Chapter 713: Surprise (Edited)

During the following weeks, Dumbledore remained as elusive as ever, but Fish cornered him twice and, while renewing his life, also increased some of his transformation energy.

As for the Vanishing Cabinet in his office, Fish asked Dumbledore when it would be repaired, but Dumbledore dismissed the question.

"You will know in due time," the old wizard said in his usual mysterious tone.

And then he managed to anger Fish and escape.

Besides Dumbledore, Professor Slughorn organized a few more small dinners; each time, he brought some food and invited some of his former students for everyone to get acquainted...

This made Fish increasingly feel that Slughorn was a good man.

Whether it was enjoying good food or meeting new people, it was something that would make Fish happy... Of course, eating good food was a higher priority.

Although he felt sorry for Ron, Harry attended the dinners since he had learned a lot about his mother thanks to Professor Slughorn. Through Professor Slughorn, Harry learned that his mother was an extremely talented witch in potion-making, brave and lively.

From Professor Slughorn's behavior and tone of voice, Harry realized that he greatly appreciated his mother, while his father, James Potter, was not held in high regard.

"Yes, James Potter." When Harry casually inquired about his father, Professor Slughorn pursed his lips disdainfully. "I admit he had talent and was a good Quidditch player, but he didn't use his talent in the right way."

He shook his head and said, "Lily disagreed with him for a while, and in the end, they got together, which really exceeded my expectations... At first, I thought she would end up with Severus."

"Professor Snape?!"

Not only Harry but also the other students who were eavesdropping were stunned.

"Eh? Don't you know? Lily and Severus have been neighbors since they were children, they've always been good friends, but unfortunately, for some reason, they had a falling out, and your mum got together with James Potter..." He then murmured in a whisper, "Actually, I think there was a significant element of play involved for your mum to marry James Potter..."

After hearing Professor Slughorn's account, Harry felt numb all over.

"What do you mean?" he unconsciously asked, his voice trembling.

"Because Severus and Potter have been rivals since their first year, and I hate to say this, but your father could only keep Severus at bay because he had many friends, and I don't think Potter would have been a match for Severus if he had fought alone... You know, Severus had developed powerful curses as a student, while Potter only knew how to go around playing pranks on people with his friends."

It was clear from Slughorn's tone that he genuinely believed James was nowhere near as good as Snape.

And as much as Harry hated to admit it, he knew Professor Slughorn wasn't talking nonsense, especially when combined with what Sirius and Lupin had said, and the practical curses from the Advanced Potion-Making book that Snape had used.

Now Harry finally understood why Snape was so cruel to him, but he protected him everywhere...

After the party, Harry returned to his dormitory, stunned, and remained on the bed for a long time, unable to imagine how he would confront Professor Snape.

But soon he stopped wondering about it because in the following Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Snape's sarcastic remarks managed to reignite Harry's mixed feelings into hatred.

Shortly after Professor Slughorn's unexpected "surprise" for Harry, Hagrid also had a surprise for Fish.

I don't know if it was Fish's words that prompted the half-giant to a sudden realization, or perhaps to break the pot...

Regardless of what he did, everyone except Fish thought that the magical creature he was preparing was too dangerous, so why didn't he just satisfy Fish?

That's what Hagrid thought, and that's what he did, and indeed he managed to obtain two juvenile Chimeras.

These dangerous magical creatures XXXXX originate from Greece, have the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a fire-breathing dragon, and their eggs are classified as non-tradeable Class A goods by the Ministry of Magic.

So Hagrid's ability to acquire two Chimera pups without anyone knowing was quite a feat.

Only when Hagrid appeared in front of Fish and the others with the two offspring, everyone except Fish was left dumbfounded.

Anyone who decided to join the Care of Magical Creatures class, besides wanting to get closer to Fish, had to be brave enough. But even the boldest students shuddered at the sight of the two horrifying creatures, which were not even half the size of Fang yet had bitten Hagrid's hands until they bled and the bones were visible...

The idea of going to the dean to change the curriculum was in everyone's mind except Fish's, especially after Hermione exclaimed their names and told everyone that those magical creatures were inherently cruel and bloodthirsty.

But that thought vanished when they saw Fish approach and effortlessly lift the two "kittens" from Hagrid's hands.

That's right! We have Fish with us! What are a couple of Chimaeras compared to Fish when the Forbidden Forest is teeming with magical creatures that would do anything for Fish?

As for their fierce nature... Can they be more ferocious than a basilisk?

Yes, after Uroboros could control its powers, it no longer stayed with Dumbledore as a small snake but returned to its original size and joined Fluffy in the Forbidden Forest... to intimidate Grawp when he had nothing better to do.

The members of the Order of the Cat, naturally, were also drawn to Fish to get to know him... When Fluffy and Uroboros surrounded the members of the Order of the Cat, not even the boldest Gryffindor dared to breathe heavily.

So after this experience, everyone quickly overcame their panic and gathered around them with courage and caution.

The two little Chimaeras immediately bared their teeth at the others who had gathered around them.

"Don't bite people indiscriminately!"

(??ˇ?ˇ??)

Fish patted the heads of the two young Chimaeras with a serious expression.

The two young Chimaeras, who had been ready to bite at any moment, became as docile as domestic cats, sticking out their tongues and licking Fish's palms, then purring with flattery.

The following lessons were very easy, with the help of Fish, the two Chimaeras were very cooperative as teaching materials for Hagrid, allowing other students to touch and play with their bodies.

Immediately after the lesson on Care of Magical Creatures, Fish took Hermione and their two new friends to the Forbidden Forest to greet old friends with great enthusiasm.

The two little Chimaeras followed Fish and behaved even better when they met Fluffy and Uroboros.