Saturday morning arrived in the blink of an eye.
William arrived at the Headmaster's office exactly at eight, carrying a suitcase that contained Otto, who was still fast asleep. To be safe, he had even packed Otto's usual cushioned snake nest and feeding bowl.
Snape and Dumbledore were already waiting.
"Good morning," William greeted them. Turning to Dumbledore, he added, "Sorry to trouble you on the weekend, Albus."
"Oh, not at all, William," Dumbledore replied warmly, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles. "It's been a while since I've seen Newt. I'll treat this as a visit to an old friend."
At Dumbledore's summons, Fawkes—who had been perched on a gilded stand, let out a bright, musical cry and circled above his head with blazing red-and-gold wings.
"Come closer, both of you," Dumbledore said. "We can't Apparate directly from the castle."
William stepped forward and took Dumbledore's left arm. Though clearly reluctant, Snape grasped his right.
William himself knew ways to Apparate inside Hogwarts—he had done so as a student. But attempting it in front of the Headmaster would likely sour the mood.
"Ready, Fawkes?"
With a resonant phoenix cry, brilliant golden flames erupted and swallowed the three of them.
The next moment, they vanished.
...
When William's vision cleared, he stood on a quiet country lane.
The scenery was breathtaking. Morning sunlight bathed rolling green hills dotted with farmhouses. Seagulls cried in the distance, waves crashing faintly against rocky shores. A strip of blue coastline shimmered far away.
Southern England, most likely.
William inhaled the salty air to steady himself. He glanced at Snape, who remained expressionless, though his pale face and tight lips suggested he was not enjoying the journey either.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, looked as cheerful as ever. William couldn't tell whether the old man simply forgot or deliberately failed to mention—that phoenix travel was far rougher than normal Apparition.
It was their first time traveling by phoenix.
They followed a wildflower-lined path to a cottage covered in ivy. Behind it lay a garden bursting with plants. William even spotted creatures resembling garden gnomes scurrying through the greenery.
Dumbledore knocked. Soon, the door opened to reveal a silver-haired woman with a brisk but warm demeanor.
"Albus!" Tina beamed and hugged him enthusiastically.
After brief introductions, Dumbledore said, "Tina, these are the two professors mentioned in my letter: Severus Snape, Potions Master, and William Shafiq, Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts and Alchemy."
"Welcome, please come in."
The house was slightly cluttered but cozy. Tina served tea and pastries as they sat down.
A Kneazle leapt onto the sofa—lion-like tail, spotted coat, and enormous ears twitching curiously. It padded over and tugged at William's trouser leg, sniffing him.
"Oh, don't mind him," Tina laughed. "That's Hoppy. We have two more, but they're probably off fishing by the beach."
A door opened, and an elderly man with graying hair and a blue coat stepped into the room—Newt Scamander.
"Albus, good to see you…" After greeting Dumbledore, Newt glanced awkwardly at William and Snape, clearly unsure who was who.
William introduced himself and gestured toward Snape. "Professor Snape is the one who asked Dumbledore to write."
Newt didn't look at Snape. Instead, his attention locked onto the gently shaking suitcase beside William.
"I'd like to see it," he said eagerly.
"Of course."
William opened the case, reached inside, and lifted out the still-drowsy Otto, placing the three-headed snake into Newt's waiting hands.
Newt held him like a treasure, admiring the orange-and-black patterned scales. "Excellent health. Beautiful sheen."
Hoppy crept closer to sniff Otto.
Sensing a threat, or perhaps annoyed at being woken—Otto's right head shot up and hissed sharply.
"Hiss!"
The Kneazle recoiled in alarm, fur puffing up as it leapt onto the sofa back.
"A spirited fellow," Newt said with delight. "His temperament is excellent. His name is Otto, correct?"
William nodded.
Newt then asked gently, "Mr. Shafiq, may I ask how you acquired this Runespoor?"
"The Burkina Faso Ministry banned Runespoor exports in the 1950s. If it came from the black market… it might involve a poaching and smuggling network."
The room fell quiet.
William answered calmly. "My father obtained the egg over a decade ago and raised him from hatching. I don't know how the egg originally left Africa."
"I see," Newt nodded. "Your father cared for him well."
He then smiled and said, "Would you like to see my Runespoor?"
William agreed immediately.
After all, this concerned Otto's future. As his owner, he intended to inspect the match personally.
====================
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