved goodbye to the new friend.
"Chirp! (Goodbye!)"
"Chirp chirp! (Watch your weight!)"
"Chirp chirp chirp! (Be careful, or you might not catch food later!)"
Felix gently patted Valen, "It's much more proportionate than you..." Valen was so angry he wanted to hit him.
...
The Hogwarts train had already stopped in Hogsmeade, and the young wizards returning from their holiday were boarding the carriages to go back to school.
Ron and Hermione, as prefects, organized the young wizards to board the carriages and were among the last to climb into the compartment. As soon as they entered, the thestral-drawn carriage started moving.
"What, all dark magic? Snape?" Hermione looked surprised at Harry and Ron. She had spent the last two weeks traveling with her parents and her mind hadn't fully switched back. "Well... it makes sense, doesn't it? We all know he's very interested in the Defense Against the Dark Arts course. Maybe he's preparing for it..."
Harry said glumly, "If that were the case, it would be better. That would mean we only have to endure it for one more year..."
"The key is that he's acting suspiciously, wandering around the house at midnight. Ginny can vouch for that", Ron added.
"Oh, well, I don't know, but it's his private business", Hermione said, smoothing her hair. "Have you finished your homework? I think some parts can still be improved."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances; it was clear they had spent more time speculating about Snape's motives.
"I'm almost done..." Ron glanced uneasily at Harry, who remained silent.
"Okay, if you don't turn in your homework tomorrow, will you tell the professors that?" Hermione asked sharply. Harry sighed. After returning to school, they hurriedly finished dinner and went to the Library. It was already filled with students, and they found an empty table to sit at. Hermione looked around thoughtfully.
"What's wrong?"
"It seems the Silencing Charm is becoming popular."
Harry looked around and indeed noticed some students moving their mouths rapidly without making a sound. Madam Pince's stern face appeared several times through the gaps in the bookshelves, like a vulture circling for a while before regretfully leaving.
Harry tapped the table with his wand, and the sounds around them became muffled, a low, buzzing hum.
Harry pulled out his homework. His History of Magic essay was missing a conclusion. He uncapped the ink bottle, dipped the quill, and began writing on the parchment. As he looked up, he caught a glimpse of Snape's figure moving between the bookshelves.
Harry's heart pounded. He strained to follow Snape's movements and was surprised to see him linger in the Restricted Section for a considerable time before sitting down at a table to read a book. He didn't leave until the Library was about to close.
"Wait a moment", Harry said, standing up to Ron and Hermione. "What?" But Harry was already bending to leave his seat.
After a while, he returned with a serious expression.
"What happened?" Ron asked, "You look like you've just been hit with a feather duster by Madam Pince..."
"Snape, the book Snape was reading..." Harry swallowed, "is Most Potent Magic."
"So what?" Hermione asked irritably, her eyes still on her essay. "Harry, he's a professor. Even if he's studying dark magic, there must be a legitimate reason. He might be trying to figure out how to counter it... If you could find his borrowing records, you might discover more."
"Good idea", Ron said, "Hey, I'm serious, we can really try it!"
"That's where you're wrong, Hermione", Harry said in a low voice. "I haven't read as many books as you, but I've only heard that title once..."
Hermione looked up, staring at Harry's face in shock.
She said in a dry voice, "I remember... in the preface of that book, there's a passage, 'Regarding the most evil invention of magic, the Horcrux, this book will not discuss or provide guidance...' Harry, do you think he's investigating..."
She didn't finish, but Harry and Ron knew what she meant—Snape might be secretly investigating Horcruxes.
(End of Chapter)
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