21. Zouwu

What had begun as an ordinary morning at Hogwarts had quickly become an exciting one. Silvanus Kettleburn's class was usually full of theoretical information; recognizing magical creatures from the pages of books, learning their characteristics, and taking various notes. But today was different.

When Professor Kettleburn entered the classroom, his face was full of excitement. Students rarely saw him arrive with such enthusiasm. His hair was more disheveled than usual and his robe was covered with small burn marks. It was a sign that his interactions with magical creatures were as dangerous as ever.

"Today, children," he said, his voice trembling with unusual excitement, "we finally move from theory to practice!"

A murmur went through the classroom. Most of the students were surprised and curious. It was a rare opportunity to see magical creatures up close at Hogwarts, and usually students had to rely solely on textbooks.

It was rumored that Professor McGonagall was strongly opposed to the idea. However, with Dumbledore's approval, Kettleburn's plan went ahead.

William Dante Rosier, Charlie and the other students came out excited. Kettleburn was going to take them to a place where they would not get too close to the Forbidden Forest. Still, it meant going outside the boundaries of Hogwarts, and that was a big deal.

The class gathered in a large clearing. As the students looked around anxiously, Professor Kettleburn took a deep breath and adjusted his thick leather gloves.

"Children," he said solemnly. "Today I am going to introduce you to Azhidal."

As the students looked at each other curiously, Kettleburn raised his wand and made a circular motion in the air. Nothing happened at first. Then a huge shadow appeared through the trees.

The creature emerged, majestic yet terrifying. It had a muscular body covered in black scales. It had large, sharp claws and bony wings. The air hummed with every movement of its wings. A head rose above its neck, its deep green eyes scanning the surroundings.

A Zouwu.

This creature was a rare and incredibly powerful magical being from East Asia. It had a long, lion-like body, tiger-like fur, and a mystical tail. Known for its speed and strength, it could only be tamed by the most powerful wizards.

The students stood back, holding their breath. Even Charlie's eyes widened. "Is that... is that a Zouwu?" he whispered.

Professor Kettleburn nodded, smiling. "Yes, Weasley. Azhidal is a Zouwu. I found him many years ago, when he was a young pup, and I've been looking after him ever since. But remember, Zouwus don't trust anyone easily. They are very wild and fierce."

"This thing isn't going to tear us apart, is it?" one of the students asked, his voice trembling.

Kettleburn laughed. "Not if you don't piss it off."

The giant creature called Azhidal slowly raised its head and turned its eyes on the group of students. Each took a few steps back. But... the creature's gaze was fixed on one spot.

William Dante on Rosier.

Zouwu stared at Dante without blinking. He was so large and powerful that even his breath made the air around him tremble. Dante looked into his eyes in astonishment. A strange feeling rose in him, as if the creature could see right through him.

Professor Kettleburn raised his eyebrows at the realization. With years of experience, he knew that this was no ordinary look.

"Interesting," he muttered. Then he turned to Dante. "Mr. Rosier, step forward."

Dante stepped forward without hesitation.

Kettleburn narrowed his eyes, then nodded. "You may approach him."

A murmur rose from the students. "What? That thing just smashed a tree with its big claws!" whispered a Ravenclaw student.

Dante started walking, never taking his eyes off the creature for a moment. His steps were cautious but sure. Zouwu cocked his head as if examining someone he didn't see as a threat.

Kettleburn's voice was heard. "Show him proper respect. If you do not treat the Zouwu with respect, they can destroy you in seconds."

Dante instinctively ducked as he approached the creature. Azhidal sniffed him, lowered his head to the ground, then narrowed his eyes and growled. But it was not a threatening growl, more like a test.

Kettleburn's mouth dropped open. "Unbelievable... Zouwus do not easily bond with a wizard. But Azhidal... he respects you, Dante."

The students began to whisper in amazement. "How is that possible?"

Dante slowly raised his hand. Zouwu stood still and stared at it. Then he let Dante touch the palm of his hand to his huge head. The warm, scaly skin vibrated like a gentle electric wave.

Suddenly, strange images flashed through Dante's mind. The vast forests, the open sky, the shadows cast by the Zouwu as they ran... and for a moment, Dante felt himself in their world.

Dante stepped back and blinked his eyes. Azhidal stared at him for a moment, then suddenly turned his head and let out a great roar.

The students recoiled, startled.

Kettleburn took a deep breath. "Mr. Rosier, do you realize what this means?"

Dante looked down at his hand, still feeling Zouwu's warmth. "I think... he trusts me."

