great-warnovel Chapter 348 Breeding Center
Chapter 348 Breeding Center
Chapter 348 Breeding Center
The Christmas party ended amidst cheers and dazzling magical fireworks. Finally, with a few days of leisure, Hermione woke up feeling somewhat empty in her soft bed in her dormitory. Pushing open the window, she saw a thick layer of snow covering the lawn. Some students who stayed on campus had already gone down to have a snowball fight. Further away, Hogsmeade was still immersed in the afterglow of the previous night's joy, with only a few chimneys, such as the bakery, emitting wisps of white smoke.
Since the start of the semester, she has been busy almost every day. Now that everyone is busy with their own things, she suddenly doesn't know what to do.
Last night, Hilmi transformed into the moon and received enthusiastic praise from everyone. Overjoyed, he recklessly used his magic to rise higher and higher, growing larger and larger. As a result, he needs to catch up on sleep to replenish his mana during the day, and he can't be woken up no matter what.
Finding the receipt from Professor McGonagall among the pile of gifts, she decided to go to the Magical Animals Breeding Center to choose a pet for herself.
"I hope Mr. Newt is open on the weekend—" Actually, she knew that he was probably on vacation too, but she needed an excuse to go out for a stroll.
Thanks to the convenience of magic, the relocation of the breeding center, which houses many rare and endangered magical creatures, only required a dozen or so large suitcases, which were carried by Newt's students through the fireplace.
Wizards don't possess the magic of fairies to create fantasy worlds, but using the Unseen Stretch Charm, expanding space beyond the real world is not difficult for them.
The breeding center is located north of the city, near farmland and the forbidden forest. This makes it convenient for zoologists to study the species in the forbidden forest, and also facilitates the reintroduction of some rescued animals, as well as those that have been in captivity for a long time and need to be raised in the wild.
Although it may not seem to occupy a large area, like the Beast Exhibition in Beauxbatons, it contains a vast universe within. As long as there is a physical space as a foundation, wizards can expand it to an unimaginably large area.
"As expected, it's not open." Hermione stood at the entrance of the breeding center with a sense of relief. Although the sounds of various animals could still be faintly heard inside, the tightly closed door indicated the situation.
"Everyone needs to rest during Christmas," she comforted herself, and then decided to go and explore other places.
She wasn't there to pick out a pet; she was just feeling a bit lost and needed something to distract herself.
"Should we go back and play wizard chess with Hilmi?" The feeling of knowing someone inside and out, playing against oneself, was terrible; the two were almost of the same mind.
"Isn't this Miss Granger? What are you doing here?" The sudden call stopped the little witch who was about to leave.
It was Newt. The old man was holding a fluffy, soft cat, leaning out of a side window on the first floor of the animal shelter.
"Ah, that's what I originally planned to do."
"Oh! We're choosing a pet!" Newt slapped his forehead and let go of the cat he was holding.
"Minerva told me that she originally wanted to pick out a cat for you, but she was worried that you wouldn't like it, so she decided to let you choose for yourself." The old man waved his hand, and the main door next to him opened by itself.
"Come on in, it's quite cold outside."
Hermione thought for a moment, shrugged, and accepted the old man's kindness.
The enclosure is indeed very warm, perhaps to take care of the little creatures that are sensitive to the cold. Unlike the Beauxbatons exhibit, you can experience the harmony between humans and nature right from the front hall.
Even though it's the holidays, the animals still need to eat. Many of Newt's students are floating around buckets of magical animal food, directing them to the correct places.
Cats and raccoons dart past our feet from time to time, and many staff members also have pets like Puffy and Fairy perched on their shoulders.
Rare, invisible beasts would suddenly appear in a corner and then disappear again. Agile cats and leopards would lazily lie on the roof beams for a nap, squinting at everyone who passed by.
"They all have their own living areas, but now that they've gotten to know people, they sometimes prefer to stay indoors." Newt put on a coat, came out from the side door, and walked over to Hermione.
"I'm so sorry, I was planning to come back after my break," Hermione said.
"There are no holidays when taking care of these children," the old man said with a chuckle, casually stroking the rump of the cat-leopard that had jumped down.
"Don't be so reckless, child. Your injuries have only just healed," he said to the cat-leopard with concern.
Hermione recognized this guy as someone who had contributed a lot to the defense of Hogwarts and was quite ruthless, so she nodded at him in a friendly manner. However, this big cat had also witnessed the little witch's power firsthand, and it was so frightened that its tail fur stood on end. It cowered and lay down at her feet, letting her pet it.
"What are your preferences for your pets?" Newt asked. "Cats? Dogs? Or toads, lizards, bats?" The traditional pets of wizards are all here, as well as many stranger ones. It's bigger and more complete than the exotic animal exhibit in Beauxbatons, and the animals are happier.
Hermione shook her head blankly: "I...I've never thought about having a pet, and I don't know what I'd prefer."
Newt didn't seem surprised, beckoning her with his hand: "That's normal. You never know what a kid your age will like. Why don't you come with me for a walk? Maybe you'll meet someone suitable?"
This suited Hermione's idea quite well. She followed the old man through a series of semi-circular archways and arrived at the nature area inside the breeding center.
This place is very similar to Beauxbatons, with distinctly different climates and environments, and a fake sun hanging in the sky, releasing its heat.
"This was made in Yellowstone, but we don't use it much anymore. The kids prefer to enjoy real sunlight." Hermione followed Newt's finger and saw that in the very center of this magical garden, the azure sky was like a canvas torn open, revealing the slightly gloomy winter sky outside, with the dark, real sun shining weakly.
"Do they know they're going to be bought?" Hermione asked suddenly, looking at the animals living happily here.
"Only a portion are confirmed to be suitable as pets," Newt laughed.
"Of course I wouldn't entrust such large creatures as bird-snakes, cat-leopards, and thunderbirds to people who can't take care of them."
"Even for those pets that are bought, I try my best to make sure their owners treat them well."
The old man skillfully took a hummus from the tree, and the little creature quickly climbed up his pale hair, grabbing the ends and making chirping noises.
"Some people just act on impulse, but taking care of a pet is not a simple thing."
An Owl snuck up to Hermione, trying to steal the glittering buttons from her robes, but Newt grabbed it and lifted it up.
The two walked through a man-made forest, interacting with different animals.
"Sometimes we can't get along with our own kind, but these simple-minded children make us feel more relaxed and help us understand ourselves better." The old man's eyes were particularly clear when he looked at the animals, and no matter how fierce the magical creatures were, they all seemed to open their hearts to Newt.