Vison had been chatting with Professor Kettleburn at the Three Broomsticks for quite some time. Eventually, their conversation shifted to Torch.
"What are you planning to do with Torch, Professor?" Vison asked, tapping lightly on the suitcase sitting on the table. "Torch has grown quite a lot. In a few months, this box might not be able to hold it anymore."
As if hearing its name, the suitcase suddenly trembled slightly, leaving a small crack open.
"Don't move!"
Vison quickly pressed down on the box with his hand, then glanced helplessly at Kettleburn. "See? It's even more mischievous than before."
Fortunately, the commotion wasn't noticed by anyone else in the Three Broomsticks.
"I've already thought of a solution—it's just that the opportunity hasn't come yet," Kettleburn said with a nod. "I found one of my former students who will help send Torch to Romania."
"Transporting a magical creature across countries isn't easy," Vison remarked.
"I know," Kettleburn replied confidently. "But that kid has some connections in the Ministry of Magic."
"Let me guess," Vison paused, thinking for a moment. "It wouldn't happen to be someone from the Weasley family, would it? Charlie Weasley? He's in Romania studying dragons. I've met him before."
"Ha! I thought you didn't know," Kettleburn exclaimed, slightly surprised, then smiled. "Yes, Arthur's boy is going to Romania this Christmas. I'll have him help take Torch along. Charlie will take good care of him."
Vison had heard that Charlie was one of Kettleburn's favorite students.
Still, he thought to himself:
Hmm… maybe I'm even more favored.
Nothing to worry about.
When they left the Three Broomsticks, Kettleburn took the box containing Torch, saying he would take care of it himself. He told Vison not to worry.
Vison was naturally happy to comply.
Lupin would be glad to hear the news. Just yesterday, he was complaining to Vison that Torch's appetite was growing every day, and that feeding him was becoming a full-time job.
By the time Vison returned to Hogwarts from the Three Broomsticks, it was nearly dark. He headed straight to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was decorated beautifully for Christmas, but it felt a bit empty—most of the students had already gone home for the holidays.
Of course, a few students remained, preparing to have dinner.
Perhaps because it was Christmas, or simply due to the reduced number of students, the house-elves were putting extra effort into the meals. The food was especially elaborate these days—cookies shaped like Christmas trees, rich roasts, and spiced cider.
At the Gryffindor table, Harry sat teasing a small green creature with a cookie. Next to him was a red-haired boy—probably Ron.
Vison noticed, as he approached, that the green creature was a Biting Cabbage.
"Harry," Vison called from behind.
Harry turned and looked surprised. "Professor!"
Vison gave him a small nod, his eyes landing on the Biting Cabbage. "You actually brought a Biting Cabbage here."
"Are you saying I'm allowed to do this?" Harry asked.
"Well… I don't mind," Vison shrugged. "But Mac might—"
"Then it's okay, Professor," Harry said cheerfully, cutting him off. "Actually, I even gave it a name—Mr. Grumbles."
As if to respond, Grumbles ate the cookie in Harry's hand, making a soft "grumble grumble" sound.
It sounded like a content kitten.
Vison couldn't figure out how a Biting Cabbage could make that noise.
"Hermione says the name sucks," Ron said with a sigh. "And this is the first time I agree with her…"
"I don't think so," Vison replied, amused.
Silently, Vison communicated with the Tree of Wisdom, asking it to analyze the cabbage.[Name: Grumbles]
[Species: Biting Cabbage]
[Level: 2]
[Characteristic: Gigantification]
[State: Growing (95%)]Harry's Biting Cabbage was growing very quickly. Vison nodded to himself, pleased.
Looks like Harry is taking good care of it—and he's using the feed I gave him on schedule.
"By the way," Harry said suddenly, "I signed the form to stay at Hogwarts during the Christmas holidays. You know, I really can't stand being in that house even for a moment."
"It's good to stay at Hogwarts," Vison agreed. "I heard that during the holidays, the house-elves put even more effort into their cooking."
"House-elves?" Harry looked puzzled. "Oh—right, they're the ones who make the food here."
Vison realized Harry hadn't known about the house-elves' existence.
Then Harry suddenly picked up on something else. Vison had said "I heard", implying that he hadn't spent many Christmases at Hogwarts himself.
Before Harry could ask, Vison glanced at his pocket watch. "Alright, I have to go."
He walked toward the door. He needed to return to the plantation and inform Lupin that Torch had been sent away.
Because he had left so early that morning, Lupin still hadn't heard the news.
After Vison left, Ron finally said to Harry, "Why didn't you ask Professor Vison about Nicolas Flamel? Doesn't he like you a lot?"
Just yesterday, the two of them had been chatting with Hagrid when they accidentally learned that the name of the three-headed dog on the fourth floor was Fluffy. They also found out that Fluffy was guarding something—something connected to a man named Nicolas Flamel.
"We've asked a lot of professors," Harry replied as he nibbled on a cookie. "None of them are willing to say anything. I don't think Professor Vison would tell us either."
Ron sighed. "I hope Hermione comes back soon. She'll definitely know something from one of those thick books she borrowed from the library."
"Even if she doesn't," Harry said with a shrug, "it doesn't really matter. Once we figure out how to get past Fluffy and down the trapdoor, we'll know."
Ron thought about those three terrifying heads and shivered. "Are you really planning to do that?"
"Of course," Harry said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Think about what Dumbledore said at the start of term. I think it's all a challenge he designed for students who like adventure."
"Do you really think so?" Ron asked, looking unconvinced.
Harry sighed and explained, "If Dumbledore really wanted to hide something, he would've hidden it somewhere nobody could ever find. Instead, he warned everyone not to enter the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor. That's too obvious."
"That makes sense," Ron said thoughtfully. Then he added, "But how are you planning to get past Fluffy?"
Harry simply spread his hands in a shrug. Then he turned and stared at his Biting Cabbage.
Grumbles: "?"
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