Quirrell quickly found the book he wanted. "P-Professor Anthony, your—your book."
Anthony took this forbidden book covered in pink fuzz. "Thank you, Professor Quirrell. Should I return it to you after reading, or give it directly to Madam Pince?"
Quirrell said weakly, "Give it to P-Pince." He shuddered. "I've finished. Maybe you can—can find more from it. Good—good luck, Professor."
Anthony flipped through the table of contents. This book indeed collected breeding experiences for many large magical creatures, each with its own chapter. When he stared at the contents, the text would slowly twist, combine into illustrations of corresponding magical creatures, then slowly unfold back into text.
These line-drawn magical creatures looked at each other in confusion, seeming not to understand why they'd encounter each other here.
Quite understandable. After all, they came from around the world.
But whether Greek-origin Basilisks, Chimeras and three-headed dogs, Egyptian Sphinxes, Asian Occamys and Acromantulas, East African Nundu, or worldwide dragons—this book classified them all as adorable big friends.
The author wrote emotionally in the preface about how people misunderstood these creatures, viewing their danger as merely Heaven's gift for self-preservation, and arguing that only by truly viewing them as friends could humans live harmoniously with them.
If Anthony could buy this book in any bookstore, he'd buy it for Hagrid. This fuzzy book suited him perfectly.
But he didn't remember seeing it at Flourish and Blotts. Though Beneath Magic sounded familiar, he couldn't recall where he'd seen it.
Anthony thanked Professor Quirrell, returned to the library and greeted Madam Pince, telling her Adorable Big Friends was now in his hands.
Hearing it wasn't a student stealing books, Madam Pince seemed somewhat disappointed. "All right, but someone definitely took books secretly. All kinds among students, Professor Anthony. I tell you, all kinds."
"I believe it," Anthony said.
He spent the entire afternoon in the library.
The book's author somehow interviewed an Azkaban escapee who raised a Basilisk named Sabina. The keeper spoke a little Parseltongue and communicated with her through hisses, most frequently instructing her to "close your eyes," followed by "eat."
Later, this keeper was described as Sabina's abuser, only allowing her to eat rats or specific people, often demanding she keep her eyes closed, never caring if she also wanted to see the world. Poor Sabina was completely dependent on the person who brought her into the world until one day a snake came near their dwelling and she discovered this human wasn't the only one who could communicate with her.
Then she unhesitatingly opened her eyes when her keeper came home and swallowed him clothes and all. Aurors arriving to capture the escapee finally only found one dragonhide boot and some unsold Basilisk skin.
Facing such a thought-provoking story, Anthony noted: "Deep green scales, Parseltongue, molting."
Near dinner time, sounds of packing books and pulling chairs echoed from every library corner. Students conversed quietly and left in twos and threes. Anthony packed things into his bag and prepared to go to the Great Hall for the day's happiest time. The cat told him they'd prepared Beef Wellington today.
Madam Pince scrutinized everyone leaving the library, nodded slightly when seeing Anthony gesture at Adorable Big Friends in his hand, then swiftly grabbed a student trying to take something out. "You! Come here! What's that!"
Anthony believed if she could handle a broomstick, she must have been an excellent Seeker at school.
Anthony saw Draco Malfoy at the library entrance. The boy was pressed against the wall, cold gray eyes watching opposite warily, threatening with false bravado. "I—I'm letting you off today. Don't look for trouble, Longbottom."
Opposite him was Neville. The round-faced Gryffindor first-year also pressed against the wall, wide corridor between them and Malfoy, and said loudly, "I'm not afraid of you, Malfoy! You—you just try it! I fought back last time. I'll fight back this time too! I'm not afraid of anything!" His whole body trembled, forehead under blond hair sweaty.
Students leaving the library glanced curiously, hurried past through side passages, and didn't intervene in this standoff.
Malfoy leaned back further, nearly embedding himself in the wall. "Growing a brain, aren't you, Longbottom? Not easy. Don't waste your effort. Unlike your blockhead, I know how to assess situations."
Neville took a deep breath, stood up straight trembling, and stammered, "I'm going—going to dinner. Don't come closer."
Malfoy relaxed and laughed loudly. "You can't remember anything except eating! I don't even know why I'd see you at the library entrance. What, looking for annoying Granger? That Granger who memorizes textbooks and thinks she knows everything?"
"You—you're stupid as hell, Malfoy. Hermione's a hundred times better than you," Neville said bravely.
Malfoy's eyes widened, deeply offended, and sneered quietly. "Just wait, Longbottom. Just wait."
Then a passing student suddenly called loudly, "Hello, Professor Anthony!"
Malfoy immediately pressed back against the wall alertly, looked around, and saw Anthony watching him quietly.
He said through gritted teeth, "I didn't do anything."
"I know," Anthony said and walked over. The student who'd greeted empty air jumped and scratched his head embarrassedly when Anthony smiled and nodded at him. "Professor."
"Professor!" Neville cried joyfully and suddenly relaxed.
Anthony smiled at him. "Good to see you, Longbottom. Come on. Inside tip—I think there's Beef Wellington today."
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