Scorpiontail Dance

"Yes… that’s right… shake it!"

"Professor Scamander, I don’t mean to question you, but…"

After twisting their hips in place with their hands raised for several minutes, a student finally could not hold back:

"Can dancing like this really make Scorpiontails think we’re their kind and lower their guard around us?"

Obviously, it was another Ravenclaw. But perhaps because of his wording, or because the other students shared similar thoughts, he did not draw everyone’s hostility.

"Of course. Watch me."

Professor Scamander took out the cage he had covered with cloth again. When he lifted the cloth, the Scorpiontail inside seemed uncomfortable seeing sunlight again and waved its pincers.

Professor Scamander set down the cage, raised both hands, and struck the pose he had just taught the students. Then they saw the Scorpiontail raise its own pincers as well. As Professor Scamander danced, the creature swayed from side to side with him.

"It actually works…"

The Ravenclaw was speechless. Fine, he should not have doubted Professor Scamander, but…

"But why doesn’t Adam have to learn this dance?!"

"Good question!"

Professor Scamander clapped his hands to draw everyone’s attention, then beckoned to Adam.

"Come here, Adam."

Adam walked up to the cage and held out his hand toward the Scorpiontail inside.

Just as everyone gasped, the Scorpiontail not only failed to attack, but actually backed away several steps. After hesitating for a moment, it approached again and rested one of its pincers on Adam’s index finger.

"Did everyone see that? I have to say, some people in this world possess talents beyond ordinary imagination. For example, they are naturally more welcome among magical creatures than others."

Professor Scamander sighed. Even he could not help feeling envious as he said it.

"I think it probably saw the ghosts of all those fellow creatures Adam has fried, sautéed, boiled, and roasted around him, so it didn’t dare attack him."

Although he had no idea why Adam was so popular with magical creatures, Klon still could not help muttering under his breath. Then he swallowed.

How should he put it… As fellow arthropods, Scorpiontail meat was firmer and lower in fat than Acromantula meat. It was not quite as rich, but its texture was superior.

Most importantly, adult Scorpiontails were far larger than Acromantulas. They had more legs, too—and pincers!

Having witnessed that Adam did not need to learn any of this, the young wizards could only suppress their complicated feelings as they raised their hands, twisted their hips, and began practicing the dance. Thankfully, everyone around them was doing it too, which eased the embarrassment somewhat.

The Scorpiontail Dance was not particularly difficult. The key was controlling the angle and frequency of the hip movements. After teaching them for a while, Professor Scamander no longer needed to watch so closely, and Adam took the opportunity to ask:

"Professor Scamander, how has your research on that creature I showed you before been going?"

Adam was referring to the Jackal Head he had brought back from Egypt. He was genuinely curious about what it was. If he had not possessed at least a little conscience, he would have simply used the Twin Card to make a copy and dissect it.

"Uh, good question!"

Thinking back to that unusual creature, Newt could not help frowning.

"Judging by its appearance, it—or rather, he—clearly bears a great resemblance to humans… Oh, thank you."

Taking the brown sugar milk with tapioca pearls Adam handed him, Professor Scamander scooped up a spoonful and put it into his mouth. The hot milk mixed with brown sugar and pearls was soothing to both body and soul.

"The fact that he can use Egyptian fluently shows that he possesses intelligence comparable to a human’s. So after a preliminary analysis, I believe he resembles a type of werewolf-like creature unique to Egypt."

"A werewolf-like creature…"

Adam frowned.

"So if someone gets bitten by him, they’ll turn into a dog head… cough, a Jackal Head?"

Various theories about the origins of werewolves surfaced in Adam’s mind. In this world, werewolves were humans infected with a magical disease known as lycanthropy. A bite would spread the infection, while the magic of the full moon would drive them berserk…

"But he has never gone berserk during a full moon, and… according to him, he has existed for more than a thousand years."

"No, he is not infectious."

Professor Scamander raised his spoon for emphasis, then lowered his head and took another sip.

"The reason I call him werewolf-like is because, like werewolves, he was not naturally formed. He may have been infected by some magical ailment, or affected by some kind of magic… I once saw someone completely transform into a snake under the influence of magic."

After speaking, Professor Scamander thought for a moment.

"As for existing for over a thousand years… that is absolutely impossible. So long as any living creature exists in this world, time will leave traces upon it. Even that Basilisk that had slept for a thousand years was no exception. Based on my observations of that creature, as well as the environment you described him living in, his lifespan exceeds a hundred years, but cannot possibly exceed five hundred."

"No more than five hundred years… Now that’s interesting."

Adam narrowed his eyes. Was the Jackal Head mistaken? Or had it lost track of time in an environment without daylight? Adam did not think the explanation would be that simple.

"I think we can conduct more in-depth research on that creature. And on that Basilisk as well."

Professor Scamander was clearly still unsatisfied with the research that had ended so hurriedly before. A few days of observation could not satisfy his curiosity.

Of course, he also felt embarrassed about constantly taking advantage of his student and junior.

"You’re very interested in magical creatures, aren’t you? Would you like to come to my house during the holidays? I have many friends I’d like to introduce you to."

"Of course, it would be my honor, Professor. But I already have plans for this year’s holiday, and I don’t know how long they’ll take…"

Adam had great faith in Senior Newt’s connections among magical creatures… creature connections? Unfortunately, he would be going to China next summer and had no idea when he would return.

"That’s all right. We can contact each other through portraits when the time comes."

Scamander was not in such a hurry. With his abilities, barring any accidents, he could still live for a very, very long time.

Time passed quickly, and soon class was over. Before dismissing them, Professor Scamander gave them one final instruction:

"Practice well after you return. Next class, we’ll have a test—perform this dance and approach a Scorpiontail hatchling."

"Wait—what if we get attacked?"

"Don’t worry. I’ll speak with Professor Snape and make sure we bring enough Essence of Murtlap."

Professor Scamander gave them a reassuring smile, but the firmness in his words clearly showed that he had no intention of changing his mind.

"The Scorpiontail Dance isn’t difficult. Even my brother picked it up quickly the first time he followed along with me. If you practice for a week and still get attacked—a Scorpiontail hatchling can only inflict minor wounds, so consider it a lesson for those of you who refuse to study seriously."

Professor Scamander’s gaze swept across every young wizard.

"Care of Magical Creatures is a course that demands absolute seriousness and dedication. When you truly put it into practice, you are dealing with living beings. I hope all of you will treat this course seriously."

After class, Adam had not even had time to speak before four people pounced on him.

"Ow—!"

Adam was knocked to the ground, with four people piled on top of him. It was obvious they had planned this in advance.

"Ahhh! You cheated!"

Because he was small, Klon was on top, shouting furiously:

"I don’t care! You have to do that dance too!"

"That’s right!"

Bernard was being squashed a little uncomfortably too, but it was not a big problem.

"You have to dance too!"

The others phrased it differently, but that was roughly what they meant.

"All right, all right, I get it. I’ll dance. Get up already!"

With the Shield Card activated, Adam helplessly patted the bodies above him. To keep the weight of all four from actually hurting Adam, Eugene and Uther secretly braced their arms against the ground, taking off some of the pressure.

"Don’t crush Eugene and Uther!"