Chapter 267: Where Is the Trust Between People?
It seemed the topic of Magical Creatures and life at Hogwarts had piqued the Nundu's interest. When Kyle got to the part about Fluffy, the three-headed dog, guarding the Philosopher's Stone for Dumbledore, the Nundu even let out a snort of disdain. Although she had no idea what a Philosopher's Stone or a Three-Headed Dog was, she felt confident she could do a better job than any "three-headed mutt." If guarding a room was all that was required, she'd simply release enough poison to fill the entire castle—problem solved. Simple.
While the Nundu's attention was on Kyle, Newt circled around her and began gently massaging her swollen belly. After about ten minutes, the Nundu shivered and then stood up abruptly. Beneath her was a tiny Nundu cub, wrapped in a layer of mucus. The newborn began wriggling, and soon the mucus that encased it shook loose. The mother Nundu lowered her head, licking her cub with a cautious, if overly enthusiastic, tenderness that flattened its tiny face in the process.
"Phew... Finally done!" Kyle sighed, feeling the strain of talking for so long. His throat was burning.
He looked back at Fawkes, who seemed to be eyeing him suspiciously, as though expecting him to ask for that pint of tears he'd "ordered." Needless to say, Fawkes simply swatted the idea away with a dismissive flap of his wings.
"Stingy..." Kyle muttered as he stood up.
"Don't get too comfortable; it's not over yet," Newt said, reminding him. "There should be one more."
Only then did Kyle notice that the Nundu's belly was still distended. Nearly an hour later, after a long wait and a third successful birth, the ordeal was finally over.
Newt wiped his brow, then gave a quick wave toward a distant spot on the grassland. A larger Nundu came bounding over, carrying a plump Tebo warthog leg in its mouth for the new mother.
"All three are healthy," Newt said, smiling as he set the cubs near their mother. Then, he quietly led Kyle away.