The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

Anthony was saving his teacup from its bite when Hagrid announced that he was going to find a suitable packaging for The Monster Book of Monsters.

The Monster Book originally wanted to challenge Fire Dragon Temperature: From Cold-Blooded to Burnt (a striking warning was written on the side of the book: Handle with care, do not shake violently), but the Hungarian tree peaks on the cover were dangerously low In the corner of the book, between its exposed teeth, you can faintly see a group of fire that is ready to go off.

Anthony quickly pushed the teacup between the large pages of the monster book and separated them. This move undoubtedly enhanced the Youkai Book's interest in him - his hand bones are now crunching.

I suggest you at least tie it up. He looked at the Christmas wrapping paper that Hagrid held up - Anthony also had a lot of colored paper and ribbons left over - and pulled his hand out with all his strength, I don't think so. Professor Kettleburn is interested in having his wooden leg shortened, especially not as a retirement gift.

Hagrid said nonchalantly: You are exaggerating, Henry. He put his index finger into the book and choked on the book.

When the sinister Yokai Book tries to give him a bite, it looks like a puppy acting coquettishly before its teeth have grown. Hagrid laughed: Look. Then he closed the book angrily, Haha, you want to prove that you have a little bit of strength, little guy?

Hagrid took his hand out. There was no mark on it. He put the monster book under his bed and pressed it: Great, I will give Professor Kettleburn a surprise.

Anthony said: Then you might as well give him your dragon egg. I guarantee he will also like it.

That won't work, this is mine. Hagrid muttered, taking off the coat that was blocking the fireplace, revealing the ugly black thing among the firewood. It now looks like a large boulder covered in soot.

Anthony asked worriedly: Are you sure this is a dragon egg, Hagrid?

Of course, I read. Hagrid patted the books stacked high on the bed.

They shook a few times with his movements, and then hit the ground with a bang. The Fireproof Properties of Dragon's Nose even fell into the fireplace - Ouch! Hagrid shouted, reaching out to pick it up. Come out - the dragon egg shook, and a small spark exploded due to the sudden influx of cold air, splashing on the book next to it, so Anthony and Hagrid watched Fire Resistance Performance being quickly burned to pieces Flying black ash.

Anthony said, Well, I guess it was indeed a dragon egg.

Yes, the Norwegian Ridgeback. Hagrid said almost proudly, It's very precious.

But Anthony reminded him. Since there is an old professor who is proficient in magical animals living in the school, he needs to hide his dragon eggs better to ensure that no more people discover them.

Under Anthony's questioning, he admitted that he had been perfunctory with Anthony before and that he had not confessed to Dumbledore about the dragon eggs in his room until now.

Hagrid said shamefully: I...I don't dare, Henry. Dumbledore is a great man. He provided a residence for Aragog, but he will definitely let me give away the dragon egg- Anthony looked at Eyeing Hagrid, he swallowed That's not bad back in his stomach, And he will definitely be very disappointed with me, very, very disappointed!

Anthony still felt that Dumbledore should already know. Since Hagrid didn't wake up to find a ticket taped to the fireplace, I guess the headmaster wouldn't mind if his gamekeeper took up a little breeding hobby.

But, Hagrid, this year's Care of Magical Creatures final practical exam is scheduled next to the Forbidden Forest. Anthony said, Professor Kettleburn will definitely come by then.

Running Gorgon, can't they change places? Hagrid said. He stared at the dragon egg again and again, his bright black eyes reflecting the blazing fire. He pondered for a moment, and then turned sharply to Anthony.

Looking into his eyes, Anthony felt the gaze of doom.

No, Hagrid, he said warningly.

But Hagrid said, Can I borrow your fireplace, Henry?

No.

Please, for your godson? He'll enjoy brandy as much as you do.

No, ten thousand no. Anthony said, watching the expectant light in Hagrid's eyes extinguish, and added, Unless you can get the principal's permission.

Hagrid said dejectedly: I'll think of another way.

Anthony sat with him for a while, unable to bear the sad atmosphere, and said proactively: I can ask Professor Kettleburn if there is any way to make the dragon eggs less conspicuous. He will definitely not doubt me. I want to raise a dragon.”

Hagrid raised his head gratefully: That's great, Henry. Do you mind if I name your godson after you?

Please don't do that, Anthony said sincerely.

…

Professor Kettleburn's office is on the fourth floor. Without any further help from Nearly Headless Nick, Anthony could tell where the Care of Magical Creatures Professor's office was as soon as he stepped into the corridor. A stone sphinx stood beside a door, looking at Anthony from a distance.

He came closer and saw a line of large characters carved on the wooden door next to the Sphinx: The answer is one hundred! One Hundred in all capital letters was daubed casually with red paint, and below it was There are several underlines.

As Anthony examined the wooden door, the Sphinx opened his mouth. It asked in a low voice: I am both certain and unknown. Some seek refuge in me out of fear, others fear me. What am I, hidden in the shadows, to whom all paths lead?

Anthony stood in the doorway thinking for a moment.

It's a hundred, he said hesitantly.

The Sphinx looked impatient: Why does everyone say that? No, it's not.

You just changed the question. Anthony pointed out, So, for the second question, the answer is because the door next to you tells us so.

The stone statue turned its eyes, trying to see the door behind it. Anthony kindly read, The answer is a hundred.

The answer is that you should not take chances! said the Sphinx in a low, hoarse voice. Answer my riddle, or fall into pieces.

At this moment, the door trembled, and a loud bang was heard. Anthony could vaguely hear Professor Kettleburn yelling something.

