What is that?
Lupin looked somewhat bewildered at the twisted creature that resembled a spider with only five legs. Covered in reddish-brown fur all over its body, memories that were slowly dying began to revive. After a brief hesitation, Lupin's O-grade knowledge in Magical Creatures allowed him to remember the name of this creature—
Quintaped, also known as Hairy MacBoon, is a XXXXX-level creature and a highly dangerous Magical Creature. This carnivorous beast is covered in thick reddish-brown fur, with deformed feet at the end of each leg... Moreover, it has a significant hostility towards humans...
And most importantly, they live in groups.
"Snap—"
In the next moment, countless tiny sounds of footsteps abruptly arose, and cold sweat began to trickle down Lupin's forehead as he noticed the Quintapeds emerging from various nooks and crannies around him. He realized he was surrounded—
Doomed...
At this moment, Lupin almost wished his knowledge of Magical Creatures wasn't so good, but the memories that had started to resurface could not be stopped. Lupin soon recalled all the knowledge points about Quintapeds.
For instance, not only do they resent humans, but they also prey on them...
For example, their forelegs and tails are equipped with retractable spikes and barbs, and wizards caught by them are often mauled to death...
For example, they... they are afraid of fire!
"Incendio!"
Without a second thought, Lupin pointed his Magic Wand at the ground, and a circle of deep red flames erupted, encasing him in the middle. The Quintapeds that had begun to test the waters hesitated at the sight of the flames but did not give up the idea of this meal in front of them, gathering again and stomping on the ground anxiously towards the ring of fire—
It's said that these creatures were once all members of a single human family, cursed by their enemy to become Quintapeds—whether this legend is true or false, it implies that they possess intelligence and patience beyond typical Magical Creatures...
"Cough—"
Black smoke rose with the blaze, as Lupin looked around at the red-haired monsters almost filling his entire vision. He was momentarily out of ideas.
His Incendio could only protect himself. If he wanted to clear a path, he'd have to keep one side open, increasing the risk of a Quintaped attempting a sneak attack from behind. But staying in place would only burn away the already scarce oxygen in the cavern...
No, maybe there's another way—
Fiendfyre.
While it wouldn't help him escape, it might be able to take out all the Quintapeds here in one go—but he still had a trunk with him, which contained Silver and the others, and he wasn't sure if the trunk was fireproof... Wait, trunk?
A look of surprise suddenly appeared on Lupin's face. He placed the trunk on the ground, unclasped the latch, and in the next moment, a black Niffler sprang out from inside.
"Squeak—cough cough."
Covering its pink snout with some disdain, Kabuda looked at the burning flames around and the soot-covered Lupin.
"Cough cough, I'll go inside to find help, don't stay out—"
Lupin covered his nose and mouth to avoid inhaling the choking smoke while reaching to grab Kabuda, who had just straightened up.
"Squeak squeak—"
Kabuda raised its hand to block Lupin's face. As the man looked baffled, it jumped onto his chest and smacked a silver-gray metal Name Plate—something William had just given to him?
Lupin blinked instinctively, but as he lowered his head to get a closer look at the Name Plate, Kabuda punched him under the chin. "Ouch, what are you doing?" Lupin asked instinctively as his head was tilted back.
"Hiss—"
Before Kabuda could answer, a rasping voice echoed in Lupin's ear.
Even though surrounded by flames, Lupin felt a peculiar coldness rush to his back. He blinked instinctively, glimpsing a flash of green in his view before feeling a force lift him.
"..."
What on earth?
Lupin's mind went temporarily blank as he stared at the gigantic snake that appeared beneath him, instinctively turning to look at Kabuda perched on his shoulder.
"Squeak squeak—"
With its legs crossed, Kabuda raised its hand and pointed upwards.
Watching the Quintapeds gathering because the flame had extinguished, Lupin suddenly grasped the development of the situation. He took a deep breath, raised his Magic Wand towards the sky—"Deprimo!"
"Boom—"
The already overburdened ceiling collapsed with a tremendous noise creating a massive crack. Kabuda, already prepared, quickly jumped back to the Basilisk's head, extending its paw upwards, "Squeak squeak squeak!!"
"Hiss—"
After a flurry of communication entirely incomprehensible to Lupin, the Basilisk moved, raising itself towards the crack in the ceiling.
"Incendio!"
The surrounding Quintapeds weren't going to let them leave just like that and began bouncing within the ruins towards Lupin. Lupin, clinging to the snake's back, had no means to dodge and could only clutch the trunk in one hand while frantically waving his Magic Wand with the other, sending burning fireballs tumbling towards the chasm below, though more Quintapeds soon advanced from behind—
Just how many Quintapeds have this group of ** Poachers captured? Could it be that Derya Island (located in northern Scotland, the habitat of Quintapeds, a non-charitable zone similar to Azkaban where Dementors reside) has been emptied by these bastards?
Even the always gentle and amiable Lupin could not hold back from swearing, unlike the anxious Lupin, Kabuda on the snake's back appeared exceedingly excited, waving its arms fervently—
"Squeak squeak!"
"Stop squeaking, hold on tight—"
Lupin grabbed the unsteady Kabuda before clutching the snake firmly, pointing his Magic Wand upward—"Confringo!"
"Bang—"
The crack in the ceiling above the Basilisk's head widened dramatically, revealing a faint glimpse of daylight not too far away, but in came a torrent of crashing debris. Lupin raised his Magic Wand—"Protego!"
"Squeak squeak!"
Seeing this, Kabuda began to cheer jubilantly. This was the thrilling life it deserved, away with those damn papers and assignments, taking the opportunity to escape the Dark Lord's clutches...
"...Uh, Remus? What kind of entrance is this?"
Kabuda's excitement abruptly froze as it opened its eyes dazedly, realizing with despair that the familiar voice it heard was not merely ringing in its ears.