Alan was naturally assigned to take care of the Thunderbird, which was in poor condition with multiple injuries. After Newt's examination, he discovered several fractures that required realignment and repositioning. The severity of the injuries likely stemmed from the Thunderbird's fierce nature; it must have put up a desperate fight when the smugglers hunted it, which explained why it had been beaten into such a state.
Fortunately, with Alan's soothing presence, this Thunderbird was the most well-behaved among the creatures receiving treatment. Even the pain of bone realignment only elicited a few whimpers, with no violent reactions. After being busy for half a day, Alan finally wiped his brow and relaxed. By then, the Thunderbird's wounds had been disinfected and bandaged, and its fractures had been carefully splinted. Following a feeding, the creature finally fell into a peaceful sleep.
"Rest well. I'll come to see you again when I have time," Alan said, gently stroking the feathers on the Thunderbird's head. The sleeping bird seemed to hear him, letting out a soft, clear chirp. After a day of interaction, his bond with the creature had deepened, and his hostility toward the Silver Spears grew even sharper.
Exiting the enclosure, Alan saw that most of the Ministry personnel had completed their tasks and were evacuating back to London in batches. Alan, however, was invited by Newt to stay at his residence.
Newt's home was quite cluttered, feeling even less tidy than the magical creature park. Stacks of books, research materials, and various jars were haphazardly piled on the floor. The wooden furniture and oil paintings of fantastic beasts exuded a strong historical atmosphere, adding a sense of lived-in warmth to the house.
Alan noticed that many small creatures lived freely within the home. An Augurey stared at him with a vacant expression the moment he entered, three Kneazles scurried around his feet, and several Bowtruckles played in a potted plant in the living room. But what caught his attention most was a Niffler that dropped onto him from a high shelf.
The Niffler treated Alan like a treasure chest, "whooshing" onto his shoulder to pull at the silver brooch on his chest. It grabbed the jewelry and desperately tried to stuff it into its belly pouch. However, the greedy creature had chosen the wrong target. As soon as the brooch was tugged, it emitted a faint glow, and a transparent Shield Charm instantly manifested. The sudden barrier startled the Niffler, bouncing it high into the air and sending it flying across the room.
"Niffler! Didn't we agree not to cause trouble?" Newt gently raised a hand, freezing the little creature in mid-air with magic. He drew it back into his palm and lightly tapped its head. Then he looked at Alan apologetically. "Sorry, that's Niffler. He's usually quite mischievous and can't help himself when he sees shiny things. Did he scare you?"
"I should be the one apologizing," Alan smiled, squinting his eyes. He actually had a soft spot for these animals. "I forgot to turn off the protective equipment I'm wearing, and I almost hurt the little guy."
Alan took off the brooch and, as if teasing a cat, held it in front of the Niffler to provoke it. He found it amusing to watch the creature reach out with its tiny paws, always falling just short of the prize.
"Haha, alright, stop playing. Tina has prepared a sumptuous lunch for us. You must be starving after being busy all night. Come to the dining room," Newt laughed, happy to see Alan and the Niffler getting along.
Alan followed Newt inside, saying politely, "You two stayed up all night without a word of complaint. How can I complain about being tired? I'm sorry to trouble Mrs. Scamander with lunch."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," Tina said, placing a fragrant bowl of spaghetti on the table. "Newt told me everything. You saved Rolf at a critical moment, which makes you a friend of the family. Please, sit down. My cooking is simple, but I hope you enjoy it."
Tina took off her apron and motioned for them to enjoy the meal. To Alan's surprise, the magical creatures living in the house rushed into the room and climbed onto the table, where small portions of food had been prepared for them. Clearly, the animals dined as members of the household.
Alan was curious about the arrangement and asked, "By the way, where is Rolf? Doesn't he live with you?"
"After the last incident, Tina and I were worried about his safety. We sent him back to his parents while we wait to see if the Silver Spears take further action," Newt explained between bites. Alan nodded; it would be reckless to keep a child nearby when a criminal organization was actively targeting the family.
Alan enjoyed the unique lunch surrounded by a menagerie of beasts. Afterward, Newt took him to the study, which was decorated in Newt's signature style—bottles, books, and potion ingredients scattered everywhere.
"Alan..." Newt sat him down on the sofa and poured him a cup of butterbeer. "To be honest, I had only heard of your academic success from Professor Kettleburn. I thought you were just another Hogwarts high-achiever. Today, I learned from the Ministry that you've opened an alchemy business and are a primary equipment supplier. You are truly young and promising."
"You're too kind. I've been lucky to have the guidance of Professor Flitwick and others," Alan said, sipping his butterbeer. "I'm just honored to be of help. My current textbook was even written by you, after all."