A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 565: Magical Creatures in the Arctic

Meanwhile, Felix was constructing a house in the icy expanse of the Arctic, while Valen, hidden under his thick dragon-hide hat, seemed uncomfortable with the vast expanse of ice.

Felix had spent the last two weeks quite eventfully. After the Christmas banquet, he dedicated a day to handle company affairs and then promptly appeared at Newt's countryside cottage. The Scamanders, Newt and his wife Tina, graciously hosted him. Tina, a kind and serious elderly lady, knew about his plans for a short trip and considerately prepared twelve flavors of hot dogs for Felix.

"Darling, can you whip up some apple pies as well?" Newt asked.

"I always mess up the timing," Tina quipped, casting a glance at her husband.

For the following three days, Felix, guided by Newt, traversed various magical creature preserves worldwide, collecting the creatures on his mental list. In the last week of the holidays, he ventured into the uncertain territory of the Arctic.

"Magical creatures that can split themselves?" Newt pondered. "Did my memory serve you that? Frankly, I'm not entirely sure if I saw it correctly, but I did encounter something up in the farthest reaches of the world. It was a kind of ermine, or a fox, or even a wolf... It splits during hunting, somewhat akin to the spirit cats guarding the French Ministry. Though they are entirely different, the spirit cats aren't living creatures; they're more like spirits..."

Felix was intrigued by this magical creature.

He had to admit, he was hooked the first time he heard about this creature in Room 7. Despite knowing that Felix Felicis was ineffective, he used up the last remnants, beginning an endless search.

His advantage lay in the incredible maneuverability brought by Apparition and his eyes that could detect magic.

Though Felix himself could fly, it demanded a considerable amount of magic. He seldom used this method unless in combat. Compared to Voldemort's prowess, Felix wasn't sure if Voldemort had dissected a long-horned water snake, perhaps transfusing its essence into himself, or maybe it was a Horcrux?

"Two more days, and if I can't find it, I'm heading back," Felix said. He quickly finished constructing the ice house, expanding its interior using the Undetectable Extension Charm and lit a fire inside. It was then that Valen finally emerged from under the hat.

"Weren't you having a great time with those otters yesterday?"

"Squeak!"

"Is your temperature-regulating pendant malfunctioning? Right, you've been using it for a while. I'll get you a new one. Well, maybe let's buy one." Felix took out a thick blanket and a pot from his ring, looking at Valen hesitantly. "Do you prefer grilled fish or soup? Of course, we still have plenty of hot dogs..."

Valen retched twice.

"A bit fed up? Quite picky," Felix smirked. In the end, he didn't touch those hot dogs - he had his fill during his days in the Brazilian rainforest.

The next day, Felix sat on his carpet, peering down from several thousand feet in the air. Below stretched endless icebergs, although the carpet could ascend higher, Felix's magical perspective struggled to keep up.

Valen leaned against his back, happily engaged in a game. The game stemmed from the Wizarding Art Club at school. At the time, the club deliberated on what theme to use for interactive magical paintings when Valen appeared. Not only did he provide the core inspiration, but he also provided a substantial financial backing.

Thus began the magical painting game featuring 'Sniffy,' the protagonist, called 'Brave Warrior.'

After some time 'conquering worlds,' Valen produced a new magical painting. In the picture, Sniffy impatiently waited at the edge of a level, jumping into another painting, armed with an exclusive deluxe wand, to challenge a new level.

Meanwhile, Felix made a new discovery.

A creature with snow-white fur moved gracefully across the white expanse. Following its path, Felix noticed a frantic scramble of Arctic hares. It indeed bore resemblance to Newt's description, blending characteristics of the Arctic fox and wolf, yet much smaller, almost the size of an ermine.

Most crucially, Felix sensed a swift flow of magic emanating from this creature.

Magic indicated it was a magical creature.

Floating in the air at a couple of hundred feet, Felix observed the white creature, oblivious to the mysterious figure above. Its speed was extraordinary, yet the Arctic hare was swift too, more agile in its turns. When it closed in on an Arctic hare, it leaped high, splitting itself at the apex, creating an identical entity. Two white shadows intertwined on the snow, seamlessly cooperating, swiftly capturing an unlucky hare.@@novelbin@@

Observing intently as he descended, Felix was astounded. There was nothing unusual unless one looked closely.

