Chapter 3. Druid Whistle
"Sphinx!"
"Be careful!
You lot, hurry up and take it down!"
Several wizards who had hurried over leapt out of the cave.
When they saw Misk, they cried out and raised their wands to attack.
But before they could even cast a spell, their vision fell into a haze, and, dizzy, they could not see the path ahead clearly.
This was the Sphinx's special magic.
When it posed a question, it could bewilder those before it, making them feel as if they had stepped into a maze with no exit.
Only by answering the question, or when the Sphinx left, would they come to their senses.
That was why those wizards feared being questioned by a Sphinx.
But more wizards were streaming over from the distance.
Who knew how large a den Newt had raided to draw so many enemies.
Duncan couldn't help but call out a reminder: "Grandpa, Misk can't hold out for long—we should go!"
"Oh—oh, right!"
Newt came back to himself and pulled a feather from the inside pocket of his coat.
"Quick, put your finger on it."
The feather was a Portkey Newt had secretly made without the Ministry of Magic's knowledge.
It led straight to a small hillside near their home.
Duncan sent the Sphinx back into the case, and the instant his finger touched the feather, a rushing wind whooshed in his ears, as if a metal hook had snagged his navel and were hauling him up into the sky.
The scene before his eyes grew steadily blurred.
In the final instant, he saw several spells streaking towards them, among which were a few terrifying flashes of green light.
If he was not mistaken, that had to be the notorious must-have curse for murder and robbery—Avada Kedavra!
"Good thing we slipped away fast.
Those blokes are really ruthless..."
Duncan thought with relief, continuing to fly onward like a gust of wind.
At the same time, a transparent screen appeared.
[Successfully rescued the Erumpents; optional task complete]
[Task Rewards: Virtual Coins ×100; Druid Whistle ×1; Erumpent's Friendship ×40]
[Current Virtual Coins: 210]
A moment later, Duncan's feet thudded heavily onto the ground, and he staggered and almost fell.
"Druid Whistle?"
Duncan noticed the information on the screen.
His gaze moved to the rows of small slots at the bottom.
He saw the cylindrical item with a green lustre, rather like something made of bamboo, and beside it was a line of small text.
[Druid Whistle: A whistle said to have been used by Druids in legend.
When you blow it, it can soothe any animal's violent temper, turning them into quiet, obedient little kittens.
Effect duration: five minutes.
Cooldown: two hours.]
Duncan drew it out with a thought.
Held in his hand, it felt pleasantly cool, as if he were gripping a piece of verdant jade.
This was a fine thing indeed.
It meant that no matter what sort of dangerous creature he faced in future, he would have five minutes of margin for error.
For someone like him, who circled dangerous creatures all day long, it was nothing short of a divine tool!
If Newt found out, he would probably be green with envy!
So, for the sake of Newt's continued good health, Duncan decided to keep it secret.
There was also another small reason.
He had yet to think of how to explain to Newt where this thing had come from.
Beaming, Duncan put the Druid Whistle away and looked up ahead.
Newt had already mended his clothes and was striding down the little hillside.
He seemed not to have noticed at all that someone hadn't kept up.
He was one person short at his side.
"Grandpa, wait for me!"
Duncan waved and shouted, lengthening his stride to chase after him.
"Duncan, hurry up.
Those two Erumpents are injured.
We need to get back quickly and tend to their wounds."
Newt walked faster and faster, almost breaking into a run.
He was clearly very anxious.
Panting, Duncan ran up alongside Newt.
A thought flashed through his mind, and he quickly tilted his head up to ask, "Grandpa, are their injuries serious?"
"Don't worry, just minor injuries.
An Erumpent's hide is very thick, so it isn't easy even for those wizards to truly harm them.
But their ankles have been chafed by iron chains.
We need to hurry back, get the chains off, and apply some salve," Newt replied with a smile, reassuring Duncan not to fret.
Though they had toiled the whole day and even hovered at the edge of life and death a few times, as long as they could rescue those two Erumpents, it was all worth it!
Looking at the sun about to dip below the horizon, Newt felt a deep sense of satisfaction, and his pace quickened further.
"In that case..."
Duncan said, "Grandpa, shouldn't we make a stop at Diagon Alley first?"
"Diagon Alley?"
Newt halted mid-step and blinked at Duncan in puzzlement.
"What for?"
Duncan sighed, pressed his forehead, and said, "Have you forgotten what we came out for today?"
"Hm?"
Newt lowered his raised leg, stood there blankly staring at Duncan, and waited for his explanation.
"A wand, Grandpa!"
Duncan gestured as he spoke.
"We came out today to buy a wand and the things needed for school.
If we go back empty-handed, Grandma will..."
"Right!"
Newt slapped his palm hard against his thigh, suddenly enlightened.
"How could I have forgotten that!"
"Grandpa, I've saved you yet again—you'd better remember my kindness!"
Duncan said earnestly, his gaze sliding down to the case in Newt's hand.
"When the time comes, don't you forget our agreement."
"I know, I haven't forgotten..."
Newt's expression stiffened slightly.
"When you go off to school, I'll see you to the station, and then I'll hand over the case I've made for you."
"But remember: you must not bring dangerous creatures to school, and be sure you don't let any magical creature out!"
Newt warned in the tone of one who'd been through it.
"If you do, you will face extremely severe punishment, and you could very well be expelled!"
"Rest easy, Grandpa.
I will strictly follow your instructions and won't overstep in the slightest!"
Seeing his objective achieved, Duncan said no more.
Though there were restrictions, it was already quite good that Newt had agreed to make him a case.
Without a case like Newt's, he wouldn't be able to find that many magical creatures to complete the relevant tasks and earn rewards.
"As long as you remember."
Newt nodded.
"Come on, let's hurry to Diagon Alley to get a wand, then make haste back!"
"Mm-hm."
Duncan nodded and took Newt's outstretched left hand.
As he waited for Newt to Apparate, he glimpsed, out of the corner of his eye, the sun at the horizon reduced to a thin arc, and he suddenly realised a problem.
"Grandpa, the wand shop shouldn't be closed by now, should it?"
"Probably not..."
The hand Newt was waving his wand with stopped mid-air as he said this, not very confidently.
He couldn't help picturing Tina in a towering rage if they returned without a wand.
Newt made up his mind in an instant.
"Don't worry, Duncan.
We will definitely get a wand today, and we will definitely put the Galleons into Mr Ollivander's hands!"
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