Chapter 81 – Newt Scamander
You know, Phineas's house is the ancestral home of the Black family. There are many gorgeous and gleaming Dark artifacts within it. Even Phineas isn't entirely sure which of them are dangerous, and a creature like a Niffler wouldn't care regardless. Anything that shines must go into its pouch.
So, after having some snacks, Phineas went back to his room to rest.
Early the next morning, Phineas went directly to the Magical Creatures Emporium in Diagon Alley with Puff's help.
"Mr. Black, you're here!"
Seeing Phineas appear, the shop clerk hurried over to greet him.
Thanks to the extensive costs Phineas had invested in raising the Niffler, the shop had profited handsomely. They'd even found subtle ways to overcharge him now and then. Phineas didn't particularly care, but that didn't mean they should take liberties. If they wanted to keep benefiting from such a generous client, it was in their best interest to treat him with respect. After all, you don't fleece a golden goose just once.
Phineas looked at the approaching clerk and nodded.
"Well, how's Xiu Xiu doing? You sent a letter saying the delivery date is near."
The clerk nodded quickly.
"Yes, according to Mr. Scamander's estimates, she'll give birth either tomorrow or the day after. If you hadn't come today, sir, we were planning to send another letter inviting you."
Phineas waved a hand.
"I might not have received it. Never mind that—just take me to see the Niffler."
The clerk nodded respectfully and guided Phineas into the back room, where a large fireplace stood.
"Sir, Xiu Xiu is currently at our training center. We'll need to travel there through the Floo Network. You see—"
The fireplace, while convenient and relatively safe, had its drawbacks—chief among them, soot. Even with Cleaning Charms, many pure-bloods disliked using it.
That's why the clerk hesitated.
Phineas nodded and looked at Puff beside him.
"You go with him. Come back and get me afterward."
Phineas wasn't opposed to using the fireplace himself, but it required one to clearly state the destination. If the pronunciation was even slightly off, there was a risk of ending up somewhere else entirely. So when visiting unfamiliar locations, Phineas preferred not to take chances.
Puff and the clerk vanished into the green flames.
A short while later, Puff returned, took Phineas's hand, and Apparated them both to the training center with a soft crack.
Side-Along Apparition was uncomfortable, but Phineas had grown used to it thanks to frequent trips with his house-elves. It was good preparation for when he would learn to Apparate on his own.
Upon arrival, the clerk was waiting for him by the fireplace.
"Mr. Black, I apologize for not disclosing the exact location, but rest assured—your Niffler has been personally cared for by Mr. Scamander. She was transferred to this breeding center just the day before yesterday in preparation for the birth and your visit. Mr. Scamander is here as well to oversee the process."
In truth, if this had been an ordinary Niffler, the shop wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
But Phineas had spent far too much money on this particular one. A mishap would be disastrous—not because they couldn't afford compensation, but because they couldn't afford to offend a member of the Black family.
Though the Black family's reputation among pure-bloods had declined, it was still not to be trifled with—especially not by a business owned by a half-blood wizard.
At present, Phineas was largely untouchable within the wizarding world—but he had enemies. He wasn't afraid of fair play; what he feared were those who acted beyond the rules.
Phineas nodded to show he understood.
The clerk then led him into an inner room.
When the door opened, Phineas saw an elderly man with curly ginger hair and a freckled face.
"Mr. Scamander, this is the Niffler's owner," the clerk announced with a respectful bow.
The old man before him was clearly the famed magizoologist and author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Mr. Newt Scamander himself. He was also the renowned wizard who had captured Gellert Grindelwald.
Phineas hurriedly bowed.
"Hello, sir. My name is Phineas Black."
Newt nodded a bit stiffly.
"I know. Dumbledore told me about you. I've been taking good care of your Niffler."
Phineas smiled.
"Sir, please continue to take care of Xiu Xiu personally."
Newt shook his head slightly.
"No need to ask. I love Nifflers."
Phineas asked, "So, how is she doing, sir?"
When the topic turned to magical creatures, Newt's formerly awkward demeanor vanished, replaced by enthusiastic energy.
"It's good timing that you're here. If everything goes smoothly, the birth will happen today."
Phineas grinned. That was ideal—it meant he could visit Mrs. Lovegood tomorrow or the day after. As Ravenclaw's heir, he urgently needed someone proficient in ancient magical texts to guide him. After all, self-study would never match being taught by a master.
Of course, if Mrs. Lovegood declined, Phineas was prepared to turn to others—perhaps Dumbledore or even Nicolas Flamel.
"So, sir," Phineas asked, "about the unusual color on top of Xiu Xiu's head—will her offspring inherit that trait?"
Newt paused, falling into deep thought.
Phineas didn't interrupt, waiting patiently. A man like Newt deserved his respect.
After a moment, Newt finally spoke.
"I can't say for sure. It might be a mutation, or one of the parents may have had that trait. It's even possible this is a new subspecies of Niffler. I won't know until the birth is complete and we see whether the trait appears in the offspring."
Phineas frowned slightly.
He'd chosen this Niffler's line specifically because of that unique color trait. Now even Newt Scamander wasn't sure if it would pass down. That was disappointing—but there was nothing to be done. What would be, would be.