Chapter 42. Professor Kettleburn's Invitation
After helping Professor Kettleburn move the Tebos to another, smaller wooden shed, Duncan set off back along the path together with him.
"Duncan, how about becoming my teaching assistant?" Professor Kettleburn suddenly asked with a smile.
"Me?" Duncan pointed at himself in surprise. "Professor, you must be joking. I'm only a first-year who's just started school. Is that even allowed?"
Professor Kettleburn nodded, wearing an expression that said don't underestimate yourself. "Of course. Although you're a first-year in other respects, in the subject of magical creatures those students about to graduate aren't necessarily better than you, and you've also got that unique magical ability..."
"Mm... let me go back and think about it," Duncan said, thinking it over.
He needed to attend lessons and take care of the animals in his case, and he didn't know whether he could spare enough time to assist Professor Kettleburn in class.
"You don't need to agonise over it," Professor Kettleburn said. "There isn't much to do on my side. I only need your help occasionally. Come over when you have time, and if you're busy, just give me a word."
He lowered his head to glance at Duncan and dropped his voice slightly. "And if you agree to be my assistant, I can apply to the school to get you authorisation to enter the Forest. Then you won't have to sneak into the Forest like you do now, and you won't need to worry about being caught and punished by others. Well? Want to give it a try?"
[Optional Quest: Popularise knowledge of magical creatures; letting the public know how adorable magical creatures are is also a way to protect them.]
[Quest Reward: per lesson, obtain Virtual Coins ×200; Random Herbs ×3]
Looking at the small lines that appeared before his eyes, and adding in the tempting terms offered by Professor Kettleburn, Duncan had no reason to refuse. He decisively chose to agree. "Professor, if you need anything in future, just tell me what to do. I'll come at your call!"
"Then I'll go and speak to Dumbledore in a moment," Professor Kettleburn said with satisfaction, nodding. "Don't worry, I'll definitely make him sign the consent allowing you to enter the Forest. Otherwise I'll refuse to leave and make him go and teach Care of Magical Creatures!"
"Professor, there's no need to go that far," Duncan said, shaking his head. "I remember the drawer in the cabinet to the side of the Headmaster's office stores lots of sweets. A few of them taste quite good. Last time I went I didn't get to eat my fill!"
"Naughty boy," Professor Kettleburn said with a laugh. "You're far more quick-witted than Newt. He'd never think up an idea like that."
Duncan chuckled and did not answer.
"Oh, right—did you come into the Forest for something?" Professor Kettleburn suddenly remembered and asked.
"It's like this, Professor..."
Duncan described in detail the matter of the Kelpie Mori falling ill and asked whether he had a method.
"Mm, it is a bit strange..." Professor Kettleburn nodded slightly and spoke in a pensive tone.
"I've also got photos of that Kelpie here. Have a look," Duncan said, handing over the pictures taken last night.
Professor Kettleburn took them, leafed through them carefully for a moment, then frowned. "The sheen of the hair, the eyes, the colour of the tongue... looks like little is wrong. Only the black spots at the roots are worth noting. And it's irritable and in pain. Mm... Duncan, this one stumps me a bit. I may have to see that Kelpie with my own eyes to give you an answer."
Duncan's brows drew together slightly as he hesitated over whether to bring the case for Professor Kettleburn to examine.
"Did Newt give you his case, or did he make a new one for you?"
Professor Kettleburn seemed to see through the doubt in Duncan's heart and volunteered with a smile, "When I saw that scene on the train I guessed it. Although there are habitats of Confunding Weasels along the route, they're a long way from the tracks. Under normal circumstances they would never run onto the train. Did one sneak out of your case?"
"That was just an accident..." Duncan said with an embarrassed smile. "I'll bring the case over to find you after class later?"
"No problem. But you must be careful, and don't let the other professors discover it," Professor Kettleburn said, winking at Duncan mischievously. "I'll help you keep the secret. This will be known only to the two of us."
"Thank you, Professor," Duncan said sincerely.
"A trifling matter. Newt and I have been friends for so many years," Professor Kettleburn waved it off, then asked, "Tell me secretly—what kinds of magical creatures have you brought to school?"
"A Thunderbird, two Erumpents, and a Kelpie," Duncan said in a lowered voice. "They all listen to me."
At this moment Duncan's pocket gently bulged. Pro, who had been hiding inside the whole time, seemed to be expressing displeasure at being overlooked.
"Oh, and a Niffler. His name is Pro," Duncan said, taking Pro out and introducing him to Professor Kettleburn with a smile.
Earlier Duncan and Pro had agreed that as long as he took it out of the dormitory, it had to hide itself. Otherwise it might be discovered by Filch.
From Duncan's description, the image of that mysterious person whom it had never met had grown terrifying in Pro's mind, making it extremely fearful.
"What a cute little fellow," Professor Kettleburn said with a gentle smile. "But you must keep a close watch on them."
"Mm-hm," Duncan nodded. Any magical creature running out from his case would throw Hogwarts into absolute chaos.
Chatting idly all the way, the castle soon appeared not far ahead.
Hagrid was sitting in the pumpkin patch, and Fang was by his side, eyes closed in rest.
"You're back..." Hagrid stood up and greeted them happily.
Remembering that Duncan was a violator of school rules who had sneaked into the Forest, he hurriedly clapped a hand over his mouth and looked around into the distance.
After confirming no one was there, he carefully spoke. "You didn't meet any danger along the way, did you?"
"Everything's normal!" said Professor Kettleburn. "Duncan, you go back first. I've something to discuss with Hagrid."
"Alright." Duncan nodded and waved. "Hagrid, I'm off to class!"
Hagrid grinned good-naturedly. "Go on, go on. Come over to play when you've time. I've made loads more rock cakes!"
Thinking of those round cakes harder than stone and on a par with French munitions, Duncan forced a bitter smile and decided it would be better to come less often in future.
Alone, he stepped onto the path leading to the castle.
He entered the castle, walked along the corridor, and returned to the dormitory.
Neville was still snoring away with his head buried.
He'd been too excited last night, and who knew when he had finally fallen asleep.
While tidying the textbooks he would need later for Charms, Duncan called out, "Neville, time to get up. Class is about to start!"
"Huh?" Neville opened his eyes in a daze, gave a response, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
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