Chapter 57: What to Do When Your Puppy Loses Its Appetite
Chapter 57: What to Do When Your Puppy Loses Its Appetite
Who in the wizarding world would refuse to keep a dragon as a pet? Hagrid certainly wouldn't, and as for its temperamental nature... who cares? It's normal for a child to be a little naughty.
Being rejected by the Romanian Dragon Reserve only proves that they lack the skill and knowledge. Look at how skinny they are, like kindling sticks. How could they possibly know how to properly care for a dragon?
"Okay, if you become a professor..."
"No problem!" Hagrid interrupted Kyle without letting him finish, enthusiastically agreeing to the bet.
He didn't even consider whether Kyle could really persuade Newt, or if Dumbledore would allow a dragon into Hogwarts. He simply gave his word.
As if afraid that Kyle might change his mind, Hagrid quickened his pace, leading the trio on a small run towards the area near the Mooncalves' cave.
"You guys wait here and don't go any further."
Turning to face them, Hagrid spoke seriously. "The Mooncalves' dance is very exhausting for them, so they need to rest during the day. Make sure you keep as quiet as possible."
Connor and Cedric silently nodded, their faces filled with curiosity as they gazed at the tent-like caves.
Why wasn't Kyle with them? He had already seen countless Mooncalves with Newt, so this was nothing new.
His attention was now focused on the surrounding Protective Trees.
Compared to other places, the Protective Trees here were exceptionally tall and robust.
Kyle walked up and knocked on the tree trunk, feeling its hardness.
Noticing Kyle's action, Hagrid whispered, "Because the Mooncalves trample their droppings into the ground, the Protective Trees in their presence tend to grow exceptionally well.
Oh, and this is also where the Bowtruckles make their nests."
Kyle looked up and soon spotted countless "little green sprouts" on the Protective Trees.
This was consistent with what Newt had shown him. In that magical case, the Bowtruckles and Mooncalves were neighbors.
Kyle picked up a twig from the ground and asked, "Hagrid, can I collect some of these twigs?"
"You can, but what do you want them for?" Hagrid asked, curious.
"Just some ideas I have," Kyle replied vaguely.
...
When they emerged from the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid now carried a large bundle of dead twigs.
Kyle had intended to use a Floating Charm to carry them, but Hagrid found that too troublesome and insisted on helping.
After leaving the forest, Cedric headed back to the castle for his class.
Kyle and Connor, however, stayed behind.
Unlike the previous time, Hagrid warmly invited them to his humble abode.
As they stepped into the room, a large black dog came bounding over, its tongue lolling and its tail wagging so fast it looked like an electric fan.
Kyle gave the dog's head a good scratch, earning him enthusiastic licks in return.
The fur felt surprisingly soft.
"Alright, Fang, come here," Hagrid said, placing a grayish-brown mush in a bowl on the ground. Fang eagerly rushed over and buried his head in the bowl.
Hagrid patted his head gently. "Slow down, boy. There's more if you need it."
Taking advantage of this moment, Kyle looked around the room.
There was only one room, with hams and wild chickens hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle boiling water in the fireplace, and a large bed in the corner with a quilt made of patched-up rags.
It looked rather unimpressive and even a bit shabby.
Nonetheless, this was the first time he had ever sat on such costly mats.
After Hagrid sat down, Kyle took the initiative to introduce them, "This is Connor, and the one who just left is Cedric. They're both from Hufflepuff, like me, but Cedric is in his second year."
"Hello," Hagrid said cheerfully and greeted Connor, offering her and Kyle a piece of rock cake from a plate. "You must be hungry. Try my cooking and see how it is."
When Connor took the rock cake, she felt its weight suddenly sink in her hand, as if she were holding a brick.
Her eyes twitched slightly, and she wisely decided not to take a bite.
Kyle also didn't eat, but he asked for another piece, saying that he would share it with Cedric later.
Hagrid was delighted and generously gave Kyle the entire plate of rock cakes, telling him that he could come for more anytime.
But Kyle only took two pieces and put them in his pockets.
He certainly wasn't going to eat them; even if the rock cakes tasted delicious, he wouldn't be able to chew them without teeth as strong as a giant's.
However, they would make excellent self-defense weapons.
He had been tormented by Snape lately to the point of almost developing a nervous breakdown. If he ever lost control, smashing these into the back of Snape's head wouldn't be a bad option.
No, it should be phrased as offering Professor Snape some food; it's just that the professor failed to catch them.
As Hagrid took the plate back from Kyle, he looked at him and said awkwardly, "I, uh, I have a dog, but it's been acting strange lately. It has no energy and has lost its appetite. I don't know what's wrong with it."
Kyle subconsciously glanced at Fang, who was enthusiastically devouring his food.
No energy? Lost its appetite?
If he remembered correctly, this was already Fang's second bowl.
"Not Fang," Hagrid quickly explained, noticing Kyle's confused expression. "It's another dog."
"Oh..."
With that clarification, Kyle understood that Hagrid was talking about Fluffy, the three-headed dog.
He looked around again but still didn't spot Fluffy anywhere.
"Didn't I already tell you?" Kyle turned to Hagrid and said, "Just leave it in the Forbidden Forest."
"I did, but it didn't work!" Hagrid sounded a bit aggrieved. "It did get much better when it was in the forest, but as soon as I bring it back here, it loses its energy again."
.....
Kyle was speechless.
Hagrid's comprehension skills were truly unique. Did he think this was about taking the dog for a walk and then bringing it back?!
"Hagrid, the three-headed dog..."
"Just one head! Just one head!"
Kyle took a deep breath, ignoring Hagrid's frantic denial, and continued, "The three-headed dog is a massive magical creature that naturally prefers open and spacious areas. If kept in a low and confined space for an extended period, they will become very depressed."
"It's not that low here," Hagrid muttered.
"That's just from your perspective," Kyle patiently explained. "In just a year, the three-headed dog will grow to a height of thirty feet, and its body length will exceed fifteen feet. By then, it won't even be able to turn around comfortably in here."
(End of Chapter)
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