The next morning, Kyle went downstairs for breakfast and found Newt already there, sitting at the table chatting with Diana. House-elf Dobby was bustling about in the kitchen, constantly delivering eggs, sausages, and toast.
"Good morning, dear," Diana greeted Kyle, helping him adjust his collar. "Come and eat breakfast. You'll be leaving soon."
"Good morning..." Kyle replied, greeting the two of them. He grabbed a piece of bread and asked, "Are we leaving so early?"
"No, we're leaving in ten minutes," Newt said with a smile. "They sent me another letter last night. Apparently, Pinot—the Ukrainian Ironbelly with the broken wing—needs to be moved by the dragon keepers. The whole reserve is in turmoil, and even the gentler dragons are getting swept up in it."
Kyle quickly finished eating while Newt and Diana continued their conversation.
"It's surprising. How did that man, Black, manage to escape?" Diana asked.
"I think he discovered a weakness in the Dementors," Newt replied. "They perceive everything around them through emotions. There aren't many ways to hide from them, but it's not impossible."
Diana poured him a cup of tea. "And the Ministry relies on the Dementors far too much. There are only two Hit Wizards guarding that entire island."
"Yes," Newt agreed, taking a sip of tea, "but it's still quite an achievement. No one has ever escaped before."
"Maybe," Diana said, glancing out the window. "Who knows..."
Kyle ate his breakfast in silence, listening without commenting. A week ago, in an attempt to draw more people into their sweepstakes, the Daily Prophet had once again reported on the Weasley family. In the accompanying photo, they all stood together in front of a massive pyramid, including Ron's half-dead rat.
By the time Kyle finished eating, it was about time to leave. Newt took out a glass bottle.
"The Portkey. I assume you know how to use it."
Kyle nodded and placed his hand on the bottle as Newt glanced at the clock. A few seconds later, they were swept away by a whirlwind, disappearing from the room together.
To be honest, after getting used to Apparition, this method of travel was relatively gentle. When they arrived, Kyle landed solidly on the ground and took a moment to tidy his shirt and smooth his windblown hair.
"Welcome, Mr. Newt Scamander... Oh, Kyle, I almost didn't recognize you." A voice sounded beside him.
Kyle looked up and found himself standing in an open valley, facing a stocky man who was staring at him in surprise.
"Charlie!" Kyle exclaimed, equally surprised.
In front of him stood Charlie Weasley, looking even more robust than he had two years ago. His exposed arm bore a large scar, evidence of a past burn. The two embraced, and Kyle blurted out, "Why are you here?"
But as soon as he asked, he regretted it—it was obvious, given that Charlie worked at the Dragon reserve. It was like asking Professor McGonagall why she was at Hogwarts.
Charlie chuckled, understanding Kyle's intent. "I'm here to greet Mr. Scamander... So, are you his assistant now?" He glanced at Newt, who, lost in thought, was gazing up at the massive shapes moving through the sky.
Unfazed, Charlie simply smiled—he was used to this sort of thing. He had welcomed Newt to the reserve twice before and had come to expect his fascination with magical creatures. Fortunately, he had Kyle to talk to this time.
"Yes, I'm Mr. Scamander's assistant," Kyle said, extending his hand with a smile. "Can't see why there'd be a problem with that."
"Of course not, Mr. Assistant," Charlie replied, grinning as he shook Kyle's hand. "After all, you're fourteen now, aren't you? Did you get the gift I sent you?"
"Yes, it's amazing!" Kyle said enthusiastically. "I've never seen a dragon tooth that big before."
"Old Pinot's been losing teeth faster these last few years, so I picked the largest one for you," Charlie said, leading Kyle toward a nearby field where a few people were gathered.
Kyle spotted Professor Kettleburn, who had retired and moved to Hogsmeade, invited here for the occasion. Next to him stood a tall wizard with a bushy beard. Professor Kettleburn, though tall himself, barely reached the other man's shoulder; this newcomer appeared to be well over two meters.
"Edwardus Lima," Charlie whispered, "a famous Peruvian master of Magical Creatures. He lived alongside a Peruvian Vipertooth for ten years."
Kyle's eyes widened at the name. He recognized it—the author of The Monster Book of Monsters, which he'd recently read. Apparently, this man, like Hagrid, had an affinity for Magical Creatures that most found too dangerous.
"Newt, there you are!" Professor Kettleburn called, beaming from a distance as he approached them. "I figured you'd bring the boy along... Long time no see, Kyle."
"Long time no see, Professor."
"Oh, don't call me that—I'm not a professor anymore," Kettleburn said with a wave of his hand. "Just an ordinary retired old man now."
"Ordinary retired old men don't travel all the way out here to see a dragon," Kyle teased with a laugh.
"Hello," came a deep, gentle voice.
The tall Edwardus Lima had walked over to join them, greeting Kyle with a warm smile. "I've heard of you—the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin. I didn't realize you had an interest in dragons as well."
His accent was perfectly clear, with no trace of anything foreign. It was impressive—this Master of Magical Creatures, having traveled the world, had mastered more than just creature-handling.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lima," Kyle said. "I've read your books."
"Oh?" Edwardus Lima looked a bit surprised. "You've read that obscure book?"
In Britain, his book was indeed considered niche, with most witches and wizards preferring Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander.
"Actually, The Monster Book of Monsters is this year's textbook at Hogwarts," Kyle explained.
"Really..." Lima glanced at Newt with a playful look and said smugly, "It seems Hogwarts has a new professor with exceptional taste."
"That's not exactly what I'd call a good choice," Newt responded with a smile.
The two men embraced, and it was obvious they'd been friends for many years. Newt grew more animated with an old friend nearby, and they launched into a lively conversation.
Meanwhile, Charlie took Kyle on a tour of the reserve, introducing him to the various dragons habitats.
"The closest area to us is the Swedish Short-Snout reserve," Charlie said, pointing in its direction. "There are seven of them here, and it's generally the least active part of the reserve... for now, at least." He gestured toward a plume of fire rising in the distance. "Last night was much busier than it is now—the flames went on all night."
He turned to Kyle with a grin. "I only have one request for you: don't flinch. It'd be embarrassing if you ended up sitting down in shock."
"That's not going to happen," Kyle assured him confidently.
"I hope not..." Charlie chuckled, giving Kyle's shoulder a friendly pat. "Though, honestly, I'd quite like to see it—imagine, a Second Class Order of Merlin recipient, losing his nerve at the sight of a dragon. It's incredible, really. When I got the letter from my mum last year telling me, I thought she must be joking. An Order of Merlin... Here I am, freshly graduated, and you've already achieved so much."