He gently removed the Tree-Protecting Leprechaun nestled in his arms and handed it back to Ian.
"If a wizard offers a dung beetle to the Tree-Protecting Leprechaun, it will be soothed for a long time, allowing him or her to take wood from the tree to make a magic wand."
"They like dung beetles. And it's best to let these little fellows have their own territory." Newt Scamander, meanwhile, didn't forget to teach Ian some small lessons.
Upon hearing this.
Ian promptly nodded.
"Yes, that's right, I've been trying to build my [Ian's Trunk], but I've encountered some bottlenecks in using the Traceless Extension Charm."
Ian quickly took advantage of the Tree-Protecting Leprechaun's slumber to tuck it back into his money bag, expressing his earnest hopes as he made a request to Newt Scamander.
"If you could guide me in the construction of the trunk, I would be immensely grateful." Ian contemplated taking out money but felt such an action might offend the elderly gentleman before him.
Ultimately, he was a bit too pragmatic, his gaze not as clear and pure as the other's. Well, he did have a bit of clarity and purity; all the little wizards in the school knew that.
"Nicolas Flamel contacted me with the intention of having me help gather materials for the Enlargement Charm." Newt Scamander took out a small cloth bag as he spoke.
"I collected a bit more than needed, hoping they might help you." Newt Scamander's generosity took the little wizard by surprise; he firmly placed the small cloth bag into Ian's hand.
"Gift exchange, gift exchange."
Ian hurriedly rummaged through his money bag, unable to find anything related to Fantastic Beasts, so he quickly pulled out a handful of black sand.
The little wizard's grip was still rather loose, and much of the sand slipped through his fingers.
"Thank you."
Newt Scamander also quickly cupped the black sand Ian offered in both hands.
"What is this?"
Tina curiously leaned in.
"It's a precious gift from the little wizard." Newt Scamander swiftly gave Tina a glance, fearing that his wife's straightforward personality might hurt the little wizard's self-esteem.
"Thank you."
Tina rolled her eyes at her husband, thinking he often misjudged her; was she the kind of person whose emotional intelligence remained insufficient despite living a lifetime?
"I think we should package it and craft it into a crystal ball; black snow would surely look beautiful—I saw it in the stores of the Muggles."
Tina used words to demonstrate to the little wizard her appreciation of the handful of sand. She found an empty cloth bag, put the black sand inside, and attempted to use her magic wand to gather up the bits that had fallen on the ground.
However.
"Hmm?"
Tina waved her magic wand.
Yet she found herself unable to control the sand.
"What's going on?"
Newt Scamander also noticed something amiss; he tremblingly pulled out his magic wand and waved hard, but the fact proved that power had no effect on magic.
"These sands… like you, little one… are not quite right."
Only Queenie refrained from pulling out her wand, instead furrowing her brow in confusion. She was a natural Legilimens, stronger in perception and spiritual power than ordinary wizards.
"It's Hourglass Sand; they're Hourglass Sand."
Ian was also a bit surprised to see the three elders troubled by the simplest magic—he was learning for the first time that the sand was impervious to wizard magic.
But the problem was, his Transformation Spell worked successfully before, didn't it?
Could it be related to magic level?
"What did you say!?"
"You… you said what this is?"
"Tsss~~~"
...
Just as Ian found himself puzzled beyond belief, the three elders almost simultaneously widened their eyes, each feeling a sense of disbelief, as if their ears weren't functioning properly, thinking they misheard.
"I said, they're Hourglass Sand."
Ian didn't bother with subtlety in gift-giving; he directly raised his voice and shouted—next moment, Newt Scamander showed an exceedingly incredulous expression.
As bold as he.
He was also shocked to the point his mind buzzed.
"Oh my!"
Tina was also exceedingly shocked, covering her mouth—her sister Queenie, the most nimble and swift, immediately crouched to pick up each grain of sand without missing a single one.
"How do you have such a thing…" Newt Scamander had to re-evaluate the little wizard in front of him; he suspected Albus Dumbledore had already raided the Mysterious Affairs Department.
"I dug it up myself; initially, I didn't know what the sand was. It was Professor Nicolas Flamel who told me what it was, and only then did I realize they were Hourglass Sand."
"See, I just went to seek advice from Professor Nicolas Flamel, so you happened to encounter me here." Ian's reply was indeed quite sincere.
"!!!"
Newt Scamander's expression remained dumbfounded.
With Nicolas Flamel's endorsement, he naturally had no doubts… but, this much Hourglass Sand—if not obtained from the Mysterious Affairs Department, where else could it be dug up?
Forbidden Forest?
It certainly harbors many secrets.
But isn't this secret a bit too grand!
"Child, this material is extremely precious; you shouldn't offer it to others… it's best not to tell anyone because the Ministry of Magic would surely fix its eyes on you." Newt Scamander took the bag with Hourglass Sand from his wife's hand, earnestly advising Ian as he prepared to return the bag filled with Hourglass Sand.