The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

126. Numb

Sloane looked between her great-uncle and Newt, utterly unsure what she was supposed to be feeling.

Fear was there. Of course it was.

The fear had never truly left her since she'd first laid eyes on Euan. It sat permanently beneath her skin now, a cold ache lodged somewhere between her ribs and her stomach. Every movement he made reminded her exactly what he was capable of.

Yet alongside the terror was something else.

Fascination.

It almost made her feel guilty.

The two men were standing only yards apart, speaking as though they were exchanging pleasantries over afternoon tea rather than standing in the middle of a nightmare.

She had seen Newt work before.

When she was younger, Kingsley had occasionally taken her to observe some of Newt's expeditions. She remembered watching from a distance as he approached creatures that everyone else feared. Dragons. Erumpents. Manticores. Beasts that could kill a wizard in seconds.

Newt never approached them with fear.

He approached them with understanding.

Patience.

Respect.

And somehow, impossibly, they always seemed to sense it.

Even now, despite the danger.

Despite the wolves circling. Despite Draco standing beside her like a coiled spring ready to launch himself into a fight. Despite the fact that one wrong word could get them all killed.

Newt looked completely at ease.

Calm. Steady.

As though Euan wasn't a murderous gargoyle responsible for countless deaths. As though he were simply another wounded creature that deserved compassion.

It was honestly astonishing.

"So you know who I am?" Newt asked. There was genuine surprise in his voice.

Not arrogance. Not pride.

Just curiosity.

Euan threw back his head and laughed. The sound echoed around the chamber.

It was different in daylight.

Stiffer. Less fluid.

The sunlight streaming through the broken sections of the ruins seemed to affect him. His movements carried a faint rigidity now, as though invisible strings were tugging against his limbs.

Yet even weakened, he remained frighteningly fast.

Far faster than any of the other gargoyles they had encountered. Far stronger. Far more intelligent.

"Of course," Euan chuckled.

His ruined eyes narrowed.

"Who hasn't heard of the amazing magizoologist and the fantastic work he has done with mystical and magical beasts and creatures?"

His voice dripped with mock admiration.

"The man who helped Albus Dumbledore defeat Grindelwald."

He took a slow step forward.

"The man who gives a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves."

A strange expression crossed Euan's face. Something unreadable. Something that almost looked like respect.

"You are famous."

Newt gave a small shake of his head. A faint smile touched his lips. "I am but a wizard who has a love for all creatures, animals, beasts and beings."