On an autumn morning, Hogwarts grounds still glistened with dewdrops. In the shed beside the magical creatures hut, over a dozen young wizards sat upright in their chairs, looking toward the podium.
Although the young wizards had been somewhat panicked last night, when all was said and done, the victim was just a cat. And Filch's cat at that.
By today, last night's oppressive atmosphere had long since dissipated. Except for Harry, who could still clearly sense the little black cat in his arms was in very low spirits, no one else took the matter seriously anymore.
"Don't worry too much. Didn't Professor Dumbledore and Professor Kahn both say that in two months, when Professor Sprout's Mandrakes mature, it'll be fine?" Stroking the little black cat's back, Harry comforted it softly.
"But what if something goes wrong?" The little black cat's tone remained very dejected. "If I had run faster then, maybe that wouldn't have happened."
"No, that was an extremely dangerous creature. If you had charged faster then, you might have been petrified on the spot just like Mrs Norris."
There was another hypothesis Harry didn't voice. He remembered Professor Kahn mentioning during their morning chat that his ability might be Parseltongue among beast-speakers, and the monster wandering in the castle was very likely a basilisk.
According to Professor Kahn, a basilisk's eyes could kill any creature that made eye contact with it.
If the little black cat had rushed over then and seen the basilisk...
Shaking his head, Harry didn't dare continue that thought, only stroking the little black cat's back again.
Perhaps Harry's comfort was working. The little black cat didn't continue to sink into despair but forced itself to perk up, its transparent body no longer trembling.
"Since this is our first meeting this week, we're holding it here, but starting next week, our meeting location will change to the Forbidden Forest. Remember to bring your flying broomsticks then."
Beside the podium, Evans crossed his hands on the desk, describing his club plans to the young wizards.
"As you all know, the Forbidden Forest is the largest magical forest in all of Europe. There are too many unexplored areas inside, and it possibly hides countless magical creatures that have long been extinct in the outside world."
"Due to Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts regulations, the Forbidden Forest is strictly protected. Outside wizards entering the Forbidden Forest without authorisation is illegal."
With that, Evans looked around, a smile appearing on his face.
"You could say that right now, you are the wizards in this world who can most easily and at the lowest cost enter this forest."
Hearing Professor Kahn's words, the young wizards present gradually brightened up.
Being able to join the Magical Creatures Club meant they were already very interested in magical creatures.
Legally and legitimately entering the Forbidden Forest, even exploring the depths of the Forbidden Forest. This was something they had never dared imagine before.
Although Hogwarts students entering the Forbidden Forest wouldn't exactly be illegal, the deserved detentions and punishments were still unavoidable.
Seeing those young wizards developing interest in the Forbidden Forest, Evans nodded with satisfaction.
It seemed they had understood the true intention behind Hogwarts' attitude toward the Forbidden Forest. Outside wizards illegally entering the Forbidden Forest would go to prison, while Hogwarts students would just lose some points at most or get detention.
Wasn't this just encouraging students to visit the Forbidden Forest more?!
All that talk about "strictly forbidden entry" and "severe punishment" were just little tricks to attract students to go in.
"For our first meeting, besides explaining our plans and regulations, I also want to give you something."
With that, Evans waved his wand, and eleven identical boxes flew out from a nearby room, landing in front of those young wizards.
The square boxes were about five centimetres on each side, transparent on all four sides, with two small doors on opposite sides, and completely empty inside.
"What is this?"
Looking curiously at the empty box, Fred poked around for a while, opened the side door of the box, and stuck a finger inside.
The next second, the square box suddenly grew larger, encompassing Fred's hand.
"Whoa!"
Startled by the suddenly enlarged box, Fred quickly withdrew his hand. After he pulled it out, the box shrank back to its original size.
"This..."
Watching Fred's actions nearby, Percy's eyes filled with surprise.
"This is an Extension Charm? No, that's not right. Extension Charms don't work this way."
He remembered that Extension Charms created extremely large internal spaces while the external form remained unchanged.
This was magic that could adapt to entering objects on its own?
After studying the box for a while, Della, sitting nearby, suddenly brightened and spoke softly in her gentle voice:
"Is this a Kappa's talent?"
"Yes, this box's magical principle comes from the Kappa, and only I can make them." Evans nodded, explaining softly: "It can adapt to the size of entering objects on its own, and after closing the door, it shrinks back to its smallest state, shrinking the creatures or objects inside along with it."
Kappa skin was naturally the best material for making bags, but each bag required killing a Kappa, and those creatures didn't have strong reproductive abilities. In modern times, Kappas had become very rare.
Unfortunately, he still couldn't reverse-engineer this talent into magic. If this magic could be popularised, it could greatly reduce wizards' dependence on Kappas.
Moreover, there were some little thoughts of his in this box.
How could Magical Creatures Club members not have Poké Balls?
"But Professor, our partner is Little Cloak..."
George raised his hand slightly, his expression somewhat hesitant.
This box clearly looked like something very precious, and the Professor had said only he could make such boxes.
But he and Fred together only had Little Cloak as a partner, and Little Cloak usually lived with the Professor anyway, so this box didn't seem very useful to them.
"Just keep it. This is a gift every young wizard who joins the Magical Creatures Club receives." Evans smiled. "And who knows? Maybe after we start exploring the Forbidden Forest, you might find other partners."
Just like himself. He didn't just have those few mascots at home as friends. Exploring the Forbidden Forest was very dangerous; how could just one partner be enough?
After all the young wizards had put away their boxes, Evans continued explaining the box's specific functions.
"The box can expand to a maximum of ten metres on each side. You can arrange the ecology inside the box however you like, decorating it the way your partner likes best."
"If you make other friends in the Forbidden Forest, you can also keep them inside, but some creatures that need very large spaces can't be kept there. It only has ten cubic metres of space."
After finishing explaining the box's uses, Evans brought up other plans.
"Today, I'll also teach you how to best utilise your partners' advantages..."