Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 358, Section 356: Attempting to Steal the Cat and Leopard

This stitched-together world was also shrouded in a thick fog at dawn.

Stepping out from their initial workbench, they found themselves atop a cliff.

Beneath our feet, the sea of ​​clouds churned and rolled.

The distant snow-capped mountains are faintly visible in the morning mist, the river meanders through the vast grassland, and the sky is filled with the glow of bioluminescent insects.

Newt led Sheen onto the rugged path, where Sheen felt the damp yet firm ground beneath his feet. The wind blew from the sandy stone pillars where the Thunderbirds perched, ruffling a corner of his robe and stirring Sheen's enthusiasm for learning about the seamlessly extending space.

"My footprints have covered five continents. I have visited the dens of wild beasts, the burrows of underground animals, and the nests of birds. I have observed the peculiar habits of amazing animals in more than a hundred countries, personally experienced their abilities, won their trust, and occasionally shooed them away with my travel water bottle..."

Newt, with his usual shyness, spoke slowly.

"This is just one corner of the magical world of creatures. My knowledge of the stories that take place throughout the magical world is still limited."

Every species that has been transformed by magic is a miracle that has survived in this world.

so……"

Newt seemed happy to talk to Sheen more, even though he was facing a twelve-year-old wizard, he showed him enough respect.

He acted like a friendly friend, without displaying any condescension befitting his status and position.

"So... to be a part of maintaining the balance means that a responsible wizard should take on the responsibility of hiding, caring for and controlling all magical creatures and ghosts within his territory."

Sheehan had memorized the entire book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," and he could easily recall the contents of the book when Newt mentioned it.

In front of her, Baiyi nuzzled Sheen's hand, while Tira had already climbed onto Sheen's sleeve, asserting its status to the other Bowtruckle that had climbed up.

"Wizards are not the masters of magical creatures, but partners who share the same breath."

Hearing that childish voice, Newt paused. His clear gaze met that little face, and he smiled shyly, a smile tinged with deep joy.

By then, they had reached the mountainside, where a magical animal that looked somewhat like an ordinary cougar was playing in the dawn sunlight.

"Cats and leopards are born with the ability to sense thoughts and intentions. They can easily sense the malice of a wizard. More importantly, they can run faster than an arrow."

I cared for an injured, abandoned leopard cat in Iphamoni, and although I've always wanted to return it, over the years, my suitcase has been accumulating more and more magical creatures.

Newt handed Sheehan a piece of raw meat with traces of blood.

“Dilra hasn’t eaten yet today. I’ll stay here and see. Mr. Green, go and give it a try. Taking the first step is always the hardest.”

Sheen's heart was pounding. A long time had passed since the day he began searching for the cat-leopard.

The main reason he and Professor Terra traveled thousands of miles to Ifamoni was to come into contact with these magical animals, like cougars.

Arrow-like speed, hypnosis, legatomic magic...

It can be said that by being able to transform into a cat or leopard, Sheen automatically learned Legilimency, Oblivion Charm, and Confusion Charm.

The magic of magical creatures is different from that of wizards.

Sheen needs to learn to master this magical power. Theoretically, once he transforms into an adult cat-leopard and practices a little, he can possess it directly.

More importantly, Sheen guessed that his magical abilities would stack.

He can shapeshift using his soul alone, creating cat paws and whiskers. When he shapes his whiskers, he can also naturally use them to sense changes in the outside world.

In other words, when he transforms into the cat-leopard eyes alone, he may also possess the cat-leopard's ability to capture minds and thoughts.

One example is during the Triwizard Tournament, when Krum transformed into a shark head, he was able to breathe underwater;

A similar example is Harry's use of gill sacs, which allows him to grow gills and breathe underwater. Furthermore, could this ability be combined with Legilimency, Confusion Charms, and Oblivion Charms?

Even at the very least, it can be considered a unique form of silent, staffless spellcasting.

On the mountainside stood towering ancient trees and a huge, gray rock. At that moment, the leopard cat was playing with its tail at the edge of the rock.

Sheen tiptoed and slowly approached.

Unexpectedly, the cat-leopard quickly looked in their direction with alertness, and Sheen inevitably stared directly into its eyes.

Then, the cat and leopard exposed their bellies.

Sheen turned around and looked at Newt in a daze. Newt smiled, looking rather pathetic, and then glanced forward.

Following Newt's gesture, Sheen walked to its side, remembering the techniques described in *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*.

First, offer it raw meat, then stroke the cat/leopard's chin, press its ears, and smooth the fur on its back...

From this perspective, Sheen believed that the cat-leopard resembled a cat but was larger than a leopard.

After the cat and leopard finished eating, they suddenly started purring loudly.

Sheehan was startled and quickly glanced at Newt.

"It...likes...likes you very much."

Newt also came over, but no longer looked directly at Sheen. Instead, he gazed at the purring cat-leopard, a deep smile in his eyes.

[You have gained the favor of the magical creature, the cat-leopard (Dilira), by meeting the standards of a master; affinity +300]

[Fantastic Beasts: Cat and Leopard (Dilira): Slightly Approachable (Apprentice Level) (270/300)]

A notification sounded on the panel, and Sheen saw the cat-leopard lying on its back with its tail constantly sweeping towards him.

The panel's accessibility level is divided into three categories: slightly accessible (apprentice level), relatively accessible (beginner level), and accessible (expert level).

Sheen's understanding and connection with the magical creatures he is close to will be profound.

Generally speaking, at this point, Sheen would have met the first condition for completing the alchemical ritual.

As for how close they could become... Sheen opened the panel:
[Fantastic Beasts: Owl (Whitey): Companion (Expert) (5700/9000)]

【Fantastic Beasts Bowtruckle (Tira): Companion (Expert) (6700/9000)】

In the distance, the low chirping of young birds and snakes echoed from the depths of the forest.

Sheen was still thinking about how to get Newt's cat and leopard away—three days was too short, and it would be difficult for him to reach the pro level of intimacy.

"Mr. Scamander... excuse me, Dilireba..."

Sheen carefully considered his question.

“Dilra? She’s been by my side since she was three months old… She was badly injured then and it took her a long time to heal—please speak, Mr. Green.”

Newt patted the leopard's head.

“More people want to learn about magical creatures, and that’s exactly what I want.”

Sheen couldn't bring himself to speak.

"You said that Dilila was taken away by you in Ifamoni, Ifamoni..."

(End of this chapter)