Chapter 362: Iffa the Wampus
Newt Scamander was preparing to depart.
Before leaving, his only lingering concern was the young wizard who, by his own estimation, lacked a certain "innate flare" for charms. Studying spatial magic in isolation was a dangerous endeavor, so as twilight fell, he sent off a final owl to Hogwarts.
Based on the boy's performance yesterday, he had only just grasped the basics of weather magic. He certainly wouldn't have had the time required to furnish the interior of a three-hundred-square-meter expanded space. That was a tedious alchemical process that involved anchoring physical objects to a shifting magical anchor.
Even for a master like Newt, perfecting such a space usually took at least a fortnight.
Moonlight spilled through the canopy of the silent Ilvermorny forest. As Sean walked, he checked his progress:
[High-Tier: Wizard's Tome: Apprentice (10/300)]
The fully realized Tome was indeed a High-Tier Alchemical Construct. Sean knew that without Master Newt's guidance, he would have spent months, if not years, stumbling through the complexities of spatial theory.
With the elderly Hufflepuff senior due to leave tomorrow, Sean had one final task: to "abduct" a Wampus Cat. He wasn't entirely sure if Headmistress Herrera would approve, but he intended to secure the creature's consent first. After all, over the last few days, his affinity with the wild feline had climbed steadily to the [Fairly Fond] rank.
The only light in the deep woods came from the tip of Sean's wand. Soon, two glowing yellow eyes peered at him from the ink-black shadows. The cougar-like creature gave a few experimental leaps, landing gracefully at Sean's feet.
Sean tapped the cover of the Wizard's Tome and used a Summoning Charm to pull out several cuts of raw meat and fresh fruit. He offered the meat first, then scratched the Wampus's chin, applied pressure to the base of its ears, and smoothed the fur along its spine...
Inevitably, the fierce predator rolled over and exposed its belly.
[Alert: You have gained the affinity of the magical creature Wampus Cat (Unnamed) at a Master standard. Proficiency +300]
"Would you like to come inside?" Sean asked, expanding the wooden frame of the Tome until it formed a shimmering portal. "It's warm, and there's plenty to eat."
The Wampus let out a low, vibrating purr. Sean understood the sound clearly: Yes.
"Follow me, then."
Sean turned and walked through the portal, momentarily forgetting that he shouldn't be able to understand the vocalizations of a Wampus Cat. In the Wizarding World, such direct communication was usually reserved for specific bloodlines—like the Slytherin gift of Parseltongue or the Dumbledore affinity for phoenixes. Otherwise, one had to be an Animagus of the same species.
As the realization hit him, the Soul Hallow against his chest gave off a faint, rhythmic glow. It seemed Soul Transfiguration provided a bridge that bypassed traditional linguistics.
Not far away, hidden beneath the branches of a massive beech tree, two figures stood watching.
"In 1832, a wizard in Cincinnati named Abel Treetops claimed he'd found a way to tame Wampus Cats to guard homes," Headmistress Herrera said softly. A small, amused smile played on her lips as she watched the young wizard in the snow. "But for a creature as intelligent and prideful as a Wampus, that's quite impossible. I eventually sent the MACUSA to raid his house, where they found him casting Engorgement Charms on Kneazles. He was a complete fraud."
She looked at Newt. "The creatures of this forest are free, as you and I well know. But in all my years, you are the only person I've ever seen successfully lead a Wampus away."
"His Tome isn't finished yet," Newt noted shyly, though his words seemed to have little to do with the conversation.
"So you think Mr. Hermes has a hidden gift for creatures as well?" Herrera asked, her eyes twinkling.
Newt petted the Kneazle in his arms and offered a noncommittal smile, saying nothing.
In the clearing, the book in Sean's hand suddenly expanded into a massive wooden door. Through the opening, the two observers could see the warm interior of a log cabin, with a view of a sun-drenched meadow and a lush forest beyond.
"You said his Tome wasn't finished? My dear Newt, I believe that is the first time I have ever heard you tell a lie," Herrera whispered in amazement.
Beside her, Master Newt stood frozen. He remembered clearly that the boy had only mastered the weather magic yesterday. At that time, the interior of the Tome had been a hollow, grey void.
"You look a bit peaked, Newt," Herrera noted, glancing at her old friend with interest.
"One night..." Newt managed a helpless, bewildered laugh. Sometimes, a wizard came along who simply refused to obey the laws of common sense.
"How long did it take him to build the interior?" Herrera pressed.
"A..." Newt began.
"A week? Truly incredible," Herrera said, her smile widening.
"A..." Newt tried again. He seemed used to being interrupted by her.
"A day?!" she gasped.
"One night," Newt finished quickly.
Headmistress Herrera gripped her wand, her gaze turning sharp and intense. "What do you think the odds are of me convincing Mr. Green to never go back to Hogwarts?"
Newt offered a shy, knowing smile. Her words reminded him of a certain Headmaster across the Atlantic who likely felt the exact same way.
"I was joking, of course," Herrera added with a flourish of her hand.
The two of them hadn't bothered to lower their voices, yet the young wizard in the distance didn't seem to hear them at all. Sean walked toward the portal, and with two graceful bounds, the Wampus Cat entered before him.
Inside the Wizarding Cottage, several magical photographs sat on the mantle. There was a sturdy, comfortable bed, a wardrobe, and stacks of manuscripts and books. Beside the cabin was a food storage shed surrounded by a babbling brook.
Sean flicked his wand, opening the shed door to reveal a banquet of various raw meats. The Wampus let out a thunderous purr of delight, and its affinity jumped another fifty points.
As the cat began to feast, Sean started planning. He needed to build a proper den for her. More importantly, the sanctuary in the Tome would eventually need a caretaker; he couldn't be inside the book every hour of the day.
"Do you have a name?" Sean asked.
"Purr-hiss..." the Wampus rumbled around a mouthful of beef.
"My apologies, Ma'am," Sean corrected himself. "How does Iffa sound?"
Inside the Tome, the hearth burned brightly, providing a scene of peace and warmth.
But outside, in the Ilvermorny forest, the smiles on the faces of Newt and Headmistress Herrera slowly began to fade.
[End of Chapter 362]
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