Sebastian processed Dumbledore's revelation, and the realization settled with absolute certainty. Yes, this was the only person who possessed the unique blend of credentials—a history with Dumbledore, a profound knowledge of the magical world's obscure fauna, and a moral code that precluded exploitation—to guide their new Department of Resource Acquisition.
"Mr. Newt Scamander?" Sebastian confirmed, a genuine flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
"That's the one," Dumbledore confirmed, his gentle smile suggesting pride in his former pupil. "I reached out to him the moment I realized the scale of your undertaking in the Forest. When he heard that Hogwarts was finally taking steps to formally manage and protect the creatures, he was not only willing, but positively eager to assist. He is already preparing his trunk, I believe."
Sebastian found himself intensely interested. Newt Scamander was a figure wrapped in quiet legend, a low-key millionaire who preferred the company of fantastic beasts to people. His primary residence was known only to a trusted few, Dumbledore foremost among them. Sebastian had never encountered him in his past life, yet he recognized the Magizoologist's profound importance.
Newt's suitcase alone contained a breathtaking collection of incredibly rare, globally significant magical creatures. The Occamy, whose eggs are composed of pure silver, came instantly to mind. Sebastian recalled how Newt had once generously provided Jacob Kowalski with a pile of Occamy eggshells to finance the opening of his bakery—a true measure of the man's character.
The raw material potential of the Forbidden Forest is enormous, Sebastian mused. But Newt's knowledge of rare creature components is likely superior to my own, limited to standard potion ingredients. If Newt found their current list of required materials—Acromantula venom and various herbs—to be lacking, he might even volunteer knowledge about rarer, sustainable harvests.
Sebastian knew there was a deeper reason for Dumbledore summoning the expert. The Headmaster, overseeing the creation of a protected resource zone for the first time in Hogwarts' thousand-year history, was naturally cautious.
He needed an external, incorruptible authority to ensure that Sebastian's ambitious plans didn't inadvertently lead to the long-term over-exploitation or destruction of the Forest's delicate ecosystem. Sustainable development was the core of Dumbledore's concern, and Newt was the perfect guardian of that principle.
Sebastian welcomed the addition. His future employees, the new recruits of the Resource Acquisition Department, were incredibly fortunate. They would be receiving hands-on, expert guidance from a world-renowned Magizoologist, and it was entirely free of charge.
"To alleviate any remaining concerns, Headmaster," Sebastian offered, his tone diplomatic, "I strongly suggest that Mr. Scamander be designated as the essential staff certifier."
Dumbledore listened intently.
"No employee should be authorized to independently deal with magical creatures or enter the Forest for collection purposes without his explicit, written approval. Furthermore, the formal signing of the Resource Contracts—with both the Centaurs and the Acromantulas—should only occur after Mr. Scamander has personally conducted the first training and material collection trip. We can then adjust the contractual details based entirely on his expert advice regarding sustainability and ethical quotas."
This comprehensive, ethical framework clearly satisfied Dumbledore, who nodded, his eyes shining with approval. "An excellent plan, Sebastian. Newt is a man of conscience; he will appreciate that. I believe he will handle this with his characteristic gentle authority."
Now that Dumbledore was reassured, Sebastian needed to tackle the next, immediate threat: Hagrid. He couldn't have Newt Scamander arrive only to find a colossal, man-eating spider floating in the air, a creature Hagrid was fiercely protective of.
"By the way, Headmaster Dumbledore, are you fully aware of the scale of the giant spider infestation within the Forest before I intervened?" Sebastian asked, subtly shifting the mood.
Sebastian waved his wand, and the parade of enormous ice-encased Acromantulas, which had followed them silently and eerily through the trees, began to shrink, one by one. Each massive crystal condensed rapidly, flying through the air and smoothly entering a dedicated, expanded pocket within Sebastian's sleek, magically reinforced dragonhide wallet. They were now safely stored as proof and potential venom sources, waiting for official processing.
Dumbledore watched the vanishing act, and his smile slowly evaporated, replaced by a look of profound, troubled realization.
