"There are far fewer now," Kael said. "Most of the Fantastic Beasts have been sent back to their natural habitats. The ones left are either unwilling to leave, too injured to survive in the wild, or their offspring."
"What's more, Newt has been banned from entering nearly every country. Even if he wanted to send them away, he couldn't. And he's almost a hundred years old; he can't use the same wild methods he did when he was young."
In his youth, Newt would ride an Air-Winged Bird right across countries, outwitting local Aurors with his masterful Apparition and quick thinking.
But twenty years ago, Tina already wouldn't let him do that anymore.
"I really wish I could go see them..." Hagrid said, gazing longingly at the Wampus Cat.
This time, Kael didn't say anything.
He actually could introduce Hagrid to Newt, but he wasn't planning to.
It's not just because Hagrid often lets things slip in front of Harry... Of course, that's part of it, but mainly, Kael and Newt didn't see eye to eye on certain philosophies.
If nothing else, just that Blast-Ended Skrewt he engineered—there wouldn't be much common ground between them.
And Hagrid was more drawn to beasts with fangs and claws, which was very different from Newt as well.
Although there were quite a few of that sort in Newt's case, he kept far more Moonstruck Beasts or Nifflers and other ordinary Fantastic Beasts.
Hagrid knew this too, so he didn't press the matter, just got up and stepped outside the house.
Soon, Hagrid returned, arms full of food: chickens, beef shanks, wart pig meat... all for the Fantastic Beasts in the Forbidden Forest.
"Go on, take a look—which do you like?" Hagrid crouched in front of the Wampus Cat, asking with excitement.
The Wampus Cat first glanced at the chicken, feathers still unplucked, and disdainfully shoved it aside, as if baffled that anyone would want to eat such "junk food."
In the end, it chose the beef shank over the wart pig meat.
Mainly, it had already feasted on a rich wart pig platter yesterday, so it wanted a change—something simpler this time.
Kael stayed in the cabin until nearly evening, before returning to the castle under Hagrid's reluctant gaze.
On the way back, Kael kept feeling like he'd forgotten something, but couldn't for the life of him recall what it was.
"Never mind, probably nothing important," Kael muttered, shaking his head as he walked up the stone steps into the castle.
...
On the last day before holidays, everyone was out of the hospital. Sirius, Lupin, and Moody all accepted Dumbledore's invitation to attend the feast.
Unlike their first, silent arrival, when Moody hobbled into the auditorium, he was instantly greeted by a burst of applause and cheers.
They had all once been Defence Against the Dark Arts professors, and were among the most popular teachers, their reputations sky-high.
"Not a bad feeling," Moody commented as he took his seat at the staff table.
No wonder Dumbledore stayed at school and hardly ever left... If not for more important duties, being a professor here wouldn't be half bad, he thought.
"I'm very glad everyone could gather together at this moment," Dumbledore stood and gestured towards Sirius and the others. "And we've welcomed a few... old friends, let's say."
Another round of enthusiastic applause filled the hall.
"All right, all right..." said Dumbledore, waving his hand. "Before the feast begins, there are some important matters to announce. Let me see..."
"First, I suppose by now you've read in the papers about what happened at the Ministry of Magic a few days ago..."
Everyone instinctively looked toward Kael. The latest issue of the Daily Prophet had an even more detailed account of what transpired at the Ministry.
On the front page, Auror Kingsley thanked Kael for saving them, though he had deliberately overlooked the part about the Fantastic Beasts, calling them "reinforcements" instead.
"Yes, it's true."
Dumbledore smiled, "Kael Chopper showed extraordinary bravery and wisdom in the battle, and for that, I award Hufflepuff one hundred points."
Cheers immediately erupted from the Hufflepuff table.
"In addition..." Dumbledore had to raise his voice, "He has also received the Hogwarts Special Services to the School Award. That's another two hundred points for Hufflepuff."
At the side of the auditorium, the Hufflepuff Hourglass was so full of gems, it was nearly overflowing.
"So, the second matter is no surprise." Dumbledore smiled. "Congratulations to Hufflepuff—they have won this year's House Cup!"
The cheers grew even louder, as if they might blow the roof clear off.
Dumbledore said nothing further. He waved his hand, and golden platters were instantly filled with delicious food.
Not until the last piece of pudding vanished and the feast ended did Dumbledore rise again, his expression much more solemn than before.
"Well-fed and watered as we are, I'm afraid I have some sobering words..." He spoke slowly. "I hope you'll all enjoy the holidays, but also be mindful of your safety. Try to avoid wandering into deserted places..."
Dumbledore went on at length, mostly reminders to watch for unusual happenings around them.
The auditorium gradually quieted. Everyone understood his meaning—Voldemort and the Death Eaters, they pressed on everyone's heart like heavy stones.
Some students even didn't want to leave school, wishing they could spend the holidays here, but that was impossible.
Dumbledore and the other professors had their own business, and without their protection, the school was not as safe as before.
...