Chapter 366: The Pukwudgie Steward
Sean had somehow acquired a Pukwudgie steward.
Although the creature constantly held its head high with a look of extreme self-importance, its posture softened considerably once Professor Terra had burst into the cottage and helped Sean finalize the contract.
Sean couldn't help but feel that the process was unsettlingly similar to the domestication of a house-elf.
"A Pukwudgie follows at the heels of a Great Wizard. We witness glory, and we fear no death," William—the elder Pukwudgie—declared, his face set in a cold, mask-like expression.
Sean noticed that the younger Pukwudgie, whose name was Will, had a look of near-fanatical devotion on his face.
"Well then... the first wizard in living memory to lead away a Pukwudgie," Headmistress Herrera remarked. She placed a single mayflower on the empty ritual spot as a final tribute to Isolt and departed without another word.
Now, only Sean remained, staring at Will. He certainly needed a steward to manage his growing alchemical interests, but... this was happening remarkably fast.
"You shall become a wizard as great as Madam Isolt Sayre. Will is honored to offer his loyalty," the creature said, dropping to one knee.
"Pukwudgies are prideful creatures. They usually enjoy tricking and tormenting humans," Professor Terra explained, her face alight with a proud, maternal smile. "But for the Pukwudgies gathered at Ilvermorny, things are different. Madam Sayre established the forest as their hunting ground to repay William for saving her life. They have thrived here for generations, and their gratitude to her—and their admiration for William—is absolute. They wish to become legends, just as William did. Consequently, every generation of Pukwudgies looks for a 'Great Wizard' to serve. I must say, they have an eye for talent that puts most wizards to shame."
Terra had tried to recruit a Pukwudgie herself once. They were far more spirited than house-elves and possessed a stubborn, ironclad sense of loyalty. She had failed, of course. Seeing her apprentice succeed where she hadn't only made her prouder.
"Have you found your Wampus Cat yet? And how is the progress on the Wizard's Tome?" Terra asked. She had been busy for the last week of the Christmas break, but now she was back to her role as a doting mentor.
Sean first helped Will to his feet. The contract they had signed wasn't one of total slavery, but rather something resembling a long-term investment. Will would serve Sean and follow his commands, but the term was fixed at thirty years. After that, the Pukwudgie was free to choose his own path. Given that Pukwudgies lived for centuries—William was at least four hundred—thirty years was a mere blink of an eye to them.
"The Tome is coming along," Sean answered seriously.
"Show me," Terra challenged, raising an eyebrow.
When the three-hundred-square-meter Genesis Plains unfolded before her, the scent of fresh grass and damp earth filling the room, Professor Terra went momentarily still.
"Coming along?" she repeated with a helpless, amused laugh. "And the Wampus... did you find...?"
She didn't even finish the sentence before Iffa, the Wampus Cat, lunged into the room and began weaving through Sean's legs.
"Very well..." Terra's smile reached her eyes. "My dear apprentice, it seems our business at Ilvermorny is concluded."
Sean petted Iffa's head, nodding with a faint smile.
As they stepped out of the cabin, the stone structure vanished behind them once more. Its purpose had been to house a Headmistress who refused to move on; now that she was gone, the cottage had returned to the mists of history.
Walking the snowy path, Sean saw Old William polishing the statue of Isolt Sayre for what looked like the final time. Beside him, Will watched his elder in silence.
"Master William says that if you let yourself be tamed, you run the risk of weeping a little," Will said abruptly.
Professor Terra gave the creature a long, interested look.
"I am Master William's favorite descendant," Will added proudly. "I remember every word he speaks."
Terra found the creature's blunt, non-sequitur style of speaking quite entertaining.
"I suspect I shall weep for you as well, Mr. Green," Will added solemnly.
Terra couldn't help but let out a laugh at that. Sean merely gave a polite nod of acknowledgment.
"Why did your kind choose young Sean?" Terra asked curiously.
"Master William chose him," Will answered.
"I see. And why you specifically?"
"Master William chose me," Will repeated.
"Fair enough..."
Amidst the bickering, the two wizards and their new Pukwudgie companion entered Ilvermorny Castle.
Newt Scamander was preparing to leave. He was returning to his home in Dorset, England. Since Sean and Professor Terra had completed their objectives, they planned to travel together.
As for why Newt didn't reside in the United States, he had explained it clearly in his writings: after the "incident" in New York involving his case and a certain Obscurus, the MACUSA held a complicated view of him—they appreciated his heroism but were always one paperwork error away from deporting him.
Sean realized he had just enough time to finish the Snowy Plains biome in his Tome before they left. If he ran into trouble, he could consult Master Newt on the spot.
His schedule grew tight again. Perfecting such a large magical space required immense focus and energy. Fortunately, he now had Will. The Pukwudgie could Apparate—or rather, use his innate magic to blink across distances—allowing Sean to "sever" patches of the mountain snowscape without having to hike for hours.
Sean looked out the window to select his target. Ilvermorny Castle remained shrouded in a sea of clouds. The students were gathered in the Great Hall, talking despondently about the departure of their Honorary Professor. Over the last few days, Newt had shown them more wonders than they had seen in their entire lives: Occamys that expanded to fill a room, Thunderbirds that brought localized storms, and Demiguises that vanished into thin air.
Now, the legend was going home. Newt sat at the High Table, offering shy smiles to every student who came to bid him farewell. Sitting on the table beside him was a gilded invitation.
In the Wizarding World, there was only one shop that required such a card.
"Have Tina send me a long letter. I might find the time to visit her," Headmistress Herrera said to Newt, trying to sound casual.
"I'll tell her," Newt replied with a faint smile.
"So, are you finally going to visit the Fairy Tale Workshop?" Herrera asked curiously.
"I'd like to buy a few things," Newt admitted, a spark of genuine excitement in his eyes.
"A few... you do realize there's a two-biscuit limit per customer, don't you?" Herrera noted with a smirk.
Newt's smile slowly faded into a look of profound disappointment.
[End of Chapter 366]
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