Chapter 41. The Invisible Tebo
Fang barked twice at Hagrid, as if comforting him and telling him not to be sad.
But Fang did not step over to Hagrid's side, still keeping guard near Duncan, his gaze slowly moving around the area.
Duncan followed Fang's line of sight and had a look, but he did not find anything unusual.
Just then Professor Kettleburn came over, and Duncan temporarily gave up on questioning Fang.
He turned his head and said, "Professor, what do you want me to help you with?"
"Help me find a few Tebos," Professor Kettleburn said helplessly.
"I want to move them somewhere else, but the little scoundrels turned invisible.
Hagrid and I have been looking here for ages and still haven't caught them."
"Oh?" Duncan looked around.
"After you move them, what magical creature are you planning to keep here?"
Professor Kettleburn's temperament was much the same as Hagrid's: the same reckless, slap-dash manner.
He often underestimated the danger posed by various magical creatures, felt they were all darlings, and as a result frequently caused injuries to himself or others.
"Not me," Professor Kettleburn said, a touch of complaint in his tone.
"It's that new Professor Quirrell…"
Hagrid drew in a sharp breath, his face changing at once.
He waved his huge hands anxiously and hurriedly cut Professor Kettleburn off, speaking at great speed: "Have you forgotten?
This must be kept strictly secret.
You absolutely can't tell anyone else!"
"I know, I know.
I know Duncan very well.
It's fine to tell him.
He's definitely not the type who likes to go out and brag and leak secrets," Professor Kettleburn said.
"That's right!" Duncan replied, chest out.
"It's really nothing major," Professor Kettleburn said.
"It's just that Professor Quirrell somehow got hold of a troll and wants to keep it here for the time being.
If Dumbledore hadn't spoken up and asked me to help, I'd never agree to such a foolish idea!"
"Trolls are all brainless, hulking oafs—detestable things.
Let them live here and before long this shed will likely be a complete mess," Professor Kettleburn's words were full of disdain.
"Indeed," Duncan nodded in agreement.
He had once gone into the wild with Newt to observe trolls at close range, and even his linguistic magic scarcely worked on them.
Because their brain capacity was limited and they were far too dim, they had no idea what he was saying, and only knew sleeping and eating.
At the same time, doubts rose bit by bit in Duncan's mind.
If he remembered correctly, there were two trolls at the school.
One was stationed on the fourth floor to guard the Philosopher's Stone as one of the trials to train Harry Potter.
The other was released by Quirrell on Hallowe'en and was ultimately taken down by the trio near the toilets.
But Professor Kettleburn said Quirrell had brought only one.
Where did he put the other troll?
And that ugly, noseless one later seemed to prolong his life by having Quirrell drink unicorn blood…
To protect the elves in the forest, Duncan felt he might need to give the noseless one some trouble and let him know this forest did not welcome him.
"What are you thinking about?" Professor Kettleburn noticed Duncan spacing out and asked curiously.
"Nothing," Duncan shook his head quickly.
"Are those Tebos in this wooden shed?"
"Mhm, mhm.
They shouldn't have gone out.
They just turned invisible and don't want me to catch them," Professor Kettleburn said.
"All right, I'll help you look," Duncan drew his wand from his belt, ready to use a spell Newt had invented to help.
But seeing Fang's gaze still warily fixed on a corner of the shed, Duncan couldn't help saying, "Fang…"
"There's a strange smell there.
Very dangerous," Fang understood what Duncan meant and barked in reply.
Although he could not see the creatures in the shed either, his sense of smell was sharp and he could detect a different scent in the air.
"Oh?" Duncan lowered his raised wand and turned his head.
"Professor, those Tebos may be over there."
"That fast?" Professor Kettleburn arched an eyebrow in surprise, but he did not doubt Duncan's words.
He gripped his wand and strode toward the direction Duncan had indicated.
Fang, who had been silent until now, suddenly let out two harsh roars.
He bared his sharp fangs, the fur all over his body bristling, making him look even larger.
Matched with the low growl in his throat, he had quite the air of a fierce wild beast.
"Fang, what's wrong?
Don't be afraid, I'm here!" Hagrid seemed to be startled by Fang's odd behaviour.
He took a few giant steps to Fang's side and did his utmost to soothe Fang's emotions with his big hands.
"Professor Kettleburn?" Duncan prompted.
"Got it.
Looks like the little scoundrels can't hold their nerve," Professor Kettleburn narrowed his eyes, looking ahead with a serious expression.
He held his wand across his chest, already prepared to cast.
"Vermin!
How dare you run wild in front of me!" Fang roared angrily, broke free of Hagrid's arms, and bounded forward in great strides.
"Oh, my Fang, splendid!" Hagrid praised happily.
He had never seen Fang look so awe-inspiring before.
Only, after a few steps, Fang's fur fell flat, and his growl weakened a great deal, leaving him looking very lacking in presence.
"The Hero Statue's effect has probably run out again…" Duncan thought to himself.
Sure enough, Fang was instantly back to his old self.
As soon as a faint footfall sounded from an empty patch of space, he gave a terrified wail, turned tail with his tail tucked, became a streak of black, and vanished in disarray.
Hagrid stood there blankly for a moment, then hurriedly chased in the direction Fang had fled: "Fang, wait for me!"
"Still a cowardly dog after all.
Even good dogs get ruined by Hagrid's keeping," Professor Kettleburn shook his head in disgust and sighed.
Duncan's eyes narrowed as he noticed little puffs of soil lifting from the ground.
He said, "Professor, they're coming…"
"Understood," Professor Kettleburn said with confidence.
"Now that we know where they are, they won't be able to hurt me.
Otherwise, if that fellow Newt found out, he'd probably bring this up to mock me even at my funeral."
"Little scoundrels, stop running!" Professor Kettleburn lifted the wand clutched in his hand.
Several ropes as thick as a thumb appeared out of thin air, winding forward like snakes.
They looped a few times in the air, then tangled together to form a locking knot.
Several ash-coloured Tebos were trussed by the ropes, their four limbs bound, and fell to the ground, struggling and growling in angry protest.
"Done!" Professor Kettleburn put his wand back at his waist with a flourish.
"Duncan, one more favour—please calm them down for me and settle their emotions."
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