Chapter 190: Scamander Farm Estate
Lockhart spent a pleasant time at the Scamander Farm Estate.
He knew that Newt's son had so enthusiastically invited him to stay because he was worried that the spellcasting might have some effect or after-effects on his father, and hoped that Lockhart would be present to offer timely assistance.
It was only human nature, and he could understand that.
In contrast, Newt was exceptionally enthusiastic. Upon learning that Lockhart intended to teach Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts next semester, he took him to interact with the various animals raised on the farm.
Newt's legs had recovered considerably these past few days. Leaning on a cane, he led Lockhart to a group of Graphorns, explaining how to use shared sweets to approach these fantastic beasts.
But Lockhart actually knew what to do.
Because when he helped Newt back up his professional memories, he secretly made a copy for himself.
This spellcasting was actually far less effortless than Newt and his son imagined. The reason it seemed to be done in an instant was partly due to Lockhart's increasingly deep understanding of memory, and partly due to Newt's excellent cooperation in opening his own soul.
Few people were willing to so calmly drop all their mental defenses; this was no simple feat. The old man before him possessed a breadth of mind unimaginable to most and a life philosophy closer to the natural world.
He wasn't proud of having so easily stolen someone else's memories; instead, he grew even more respectful of a figure like Newt.
"Graphorns have very distinct features. Besides being entirely grey, their wings always give a uniquely light feeling. They are the fastest flyers among all winged horses."
"Common winged horse breeds now each have prominent characteristics. Abraxans have the most magnificent appearance and the strongest bodies; they are the strongest winged horses." Newt winked mischievously as he introduced them. "Hagrid once rode an Abraxan at another of my animal sanctuaries. You can imagine how strong it is."
Lockhart let out a "Wow," recalling Hagrid's sturdy and burly physique, and nodded in astonishment. "I can picture it!"
Newt continued to explain, "Aethonans have chestnut manes and are the most common winged horses in Britain and Ireland. They are known for being easy to care for and are Ministry-approved modes of transport. A very small number of Aethonans have the ability to breathe fire."
"Thestrals, you must have seen them at Hogwarts. Only wizards who have witnessed death can see them. Their skeletal appearance often makes wizards believe they are the mounts of Death, bringing ill omens. But in fact, their temperament is very stable, and they possess extraordinary directional abilities, being the only fantastic beasts with better pathfinding abilities than owls."
Saying that, he gave a strange smile. "Dumbledore loves to travel on Thestrals. He doesn't know that he frightens many people that way."
Thestrals, Graphorns, Abraxans, Aethonans the four most common winged horse breeds in the wizarding world, distinguished by their unique superior bloodlines from countless other winged horse varieties, and widely loved by wizards.
As they chatted, Newt began to teach Lockhart how to stroke the Graphorn's back. This would give them a unique sense of pleasure. Then, by observing the state of their eyes and tails, he taught him to analyze the information they wished to convey.
Just then, Newt's son came over with a large bucket of chocolate rainbow drops, pouring them into the trough. The surrounding Graphorns all ran over. The Graphorn that Lockhart had been stroking so comfortably hesitated, looking at Lockhart for a moment, then at the trough.
"Go eat," Newt said with a smile, patting the horse's back, urging it to eat.
The horse then galloped over lightly, somewhat domineeringly trying to drive away the other Graphorns, but was scolded by Newt's son. A lively scene unfolded in the distance.
"My son teaches at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; he graduated from that school," Newt said with a chuckle, subtly observing Lockhart's expression. "The reason he didn't choose Hogwarts was because he hoped to distance himself from this place that leans more towards ancient wizarding traditions, away from political activities like bloodline issues, to make his life purer."
Lockhart looked amusedly at the old man who couldn't hide his expressions at all. "He should indeed stay away. Politics is the most boring thing. I prefer magic too."
"In fact, rather than exploring the future of Muggle and wizard life from a political perspective, I'm more inclined to do so from a magical one."
Newt's eyes lit up. "Are you also exploring such topics?"
Newt himself, of course, disliked politics and didn't want to discuss Muggles and wizards. He was purer, but his son seemed more willing to focus on such content, though strictly limited to magic.
His son, young Scamander, walked over, smiling cheerfully as he watched the winged horses scrambling for the sugar beans. Hearing their discussion, he joined in. "When I teach Care of Magical Creatures at school, I focus more on exploring types of fantastic beasts that could potentially facilitate Muggle and wizard life in the future. Winged horses are one of the major subjects I teach."
"They are easier for Muggles to accept, easier for everyone to feel the beauty of fantastic beasts, and will make more people willing to interact with, accept, and grow close to fantastic beasts."
The three chatted animatedly. Newt's "Humanity and Natural Creatures," young Scamander's "Exploring the Future Life of Wizards and Muggles," and Lockhart's "Fairy Tale Life Theory" seemed to suddenly find common ground on some level. They each shared their explorations in their respective fields, benefiting greatly from each other.
Thus, gradually, Newt and young Scamander's subtle guard against Lockhart completely vanished.
Pure individuals can sense whether another soul is pure. Newt wasn't truly a social recluse; rather, he preferred to communicate with pure beings, be they animals or humans.
They discussed everything from Newt's life with humans and fantastic beasts, to Lockhart's "animality" manifestation of magical creatures in wizarding life, to young Scamander's exploration of the future life of wizards and Muggles, which led them to a unique large fish tank.
The fish tank was embedded between low mountains like a large lake, magically simulating the environment of ocean tides. Some golden, remora-like marine fish lived within it.
"The ocean, a place Muggles haven't truly conquered. The immense benefits fantastic beasts bring in this area will allow Muggles and wizards to live together more harmoniously."
Even now, with the Statute of Secrecy separating wizards and Muggles, young Scamander firmly believed in a future trend of integration. Although he didn't propose any political stances, he quietly prepared for such a future.
He introduced the fantastic beasts he was currently breeding and optimizing. "Ramora fish have strong magic and can anchor ships, even in the most terrible ocean storms. They will provide the most solid foundation for humans to explore the deep ocean, allowing humans to enter the ocean as if living on land."
The passion of this father and son for their respective fields of research undoubtedly pointed Lockhart in a clear direction.
Similarly disliking political narratives, they dedicated their energy to practical work, making their own contributions to a beautiful distant future. Perhaps their current explorations weren't widely celebrated, but they would have a profound and lasting impact.
Lockhart seemed to see a true path leading to the future.
He began to more sincerely seek their wisdom in this area. This wisdom resided in moments of brilliant insight, something that knowledge from memories could not replace it was the most beautiful radiance within human nature.
(End of Chapter)
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