61.  Sad Koko

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[Death Penalty In Gringotts! Goblin Named Griphook Found Stealing! Given Death By Beheading: According to our source, the Goblins of Gringotts became enraged to learn one of their own was behind the rumor about wizard blood. For breaking the trust of Goblins and damaging the Bank's good name, the Gringotts World Council executed Griphook in accordance with ancient Goblin Rituals...]

Happy put down the newspaper as he finished eating his delightful breakfast made of a full-size pizza, freshly made from the school kitchen. With nothing to do, the elves of the school were more than happy to cook for him.

"Koko, we're soon going to be meeting a lot of fantastic beasts. Be sure to learn how to make their noises." Happy briefed the goose while feeding him as well.

"Awooooo…!" Koko howled with his beak facing the ceiling.

Cough!

The recognizable cough from Dumbledore came from the side. Happy got up from the bench in the Great Hall and looked over.

"Happy, Mr. Scamander is here."

Another man was standing beside Dumbledore. Newt was an old man, but he didn't look as old as Dumbledore. He had tawny hair, a clean-shaven face, and looked almost like the wrinkled version of what Happy knew.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Scamander." Happy politely went to greet and shake Newt's hand.

"I-Is that your pet?" Newt was more interested in Koko, instead. His words were still stuttered as if he was unsure of what to say. Social awkwardness had shaped the man's life.

"Yes, he's my pet Goose. I got him from Diagon Alley…He's amazingly smart and…show it, boy."

"Woof!" Koko barked proudly.

Newt walked closer to Koko. "Fascinating—He does not appear like a magical bird, but his abilities and intelligence say otherwise. Is there any information about his parentage?"

"None. The owner only found him in a little box outside their shop when he was little. Since he could make various noises, the owner kept him on display, only for me to come and buy him months later." Happy explained, somewhat feeling sad for his little friend, wondering if Koko was experimented on by some wizard.

Dumbledore stepped forward. "Newt, take care of Happy. I've informed you about the kind of people that are after him. Since you will be in America, I hope you provide him with guidance and the help he needs."

Newt smiled briefly. "We were actually planning on moving to Britain since Tina is retiring from MACUSA."

"Then…I ruined your plans?" Happy apologetically asked. "I'm sorry, Mr. Scamander, I didn't know."

"Me neither," Dumbledore said. "When do you plan to move? If it's not before the start of the next school term, then I believe we won't have any issues. Furthermore, I believe Mr. Lestrange won't be with you for more than a month—his other work in the States requires his attention."

Dumbledore shared a brief glance with Happy, gesturing that what Happy wanted had been done. The Portkeys had been established for his soon-to-rise farming empire.

"Also, Mr. Scamander, I would like to meet with Mrs. Scamander regarding work at MACUSA. If I remember, she's the head of the Department of Aurors?" Happy shamelessly requested. After all, it was better to have a second home in the form of American wizarding circle, just in case Britain became too dangerous.

"Don't worry, Mr. L-Lestrange, we are meeting for dinner this evening," Newt said, almost stuttering at the Lestrange part.

That immediately reminded Happy of Newt's history with the Lestrange family, especially Leta Lestrange. In a way, Happy realized he could be a lot more relaxed with him than planned.

"Just Happy is fine, Mr. Scamander. We should go now, or Koko will get hungry again." Happy dragged his boxy baggage alone and called the goose to sit on the bag.

Dumbledore chuckled, seeing Happy leave before them. "Newt, I should tell you beforehand. He's a pure-hearted child—and just as his name says, he IS—Happy."

Newt's lips curved. "He reminds me of Jacob… but with magic."

"And wits…" Dumbledore added in a warning tone. "His intellect reminds me of… the two men I could not bring to the right path."

"Should I be worried?" Newt asked.

"Not at all—making Happy happy is as easy as feeding him something tasty. You should go now, or he might get hungry." Dumbledore patted Newt's shoulder and sent him along the way.

'Good luck, child.' Dumbledore muttered under his breath.

…

United States of America, New York City

"Woah!" Happy gobbled up the view from the yellow taxi window. It wasn't a simple taxi, however. It was directly operated by MACUSA and had expansion charms inside to give more legroom. Though it sure was costly for a common wizard.

They had arrived in the United States through a Portkey terminal operated by MACUSA. Documents were required to use it, and special permission from the magic law enforcement as well. Happy was similar to royalty anyway, so he got everything done very easily.

"Take this." Newt handed Happy a map of New York City. "It has all the magical locations marked on it that can only be revealed with a Revelio spell. From food to magical supplies, you can find everything in it."

Happy stared at it carefully and noticed a certain Bakery's name, "Kowalski Quality Baked Goods? I thought it was only a muggle bakery."