Kettleburn smiled. "No, it's more than that. Zouwu only bonds with the most powerful wizards. It's... a very rare thing."

Professor Kettleburn stared at Dante for a moment. The admiration on his face was mixed with jealousy. He had dealt with many magical creatures in his life, but he had never seen a Zouwu bond so quickly and deeply.

The students whispered in amazement.

"How can this be? Zouwus are fierce creatures, aren't they?"

"Has anyone else been able to do this?"

"Is Dante's magic that powerful?"

Dante was detached from the events around him. When Azhidal looked at him, there was not only the ferocity of a wild creature in his eyes, but also a kind of wisdom and friendship. It was as if he knew him, as if he had been waiting for him for a long time.

Zouwu stepped back for a moment. But not to get away from Dante, on the contrary, to see him better. He moved his huge body around him and gently wrapped his tail around Dante. Seeing this, Professor Kettleburn's eyes widened.

"This is... unbelievable," he murmured. "Zouwus only circle around those they trust. It is their 'possessive' gesture."

The students took a step closer, but Azhidal immediately fixed them with a sharp stare. Nearly all of them froze.

Dante felt the softness of Zouwu's tail. Its fur was warm and vibrated slightly, as if some kind of magic was flowing through it. The huge creature lowered its head and pressed its huge snout against Dante's shoulder. Dante laughed slightly, then reflexively raised his hand and touched Azhidal's nose.

Zouwu let out a small grunt. But it was not a threat, but a sound of satisfaction. It even sounded a bit cheerful. He wagged his tail slightly, touched Dante's shoulder again with his nose and nudged him gently.

Kettleburn couldn't hide his surprise. "You're jealous of me, aren't you, Azhidal?" he murmured with a chuckle. "All these years I've been taking care of you, looking after you, and you've never treated me like this."

Azhidal turned his head slightly at him, then turned back to Dante, indifferent.

The students watched in amazement. There was even laughter among them.

"Professor Kettleburn, Zouwu doesn't seem to like you," Charlie said with a slight smile.

"Weasley, you forget I've been interested in these creatures for years!" Professor Kettleburn replied, turning to Charlie with a mocking snort. "But yeah, I might be a little jealous."

Dante was still looking into Zouwu's eyes. It was as if he wanted to tell him something. Suddenly, the creature took a deep breath and spread its huge wings. The air rippled for a moment, and the students were pulled back by the wind.

And Azhidal was gone in an instant.

LIKE A SHADOW

The students looked around in panic.

"Where did he go?"

"He was just here!"

Even Kettleburn was momentarily stunned. But Dante closed his eyes and focused on his instincts. He could still sense Zouwu's presence. He was here. But invisible.

And suddenly he appeared behind Dante.

Like a shadow, silently.

When Dante reflexively turned around, Zouwu bowed his head slightly and licked Dante's cheek with his big tongue.

The whole class fell silent.

Then suddenly Charlie started to giggle. "I think he likes you," he said, laughing.

Dante smiled slightly, feeling Zouwu's warm breath on his cheek. For the first time in his life, he felt such a connection with a creature.

Professor Kettleburn made some notes with a slight wave of his wand. "This may be an event that will go down in the history of magical creatures," he said. "Zouwus communicate with wizards, yes... But such a deep connection?"

Dante turned to Kettleburn. "What else do you know about the Zouwus, Professor?"

Professor Kettleburn pondered for a moment. "Actually, many wizards think the Zouwu are just wild and aggressive creatures. But I have spent years studying their nature." His eyes sparkled with excitement. "The souls of the Zouwu are instinctively drawn to powerful wizards. But they are only bound to those who are truly free."

"The truly free?" Dante repeated.

Kettleburn nodded. "Yes. They refuse to be imprisoned, to be controlled. If a Zouwu is bound to you, it is not only because you are strong, but because your soul is unbound."

These words made Dante think.

Was he really free? He was someone who died in his own world and came here. He could not escape his past. He had built a new life at Hogwarts, but the shadow of the past always followed him.

Azhidal suddenly raised his head and let out a great roar. The sky echoed. The birds in the forest took flight in panic.

Dante knew in his gut.

Azhidal was celebrating his freedom.

Professor Kettleburn looked at Dante and took a deep breath. "Dante, this has to go on the record. It's something that could change what we know about Zouwus in the wizarding world."

Dante shrugged. "Can you write it down?"

Kettleburn grinned and nodded. "Of course I will, but I think only you will be able to summon Azhidal from now on."

The students were still confused. Some looked at Dante with envy, others with admiration.

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