"To be entirely honest, Sebastian," Dumbledore admitted, his voice quiet. "I was entirely unaware. I knew Rubeus kept a giant Acromantula within the boundaries, but I never imagined he had found a mate for it, or that they had been allowed to establish a colony of this size."
He sighed, shaking his head. "A truly tremendous failure of oversight. That no student has yet encountered such danger is a miracle of Merlin."
"Hagrid…" Dumbledore murmured, unsure how to begin addressing the severity of his Gamekeeper's negligence.
"Headmaster, this is not a trivial mistake. The giant Acromantula is unequivocally a man-eater; they lack the moral complexity of the Centaurs," Sebastian pressed gently but firmly. "While school rules prohibit students from entering the Forest, we both know that Gryffindor students, among others, treat that boundary as a mere suggestion. What if a group of first-years stumbled into that colony? The result would be absolute tragedy."
Sebastian knew the Forbidden Forest was a magnet for the curious, and this year's incoming students included one particular girl who adored playing with magical creatures—Luna Lovegood. The threat was real, even if focused on the narrative convenience of the Gryffindors.
"Headmaster," Sebastian said, producing a compact, enchanted camera. "This contains photographic evidence and a brief written account detailing the discovery and the immediate danger posed by the colony." He created a copy of the magically preserved image file and handed it to Dumbledore.
"I strongly suggest you speak with Hagrid privately. Let him review the evidence and the Centaurs' behavior towards outsiders, and let him see the full scale of the danger. I must insist that, from this moment forward, the management of the giant spiders—and Aragog himself—must follow my established, highly controlled, and sustainable method."
Dumbledore looked at the transferred magical image, and the weariness in his face deepened. He nodded, accepting the decree without argument.
"Judging by the time, Rubeus will be returning to his cabin shortly," Dumbledore said, a look of tired resolve settling over him. "I will address this immediately upon exiting the Forest boundaries."
"Then perhaps you would take Hagrid's pet with you now?"
Sebastian turned and aimed his wand towards the Acromantula territory one last time. With a powerful, targeted summoning charm, a final, gigantic spider flew through the air—the ancient, blind form of Aragog.
"This is Aragog, Hagrid's original pet," Sebastian explained, using a simple, stable levitation charm to keep the creature hovering near Dumbledore. "He is exceptionally old and nearly blind now. Please take him to Hagrid's cabin. He can live out his remaining life there, safely confined and cared for by his friend."
While the primary threat of the Acromantulas was neutralized, Sebastian knew the Forest's dangers were systemic, often stemming directly from Hagrid's well-meaning but reckless experiments. Within two years, Hagrid would be cross-breeding Manticores and Fire Crabs, resulting in the highly dangerous and explosive Blast-Ended Skrewts—a creation despised by students and teachers alike, and a major factor in the subsequent decline of student interest in the Care of Magical Creatures class.
To preempt this destructive hobby, Sebastian decided to hit the issue while Dumbledore was already sensitive to Hagrid's oversight.
"Headmaster," Sebastian continued, his expression grave. "I also hear troubling rumors that Hagrid is considering experimenting with cross-breeding dangerous magical animals. Given his… unconventional views on creature safety and classification, I urge you to use this opportunity—the Aragog incident—to have a serious, kind, but firm discussion with Rubeus. He must be persuaded to abandon any such dangerous and frankly illegal ideas immediately."
Dumbledore's brow furrowed, his face darkening with true concern. Cross-breeding highly dangerous magical beasts was strictly prohibited by multiple international statutes—it was how creatures like the Basilisk were originally created. The fact that Hagrid was even entertaining such an idea was alarming.
Big Head… Dumbledore thought, using the familiar, exasperated nickname for his old friend.
When the two wizards reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Dumbledore extended his wand and gently took control of the hovering Aragog, guiding the enormous, quiet spider behind him.
Bidding Sebastian farewell, Dumbledore turned and walked slowly toward the distant lights of Hagrid's wooden cabin, the massive, silent Acromantula trailing behind him like a horrifying, velvet shadow.
I pray Rubeus does not take this news too hard, Dumbledore thought, already bracing himself for the emotional fallout of the inevitable confrontation. The day had been long, efficient, and filled with difficult decisions, and the hardest one—a conversation with a wounded friend—still lay ahead.