Out of sheer curiosity, Antony said to the Sphinx, I choose to be in pieces.

Oh, well. Come on in, Splinter, said the Sphinx. The door opened.

…

Behind the door was a scene that Anthony had not expected at all. Professor Kettleburn held an animal carcass in his hands, held it up to Snape's nose, and shouted something. Snape frowned tightly and looked at the old professor motionlessly.

With all due respect, it's just a motley rat, said Snape.

Professor Kettleburn looked like a dragon egg exposed to cold air. Nothing but! he shouted angrily, glancing at the open door and seeing Anthony standing outside.

Come in, Professor Anthony. Professor Kettleburn jumped to Anthony's side, took his arm, and slammed the door. Come in, and you can say something fair. He - He pointed at Snee Pu, His student trampled a motley rat to death during class. Shouldn't I punish him with solitary confinement?

Anthony looked around. Professor Kettleburn was glaring angrily at Snape, who looked even more like a vampire than he usually did.

Hmm... I think that sounds fair, Anthony said.

Snape said: I'm just asking you to change the duration of your confinement, Professor Kettleburn. I don't think that's too much?

Professor Kettleburn said: He's not going anywhere now!

Anthony glanced at Snape and couldn't help but ask: Why, Professor Kettleburn?

Professor Kettleburn stared at a corner of the office: Because this guy was bitten by a motley rat!

Only then did Anthony notice that there was a barrel in the corner. Slytherin's Quidditch captain, Marcus Flint, was huddled in a barrel with a red face, surrounded by water mist and steam. Seeing Anthony looking over, he sat down in the bucket again, and some water immediately overflowed the edge of the bucket and flowed along the cracks in the wooden floor of Professor Kettleburn's office to an unknown place.

A salamander hissed, dodged the spreading water, and jumped into Professor Kettleburn's fireplace. Just like Hagrid's cabin, there was a fire burning there, but the office still maintained a comfortable temperature.

It took Anthony some time to understand from Professor Kettleburn's account what had happened. During yesterday's Care of Magical Creatures class, Flint angered the Motler rat and was bitten severely, then roared and trampled to death. But it was a very decisive bite... In short, if the Quidditch Captain decided to play Quidditch now, his broom would be ignited by the sparks he occasionally produced and become a flying bundle of firewood.

According to Professor Kettleburn, this state lasted about two days, and he decided not to offer Flint anything but a bucket of water in order to strengthen his memory. That's why Anthony saw a big man with wrinkled skin here.

But I have an employment counseling appointment with Mr. Flint today, Snape said gloomily. Unless you want me to do a counseling session here, Professor Kettleburn—

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Professor Kettleburn.

Of course, why not? the old professor said loudly, jumped to Flint's side on one leg, pulled a chair for himself, stood a prosthetic arm on the ground, and hung a wizard's robe on it as a Blocking curtains.

Please, he said, even pulling up Snape's wizard robe to indicate that he would have nothing to do with it. Only then did Anthony notice that the professor's other wooden leg was also standing next to Flint's barrel, with another set of wizard robes hanging on it, blocking the gap between Flint and the door. location, so Anthony ignored this weird barrel.

Flint whispered: No, Professor Snape...

But Snape said: I don't have another two hours to give you, Mr. Flint. I suggest you start now. What do you want to do in the future?

Flint looks like he wants to use the barrel as his coffin and die like a salamander when exposed to water. Anthony guessed that being watched by three professors taking a bath was not a Hogwarts tradition, and according to his experience, teenagers of this age usually have quite strong self-esteem.

Or we can wait for Mr. Flint to dry out a little? Anthony suggested, and immediately received a grateful look, Professor Kettleburn, can Mr. Flint come out for a while?

What? Professor Kettleburn asked doubtfully, then looked at Flint and laughed in realization, I am ninety-eight years old, and I have spent eighty years watching the lives of various magical animals. They can do anything in the water. I'm used to it. He tapped the wooden leg with his good arm. And you'd better be wise and don't impulsively provoke them. Animals are trying to defend themselves, but they have no idea what to do. Show mercy, Mr. Flint.

Anthony said: I believe Mr. Flint already knows that, doesn't he?

But no. Professor Kettleburn said, touching the motley rat thrown on the table, Or, unless you want to show Professor Snape and Professor Anthony how you burn your own campus. Otherwise, it's best not to think about this idea. I guarantee you that once you stand up, what happened yesterday afternoon will happen again exactly as it was before, and I won't help you stop it this time.

Snape said, Soak in it, Flint. He added dryly, I promise, you look just like any other specimen. You're just less valuable.

Anthony couldn't help but glance at him. He didn't know that Snape also kept a collection of human specimens in his office. Now he actually sounded a bit like a vampire.

What, Severus? cried Professor Kettleburn.

But Snape had ignored them. He stared hard at Flint and said, What do you want to do in the future, Mr. Flint?

Flint repeated, What to do?

Snape sighed impatiently. He said, If you're asking me, Mr. Flint, I suggest you become a parrot.

Professor Kettleburn said: Ha, I know! Animagus! He said to Flint, Your dean suggested that you explore your talent for transfiguration.

Flint said, Well... He looked a little confused.

Snape sneered: Please correct me if I remember wrongly. Mr. Flint, your average grade in Potions is A, Transfiguration is P, Herbology is P, Defense Against the Dark Arts is T, and Astronomy is It's a D, History of Magic is an E - but that's because Professor Binns confused you with Miss Foggy - Care of Magical Creatures is an A...

Now it's P, said Professor Kettleburn.