great-warnovel Chapter 128 Exhibit of Strange Beasts
Chapter 128 Exhibit of Strange Beasts
Chapter 128 Exhibit of Strange Beasts
On the way back, Hibiscus was visibly much more enthusiastic. She had previously thought that this was "Master Lily's son's childhood playmate," or at most, a childhood sweetheart, so she simply did her job as if she were an ordinary customer.
But now it seems that this young lady is the core of their little group. Perhaps Master Lily only let her son get closer to her because she saw how outstanding this disciple was.
Hermione, through her interactions with this senior, discovered that she was quick-witted and knowledgeable. Even in the sales department, which didn't require advanced academic knowledge, she diligently sought opportunities to learn a great deal of professional alchemy knowledge.
"I envy you all, being able to study carefree until adulthood." Fleur wished she were a Hogwarts student too.
"With a brain like yours, senior, you can't even get into the research department? Even the medical department would be better than what you are now, right?" Hermione was a little puzzled. She felt that if this Miss Delacour were in the Borderlands, she could at least become a wizard wearing a sage's hood.
Furong paused for a moment: "It's because of some other reasons."
She sighed. "In fact, if it weren't for Mrs. Maxim's pity, I probably wouldn't have been able to enroll."
Hermione hadn't expected to accidentally touch on Fleur's sore spot, so she kindly didn't ask any further questions, and the two of them returned to the Quidditch boutique in silence.
The boys had finally finished their tour and were sitting on a bench by the roadside outside the store, enjoying their free ice cream.
"You're finally back! We were just about to go see the Alien Beasts exhibit!" Fred said.
"There's live animal trading here?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"I thought Beauxbatons only sold alchemy-related products."
The saleswoman accompanying the twins proudly declared, "Our goal is to surpass New Diagon Alley and become the world's number one trading center!"
"They say they've just captured a native Thunderbird from North America! Pure and unpolluted! And they also have an entire flock of Ball Runners here!" Harry exclaimed excitedly.
"Let's go take a look then." Hermione was also a little interested, but she suddenly noticed Fleur beside her, whose expression didn't seem too good.
"What's wrong, Senior Furong?"
Everyone noticed that Furong seemed somewhat unwilling.
"What, Furong, do you want to go against the customer's wishes?" the saleswoman asked in a rather unfriendly tone.
"No, no, I've just not been feeling well these past few days," Furong shook her head.
"Then come with me and lead the guests over. I can't manage so many guests by myself." She ordered without any politeness. Clearly, as an adult, she should have the role of mentor to these sales science students.
The little incident involving Furong didn't dampen the boys' spirits. Of course, they probably didn't even notice it; being rather oblivious, they would only assume that Furong was genuinely feeling unwell.
Amidst the lively conversation, the group walked to a huge courtyard behind the main hall, which occupied almost a quarter of the Golden Hall.
"Wow, it's huge!" Ron exclaimed in a meager voice.
Stepping into the foyer, decorated like a circus archway, a distinctive scent of wild animals immediately greets you.
The saleswoman skillfully took several small feather fans from a nearby shelf. These fans were enchanted so they could emit a pleasant fragrance. She distributed them to everyone: "Put this under your nose and you won't be able to smell any unpleasant odors."
The front hall of the exotic animal exhibition was filled with shops selling specimens and animal tissues, some dried and prepared, others freshly cut and still bloody. The entire market was authentic and direct.
"This is not what I want to see." Harry frowned, as if he were back in his mother's office.
"Let's go straight to the back; the live animal area is behind us. We've built a complete ecosystem there." The saleswoman quickly invited everyone to walk through this area, with Furong following at the back.
They passed through shelves that resembled a gallows, and after walking down a long, tunnel-like corridor, the view suddenly opened up before them. Under a magically constructed sky dome, a green jungle came into view. Some ghostly owls peeked out from behind the bushes, watching them, then left behind a pile of excrement and flew away in a flash.
"There are ghost owls here too?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Master Scamander collaborates with all schools and institutions," the sales assistant said with a smile.
"Is this the world before the war?" Hermione murmured to herself, looking at the jungle before her.
She had never seen the world in its best form. Even the broken borders of the French Ring were not as desolate as the world itself. The Lienia region, though submerged, was still picturesque.
"We have replicated natural landscapes from various climates around the world to suit the habits of different creatures," the saleswoman said proudly.
"We continued onward, and in the heart of the jungle, we built a visitor station."
After walking along a stone-paved path, they arrived at the center of the jungle, where many tall wooden structures were built, like observation towers, allowing them to observe the entire ecological park. In the center, there was a circular area with some tiered stands around it, which seemed to be used for performances.
Scattered around were small, detached wooden houses, from which cheerful laughter could be heard.
"Where can we see Thunderbirds? And flocks of 'ball-escape' birds?" Harry asked eagerly.
The saleswoman pointed to the far end of the jungle, where there was a small hill with thunder and lightning and torrential rain. The faint cry of an eagle could be heard, but its intensity was obviously controlled by a spell: "It's very fierce. Our animal trainer is trying to make it docile, so we can only observe it from a distance for now."
"But we can buy some magical animal feed here and take them into the jungle. All sorts of animals will come out and beg for food from you," she said with a smile.
It turns out that this is also a source of revenue for them; these animals can create value for their owners before they are slaughtered or sold.
However, the magical creature food is not expensive, and the students are willing to spend a little money to interact with these animals that are rarely seen on ordinary days. Every student who is brought here will buy some to find their favorite species.
Behind the animal feed stall was an elderly woman with silver hair. She was extremely beautiful, and even though she was old, she possessed an indescribable elegance that made the men unable to look away.
Her skin had very few fine lines and shone with a soft, moon-like glow, which still swayed behind her head even when there was no wind.
"Would you like to buy some magical creature food? We have different kinds here, you can choose according to the animal you want to get close to," the old woman greeted the students kindly.
The saleswoman was even more direct: "This is a Veela. Even before the war, it was quite rare to see such an old Veela."
"She looks just like Fleur!" Harry immediately noticed his blind spot and looked at Fleur behind him.
The latter was looking down, somewhat embarrassed.
"That's right, she is Miss Furong's maternal grandmother. Miss Furong is a human-Vewa hybrid, with one-quarter Veela blood," the saleswoman loudly proclaimed.
"Old man, quickly transform and show the guests." When Veela is angry, she transforms into a terrifying bird-headed monster and throws fireballs at her enemies, which is probably even rarer.