Chapter 71: The Hidebehind
Art called out, "Anyone there?"
The forest was silent, not answering Art's call. He looked around, a fake fearful expression on his face.
Then he saw it.
In his head, something moved from behind the tree and was slowly walking towards him. Art was still acting scared and looked around in fear.
'Amazing, I can't sense it at all.' Art thought, amazed by the beasts abilities.
Art waited until the beasts was a few meters away until he quickly took out his wand. Vines sprouted from the ground and restrained the Hidebehind quickly. A tall skinny looking bear with silvery, shaggy fur covering its body. It let out a strangled roar and looked at Art with hateful black eyes.
Art felt sympathy for the beast as he pointed his wand towards the sky, red fireworks shot into the sky and exploded, signalling the others.
The beast growled and spat at Art as it struggled against the restraints. Art tried to approach the beast but backed away as it snapped at him viciously.
A shiver suddenly ran through Art's body as he sensed danger. On instinct, he dove forward and felt the wind brush his head. He rolled forward on the ground and quickly stood up pointing his wand at the empty space. He quickly recast his sensory spell and a beast appeared in his mind.
'How stupid of me! Letting my guard down the second I caught one!' he scolded himself.
He quickly focused on the new beast who appeared from thin air and roared at him in hate, spit flying from its mouth. It looked at Art hatefully before pouncing towards the restrained Hidebehind and tried to break the vines.
"Listen to me. Nothing will happen to her." Art tried to say in a soothing voice as a pang of guilt and pity rang through him.
He tried to relay his emotions but all he felt from the Hidebehind was white hot hatred and distrust.
Art felt hopeless as he tried to convince the Hidebehind to leave as it continued to try and break the restraints.
"She's… your mate?" Art said, understanding after feeling the beast's emotions.
"Stupefy!"
"No!" Art yelled hearing the spell.
He jumped in front of the spell, letting it slam into his body.
He grunted in pain as his body went numb and he had trouble moving. He glared back as saw that the group was finally here and the pale man casted the spell.
"Don't attack!" he said through clenched teeth, glaring at the man.
The pale man looked at him confused before focusing his sights on the Hidebehind and lifted his wand again.
"LEAVE!" Art bellowed at the Hidebehind who was still trying in vain to break the restraints.
The Hidebehind looked at Art strangely before turning invisible and disappearing into the woods.
Art dropped to his knees and panted as he waited for the spell to wear off.
Newt came up next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Are you okay?"
"Fine, his spell packs quite a punch though." Art grumbled rubbing his shoulder where the spell hit.
The others quickly came.
"Why did you let that Hidebehind escape?" the pale man asked upset.
Art glared at him but didn't say anything and slowly stood up.
"Hey! I am asking you a quest-!"
Art threw a punch into the man's stomach, causing him to double over and fall to the ground.
"You attack a beast that isn't threatening anyone again and I will hurt you. Your titles mean nothing to me." Art said quietly before walking towards the restrained Hidebehind.
The pale man was on his knees holding his stomach looked up in anger at Art but didn't say anything.
"Bested by a child twice, Alfie." Jaxon mocked, walking past him.
Anderson helped him up, "You were a bit aggressive Alfie." he said, pulling the man to his feet.
"The brat is too proud and arrogant," he growled, "it will be his end."
"Perhaps but he has the grounds to be arrogant and proud." Anderson said, watching Art walk away.
The students were all wide eyed and silent as they watched Art punch an Auror and threaten him.
"He is awesome." Boomer said with a wide grin.
"Okay Boomer." Justin said, patting his shoulder.
---
Artland and Newt carefully approached the Hidebehind. It growled and spat at them and even tried to bite Newt when he went to touch her.
"It's okay girl. I will release you once we find out some things, okay?" Art consoled gently.
It made no difference as the Hidebehind continued to threaten them.
"Let me, Mr. Scamander." Art said, extending his hand and placing it on the beast's head.
When Art made contact, almost broke the connection because of the overwhelming hate he felt from the beast.
'Listen to me, I will not harm you.' Art tried to break through the hate.
The beast continued to struggle but Art was persistent and continued to send calm thoughts into the beast. Her struggles slowly stopped and she hung her head, passing out.
Art lowered his hand and took a few deep breaths.
"Are you okay?" Newt asked, for the second time today.
"Yes… there is just so much hate and anger." Art said slowly.
"I felt it to, it is overwhelming." Newt said nodding his head.
"Let her rest and we can try again."
Newt nodded and took out his wand. With a slight wave, the beast was laying down still restrained.
Art sat down on the ground and lowered his head, sinking into his thoughts. For something to hate something so deeply… he couldn't imagine what they went through.
'Yes I can…' Art thought, a flash of red eyes appeared in his mind.
Someone gripped his shoulder pulling him out of his thoughts. Looking up, he saw Justin smiling at him.
"Good job man. I especially liked it when you punched Alfie." he said with a large smile, his white teeth shining brightly.
"Yeah… that was awesome." Art laughed, shaking his head.
Anderson and the others soon came over and looked at the Hidebehind carefully.
"Did you get what you need?" Anderson asked, examining the beast.
"Not yet. She collapsed before I could get any information." Newt answered.
"She?" Jaxon asked.
"Yes, she."
Jaxon nodded his head and let the students get closer.
"Take a close look everyone." he said.
Boomer and the others got closer and looked at the Hidebehind in wonder.
"It looks so… peaceful." Rachel said softly.
The others nodded in agreement. Art looked at them in derision, "You think they were man-eating beasts that hunted night and day for humans? They have emotions, like us. That Hidebehind from before was this one's mate. He was trying to free her."
The others were taken back before avoiding Art's eyes.
"I was just saying, there was no need to jump on us like that." Rachel muttered.
Art was about to respond when Newt grabbed his arm.
"She is right Art, you went over the top."
Art let out a long sigh, "Sorry, long day."
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