Several Aurors exchanged confused glances at this scene, clearly uncomfortable. To them, Alex was just a talented young wizard who supplied equipment; they had no idea why Newt Scamander trusted him so implicitly.
Hesitantly, they turned to Barnabas and Amelia, silently questioning if it was safe to allow a minor wizard to approach such a dangerous magical creature.
However, Barnabas and Amelia both gave reassuring nods, quietly signaling that it was alright. Their trust in Alex's abilities reassured the Aurors, who slowly lowered their wands.
As Alex cautiously stepped closer, the Thunderbird immediately stopped thrashing and stared down at him intently, still chirping and crying softly. Alex now felt certain: there was indeed a mysterious connection between himself and the Thunderbird.
Instinctively, Alex drew out his wand, channeling a small amount of magic through it, causing a faint spark of electricity to dance along its length.
The Thunderbird instantly reacted to the wand, letting out a softer, almost joyful cry. Encouraged, Alex used his wand to channel a calming charm, whispering gently, "Quiet."
Though Alex spoke softly, the word resonated clearly in the minds of everyone present, not as a sound but as a clear, unmistakable thought. It was as if the concept itself gently echoed in each person's mind, leaving them stunned by this advanced and subtle display of magic.
Even Newt glanced at Alex in surprise, deeply impressed by the sophisticated skill this young wizard had just demonstrated.
Hearing and understanding Alex's gentle command, the Thunderbird immediately fell quiet. It slowly lowered itself into a more comfortable position, gazing steadily at Alex with trustful eyes.
Alex felt relief wash over him, glad that his gamble had worked. With the Thunderbird calmed, he turned towards Barnabas and nodded, signaling that the Ministry could safely resume their work.
Without hesitation, Barnabas quickly organized her team, carefully using Levitation Charms to transport the cages, keeping them separated to prevent further incidents. They didn't dare release any creatures yet, knowing the chaos that could ensue if these creatures were suddenly freed while still distressed.
Newt walked quietly over to Alex, observing him and the Thunderbird thoughtfully. "Alex, it seems there's a special bond between you two."
Alex nodded slightly, glancing at the wand in his hand. "I think it's probably because I learned magic made based on thunderbird.."
Newt smiled warmly, pleased by this unexpected connection. Meanwhile, Alex began seriously considering ways to enhance his wand,'. After all, it had played a vital role in subduing the powerful rune spell 'Thundris Tempest,' and with the threat posed by the Silver wand smuggler who was still at large, Alex knew it was time to further strengthen his abilities.
As these thoughts occupied his mind, Alex glanced curiously at the unique magical kettle Newt held. It was intriguing, and he wondered if he'd get the chance to examine it more closely later on.
Newt suddenly noticed Alex's intense gaze and tilted his head curiously. "Alex, is something wrong? Is there something odd on my face?"
Startled from his thoughts, Alex quickly shook his head. "Oh, no, sorry! I was just wondering how the Ministry usually handles the magical creatures captured in cases like this. Some of these animals, like the Runespoor serpent, Nundu Leopards, Griffins, and especially the Thunderbird, are extremely rare and protected species."
Newt smiled gently, assuming he understood Alex's true interest. "You're curious about the Thunderbird, right? Usually, the Ministry's Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures handles common species in their specialized habitats. Animals like the Abraxans or Jobberknolls will go there directly."
He continued, "For rarer, more difficult-to-manage creatures, the Ministry typically works closely with experts or institutions. For instance, creatures like unicorns, Thestrals, or Hippogriffs are often sent to Hogwarts. They have excellent facilities, and Professor Kettleburn is very skilled and responsible."
Newt smiled warmly, pride evident in his eyes. "However, most of today's creatures are American species unfamiliar to many British magizoologists. In such cases, the Ministry usually turns to me, since I've traveled widely and gained experience with nearly all magical creatures."
Sure enough, a short while later, Barnabas approached Newt, politely requesting him to take responsibility for all the captured animals, aside from the Abraxans and Jobberknolls. Naturally, Newt agreed without hesitation. The Ministry staff quickly began loading the cages onto transportation, even Barnabas personally overseeing the process, clearly anxious about potential mishaps.
Turning back toward Alex, Newt offered warmly, "Alex, would you like to join me at my home later? The Thunderbird obviously feels comfortable around you, and your presence during the transport would greatly help keep it calm. Besides, Barnabas will be coming along as well. It might be the perfect chance to speak to him about that vampire you've taken in."
He continued sincerely, "Also, Tina and I still haven't properly thanked you yet. I'd like you to see my collection, if there's anything you're interested in or need, just let me know."
Alex considered the offer briefly before agreeing with a genuine smile. "I'd love to. It'll be a great chance to learn from you about taking care of these amazing creatures."
At the same time, Azalea stood frozen, staring at the large area scorched by Fiendfyre with mounting dread. She knew immediately that Thunderbird, the Silver wand operative, had been involved. But how could this be?
Thunderbird was one of the club's elite members, notorious for his arrogance yet undeniably powerful. Could a mission led by him fail this spectacularly?
More than twenty collaborators dead, two Silver wand agents lost, one killed, one missing, and an entire shipment seized by the Ministry. The loss was catastrophic.
Just looking at the captured magical creatures made Azalea realize how severe the blow was. Gathering such a large number of rare beasts would normally take at least a year, especially given the difficulty of transporting live magical creatures. Black market groups rarely had enough manpower for such a risky operation. The sheer scale of the shipment confirmed that this mission was supposed to be a major, high-stakes deal.
When Azalea saw the captured smugglers, she immediately understood that almost an entire network of black market operatives from the Americas had been wiped out. This wasn't just a loss for their British branch; it was a disaster for their American connections as well.
At this moment, Azalea found herself in the most awkward position imaginable. She began to suspect she might now be the only surviving Silver wand agent left in Britain. What would she tell headquarters if they came looking for answers?
She knew firsthand how harshly Silver wand punished failure, yet here she was, completely in the dark about the operation she was supposed to be involved in.
The root of Azalea's trouble was Thunderbird himself. That arrogant wizard had repeatedly excluded her from crucial mission details, yet conveniently included her name whenever he reported successes.
She'd accepted it before because it meant easy rewards. But now, with such a colossal failure, the blame might fall squarely on her shoulders, and Thunderbird wasn't even here to defend or explain himself.