"First, let us clarify the definitions of these three categories."
Professor Silvanus Kettleburn conjured a blackboard and began briskly writing on it.
"Bloodline-type creatures are those whose magical structures are directly engraved into the tissues of their entire bodies and can be stably inherited through bloodlines. Usually, creatures of this type are also the primary producers of potion ingredients on the market. The most classic example is the unicorn…"
"Psychic-type creatures, on the other hand, possess no magical structures within their bodies at all, making them no different from ordinary creatures in that regard. However, their mental power allows them—much like wizards—to draw upon ambient magic to cast spells. Typically, they can only perform a fixed number of spells. The most representative examples are centaurs and merfolk… with house-elves being a special exception."
"On that note, there was once an attempt to classify goblins under this category, which caused quite a bit of controversy…"
"Mutated-type creatures are the most unique of all. This classification means that the majority of the creature's body is that of an ordinary animal, but it contains a special organ capable of releasing magic. In the last century, this category was long regarded as merely a sub-branch of Bloodline-types, until Newt Scamander proposed his theory…"
"This type is the most common in the natural world and is often mistaken by the inexperienced for ordinary animals—for example, most species of owls, Crups, and Knarls."
"Now, let me demonstrate the characteristics of these three types… let's start with the Knarl."
As he spoke, Professor Kettleburn conjured a table and used his wooden prosthetic hand to lift two small creatures onto it, where they lay quietly.
"Here we have a Knarl and an ordinary hedgehog. Under normal circumstances, aside from being pricked by their spines, the only way to tell them apart is by observing their reactions during feeding. But watch closely…"
He picked up one of the animals with one hand and raised his wand with the other. A pale violet glow immediately spilled from the tip of his wand. Bathed in that light, the Knarl's spines instantly reflected intricate, shifting colors that made many of the students dizzy just looking at them.
"Do you see those colors? They represent the magical structure embedded within the Knarl."
"With professional analysis, we can roughly determine the nature of a magical creature's magic based on these colors alone. Of course, that's only a preliminary judgment—detailed understanding still requires sampling and analysis."
He then cast the spell on the ordinary hedgehog. As expected, it showed no reaction at all, its spines reflecting nothing beyond dull, natural light.
"Professor, when will we learn that spell?"
A student asked excitedly.
"That spell is quite difficult," Professor Kettleburn replied. "It's usually taught in an advanced seventh-year course. However, in your fourth year, you will begin learning how to interpret the meanings of those spectra, so that you can judge a magical creature's capabilities…"
"Professor, I have a question."
This time, Avada raised his hand.
"If this spell is used on creatures without a physical body, or on invisible creatures—such as Demiguises, Thestrals, or Boggarts—what would happen?"
"A Demiguise cannot be illuminated while invisible. That is one of the reasons its invisibility mechanism remains a mystery,"Professor Kettleburn thought for a moment before answering.
"As for incorporeal beings like Boggarts, additional magic is required for study, and the resulting spectra are far more complex. That will be one of the major difficulties you'll face in fourth year. As for Thestrals…"
"Thestrals?"Everyone looked at him curiously, not understanding why he suddenly paused.
"Thestrals are the most special case of all."
He sighed.
"Those who have never witnessed death—and therefore cannot see Thestrals—are likewise unable to see the spectra produced by the spell. Those who can see Thestrals can see the spectra, but what appears is an un-analyzable tangle of chaos… To this day, there is no explanation for it—not even a remotely convincing hypothesis."
"Alright, that's all far beyond your current level. Let's refocus on today's lesson…"
Before long, the very first Care of Magical Creatures class for the third-years came to an end. Professor Kettleburn truly lived up to his sixty-plus years of teaching experience—his methods were vivid, engaging, and perfectly paced. After all, who could possibly refuse a magical creature that was both adorable and safe?
Once Professor Kettleburn clack-clacked his way off, the students chatted excitedly as they returned to the castle for their next class. Avada, however, did not follow the crowd. Instead, he headed in a different direction—toward Rubeus Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid? Hagrid? Are you in?"
He knocked on the door, crouching down to scratch Fang behind the ears as he waited. Before long, the door opened, revealing Hagrid's towering figure.
"Oh, Ken?"
"Just finished Professor Kettleburn's class, did you?" Hagrid asked cheerfully. "What'd you think? Brilliant lesson, wasn't it?"
"It really was,"Avada nodded. "But Hagrid, I actually came to ask you about something—have you ever heard of the Chamber of Secrets?"
"How do you know about that?"
Hagrid's eyes widened in shock, then a shadow passed over his expression.
"Of course I know about the Chamber… In fact, I was expelled from Hogwarts because of that so-called Chamber."
"What?!"
Avada's shock was genuine.
"If the Chamber no longer existed, and Myrtle wasn't killed by a monster… then why hadn't Hagrid's past changed at all?"
"Could you tell me the details?"Avada asked urgently. "I'm sorry if this brings up bad memories… but this is very important to me. Please, tell me everything you know."
"Important? Why d'you want to know so much about the Chamber?"
Hagrid scratched his head in confusion, but ultimately didn't press the matter.
"It was just a legend, really. Supposedly, Salazar Slytherin was fiercely opposed to Hogwarts admitting Muggle-born students. In the end, he parted ways with the other three founders over their differences. When he left, he supposedly built a Chamber of Secrets beneath Hogwarts, leaving behind a monster that would one day purge the school of Muggle-born students…"
"At first, it was only a story. But during my years as a student…"
Fear flickered in Hagrid's eyes. He swallowed before continuing.
"They said the Chamber was opened back then. A student even died because of it. And everyone said I was the one who let the monster out… Ridiculous! Aragog would never hurt anyone!"
"Because of that, I was expelled from Hogwarts. If Professor Dumbledore hadn't trusted me, I'd have ended up in Azkaban. I heard they later searched the entire school, top to bottom, but never found any Chamber at all… and the legend went right back to being dismissed as nonsense."
"That's all there is to it,"he finished with a heavy sigh.
"I understand. Thank you, Hagrid… would you like some biscuits? I made them myself."
…
After returning to the castle, Avada couldn't help making another trip to the abandoned bathroom.
Still nothing. No abnormalities whatsoever.
What's going on? Why?
If the Chamber doesn't exist, why hasn't Hagrid's history changed at all? What actually killed Myrtle?
And if the Chamber does exist… then where is it now?
And what exactly is that Horcrux diary doing?
(End of Chapter)