36. The Conservation

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows of Newt Scamander's home as he worked at his desk, sorting through notes and letters. The faint sound of the front door creaking open reached his ears, and this time, he was certain who it would be.

Standing, he walked toward the door with a smile. "Arthur," he called out, his voice warm. "I assume it's you this time?"

Sure enough, Arthur stepped inside, followed by Hecate, Taliesin, and Mulan. Arthur grinned, brushing off his coat. "You're getting good at this, Newt."

Newt chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Well, you do have a distinct energy about you."

Hecate tilted her head curiously. "Distinct energy?"

"Let's just say the creatures aren't the only ones with instincts," Newt replied with a smirk. "Speaking of which, before we move forward with this case, Arthur, there's something we need to handle first."

Arthur exchanged glances with his companions. "Something to handle?"

Newt nodded, gesturing for them to follow him. "Come with me to the basement. It's time you see the magical beasts who want to follow you."

Newt led them down the winding stairs into his enchanted basement, where the familiar sight of lush habitats and magical creatures greeted them. The space hummed with life, and as soon as Arthur and the others stepped inside, a ripple of excitement passed through the creatures.

Almost immediately, a griffin bounded forward, its majestic wings unfurling slightly as it nudged Arthur with its beak. "Well, hello there," Arthur said, laughing as he patted its sleek feathers.

An occamy slithered gracefully toward Hecate, its shimmering scales glinting in the light as it coiled around her wrist like a living bracelet. Hecate smiled faintly, her fingers brushing against its smooth surface. "Charming," she murmured.

A pair of diricawls approached Taliesin, chirping happily as they hopped around his feet. He crouched to greet them, his grin widening. "Lively ones, aren't you?"

Mulan, meanwhile, found herself face-to-face with a nundu, its immense, feline form radiating a quiet strength. She placed a steady hand on its head, meeting its gaze with calm determination. "You'll need a name," she said softly, earning a low, rumbling purr.

As each creature chose its companion, the group couldn't help but smile at the bonds forming before their eyes.

Arthur straightened, turning to Newt. "We'll bring them to Avalon later. For now, we'll ask them to wait here a bit longer while we handle the investigation."

Newt nodded, watching as Arthur addressed the creatures. "You'll all come with us soon," Arthur said gently. "But for now, stay here and rest. We'll be back later this evening."

The beasts seemed to understand, settling back into their habitats as Arthur and the others ascended the stairs.

Back in the sitting room, the group gathered around as Newt began to recount the latest updates.

"I've received replies from several of my friends," Newt explained, spreading out the letters on the table. "Most are willing to help. One of them even mentioned an apprentice of theirs who's part of a magical beast conservation group."

Arthur leaned forward, curious. "What about them?"

Newt tapped one of the letters. "They've reported seeing suspicious activity in France—specifically on magical grounds where rare creatures are known to gather. They've offered to meet us there to share what they've found."

Hecate nodded thoughtfully. "That could be a critical lead."

Newt continued, "Tina's also working on the American front. She's been digging into records at MACUSA and coordinating with others to track down leads. Between her and what we've uncovered here, it's clear this poaching network spans continents."

"So," Mulan said, her voice calm but firm, "France is our next destination."

"Exactly," Newt confirmed. "The apprentice will meet us there, and we'll scout the area together."

Newt moved to the corner of the room, where a large, detailed map of magical Europe was pinned to the wall. He pointed to a marked apparition point in a small village near the French countryside.

"This will be our landing spot," he said. "From there, it's a short walk to the conservation area where the apprentice is waiting."

Arthur glanced at the map, his brow furrowing. "How are we splitting up for the trip?"

Newt adjusted his coat. "We'll apparate in pairs. I'll take the lead with Arthur and Hecate, while Taliesin and Mulan follow."

Taliesin grinned, twirling a piece of parchment between his fingers. "Ready when you are."

Mulan adjusted the strap of her weapon. "Let's go."

Arthur nodded, gripping his wand tightly. He turned to Newt. "Lead the way."

With a quick flick of his wand, Newt activated the map's apparition markers. The room filled with the faint hum of magical energy, and one by one, they disappeared into the ether, bound for France and the next step in their journey.

The group emerged from the shimmering apparition spell, the salty breeze of the French coast brushing against their faces. Before them lay the outskirts of Mont Saint-Michel, the magical village hidden in the shadow of the towering abbey. The streets were cobbled, and the air carried the faint scent of seaweed and ancient stone.

