Shelby walked away slowly, slightly swaying in an alluring manner. Art watched her go and shook his head.
'That girl is dangerous.' he thought, finishing his bottle.
He saw Boomer and Justin singing some classic rock and roll song at the top of their lungs.
"Art! Come join us!" Justin yelled, running towards him.
Boomer stumbled behind him and grabbed Justin's arm, almost falling over.
"Not tonight boys." Art smiled at them.
"Are you going to… you know, with Shelby?" Boomer slurred, a huge grin on his face.
Justin was shocked grabbed Art, "Is it true? Man you have to do it! She is so hot!"
"I have a girlfriend."
"Different country bro, doesn't count." Boomer said, giving a loud burp.
Justin smacked the back of his head, "Our boy is in love Boomer! Not like the sluts you hook up with!"
Boomer gave him a weird look, "And you are any better? Grace, Helen, Madison and Kate just to name a few… this school year."
"I'm friends with a couple of man whores, great." Art said, shaking his head.
"We simply love love." Justin smiled.
Art left them alone to party and walked around the grounds. The moon was very bright tonight, shining its pale rays on the school. Art leaned against a large snakewood tree, its leaves were used for potion ingredients.
"Not celebrating, Mr. Cason?" an old voice rang out.
Professor Chip appeared out of nowhere and was smiling at him.
"What is there to celebrate, Professor? We killed a low level criminal, nothing worth all this."
"You need to loosen up my boy, you are young and should be happy with yourself." Chip said, sitting next to him.
Art didn't answer and looked at the moon.
Chip followed his eyeline and said, "Constantly pushing yourself has worked for you your entire life Art but… eventually you will burn out. I know that you are under immense pressure but you should find people to share that burden with."
"It is my burden to carry professor, not one elses." Art said simply.
"What about Harry Potter? Does he not deserve revenge the same as you?"
Art didn't hesitate, "Harry never knew his parents, I did. I remember their laughs, their scoldings, how my uncle used to bring me gifts when he visited. I remember them." Art let out a deep sigh and continued, "I should be able to share this with Harry but he isn't talented enough to face Voldemort. He is a gifted wizard, don't get me wrong but he isn't a genius."
Chip gave a sad smile, "Being a genius doesn't mean everything."
"I know. I know hard work beats talent every time. That's why I train with every spare second I have."
Chip didn't say anything for a long time and just looked at the snakewood tree.
"Do you know the story of this tree?" he asked Art.
Art shook his head and looked at the tree, it was beautiful and ominous at the same time.
"It is connected to one of Hogwarts founders." he said with a smile, getting Art's attention.
"Isolt Sayre was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin and used Slytherin's wand. After she killed her aunt who came to kill her, she buried the wand here, not wanting anything to connect her to that old life. This tree appeared and no matter how many times they cut the tree down, it always came back."
Art was shocked and put his hands against the tree, feeling the rough bark.
"Amazing… though Slytherin was a pureblood supremacist, he was still one of the most gifted wizards ever. That wand did many incredible things."
Art looked at the professor, "Sir, you said that a gold eyed man visited your tribe many years ago… do you know anything more about him?"
"It was said that he was a curious man that wanted to learn about magical beasts and our way of life. He was kind and didn't look down on us at all and instead learned our way of magic. It was said that he rescued a Wampus kit and raised it. It followed him everywhere. He left and visited other tribes, exploring the world."
"Sounds like an amazing man." Art said.
"My grandpa says his grandpa was good friends with him. To my shock, a gold eyed child appeared in my class. A child who has a Horned Serpent sleeping in his robes." he gave Art a mysterious smile.
"You knew!?" Art asked shocked.
"Please, you aren't as sneaky as you think." Chip scoffed.
Azura poked her head out from Art's robes and looked at Chip.
"Hi little one." Chip said kindly.
Azura licked his hand before disappearing into Art's robes.
"You sure have a gift Mr. Cason."
---
School returned to normal in the following weeks. Art studied hard under Professor Chip making great progress in learning and mastering new words. He dueled almost everyday with Boomer and Justin. Natasha became warmer to him as her, Shelby and Alby continued to hang out with him.
Art continued to visit the forest looking for new creatures. Much to his enjoyment, he met a family of Wampus'. They were wary of him at first but after shifting into his Wampus form, they became friendly. It was a family of four with two kits that were adorable. Art named them Frisk and Delphi and played with them almost everyday when he had spare time.
He looked for Thunderbirds but Newt told him they stuck to the plains of Arizona. The school year went by quickly and soon it was time for Art to leave Ilvermorny.
He stood at the gates with Newt and his bags. Lots of people came to see them off.
"Thank you for everything old friend." Headmaster Fonatine said giving Art a hug.
"Anytime." Newt smiled.
Justin and Boomer came and gave Art a large hug, "If you ever need help, don't be afraid to ask." Justin said.
"Of course." Art laughed.
Natasha and Shelby came up next and both hugged him.
"Make sure you beat up some purebloods for me." Natasha said giving him a smile.
"Of course, those prats deserve it."
Alby talked Art's ear off one last time as Natasha dragged him away, leaving him and Shelby alone.
"So you are leaving…" she trailed off, looking him in the eyes.
"Yes I am."
She looked down at her feet and kicked the ground gently before looking up at him again, "I won't give up." she said, giving him a kiss on his cheek.
She flashed him a dazzling smile and walked away, her hips gently swaying.
"You luck with women is truly magical." Newt teased, laughing at Art.
Art laughed loudly and thought, 'Time to go back home.'