Beasts and Bullies

Quirrell quickly located the book. "Professor An-Anthony, here-here's the book you were looking for."

Anthony took the forbidden tome, which was oddly decorated with pink fluff. "Thank you, Professor Quirrell. Should I return it to you after I'm done, or give it directly to Madam Pince?"

Quirrell, looking weak, said, "Give it to Pi-Pince." He shivered. "I'm fi-finished with it. Perhaps you can-can find something useful in it. Good lu-luck, Professor."

Anthony skimmed the table of contents. The book did indeed contain various experiences in raising large magical creatures, each with its own chapter. As he focused on the table of contents, the words twisted and morphed into pictures of the creatures, then slowly expanded back into text.

The magical creatures formed by these lines looked at each other in confusion, as if bewildered by their sudden meeting.

This was understandable. After all, they came from all corners of the world.

However, whether it was the basilisk, chimera, or Cerberus from Greece, the sphinx from Egypt, the Occamy or Acromantula from Asia, the Nundu from East Africa, or the fire-breathing dragons from all over the globe, they were all categorized as "lovely big friends" in this book.

The author wrote affectionately in the preface: "People often misunderstand these lovely animals. They see them as ferocious and harmful, so they cry out for their extermination. What a tragedy! In my opinion, their so-called danger is simply a God-given means of self-protection. Don't we also have ways to protect ourselves? The purpose of this book is to explore how humans can raise these big friends and how they, in turn, can protect us. Our own insatiable greed has driven these misunderstood creatures to rebel. Only by truly treating them as friends, not subjects, can we coexist harmoniously with these magnificent magical beings."

If Anthony could find this book in any bookstore, he would buy it for Hagrid. The fluffy pink cover was perfect for him.

But he didn't recall seeing it at Flourish & Blotts. The name "Under the Influence of Magic" seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it.

...

Anthony thanked Professor Quirrell, returned to the library, greeted Madam Pince, and informed her that he had "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Madam Pince was slightly disappointed it wasn't a student who had taken the book. "Alright, but someone must have taken it. There are all sorts among the students, Professor Anthony, all sorts."

"I believe you," Anthony said.

He spent the rest of the afternoon in the library.

The author of this book had somehow managed to interview an escaped Azkaban prisoner who kept a basilisk, and the book described it: "I wish readers could see those gleaming dark green scales with their own eyes! This basilisk, named Sabine, is so beautiful that when she sits on the rooftop, everyone around her is left breathless. Her keeper knows a bit of Parseltongue, and they communicate through it. He was even speaking to her during our interview. When I asked what the mysterious hissing sounds meant, he told me the most common things he says to Sabine are 'close your eyes' and 'eat'."

Later, the book described the keeper as Sabine's abuser, feeding her only mice or specific people and frequently commanding her to close her eyes, indifferent to her desire to see the world. Poor Sabine, utterly dependent on the man who hatched her, obeyed his every word. It wasn't until a wild snake slithered near their home that she realized there were others who could understand her.

Then, without hesitation, she opened her eyes when her keeper returned home and swallowed him whole, clothes and all. When Aurors arrived to apprehend the fugitive, all they found was a single dragonskin boot and some unsold basilisk shed skin.

Reflecting on this sobering tale, Anthony jotted down notes: "Dark green scales, Parseltongue, shed skin."

...

As dinnertime approached, the sounds of books being closed and chairs being pushed back echoed throughout the library. Students chatted quietly as they left in small groups. Anthony packed his bag, preparing to head to the Great Hall for the most enjoyable part of his day. Peeves had told him that beef Wellington was on the menu.

Madam Pince watched everyone leave, nodding at Anthony as he showed her the "Fantastic Beasts" book. Then, with the speed of a Seeker, she swooped down on a student trying to sneak something out of the library. "You! Come here! What's that?!"

Anthony wouldn't have been surprised if Madam Pince could fly a broomstick; she would have made an excellent Seeker in her school days.

At the library door, Anthony spotted Draco Malfoy. The boy was leaning against the wall, his cold gray eyes fixed warily on the other side of the corridor. "I-I'll let you off today," he said threateningly. "Don't push your luck, Longbottom."

Opposite him stood Neville, the round-faced Gryffindor first-year, also pressed against the wall, separated from Malfoy by the wide corridor. "I'm not scared of you, Malfoy!" he declared. "Just try it! I fought back last time, and I'll fight back again! I'm not afraid of anything!" His voice trembled, and sweat beaded on his forehead under his blond hair.

Students exiting the library stole curious glances but quickly moved on, not wanting to get involved in the confrontation.

Malfoy leaned back further, practically melting into the wall. "You're growing a brain, Longbottom? It's not easy. Don't waste your energy, though. Unlike your dim-witted parents, I know when to back down."

Neville took a deep breath, trying to stand tall despite his trembling. "I'm going to dinner. Don't follow me."

Malfoy let out a sigh of relief and laughed. "You can't think of anything but food! I don't know why I bothered with you at the library door. What, were you looking for that annoying Granger? The one who memorizes textbooks and thinks she knows everything?"

"You're an idiot, Malfoy. Hermione is a hundred times better than you," Neville retorted bravely.

Malfoy's eyes widened in offense. "We'll see about that, Longbottom. We'll see."

Just then, a passing student called out, "Hello, Professor Anthony!"

Malfoy immediately snapped to attention, looking around to see Anthony watching him quietly.

He gritted his teeth. "I didn't do anything."

"I know," Anthony said, walking over. The student who had greeted him looked startled, then scratched his head sheepishly as Anthony smiled and nodded. "Good evening."

"Professor!" Neville cried out happily, visibly relaxing.

Anthony smiled at him. "Good to see you, Longbottom. Come on, I hear there's beef Wellington tonight."