Newt led the way, his steps purposeful but unhurried. They followed a winding path, bordered by hedgerows that seemed to hum faintly with enchantments.

After a short walk, a young man appeared ahead, standing near a low stone wall. His eyes widened as he spotted the group, and when he recognized Newt, his face lit up with a mixture of awe and excitement.

"Mr. Scamander!" he exclaimed, practically tripping over himself as he approached.

Newt raised a hand in a gentle greeting, smiling kindly. "Hello. I take it you're the apprentice we're here to meet?"

The young man nodded eagerly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Yes, sir! I—I've read all your books. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them changed my life! I mean, your observations on the erumpent alone…"

Newt held up a hand, his smile softening. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, truly, but we're here on business. Would you mind showing us the way?"

The apprentice flushed, clearly trying to rein in his excitement. "Of course, of course. My name's Matthieu, by the way."

He turned and motioned for them to follow, leading them along a path that opened up to a series of large enclosures. Inside, a variety of magical creatures were being cared for by a group of young witches and wizards, each working with passion and care.

As they walked through the area, Arthur watched the young conservationists with curiosity. Several were tending to injured creatures, using wands and enchanted salves to heal cuts and bruises. Others were feeding the beasts, carefully measuring out portions of glowing fruits and leaves.

Matthieu gestured around the space proudly. "This is where we take care of the creatures we've rescued. Many of them were found injured or malnourished, but we do our best to rehabilitate them before releasing them back into the wild."

Arthur glanced at a witch carefully grooming the fur of a mooncalf and asked, "Are you all from Beauxbatons?"

One of the conservationists, a tall wizard with a thick American accent, grinned and shook his head. "Nope! I'm from Ilvermorny. Thunderbird house!"

Another voice chimed in cheerfully, "I'm from Mahoutokoro!" A young woman with a warm smile waved, her hands busy tying an intricate enchantment around a protective enclosure.

Arthur couldn't help but smile. The passion of the group was infectious, their love for magical creatures evident in every movement.

Newt watched the scene unfold with quiet admiration, his gaze lingering on the young conservationists. Seeing them work so diligently, their diverse backgrounds united by a common cause, stirred something deep within him.

Matthieu spoke up, his voice earnest. "My mentor told me stories about you, Mr. Scamander—how you helped found a small club at Hogwarts for students who cared about magical creatures. I think that's what inspired her to start this group."

Newt blinked, caught off guard by the mention of his old school days. He remembered the club vividly—a small gathering of like-minded students, all passionate about protecting and understanding magical creatures. The memory brought a faint smile to his lips.

"She hasn't forgotten," Newt murmured, almost to himself. His mind drifted to the friend who had created this conservation group. The idea that their shared passion had blossomed into something so impactful filled him with quiet pride.

Hecate noticed his expression and stepped closer. "It must be gratifying," she said softly, "to see the seeds you planted grow into something this meaningful."

Newt nodded, his voice low. "It reminds me of why we started all this in the first place. Protecting these creatures... it's worth every risk."

As Matthieu led them further into the grounds, they passed enclosures holding a variety of magical creatures. A young occamy stretched its shimmering wings in the sunlight, while a bowtruckle darted between the branches of an enchanted tree.

Arthur turned to Matthieu. "The work you're doing here—it's incredible. You should all be proud."

Matthieu smiled, his excitement tempered with humility. "We're just trying to make a difference. These creatures deserve a chance, and we'll do everything we can to give it to them."

Newt placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You're doing more than just making a difference, Matthieu. You're carrying forward a legacy. And that's no small thing."

Matthieu flushed with pride but quickly refocused. "The magical ground you're investigating isn't far from here. I'll guide you there when you're ready."

Arthur nodded. "Let's take a moment to learn more about the area and your work first. The more we know, the better prepared we'll be."

With that, the group settled into the conservation grounds, each of them quietly inspired by the dedication of the young witches and wizards who had made this place their home.

Matthieu's expression grew serious as he gestured for the group to gather closer. "So… teacher, Professor Livia Baudelaire, mentioned you'd be investigating a poacher group, Mr. Scamander," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of the subject.