"No-Maj, that's the word we use here, Happy. As for the Bakery, yes, it was initially No-Maj only, but after Jacob's marriage with Queenie, they began developing a few magical cakes as well. It's quite popular among wizards as well now." Newt explained.

Happy felt his stomach grumble just at the thought of magical bread. He understood that the United States was gigantic in size as compared to Britain, and thus, there were going to be many more magical places to eat.

"Do Native Americans also have their magical community here? Do they have shops?" Happy asked quickly. "Can I go there?"

"They do have it, located in the Navajo Nation, a Native American reservation. It's a vast land with various exotic magical beasts as well. I've been there many times regarding health-related issues for a few beasts. But they don't welcome outsider wizards as openly. But, perhaps if you come with me, they will."

Happy looked forward to that day. 'I wonder if they'd have thunderbird meat…I don't think that's possible, though. It's probably a protected bird.'

Soon, the car rolled into an independent mansion's underground parking garage. It was wholly owned by Newt, as the man had grown vastly wealthy after he published his book. Along with his consultancy work regarding magical beasts, he was definitely among the top one percent.

"I was told you wish to meet a Zouwu?" Newt broached the topic. "They aren't very friendly towards people. But the one I have here is as friendly as a kitten. She's old as well, so don't mind her clumsiness."

'He talks about them so affectionately. A good man indeed.' Happy admired Newt's kindness. Though he almost felt bad how nearly none knew of his involvement in capturing Grindelwald.

"When do we meet the Zouwu?" Happy excitedly asked. He hadn't revealed to Newt why he was exactly there yet. "I need to understand Zouwu's magical properties. How they apparate or run so fast."

"They can apparate through various means. From memory, from their eyesight, and if necessary, in any random direction." Newt explained enthusiastically. "As for their speed, that's their pure physical strength. There is nothing magical about it."

'Even if it's just apparition, if I can master it and be as good as a Zouwu, it would be great. No anti-apparition systems would be able to stop me. That means I could go anywhere, be it Hogwarts or the Ministry. Apparition doesn't even have a limit...but there are risks with distance.' Happy thought and requested to meet the creature quickly.

"We can go right away." Newt happily obliged and ushered Happy into the luxurious house first. It was adorned with fine furniture, chandeliers, and expensive carpets. Certainly, the man was living in luxury, or perhaps it was solely his wife's preference.

Newt led him through a few secret and protected doors into the basement. It was enormous, and there were multiple doors that led to different kinds of habitats, each designated for multiple or a single species.

"Zouwus love rocky and green places with towering trees and ample hiding spots. Originating from China, I tried to provide her with the same environment here." Newt led him towards the door labeled 'East Asia.'

Excitedly, Happy stepped inside with Koko perched on his shoulder. It was utterly magical to see the new environment appear out of nowhere, with its cloudy sky and lush greenery all around.

Ting! Ting!

Newt took out a bell and began to shake it. "Zouwus may appear quite intimidating with their large bodies and unique faces, but in the end, they are still similar to cats."

"Meow!" Koko meowed upon hearing the word 'cat.'

"There she is!" Newt exclaimed once some noise came from the bushes. "Come out now. I've brought you a new friend."

"Prrrr…!"

Woosh!

Majestic, beautiful, and huge—the Zouwu leaped from the bushes and landed right in front of Newt. Her eyes fixated on the ringing toy in Newt's hands, and she tried to gently touch it to play with it.

Happy's eyes flashed with stars. "She's so cute!"

Newt was taken aback, as most people seeing a Zouwu for the first time felt scared or found it hideous. But, unfortunately for Newt, Happy loved the creature because he owned a Zouwu plushie in his previous life, and they were very cute plushies.

"Prrrr…!" The Zouwu got attracted by the new sound and turned to Happy. She slowly stepped closer to Happy, interested in what this little human cub was and the peculiar white creature on his shoulder.

"Meow!" Koko greeted.

The Zouwu's head tilted cutely, intrigued by the meowing goose.

Sniff! Sniff!

Finally, the Zouwu brought her face to Happy's and stared at him for a long time. It was a tense situation for Newt as well, while Happy simply smiled and resisted the urge to pet it.

Slurp!

Slurp!

"She likes you." Newt heaved a sigh of relief. "A bit too much, actually. She never licked me."

"..."

'Why do you sound jealous, old man?'

Happy ignored him and jumped, hugging Zouwu's beautiful and soft mane, though his hair was drenched in the creature's saliva. "So pretty and good…I have treats for you."

"Meow?"

But when Happy fed the small meat strip to the Zouwu, Koko lowered his head dejectedly.

In the poor goose's mind, seeing Happy so cheerful with the creature only meant one thing.

'Friendship ended with Koko. The big cat is my best friend now.' — Happy Lestrange, 1993.

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