Step by step, the nearly five-meter-long young dragon trembled as it walked toward Evans.
The natural aura and oppressive presence of a highly dangerous magical creature made the cats around Evans cry out in terror. They wanted to scatter and flee but were all blocked by the silver-white semi-transparent armor, causing them to cry out even more fearfully.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, calm down..."
Several semi-transparent fluffy tendrils appeared behind Evans, trying their best to soothe the cats' emotions. But the Puffskein's abilities weren't particularly powerful to begin with, and even enhanced by his talent, they couldn't counter the intimidation brought by a dragon, one of the most apex creatures in the wizarding world.
Even though Norberta was only a young dragon.
Finally, under the increasingly terrified gazes of those cats, the little dragon approached Evans, pressing its massive dragon head against Evans's Protean Charm, wanting to stick out its tongue to lick him but being completely blocked by the armor spell. It could only look at Evans pitifully with a very aggrieved expression.
But Evans really didn't dare dispel the Protean Charm. Even with the armor between them, the cats behind him were already panicking and bouncing around everywhere. If he let Norberta get close, this group of cats would probably be scared to death on the spot.
After staring at each other for nearly a minute, heavy footsteps came from nearby. Hagrid emerged from the bushes carrying a case, panting as he looked at Evans confronting the little dragon in the center of the clearing.
"E-Evans? What are you doing here?"
"That's exactly the question I was planning to ask."
Evans stiffly turned his head to look at Hagrid.
"Why are you here?"
Scratching his head, Hagrid looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Norberta's been getting bigger and bigger lately. I thought I'd let her try flying, but it seems her wings aren't quite hard enough yet."
"So you chose a place less than two kilometers from the school to let a dragon practice flying?"
"Well... that is, isn't it the holidays? There shouldn't be anyone at school to see, right..."
Muttering quietly, Hagrid slowly lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong.
Seeing Hagrid's appearance, Evans shook his head somewhat helplessly.
"Have you decided when you're going to move her into the Forbidden Forest?"
Hugging the little dragon's neck, Hagrid lowered his head, his face full of reluctance.
He was silent for a long time before speaking softly.
"The second weekend after school starts, I suppose. By then, her wings should be hardened, and she won't lose control of her body while flying anymore."
Saying this, he touched the little dragon's wings that already looked capable of killing a wild boar, his movements as gentle as if he were caressing a pair of cicada wings.
"She's still too young now. The depths of the Forbidden Forest are too dangerous. I'm afraid she'll be bullied by other animals."
Perhaps sensing Hagrid's care, the little dragon happily turned her head and grabbed his collar with her teeth, directly tearing off a large piece. After chewing it twice, she spat it out, snorted loudly, and exhaled two streams of sulfur-scented smoke.
Looking at the dragon that was nearly five meters long and whose single bite could already poison an adult Hippogriff to death, Evans's mouth twitched.
He didn't think there were any creatures in the areas of the Forbidden Forest he had surveyed that could bully this little dragon.
It would be good enough if she didn't bully others.
Shaking his head and looking at the cats behind him, who were about to faint from fright, Evans said:
"Hurry up and put her away. These cats are going to be scared to death by her."
"If you still want to train her flying, you'd better find a place far from the school. Otherwise, a dragon flying over the Forbidden Forest will definitely be reported if discovered."
Hearing Evans's words and thinking about the consequences of being reported, Hagrid shivered. He opened the case in his hands and slowly walked toward the little dragon.
"Come on, dear, get in for now."
Looking at the case Hagrid had opened, the little dragon glanced reluctantly at Evans behind the armor, but was eventually collared by Hagrid and stuffed into the case.
After saying goodbye and watching Hagrid's departing figure, Evans stood up from his half-kneeling position and dispelled the fully cast Protean Charm.
Then he discovered that although the little dragon had left with Hagrid, his troubles weren't over yet.
Looking at the group of cats that had instantly retreated into nearby bushes and absolutely refused to go back to that clearing, Evans sighed and shook his head somewhat helplessly.
"This place really is very safe... never mind, I'll find you a new place."
"Glub... glub..."
In a cauldron bigger than a person, dark green liquid bubbled occasionally with large air bubbles.
Stirring the liquid in the cauldron, Severus sprinkled a handful of powder into the pot, then observed the state of the liquid inside.
His research on the disease-treating potion was complete and had been submitted to the Potions Association for review. What he was brewing now was the return gift he planned to give Evans.
For this, he had even borrowed Evans's little Lethifold, planning to feed it to the creature immediately after the potion was finished brewing so he could provide timely remedies if any problems arose.
It's just that this little Lethifold was far too timid. It really didn't live up to its species' reputation.
Looking at the little Lethifold huddled in the corner trembling, Severus shook his head and refocused his attention on the cauldron before him.
Potions to enhance dark creatures' physical abilities were actually quite well-documented in some dark magic manuscripts.
But those potions were all targeted at specific creatures, like physical enhancement potions for trolls, or revival potions for zombies. These potions could serve as references, but when brewing, adjustments still needed to be made according to the Lethifold's abilities.
However, it should be about ready now.
Thinking this, he began looking for the spoon he had set aside earlier.
Huddled in the corner of the cabinet, Little Cloak felt that today would probably be its last day.
It looked toward the cauldron, where a human wizard in black robes with an extremely cold expression... clearly not a good person... stood searching for something.
This atmosphere, this aura. It was obviously a scene of an evil human wizard wanting to catch a Lethifold to make soup!
Wuu wuu wuu, it shouldn't have agreed to Evans's request to try some potion that could make it stronger just for a few bites of food!
Getting stronger was questionable, but now it might be made into a potion!
Suddenly, Little Cloak saw the black-robed person expressionlessly scoop up a ladle of liquid from the large pot and walk toward it.
Had this day finally come? Was it finally going to become a potion?
A feeling of defiance surged in its heart. Little Cloak's movements became determined as pitch-black mist enveloped it, and the entire cloak instantly vanished in mid-air.
It was a Lethifold! A Lethifold that could completely merge with darkness without leaving a trace!
Then, after a few seconds, Little Cloak's figure reappeared in its previous position, trembling even more desperately.
Wuu wuu wuu, it couldn't do it, couldn't do it at all.
Going to die, going to die, going to die...
Looking at the Lethifold that had suddenly performed this routine and then resumed trembling, Snape, holding the potion, had a question mark appear on his face.
What was wrong with this Lethifold?
He frowned, his tone carrying some impatience.
"Come here, drink this, and let me see the effects."