Newt nodded. "Yes, that's correct. A thunderbird—Frank, my companion—was attacked during one of his weekly visits to a familiar sanctuary. It wasn't a random attack. The poachers were trying to capture him."

Arthur folded his arms, stepping in to add context. "We tracked it back to Germany, to a camp in the Black Forest. But what we found there revealed something bigger—this isn't just a local issue."

"It's global," one of the conservationists murmured, their tone somber.

Matthieu exchanged glances with the others, a silent understanding passing between them. One of the conservationists, a witch with auburn hair tied back in a loose braid, stepped forward, pulling a rolled-up map from her satchel. She spread it out on a nearby table, tapping a section with her wand.

"This is the Orléans Forest," Matthieu explained, pointing to a marked area on the map. "One of our members has reported suspicious activity here—movement that doesn't align with any known magical or non-magical activity. We don't have an exact location yet, but with your help, I believe we can find it."

Another conservationist, the Ilvermorny wizard, chimed in eagerly. "We've narrowed down the possible areas based on the sightings and where the creatures seem most agitated. If we work together, we might be able to locate the camp today."

The group nodded in agreement, their collective determination palpable.

Taliesin clapped his hands together, grinning. "Alright, lads and lassies, it seems we're going to be working together for a bit. Let's make it official with some introductions, shall we?"

Newt, standing at the head of the group, took the lead. "Newt Scamander, magizoologist," he said simply. Then, with a slight smile, he gestured to the others.

Arthur stepped forward. "Arthur Pendragon," he said, glancing around the group. "I'm… well, let's just say I'm learning about the magical world, and I'm here to help in whatever way I can."

Hecate nodded subtly. "Hecate, manager of arcane studies," she said, her tone calm but authoritative.

"Taliesin," the bard said with a flourish, bowing dramatically. "Musician, mage, and occasional troublemaker."

Mulan stepped up, her posture straight and commanding. "Hua Mulan. I'll be assisting with strategy and combat, should it come to that."

Then the conservationists introduced themselves, their unique personalities came to the forefront, adding color and life to the group dynamic.

Matthieu, standing at the forefront, gave a polite nod. His voice was steady and thoughtful, reflecting his role as the group's informal leader. "Matthieu Bellamy, apprentice to Professor Livia Baudelaire. I specialize in magical creature rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration. It's an honor to meet you all." His gaze lingered briefly on Newt, the admiration evident in his tone.

The Ilvermorny wizard stepped forward next with a wide grin and a hearty handshake for Arthur. "Name's Joseph O'Connor! Proud Thunderbird alum and a bit of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to beasts. I'm the guy you want if something needs wrangling—or if you need someone to lighten the mood." He laughed, the sound warm and infectious.

The Mahoutokoro witch next, her movements graceful and precise, inclined her head respectfully. "Aiko Takamura," she said softly, her voice carrying a melodic lilt. "Mahoutokoro graduate, specializing in magical beast enchantments and behavior studies. It is a pleasure to meet such dedicated individuals." Her smile was serene, her presence calming.

The auburn-haired witch stepped up last, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was firm, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Elise Marceau. I'm from Beauxbatons, like Matthieu, but my focus is more… hands-on. Traps, dismantling illegal enclosures, that sort of thing." She glanced at Newt and added, "Your work inspired me to do what I do. It's not just about saving creatures—it's about stopping those who hurt them."

Taliesin clapped his hands together once the introductions were done, his grin mischievous. "Well, aren't you a colorful bunch? Matthieu the planner, Joseph the wrangler, Aiko the charmer, and Elise the... well, let's call you the 'enforcer.'"

Elise smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Arthur chuckled at the bard's theatrics but felt a newfound respect for each of the conservationists. Their skills and dedication were clear, and he could see why Newt valued their efforts.

"Let's make this count," Arthur said, glancing around at the group.

Joseph grinned, patting his wand holster. "With all of us? No poacher stands a chance."

The atmosphere shifted, growing more focused and united. Matthieu rolled up the map, handing it to Newt. "If we work together, we'll find the camp."

Arthur nodded, his gaze resolute. "We will."

Taliesin, ever the lighthearted one, grinned. "Then let's get to it. The beasts aren't the only ones who need rescuing—it's time to rattle the poachers' cages."

With their plan in motion, the newly formed team set out toward the Orléans Forest, ready to uncover the next piece of the puzzle in their battle against the poaching network.