It's hard to speak up.
Ian really found it hard to speak up.
He was simply afraid that some things, easily misunderstood, would indeed be misunderstood by people.
The world is full of prejudice.
Even though the Little Wizard liked to dig up other people's ancestral graves and had blown up every corner of the school while stuck in a time loop, he knew that what he did had reasons, and very good ones at that.
Though he enjoyed raising some creatures that sounded quite wicked, and even had some understanding of the three Unforgivable Curses, he was aware he was still a good wizard—handsome and kind-hearted.
"Er, actually, the creatures I raise might be a bit odd, not really fit to be talked about openly," Ian said, his words tinged with guilt and a bit stammering.
"Child, there are no inherently odd creatures in this world, only narrow-minded people and their narrow perspectives," Newt Scamander replied rather seriously.
He clearly misunderstood Ian's meaning, thinking Ian was referring to the personalities of the Fantastic Beasts.
"Er..."
Ian didn't know how to respond.
"We do need to understand what kind of living environment your friends require, right?" Newt Scamander encouraged Ian, and his words did hold some truth.
"They probably need a slightly darker environment, lower temperatures, a smaller pool would be fine, um, I like to raise cold-blooded animals... They all don't like to drink water," Ian, quick-witted, chose to respond lightly, describing the environment he needed in Ian's Trunk.
Newt Scamander didn't notice anything amiss.
"Such an extreme environment isn't beneficial for you to expand your backyard in the future. I can design a variety of environments for you, it'll just take a bit more time."
"At my age, the least valuable thing is time. Many plants can be found for seeding at my place. By the time you start school next year, I can have it done for you."
"With a comprehensive environment, it'll also be convenient for you to add more little creatures with other habits. When I was young, I didn't consider this and it made things quite difficult for me."
Newt Scamander pondered and gave his advice.
He was quite thoughtful and thorough, except he didn't question what Ian was actually raising. Perhaps because he himself liked secretly raising some forbidden creatures, he found Ian's stammering expressions quite understandable and somewhat reminiscent of his own past.
People, you see.
That's how it is when you reach old age.
"Mhm,"
The Little Wizard naturally had no reason to refuse. He bowed slightly to express his gratitude and curiously asked, "Will you come to Hogwarts again next school year?"
Honestly, Ian felt that Newt Scamander coming to Hogwarts this time wasn't just to deliver something to Nicolas Flamel, after all, bringing along family, even his sister-in-law, seemed unnecessary just to deliver something.
Judging from Newt Scamander's and the other two elder ladies' behavior earlier, perhaps Newt's visit to Nicolas Flamel this time was related to Queenie's husband's passing.
A wife overly longing for her husband might want to return to the past to see her husband one last time, perhaps to apologize for the arguments just before he became history?
Ian believed his judgment was mostly correct. After all, Queenie had many emotional vulnerabilities, yet he felt that Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore wouldn't agree with such an adventurous act of disturbing time.
Of course,
You can never be sure... after all, Albus Dumbledore is already engaging in such activities, reaching a state in Hogwarts akin to Schrödinger, being everywhere yet nowhere at the same time.
In such a scenario, Albus Dumbledore might find it hard to advise against it, which is why Ian suggested using the nonexistent "Spirit Communication Technique" to help Queenie resolve her emotional knots.
"Yes, I'll come to Hogwarts again next year... if everything goes smoothly," Newt Scamander chuckled subtly, his gaze somewhat drifting.
It's hard to imagine seeing such a youthful demeanor in an elderly person.
"Do you have any favorite Fantastic Beasts? Some of Newt's friends require more energetic caretakers... He's really getting old, and those pesky creatures are exhausting him,"
Tina suddenly spoke up, patting the trunk she held. She clearly wanted to relieve her husband from the heavy workload of caring for the Fantastic Beasts.
Of course,
She also thought the handsome Little Wizard before her must be someone who cherishes the friendship with Fantastic Beasts. After all, they merely gifted some materials deemed not particularly precious, yet he returned with many rare items. From this, Tina felt she had a good understanding of what kind of person Ian was.
"I'm only eighty... not old!" Newt Scamander immediately reacted fiercely, not out of pettiness, but because he had deep feelings for the Fantastic Beasts in his trunk.
If he wasn't really unable to continue caring for them, or if those Fantastic Beasts indeed needed to be returned to nature, Newt Scamander would've remained concerned about his friends back home, even if he just went out for breakfast.
That's why Newt Scamander expanded his trunk so extensively.