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Chapter 299 - Chapter 145: Vivi and Pabi's First Confrontation

After everything was over, Newt didn't forget to sharply comment on how Gellert "doesn't understand that the seemingly lowly living beings he sees actually have their own way."

Tina whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "That title really suits him, don't you think? What kind of creature would rob his own sister's vault clean?"

On the couch, Harry and Vivi were still unwrapping gifts. Hagrid's gifts included some Magical Creatures' items like Moonstruck Beast fur, Unicorn hair, and even an ounce of Eight-eyed Giant Spider Venom.

"I don't remember there being any Eight-eyed Giant Spiders in the Forbidden Forest," Vivi suddenly said, "In my impression, the spiders in the Forbidden Forest should only be the native species."

"Oh, that should be the one Hagrid raised."

Harry laughed, and explained to Vivi about the feud between Hagrid and the Eight-eyed Giant Spider and Tom, but Vivi didn't seem surprised.

She's had her share of keeping dangerous animals in school, just in the Room of Requirement.

A considerable part of her money in the vault came from these Magical Creatures.

"That quantity of an ounce shouldn't be from just one Eight-eyed Giant Spider," Vivi's eyes lit up, "I think after school starts, we should really go to find them in the Forbidden Forest. Logically, Eight-eyed Giant Spiders aren't native, so if there are more, it means Hagrid must have got more of them somewhere."

"Considering his character, he probably found a mate for that Eight-eyed Giant Spider—you know, spiders lay a lot of eggs, so even if this started ten years ago, the number of spiders in the Forbidden Forest would be unimaginable."

"But..." Harry hesitated, "those spiders are Hagrid's friends, we should talk to him about this, shouldn't we?"

"So many Eight-eyed Giant Spiders are bound to disrupt the ecosystem in the Forbidden Forest," Vivi poked Harry on the forehead with her index finger, "Are you silly? This is a legitimate reason. We absolutely can't turn a blind eye to the ecological balance being destroyed in the Forbidden Forest, don't you agree, Professor Scamander?"

She asked while looking up at Newt with her last sentence.

"You're right, Miss Grindelwald!" Newt agreed with a nod, "If your analysis is correct, and there's that many Eight-eyed Giant Spiders, we definitely need to keep their population in check... But..."

He suddenly changed his tune.

"I think we should make sure not to harm these spiders," Newt said with his love for Magical Creatures, "I think finding them a suitable habitat is better, don't you agree, Miss Grindelwald?"

"Of course, I agree!" Vivi looked at Newt approvingly, she had been planning to bring this up, but Newt had found the argument for her.

However, Newt's idea was to find a suitable habitat for these controlled Eight-eyed Giant Spiders, while Vivi's idea... was to raise them sustainably, fishing them endlessly.

After all, Eight-eyed Giant Spider Venom is a hot commodity.

"Hey?" Harry suddenly remembered, "I remember Alfonso told me, he really likes eating Eight-eyed Giant Spiders?"

"Alfonso? Who's Alfonso?" Pabi asked, shaking her head and burrowing her mouth into Harry's leg.

Vivi reached out and slapped Pabi's mouth with a smack.

Pabi just looked at Harry pitifully without saying a word.

"Hey, why did you hit her?" Harry rubbed Pabi's face and explained to everyone, "Alfonso is the Snake Monster kept by Slytherin, he told me he prefers eating Eight-eyed Giant Spiders over beef."

Hearing Harry's words, Newt leaned in.

Gone was his social anxiety as he eagerly looked at Harry, even glancing around to find Harry's wallet.

"Yeah, you have a Snake Monster! I remember you mentioned this—"

"The gaze of a Snake Monster can be lethal, Professor Scamander," Harry attempted to remind Newt of this fact.

"Just call me Newt, Harry." Newt awkwardly tried to get closer to Harry, "I suppose you, as the owner of the Snake Monster, should be able to command it not to harm others?"

Harry suddenly felt embarrassed.

"Uh, actually, I tricked him. I said I was Omnius Gaunt, better in bloodline than that Mixed Blood Riddle... so the Snake Monster listens to me, not Tom Riddle."

"That's not really a lie, Harry," Pabi said, shaking her head, "It's just a gentle deception, so an innocent little snake monster won't be fooled by that cunning Riddle."

After nearly being bitten by Voldemort, Pabi held a grudge against that "cunning Riddle."

Moreover, being naturally fond of Magical Creatures herself, she despised Voldemort even more.

"But it is a problem, Harry," Vivi said softly, "The gaze of a Snake Monster is extremely dangerous. We can't let such a creature roam freely in the Forbidden Forest, even if you are Omnius Gaunt, it wouldn't be right."

Everyone present fell into silence.

"Maybe we should find a good approach," Newt said with reluctance, "It's such a great opportunity to get close to and study a Snake Monster; it'd be a pity not to seize it."

"What could you have in mind?" Theseus suddenly asked, "Is it going to involve that Magical Creatures suitcase of yours after all?"

"No, maybe we could ask Mr. Leme." Newt proposed, "He might have some ideas about the eyes of a Snake Monster?"

As soon as he said that, Mr. Leme's airy voice came through.

"Sorry, I don't have any solutions either."

"Let's take it slowly." Harry said helplessly.

They continued unwrapping gifts. Harry opened the Wizard Chess set Ron gave him, and inside, the note said he participated in the National Wizard Chess Competition.

"The prize is a hundred Golden Galleons," the note read.

"Ron, Gareth's descendant." Harry introduced to Vivi, "Hmm... the one who's mutually annoyed with Hermione."

Vivi nodded knowingly, understanding the reference.

"I remember Ron is indeed skilled at Wizard Chess; he beat me several times on the grassy lakeside of the Black Lake back then."

Pabi's head was rested on Harry's shoulder—perhaps because she was in Unicorn form, or because she was mostly surrounded by the Hapa Party, her courage had swelled boundlessly.

"But you're just an amateur player, Pabi." Harry set the note aside, "Ron's in the national competition, facing competitors from all over the United Kingdom. I do think he's quite good, but matched against those pros, he might be a bit out of his depth."

This time, Vivi didn't stop Pabi's actions.

She just subtly leaned against Harry's arm, resting her head on Harry's other shoulder, inhaling contentedly.

Harry turned his head, noticing Vivi's hair had turned to a pale gold, curiously asking, "Out of magic power again?"

"Mmh~" Vivi murmured nasally in response.

Pernelle, not far away, was sipping tea with a meaningful smile, raising her teacup towards Vivi.

"Let me have a look."

Harry turned the page down again, "Oh, this gift is from Slytherin's Class Prefect, Miss Fari."

Hearing the name "Miss Fari," Vivi instantly became alert.

She casually asked, "Miss Fari? Can you tell me about her?"

Far away, Miss Fari, writing her dissertation at home, suddenly sneezed.

She rubbed her nose with her hand, feeling a bit uneasy.

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