Chapter 76: Newt Scamander

It seemed there had been some disagreement over the division of the dragons, so Garrick Ollivander had no choice but to change the original plan and stay at the sanctuary for three whole days — and naturally, Harold stayed too.But with Charlie as a diligent guide, Harold wasn't bored. They visited plenty of interesting places over those days. Still, Harold couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Charlie. Was a dragon keeper supposed to be this free?He actually had time to hang around and play for three days straight? And every time Harold suggested he didn't need to be followed around, Charlie would get all flustered and insist he stay close. He kept saying it was for Harold's safety — but honestly, that kind of excuse might fool Neville, not Harold. Never mind the sanctuary's own security — Dumbledore was here too. Harold had overheard Alistair tell Garrick all about it. Not to mention Newt Scamander and over a dozen veteran wizards were around. With that kind of lineup, even if Voldemort himself came back from the dead, he'd probably wait until everyone went home before daring to act up. In fact, Harold even felt like the dragons had been a lot quieter the past two days. Harold had good reason to suspect Charlie was lying about something — but he couldn't quite figure out what.Surely they didn't think he was here to steal a dragon, did they? No way.The Ollivanders had a decades-long reputation with the sanctuary — solid and trustworthy.And Harold himself? A soon-to-be second-year student... Actually not even officially second-year yet. Still technically a first-year, shorter than a dragon's knee. Even if Charlie was super paranoid, he shouldn't be this suspicious. Since he couldn't figure it out, Harold simply stopped worrying about it.After all, he wasn't after dragons anyway. If Charlie wanted to follow him around, fine. Besides, after Charlie found out Harold was a Gryffindor too, he became even chattier — telling Harold all sorts of Hogwarts secrets: hidden passage entrances, Filch's nightly patrol routes, the location of the kitchens...Clearly he assumed Harold was destined to be a troublemaker. Classic Gryffindor bias. Still, information was information — Harold made sure to memorize everything, just in case. Finally, on the third day around noon, Harold saw his grandfather again. Standing with Garrick were two other men. One was obviously Dumbledore — with that familiar silver beard.The other looked... shy.He stood half a step behind Dumbledore, lanky and hunched, like he was trying to disappear into his oversized brownish-yellow coat. Even from a distance, Harold could hear Dumbledore sigh. "One thing after another. Still no new professor. And now those nasty rats have returned," Dumbledore said. "Newt, are you sure about your information?" The brown-cloaked man answered, a bit awkwardly: "It's from one of Tina's old friends. She said a few people went missing in South America... but she didn't confirm if they came to Britain." "It's probably true," Dumbledore said. "Half a month ago, something happened that gave them hope. Those still wallowing in darkness have never stopped searching for ways to bring him back — desperate to reclaim their lost power and glory." "Wait, Albus," Garrick frowned. "Weren't all the fanatics thrown into Azkaban?" "There weren't enough Aurors," Dumbledore tapped his hand lightly. "Some slipped through the cracks.Plus, the group Voldemort sent to negotiate with the giants disappeared after his fall.And those Death Eaters sent to find Salazar's wand weren't even in Britain..." "The bone wand Salazar Slytherin crafted himself?" Garrick's eyes lit up. "Wasn't it taken to Ilvermorny?" "That's why they never found it," Dumbledore said, shaking his head, then turning to look at Harold."It's been a while, Mr. Ollivander. How's your holiday going?" "Pretty great," Harold said, having just walked over. "What a delightful answer," Dumbledore smiled. "Allow me to introduce Mr. Newt Scamander — the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." He's Newt Scamander?Harold looked at him curiously.Newt immediately glanced away, shrinking even further into his coat before giving a very shy nod. He was seriously socially awkward! Dumbledore, pretending not to notice, gave Garrick a subtle wink. Garrick understood instantly. "By the way," Garrick said, "half the unicorn tail hairs I use come from Newt...Speaking of which, I really should thank you." Newt practically folded into himself, face burning."It's... it's nothing," he mumbled. "Just routine grooming... fallen hairs..." "Only you could make it sound so casual," Garrick muttered. He had spent half a year scouring the forests of the Navian Peninsula just to find twelve usable strands of unicorn hair — and Newt acted like it was just everyday brushing. "Oh, not necessarily," Dumbledore said, chuckling as he looked at Harold."There's more than one person unicorns trust, right?" "That's true," Harold shrugged. "I usually use the tail hairs Hagrid collects when I make regular wands." Wait — why did I just say 'regular wands'?Harold scratched his head.Luckily, no one noticed.By then, Dumbledore was already preparing to leave. Newt visibly relaxed, finally uncurling from his coat a little bit. "Garrick," Dumbledore said, "if anything unusual happens at Diagon Alley, please write to me immediately." "I'll keep an eye out — if they dare show up there," Garrick promised. Dumbledore nodded — and vanished like a wisp of mist, taking Newt with him. "We should head back too," Garrick said.He pulled out a small branch, handing one end to Harold."It's the Portkey Alistair gave us — it activates at five o'clock. Just three minutes to go." Of course it was a Portkey. Harold grabbed the other end. "Wait — Harold, Mr. Ollivander!" Charlie came running over, stuffing two small boxes into Harold's hands. "Your promised gift," he said. "And could you do me a favor? Deliver the other one to Ron for me? The owl post here is ridiculously expensive." "Only Ron?" Harold asked. "Kind of a peace offering," Charlie said. "Because of me, he never got a proper new wand." "And your other brothers at Hogwarts? Oh — and you'll have a sister starting this year too." "I literally spent my last Knut two minutes ago," Charlie said, spreading his hands helplessly."I'll bring something for them next time I'm home." "Alright, I'll try to slip it to Ron without the others finding out," Harold promised. "Exactly what I was hoping for!" The Portkey began to vibrate. Harold quickly stuffed the boxes into his pocket and grinned,"By the way — Ron already has a new wand.Made by me, actually." ... (End of Chapter)