Harry instinctively looked up, gazing into those blue eyes.
In that instant, he felt as if he'd been stripped bare, an even stronger feeling than Snape's magic ever gave him.
Without thinking, Harry pulled his robes tighter around himself.
"You must be joking, right?" he stammered. "I mean, how could that be possible? It's just a Fantastic Beast—how could it possibly use Legilimency?"
The Wampus Cat let out a low whimper.
"But haven't you already felt it?" Kael said with a grin. "That's the Wampus Cat's unique ability, and also why it's classified as a 5X Fantastic Beast."
"And with intelligence far greater than other Fantastic Beasts... in some ways, the Wampus Cat is even more dangerous than a Fire Dragon."
Harry pressed his lips together.
"But it doesn't feel the same to me," he said. "Snape's Legilimency wasn't like that."
"Actually, it was the same," Kael shrugged, explaining, "it's just that Professor Snape used a more complicated method so that you could also see your own memories."
"I knew he was up to something," Harry blurted out without thinking.
Kael raised his eyebrows, not sure why Harry suddenly said that, but he didn't really care.
After being tormented by Snape for so long, it was only natural for Harry to assume the worst about him.
"Alright, let's keep going." Kael took out a piece of warthog leg meat to feed the Wampus Cat. "My method is actually pretty similar to Professor Snape's. Both use Legilimency to force you to learn Occlumency. But the one attacking you isn't me—it's the Wampus Cat."
"You want me to go up against a Wampus Cat?" Harry yelped, his voice suddenly rising several octaves.
He felt like his chances against the Wampus Cat were about thirty percent at best.
He'd last three minutes, while the Wampus Cat would eat until it was seventy percent full… Kael was really overestimating him, making him go up against a Fantastic Beast on par with a Fire Dragon.
He heard another low, rumbling whimper.
"The Wampus Cat says you won't last nearly that long. One minute at most..." Kael remarked offhandedly.
Harry's face went even paler, his knees starting to knock. He just wanted to learn a Charm, not risk his life.
"I'm only kidding, don't be so nervous." Kael waved his hand. "Relax, the Occlumency I know was taught to me by this very Wampus Cat. It's got plenty of teaching experience and will know when to stop."
"If you regret it, it's fine. I can send you back to the dungeon classroom."
"No!" Harry said firmly. "I'd rather face the Wampus Cat than go back to the dungeon classroom."
"Just be sure about your choice," Kael said. "If you choose to stay here, you won't be able to leave until term starts—unless you manage to learn Occlumency early."
"What about food and sleep?" Harry asked.
"You'll be here for that too." Kael pointed to a small wooden hut nearby. "That's where you'll be staying—it's set up just like a dorm, and as for meals, I'll have the House-elves bring them over."
"Alright." Harry agreed almost without hesitation.
Once he was sure it wasn't dangerous, Harry wasn't so scared anymore—actually, he felt a bit excited.
Learning Charms with a 5X Fantastic Beast—now that's not something everyone gets to do! If Ron found out, he'd definitely be jealous... and Hermione would never have guessed that Fantastic Beasts could be teachers too.
"What do I need to do?"
"It's simple." Kael stepped back a couple of paces. "Try not to get beaten up too badly."
Harry hadn't even figured out what that meant before the Wampus Cat, who'd been as docile as a housecat, suddenly leapt to its feet and charged at him.
He moved instinctively to dodge, but the Wampus Cat seemed to read his mind—twisting agilely, it blocked him off perfectly.
Its tail sliced through the air with a sharp crack, landing squarely on Harry, sending him flying.
Harry let out a wail, clutching his arm and moaning.
Wait—that's not how he pictured this at all... Didn't Kael say this was safe?
Harry was about to protest, but the Wampus Cat had already pounced right in front of him again.
That same tail, like an iron club, swished menacingly toward him.
Harry dove and rolled on the spot—then... he was smacked clear across to the other side again.
"Harry, don't forget Occlumency!" Kael called from the side. "The Wampus Cat can see into your thoughts. Dodging alone won't work! Use Occlumency!
"If the Wampus Cat can't see your mind, then you've got a chance to dodge its attacks."
The only reply was another scream—Harry traced a graceful arc through the air and splashed straight into the lake, sending up a huge spray of water.
Although the lake was mostly for show and barely reached up to a normal person's calf at its deepest, Harry's soaking-wet appearance was still pretty pitiful to witness.
So Kael chose not to watch.
After having a few more words with the Wampus Cat, he decisively turned and walked out of the Room of Requirement.
"Much better now."
Out in the corridor, Kael breathed a long sigh of relief, cheerfully heading down the stairs.
Whether Harry could master Occlumency would depend on these next few days—and Kael would have time to focus on his own things.
As for Harry's safety, Kael wasn't worried in the slightest.
Aside from the Wampus Cat, there were also two House-elves waiting further away in that room. If there was ever an emergency, they'd Apparate Harry out right away.
And Fawkes would also come by to check several times each day.
Back when Kael learned Occlumency, he definitely didn't have anything close to this kind of luxury—Harry ought to count himself lucky.