The creature with fur as white as snow snatched the hare, turning to see a strange being descending from the sky, something it had never seen before. It remained cautiously watching Felix.

Felix flashed a friendly smile.

"Little fox? Little wolf? Little ermine? I have delicious hot dogs here..."

Two days later, Felix released it.

"Quite the haul. Let's go, Valen." Valen waved goodbye to their newfound friend.

"Squeak! (Goodbye!)"

"Squeak-squeak! (Watch your weight!)"

"Squeak-squeak-squeak! (Be careful not to starve in the future!)"

Felix gently patted Valen. "It's much more proportional than you..." which infuriated Valen, who wanted to hit him.

...

The Hogwarts Express had already stopped at Hogsmeade, ferrying young wizards back to school after the holidays.

Ron and Hermione, as prefects, organized the younger wizards into the carriages, sneaking into the last one. As soon as they entered, the Thestral carriage started moving.

"What, all about Dark Magic? Snape?" Hermione looked astonishedly at Harry and Ron. She had spent the last two weeks traveling with her parents, and her mind hadn't quite transitioned back. "Hmm... when you think about it, it's quite plausible, isn't it? We all know his keen interest in Defensive Dark Magic. Maybe he's preparing for lessons..."

Harry said gloomily, "If only that were true, it would mean enduring just another year..."

"The thing is, he's still sneaking around at odd hours in the house, Ginny can vouch for that," Ron added.

"Oh, well, I don't know, but that's his personal business," Hermione raked her hair. "Have you finished your assignments? I think some parts could use some refinement."

Harry and Ron exchanged looks, clearly spending more time speculating Snape's motives.

"I'm almost done..." Ron glanced nervously at Harry, who remained silent

.

"Okay, and if you two don't submit your homework tomorrow, will you tell the professors this excuse?" Hermione sharply asked. Harry sighed. After dinner back at school, they hurried to the library. Many students were already there, and they found a table to settle, Hermione looking around thoughtfully.

"What's up?"

"Using the Muffliato charm seems to be catching on," Hermione remarked. Harry looked around; indeed, some students were moving their mouths rapidly, yet no sound came out. The librarian, Madam Pince, appeared from gaps in the bookshelves, her sullen face repeatedly searching, akin to a vulture unable to find its prey before reluctantly departing.

Harry tapped the table with his wand, and the sounds around them became muffled, like a low hum.

Harry retrieved his assignment. He only needed a concluding paragraph for his History of Magic essay. He opened his ink bottle, dipped the quill, and began to write on parchment. In intervals, he noticed Snape's figure darting amidst the shelves.

His heart skipped a beat; his gaze tried to follow Snape's movements, surprised to see him spending quite some time in the Restricted Section. Eventually, Snape settled at a table, engrossed in a book. It wasn't until the library was about to close that Snape rose and left with the book.

"Wait for me a moment," Harry stood up, telling Ron and Hermione. "What?" But he had already bent down and left his seat.

After a while, he returned with a grave expression.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, "You look like you've just been dusted with a feather duster by Madam Pince..."

"Snape, Snape was reading... 'The Most Potent Dark Magic,'" Harry swallowed hard. "He was... reading about Horcruxes."

"So?" Hermione asked impatiently, her eyes still fixed on her paper, "Harry, he's a professor. Even if he's studying Dark Magic, he must have a valid reason. He might be thinking about how to counter... if you could check his borrowing records, you might find more discoveries."

"Good idea," Ron said, "Hey, I'm serious, we can try!"

"You're mistaken this time, Hermione," Harry lowered his voice, "I haven't read as many books as you have. I've only heard that name once..."

Hermione lifted her head, staring at Harry's face, stunned.

In a dry voice, she said, "I remember... in the preface of that book, there's a passage, 'Regarding the creation of the most evil magical invention, the Horcrux, no discussion or guidance shall be provided...' Harry, do you think he's investigating..."

She didn't finish, but Harry and Ron understood her implication—Snape might be secretly investigating Horcruxes.

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