Chapter 23. Tracing the Source
"I remember Grandfather's notes seemed to have a spell specifically for finding animals..."
As Duncan was about to push the door open, he recalled what he had read.
He quickly took out the notebook and, following the table of contents, located the spell he needed.
"Trail-to-Source can track a person's or an animal's traces by means of belongings from their body."
Duncan read the description on the page and began learning on the spot according to the detailed explanation.
He turned out his pocket and found a few fine hairs belonging to Pro.
Because they were too small to track, he tied a feather the size of a finger joint to them.
Newt had written the casting technique very clearly, and Duncan followed it to the letter.
His wand trembled, and he spoke the incantation: "Hair Indicator!"
But the hairs lying in his palm merely rose a short distance, then drifted down again in a slow spiral.
He was not even sure whether the spell had taken effect or whether a chance breeze had just wafted by.
Duncan was not overly disappointed either; after all, it was his first time casting, and failure was normal.
He carefully checked the various details in the notes again and tried several times in succession.
On the final attempt, he sped up the incantation considerably.
This time it worked, and the hairs with the feather tied to them lifted off from Duncan's palm.
When they reached the doorway, they veered and darted away to the right of the corridor.
"Excuse me, mate!" Duncan called to the students blocking the way ahead, eyes fixed on the feather as he went.
They crossed two whole carriages, and the feather still flew on without any sign of stopping.
At that moment the door of a compartment on the left suddenly opened, and Hermione appeared at the entrance, turning repeatedly to speak to a round-faced boy behind her.
"Neville, don't worry too much.
We'll look together; we'll definitely find your toad!"
"Mm-hmm..." Neville nodded sorrowfully, eyes brimming, and his gaze suddenly caught Duncan running past.
His eyes lit up at once; forgetting his sadness, he squeezed past Hermione into the corridor and waved, calling loudly.
"Duncan, Duncan, is your compartment nearby as well?"
"Ah?
Neville... long time no see!" Duncan heard the voice, glanced back, and answered perfunctorily.
The feather he was pursuing had just skimmed over several students' heads and was about to disappear.
Duncan rather roughly shouldered past the two in front and gave chase with all his might.
"My toad is missing, Duncan.
Can you help me look for it?" Neville said anxiously.
[Optional Quest: Careless Neville has lost his toad again—go and help him find it!]
[Quest Reward: ×30 Virtual Coins]
"No problem!
But you'll have to wait—I'll come help you look in a bit!" Duncan waved back.
"All right!" Neville let out a long breath; his face relaxed and even looked a little cheerful.
He seemed utterly certain that Duncan could help him find the toad that had slipped away.
Hermione noticed this as well, and asked curiously, "Does Duncan have a way to help you find the toad?"
"Mm-hmm, he'll definitely find it!" Neville nodded vigorously, his tone lifting a little as if proud to have Duncan as a friend.
"I've known him since I was very small.
He's Newt Scamander's grandson; nothing related to animals can stump him!"
"Newt Scamander?" Hermione blinked her bright eyes, thought for a moment, and said happily, "Aha, no wonder it sounded familiar.
Newt Scamander is the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
I read that book over the holidays.
What it says is very interesting.
Neville, do those creatures really exist?"
"Of course!" Neville glanced around and lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Duncan's family keeps some as well.
I once went to his home to see them, and I even touched a Erumpent!
But don't tell anyone—the Ministry of Magic..."
Listening to Neville, Hermione saw that Duncan had already gone far ahead and asked, "What did you say Duncan is looking for?"
"I don't know..." Neville stopped, unsatisfied; he had wanted to tell Hermione more about his experience at Duncan's home.
It had been the most pleasant, most relaxing, most memorable stretch of carefree time in the past few years for him, when he had completely forgotten his worries.
"Then let's catch up and have a look!" Unable to suppress her curiosity any longer, Hermione strode after him.
"Hermione, wait for me!" By the time Neville reacted, Hermione had passed two compartments already, and he hurried to catch up, calling out.
On the other side of the corridor, the feather Duncan was chasing finally slowed down and circled back and forth above the passage, as if uncertain of the direction.
At the same time he ran into two familiar figures: Fred and George were pushing a trunk out of the compartment ahead.
Excitement was written across their faces, and even their steps were full of cheer; their business was evidently brisk.
"Duncan?
What brings you over here?" Fred asked curiously when he saw Duncan looking about.
"Pro's gone missing," Duncan said in a low voice as he came up to them.
"Huh?" Fred and George's eyes went wide, their faces full of surprise.
"It didn't miss the train, did it?"
"No.
I checked on purpose before boarding; it was in my pocket.
It must have slipped out after we got on," Duncan said, shaking his head with certainty.
"Then where would it go?" Fred said, thinking.
"I've followed its hairs to here.
It must be nearby.
Help me look."
"No problem." Fred and George pushed the trunk to the side and began helping Duncan search around.
A sudden flash of insight came to Duncan, and he looked up to ask, "Fred, where do you keep your money?"
"In the trunk..." Fred answered, instantly understanding what Duncan meant, and he shouted, "No way!"
The two hurried to the trunk; Fred bent down in haste to open it and quickly riffled through the pile of coins in the corner.
"Down by a dozen-odd silver Sickles!" Fred said with a long face.
"That little wretch!" Duncan said through gritted teeth.
Just then the feather circling in the air seemed finally to have found its target; it swooped and shot straight down.
Following it, Duncan spotted a tiny figure tucked into a dark, narrow corner at the edge of the corridor.
It had been quietly following Fred and George and, when they were not paying attention, had stolen the coins from the trunk.
"Pro, hand over all the money.
It's one thing to steal from me, but how can you steal other people's money?
Have you forgotten our agreement!" Duncan, seeing the task completion prompt, crouched down close to where Pro was and spoke angrily.
Pro's round eyes rolled; realising that Duncan seemed truly angry, it hesitated, scratched its belly with a paw, and at last, reluctantly, reached into its pouch—one piece, two pieces... slowly bringing out silver Sickles and bronze Knuts.
All of a sudden, a shiny little ball slid out of the pouch along with Pro's paw and dropped to the floor, bouncing twice.
Duncan bent down to pick it up, but saw the faces of Fred and George beside him change at once to a most ghastly look.
It was as if... they had been caught by Mrs Weasley in the middle of a misdeed; fear filled their eyes.
"Don't touch it—quick, run!" Fred and George shouted, turned, and, hauling the trunk, fled for their lives towards the distance.
By this time Duncan also realised that the little ball was no good thing.
He grabbed Pro in one hand and, not even bothering with the coins scattered on the floor, hurried after Fred and George's pace, fleeing to the other side of the corridor.
Enjoyed the story? Support me and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at: Patr*eon*.com/Resium
Free members can read 10+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Paid member can read 150+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts