A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 501: Magical Creatures

"Hey, Newt," Felix addressed the busy figure, "any discoveries?"

"I'm not sure," Newt straightened from the table, hastily jotting notes, eyeing the frantic movement of several 'Blast-Ended Skrewts' in the glass cabinet. He hesitated, "Hagrid calls them that? They seem rather temperamental, in a mating season, perhaps? Some creatures act daft during that time... as do some people."

"No one's certain; these beings have only appeared in the real world for less than a year. No one can fully grasp their behaviors," Felix replied. "Hagrid was looking after them, but he's off on a trip and left the last few in my care. He's keen on hearing your thoughts too."

"We need more observation time." Newt fixed his gaze on the cabinet. "We must confirm if the Skrewts can breed stably in natural conditions—that's crucial. Otherwise, they might just vanish into history. Too many failed attempts at creating new species through intervention exist. Hagrid didn't involve magic, which is good; there's a chance for a stable existence. I'm considering setting up an enclosure; your magic has been keeping them confined."

He looked up, an eager expression on his face.

"Make it sturdy," Felix reminded. "I've never seen a tame Skrewt. It seems they lack a brain as an organ."

Newt nodded.

Felix cradled Valen, examining a dangling ball of yarn with it.

It was a spiked pod, but as they observed, it suddenly unfurled into a massive, bat-like crawling creature with skeletal wings, a terrifying sight. It hung upside down, eyeing them, startling Valen in Felix's arms.

"The Unflying Wyvern. They curl into a spiked pod when not flying. This one isn't dangerous, but it's best not to get too close. Norris is a bit shy," Newt smiled to himself.

"Huh?" Valen, still startled, patted its chest.

"Norris, that's its name," Newt repeated. "Just like you're Valen."

He looked at Felix. "It's hard to imagine; she's already learned to write, though a bit messy, but... well, quite impressive. Reminds me of my brother," he added in a near whisper.

Felix gazed at the coiled Unflying Wyvern, unable to help but click his tongue. "Valen looks better," he didn't want to turn into that. "So, you've trained it?" He suddenly had a thought, curious. "These things are quite dangerous in the wild."

Newt had a nostalgic look.

"I once had a Wyvern that helped me immensely. Norris is its descendant."

"I see," Felix nodded. He asked curiously, "Did that Wyvern assist you in catching Grindelwald?"

"Oh, uh—" Newt looked at him, "Dumbledore told you?"

"No, my source was a magical assistant from the American Institute. He told me there's an inconspicuous Wyvern statue in the American Institute's hall... near the trial room... with an inscription stating 'It once assisted in defeating the source of turmoil,'" Felix explained. "The statue is attributed to the American Institute's President Seraphina Picquery. Given the context at that time, I deduced."

Newt halted his actions, lost in distant memories. "I can't disclose more—it involves Dumbledore. But so far, what you've said is accurate."

"What kind of person is Grindelwald?" Felix keenly inquired. "This shouldn't breach any prohibition, right?"

"...No, it doesn't," Newt's voice lowered. "He's very proud, or confident... charismatic, although I didn't particularly like that aspect. He caused a lot of trouble then..." His voice trailed off, and in that moment, he seemed like an almost centenarian.

Two days later, Felix bid farewell.

"Hey, Flash, you're here too," Felix addressed the invisible creature next to Newt, which today appeared as a sloth-like animal. Felix handed it an apple.

"Done with your investigation?" Newt asked.

"Done, quicker than I anticipated," Felix said contentedly. "I suppose it's because I voluntarily gave up on certain goals. After all, Venomous Tentacula and Mooncalves aren't quite suitable..."

Plus, they don't look good.

"Can I ask," Newt looked interested, "you mentioned wanting to study magical creature structures, using magic—was it 'scanning'?"

"Yes—using magic to scan. Honestly, I don't fully understand it. Sounds like the process of familiarizing oneself with transfigured creatures in Transfiguration," Felix glanced at Newt, who nodded.

"You're right," Felix smiled faintly.

"But it shouldn't be that. Regular transfiguration only changes the appearance of magical creatures, unable to reveal their essence. Even the advanced Animagi just remove certain drawbacks..." Newt mused to himself.

"Even Dumbledore... wait, I seem to recall a similar scene, not a complete transfiguration though, hardly any changes on the skin. I always thought it was some magic I didn't know."

Newt's eyes sparkled, fixated on Felix, brimming with curiosity.

"Can you truly do that? Can I see?"

"Of course, showcasing this ability to the world's greatest expert on magical creatures would be an honor."

Valen stood on the table, also eagerly looking at Felix. Although it had seen it beforehand, the sight was still astonishing. What species exactly was the grand magician? The invisible creature nibbling on fruit suddenly widened its eyes, dropping the fruit—it had seen what was coming next.

Felix tilted his head, cautiously eyeing his fingers and began the transfiguration. A strange sensation swept through him. His body seemed to melt, his hands shrinking and melding into his sides, torso and neck elongating, a pair of blue wings akin to scimitars breaking through his clothes from the back... Felix felt no pain, only a warm sensation; no panic, just tranquility—because he knew the transfigured form and that his body could adapt to this extent of change.

He became a magical creature.

Felix lowered his head, but his body quickly expanded, taller even than Newt. With a bird-like, blue head almost the size of the invisible creature, he looked down at the people present, his gaze slightly shifting, easily seeing the rivers, caves, and plains in the distance.

Towering stature, radiant feathers, over a hundred feet long.

He had turned into a bird-snake.

>

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