The Trouble with Fire Crabs

Since the infamous lunch incident, Newt Scamander seemed to have turned over a new leaf. The studio was abandoned, and the magical creatures were left to their own devices. Newt now spent his days with Tina—walking with her, reading the Daily Prophet to her, and doting on her in every possible way.

Tina couldn't have been happier. Her joy was evident in her constant smile, which stretched from ear to ear, and even the wrinkles around her eyes seemed to fade a little. David observed this change with quiet amusement.

"Grandpa, there is something you want, isn't it?" he thought, observing the changes in Newt's behavior.

But things took a peculiar turn, as they often did when Newt was involved. One day, while Tina went to the kitchen to check on her scones, Newt leaned over to David at the dining table.

"What? David, you want to catch a fire crab? But those are only found in Fiji! How about choosing something else?" Newt exclaimed loudly, his eyes darting towards the kitchen, his tone obviously rehearsed.

David groaned inwardly. I knew it. He's planning something.

He played along. "Grandpa, you've got to take me! I've always wanted a fire crab."

"But Tina wouldn't want us traveling so far," Newt replied with feigned concern, raising his voice to ensure Tina overheard.

At that moment, Tina returned with a plate of fluffy scones floating behind her. She shot Newt a look, clearly unimpressed by his act. "If David wants it, then take him! Stop making excuses."

"Well, if you insist." Newt sighed dramatically, as though carrying a great burden. "David, you must listen to me the whole way. Let's make it quick."

David exclaimed in fake excitement. "Thank you, Grandma! Thank you, Grandpa!"

After lunch, Newt didn't waste a second. He retrieved a brown magical suitcase—his trusted companion for carrying magical creatures—and practically dragged David out the door.

"Get the magic carpet! We're leaving now," Newt urged.

David hesitated. "Magic carpet? We're really going to fly to Fiji on a carpet? That'll take forever! Aren't we apparating there?"

Newt winced and rubbed his back. "Oh, well… Apparating hasn't been sitting well with me lately. The carpet's safer."

David rolled his eyes but complied, pulling out a folded magic carpet from his ol torn off bag. As they took off, Tina's voice echoed from the house.

"Don't overdo it, Newt! You're not young anymore!"

Newt laughed nervously. "It's just a fire crab! Don't worry, Tina!"

Once the house vanished from sight, Newt abruptly signaled for David to land the carpet.

"Alright, enough flying. We'll Apparate from here," he declared.

"Seriously?" David groaned.

Before David could register the situation Newt grabbed his wand, muttered an incantation, and with a gut-wrenching pull, the two vanished. When they reappeared, David's insides felt like they'd been wrung out and stuffed back haphazardly.

"Stay here, don't move. I'll pick you up later," Newt said hastily before Disapparating again, leaving David stranded on a rocky coastline.

Unbelievable.

David sighed, surveying the desolate landscape. The sea roared against jagged rocks, sending mist into the cold air. Shivering in his damp clothes, David muttered, "At least he didn't drop me in the middle of nowhere—this time."

He began his search, as he knew from Newts teaching that fire crabs are found in this rock crevices, navigating the slippery rocks and peering into crevices for signs of the elusive fire crab. Hours passed without a trace, and David's irritation grew. Memories of previous wild goose chases flooded his mind, like the time Newt mistakenly spent weeks searching for a deformed lizard in the wrong forest.

Eventually, a glimmer caught David's eye. A small, tortoise-like creature with a jewel-encrusted shell lay nestled in a crevice, blissfully unaware of his presence.

"Finally!" David whispered, tying a rope to a nearby rock. He carefully slid down, remembering Newt's warnings. Fire crabs could shoot flames from their rear when threatened, so David decided to approach from behind.

But just as he reached for the creature, the air around it shimmered with heat.

Uh-oh.

With a sudden burst, flames erupted from the fire crab's rear. David barely managed to cast a protective charm, shielding himself from the searing heat.

"Alright, enough of this," David muttered, casting a stunning spell. The fire crab froze in place, though its backside continued to sputter weak flames.

"Move again, and I'll barbecue you," David threatened, pulling a grill from his bag for effect. The fire crab stopped struggling, its jewel-studded shell trembling in submission.

"That's more like it," David smirked, stuffing the subdued creature into his bag.

As he prepared to leave, a chilling thought struck him. The fire crab's fiery rear was its primary defense mechanism. What if someone weaponized it?

David envisioned himself in battle, dodging spells with grace before turning his back to an enemy. He'd lift his robes, unleashing a torrent of flames from a fire crab strapped to his belt.

The absurdity of the image made him shudder. "This crab is really something," he muttered.

Yet, as he stared at the trembling creature in his bag, a mischievous smile spread across his face.

Perhaps it's time to rethink my approach to magical creatures.