In the days that followed, Kyle's routine shifted. At Tina's suggestion, he began spending mornings baking cookies and bread with her. Sometimes he even helped Newt care for the other magical creatures in the sanctuary. In the afternoons, he continued his Occlumency training with Natali, the Wampus Cat, though progress was still frustratingly slow. It felt as if he was perpetually just short of a breakthrough.
Another week passed, and when Kyle arrived at the clearing by the lake, he was surprised not to see Natali waiting for him.
"Am I early?" he muttered.
"No, your training is complete," Tina said, walking over with Newt, who was carrying a bucket of apples, and the Wampus Cat at their side.
"In fact, Natali hasn't been able to read your thoughts for a few days now," Newt explained. "Her recent attacks were purely instinctual."
Kyle frowned. "Instinctual?"
Newt nodded. "If you don't believe me, let's test it."
He pulled two apples from the bucket—one large and one small. "Choose an apple. Together."
Natali glanced at Kyle, and both pointed to the larger apple.
Kyle turned his head, puzzled, as Newt's face turned slightly pink. "Ahem... Just a coincidence," he mumbled, dumping the remaining apples onto the ground. "Let's try it a few more times."
The Wampus Cat looked at Kyle again, and this time, they chose different apples. The same thing happened in subsequent attempts. Satisfied, Newt pocketed his wand and returned the apples to the bucket.
"Now do you believe me?"
"Yes," Kyle nodded, convinced. If Natali had still been able to read his mind, they'd have picked the same apple each time.
As they headed back to the house, Kyle asked, "Did you know I'd completed Occlumency for a while?"
"For about a week," Tina replied. "Wondering why we didn't tell you?"
Kyle nodded, curious.
"At first, we wanted to be absolutely sure," Tina explained. "But as the days went on, I realized you were managing well. Besides..." She chuckled, a twinkle in her eye. "You've always performed so well; it was a bit fun watching you look a little lost now and then."
Kyle's mouth twitched as he glanced at Tina, who, despite her ninety years, still seemed to have a mischievous side. What kind of sense of humor is that?
But, regardless, learning Occlumency was a worthwhile achievement.
Kyle stayed with the Scamanders for another three days, finally departing a week before the start of the school year. Newt didn't write to Chris about his return; instead, he personally saw Kyle off. Just before he left, Newt handed him a small box.
"Your birthday present," Newt said, handing Kyle the box. "I'd prepared it earlier, but since you were busy learning Occlumency, I had to wait until now. Hope it's not too late."
Kyle took the box eagerly. It was slightly smaller than Newt's own well-traveled suitcase, but it was modern and freshly crafted, clearly made recently.
"The space inside isn't enormous, but it should be just right for you," Newt said with a smile. "Make good use of it... and don't go putting any magical creatures in there, alright? I'd rather not hear you got expelled from Hogwarts one day."
Kyle grinned, knowing Newt's own Hogwarts career had ended abruptly over someone else's crime. Once Newt left, Kyle hurried home, carrying the box with anticipation.
With Chris and Diana both out, the house felt empty. He went straight to his room, set the suitcase on the floor, opened it, and jumped inside.
The space below was indeed small—a cozy room with only a basic shelf. But outside the room was a vast, open meadow, nearly as large as two Quidditch pitches, with a tranquil lake in the middle. Though smaller than Newt's sprawling menagerie, the area felt huge to Kyle. At twelve, still a student at Hogwarts, this was more than enough for his needs.
He wandered around, mentally mapping out spots for various projects and creatures.
"This area's good... Once I learn the Atmospheric Charm, I could make a rocky den here for Mooncalves. I'll put Devil's Snare nearby."
"Close to the lake would be perfect for the Chomping Cabbage," he mused.
"For simpler plants like Dittany, I'll set up a spot near the Mooncalves, easy access."
"And those trees over there... perfect for Bowtruckles. They'll love it."
Walking along, Kyle eventually reached the lake. He hesitated slightly as he looked into the sparkling water but quickly reminded himself there was no Wampus Cat here to toss him in. He looked down into the clear depths, spotting a few lionfish drifting lazily near the bottom.
Just as he was about to move on, he felt a small poking sensation at his shirt pocket.
Startled, he looked down to see a tiny creature the size of his palm. It had soft black fur, a small, flat nose resembling a duck's bill, but otherwise looked like a miniature mole.
"Niffler...?" Kyle whispered in surprise. He hadn't expected another gift hidden in the box.
The tiny Niffler, clearly very young, clung to his robe with its tiny paws, fiercely gripping a gold Galleon that it was trying to stash in its pocket.
Kyle watched, amused, as the Niffler attempted to complete its "heist," slowly managing to tuck the Galleon into its pocket. But just as the coin was nearly hidden, Kyle gently plucked it out, lifting the determined little creature along with it. The Niffler clung to the Galleon, its little paws gripping it as tightly as it could even as Kyle gave it a gentle shake.
"How did you end up here?" Kyle asked, amused.
Since Newt hadn't mentioned a Niffler as part of the gift, it was likely this little one had snuck in on its own.
The Niffler, still clinging to the Galleon, tilted its head as if it hadn't understood a word. Then, undeterred, it tried to stuff the coin into its pocket once again, managing the feat with a kind of mini pull-up.