Watching Newt leave the room, Kate hadn't even let out a sigh of relief before the System's notification chime rang out.
[Ding. Newt's favorability has reached a certain threshold. Relevant stacked ability has been upgraded!]
[Stacked Ability 4: Animal Affinity: Level 5 (Buff currently disabled)]
Kate's face turned green as she asked uncertainly, "If the subsequent buff is enabled..."
[Host will generate Level 10 attraction to female animals.]
F*!
You can't screw people over like this!
Level 8 was already enough for a Nundu to treat her like a cub and play high-altitude toss with her. If it hit Level 10, what would happen?!
Especially Level 10 after she reached adulthood...
Kate lowered her head and covered her face in agony, deciding that she would never turn on this buff, even if beaten to death.
Whether she could keep her innocence intact relied entirely on herself now.
"System..." She tried to negotiate with this unreliable gadget. "Let's just say, can we disable this switch directly?"
What if one day she drank some weird potion, or got hit by some strange spell, and involuntarily turned on this switch...
It wasn't like there was no precedent!
Look at Voldemort's old man—wasn't he forced into it too?
There were too many mysterious and unknown things in the magical world; she had to be cautious.
[The disable option is only available when the Host has the buff enabled.]
"...What kind of bullshit are you spouting?"
Kate rolled her eyes and lay back on the bed with a headache.
It seemed she would have to find a way to get some Potion Resistance or Dark Magic Resistance in the future.
She didn't know about others, but she should be able to leech some abilities off Snape, right? He was a Potions Master, after all.
It was just that getting favorability from that greasy uncle whose heart was solely filled with Lily would be too difficult.
Even becoming a student of Slytherin wouldn't work; that would only guarantee she wouldn't be viewed with hostility.
She could only pray that Snape would appear in future Main Quests.
While Kate was still struggling with her tragic future of being surrounded by a horde of females, her teacher, Newt, had already walked to the fireplace in the bedroom.
A handful of green Floo Powder was scattered, and the moment the green flames ignited, his projection was swiftly transmitted to another fireplace.
"Good morning, Dumbledore." Newt looked at the projection in the green flames of the fireplace, lifting his freshly brewed black tea in a good mood.
At this moment, inside the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts.
"It has been a long time since you actively sought me out, Newt." Dumbledore rose from his desk, showing no surprise at the sudden communication.
Having poured quite a bit of milk and sugar into his own tea, he also raised his cup and took a pleasant sip.
"If I remember correctly, Severus's medicine has been delivered to your side, yes? How does the child feel after taking it?"
As soon as Newt mentioned this, his expression turned somewhat worried. "Not too well. Professor Snape's magic-suppressing potion is potent, but it is indeed a bit too difficult to swallow."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "It seems he will be busy for a while."
Approaching the start of the new school year, the teachers were already busy welcoming and guiding those young wizards born to Muggles, helping them quickly familiarize themselves with the magical world.
Now, with the added task of the magic-suppressing potion, Dumbledore could almost imagine how ugly Snape's expression would be.
"Aside from that, there must be other things you wish to say to me, correct?" Dumbledore put down his teacup, his wise eyes gazing at the figure in the green fire.
At a time like this, the only thing that could make an old recluse like Newt actively seek him out was likely that child.
Newt didn't hide it and asked directly, "How long do you plan to let Little Kate stay with me?"
"That naturally depends on her physical condition."
Hearing the intimacy in his words regarding Kate, Dumbledore narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Is the child not used to staying at your place?"
Initially, he had indeed hesitated over the choice of Kate's home tutor, and he had approached Newt with the mindset of likely being rejected.
But unexpectedly, the other party had actually agreed.
"No, she is very sensible and obedient." Thinking of what had happened since Kate moved in, Newt felt another wave of hesitation in his heart. "Among the young wizards I have seen, she is the most special one."
Special.
This word caught Dumbledore's attention.
"Little Kate's body is indeed very weak, but I am confident I can nurse her back to health within a year. Additionally, her study progress will not fall behind."
Newt spoke quickly, his tone carrying a sense of urgency. "I hope she can enroll in Hogwarts next year instead. Whether she continues into second year or repeats the first year, it can be as she wishes."
"During this year, aside from letting her recover and teaching her how to use magic, I want to cultivate her further."
Dumbledore silently rubbed his withered knuckles and asked calmly, "Is that child truly so important? Does she have great talent in the path of magical creatures?"
Newt's meaning was already obvious; he wanted to personally train Kate because there were some things that couldn't be learned at Hogwarts.
In the current Hogwarts, other courses were mature, but only the Care of Magical Creatures class was newly opened in recent years.
If it was just for this reason, then there was nothing inappropriate.
However, seeing the anxious expression of his old friend of many years, Dumbledore intuitively felt it wasn't that simple.
Newt knew he couldn't hide it from him. After hesitating for a moment, he recounted everything that had happened since Kate arrived.
"Dumbledore, you should be able to understand how rare a child is who has such talent, possesses a sufficient heart for exploring magic, and has the capability to accomplish it all. And—"
He paused in his speech. "You also know, the Riddle from back then..."
Dumbledore raised his hand, signaling him not to continue.
The Tom Riddle of those years appeared polite, quiet, and hungry for knowledge; almost everyone had a very good impression of him.
It was just that beneath that gentle and humble exterior, the essence was madness and arrogance. Back then, aside from Dumbledore, no one could see through his disguise.
"Are you saying that Miss Shafiq is also..." He lifted his eyes, his sharp gaze projecting through his half-moon spectacles.
Newt shook his head. "Kate does have some similarities to that person, but their essence is completely different."
"Today she told me that she learns magic to protect others. I think even that person, during his time at school, would not have said such words."
A heart to protect...
Dumbledore's eyes flickered slightly. He pondered for a while before speaking. "The Shafiq family was originally a member of the Board of Governors. I imagine if this proposal is brought up at the meeting, they will not refuse."
"That's good!" Newt rejoiced. "Rest assured, I will teach her well this year."
Dumbledore smiled faintly. "Of course. I also believe that child, Kate, will not fail your expectations."
________________________________________
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