"It would be great if we could celebrate with Gryffindor, it would certainly be lively."
"How about having a celebration party in the auditorium..."
"It's possible, but the Slytherin and Ravenclaw people probably won't be happy about it. If you get beaten up, don't drag us into it, okay?"
...
When the team returned to the castle, they suddenly found that the Gryffindor people had already started celebrating. They were gathered in small groups, talking and laughing loudly.
Even when the Slytherin people intentionally mentioned that Gryffindor lost the Quidditch Cup, they didn't care at all. Moreover, when they saw Kael and the others, they greeted them warmly.
After putting the broom back in the dormitory, Kael went back to the field outside.
The scorching sun was blazing on the ground, yet there were still many people on the field, lying on the grass sunbathing, chatting, eating snacks, reading the Daily Prophet, enjoying the rare peaceful time.
When Kael walked over, some people waved to him and said that today's game was the most exciting they had ever seen.
Kael responded with a smile, but he wasn't particularly mindful... In the last game and the one before, people said the same thing.
Conna was in the library; she was probably the only one who still needed to read at this time.
Fred and George were also busy preparing for their shop, and they hadn't been seen around recently.
Kael felt a bit bored, so he decided to return Fluffy first.
He didn't know if Hagrid was waiting deliberately, but Kael had already tried to stay as far away from the hut as possible. Yet, when he was about to enter the forest, he was still spotted.
"What are you dazing about?"
Even from a distance, Kael could hear Hagrid's booming voice.
"You're going the wrong way, it's over this side..."
With no choice, Kael turned around and walked towards Hagrid.
"Today's game was really good." Inside the hut, Hagrid poured Kael a glass of dandelion juice. "I can't think of a better outcome."
"Actually, I feel the same." Kael picked up the cup and tasted the new drink Hagrid made.
The taste was slightly bitter, but Hagrid seemed to have added honey, so it was quite acceptable to drink.
"I've heard..." Hagrid suddenly said, his expression turning serious. "I have to say, Kael, this time you've gone too far."
Kael was startled, thinking Hagrid was referring to him taking Fluffy. Just as he was about to explain, Hagrid spoke again, "You actually kept the Wampus Cat a secret from me all this time!"
"What, Wampus Cat?" Kael blinked.
"Yes, I've heard that the marvelous Wampus Cat saved Harry twice in the Department of Mysteries," Hagrid said a bit reproachfully. "You know how much I love those Fantastic Beasts, yet you kept it from me. Isn't that too much?
"Or did you think I would tell the professors or others about it?"
"Oh, of course not," Kael quickly said. "It's just... well, okay, this is my fault."
Kael opened a box.
The next second, the Wampus Cat leaped out, looked around for a moment, and after determining there's no danger, lay lazily beside Kael, licking its fur.
Hagrid's hand paused mid-air as he was about to drink his tea. He stared at the Wampus Cat with deep fascination in his eyes.
The Wampus Cat seemed to sense something, lifted its head to size up Hagrid for a moment, and then lay down again.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Hagrid casually tossed the cup aside, his eyes landing on the Wampus Cat's six legs. "It must be fast when it runs."
"Yeah." Kael nodded, "Put it this way, besides the Firebolt, the Wampus Cat can outrun any broomstick."
Hagrid's gaze grew more intense.
"Can you leave it in the Forbidden Forest?" he asked. "I can take care of it."
No sooner had he finished speaking, a whimpering sound suddenly came from nearby.
Fang was curled up in the corner near the bed, tail tucked, whining as if wanting to squeeze out of the hut.
Ever since the Wampus Cat came out, Fang was like this, but it was normal. An adult Wampus Cat was a top-tier creature among Fantastic Beasts. In fact, there's a Wampus House in Ilvermorny that selects students who embrace a warrior spirit, possess quick reflexes, and strong physical prowess, a bit like Gryffindor.
To be in close quarters with such a 5X-rated Fantastic Beast, Fang not fainting on the spot already made him braver than 99% of dogs.
It perhaps had something to do with his experiences, too.
As Hagrid's inseparable companion, Fang often entered the Forbidden Forest, so he was a well-traveled dog.
Hagrid often said he was timid, but for an ordinary Neapolitan Mastiff with no Fantastic Beast bloodline, facing creatures like centaurs and unicorns in the Forbidden Forest, fear was just instinct.
If it were another dog, it wouldn't even need to enter the Forbidden Forest; even a mile away would scare it stiff.
"Reparo."
Kael took out his wand and created a hole in the wall, and Fang immediately dashed out.
"Reparo." Kael waved his wand again to seal the hole.
After doing all this, he continued, "Sorry, Hagrid, the Wampus Cat can't stay in the Forbidden Forest. It's on loan from Newt to teach Harry Occlumency. It needs to be returned after the holidays."
"Oh, I see," Hagrid seemed a bit disappointed, but also a bit hopeful. "Mr. Scamander must have a lot of Fantastic Beasts."