It's said that in a group of three, one is bound to be your teacher. Lockhart saw a true path to the future in Newt and his son, Theseus Scamander, and they, in turn, were fascinated by Lockhart's theories on 'Wizarding Adventurous Living.'
Compared to Lockhart's initial concept of 'Fairy Tale Adventure' proposed at Hogwarts, this theory had now become incredibly profound. It possessed a unique breadth, encompassing the concept of 'life.' Under this concept of life, the relationships between wizards, including the deep logic of many spells like 'blood magic,' became clearer. People could then peek into the true self, which they struggled to genuinely perceive, by observing human relationships, society, nature, and the world around them.
It also had a very unique depth, involving the concept of 'self-existence.' One's will, memories, intelligence, and everything else, anchored by time, unfolded a wondrous network of 'magical bloodlines.' This network was so magnificent, revealing the continuation and interweaving of human selves, and the continuation and interweaving of humans with nature.
Thus, wizards exhibited certain characteristics, like shared magical abilities with magical creatures, and the 'animalistic' traits that gradually emerged as magical creatures participated in wizarding life, even magical adventurous living. This truly was a marvelous magical world. A magical world unique to Lockhart's perception.
It utterly captivated Newt and his son, Theseus, because it subtly explained the wondrous relationship between wizards and magical creatures. It implicitly provided theoretical support for Newt and his son's lifelong dedication to protecting magical creatures. It showed them that wizards caring for and protecting magical creatures held profound significance. How could they not be moved?
"So you believe house-elves are representative creatures, right?" Newt's son, Theseus Scamander, pondered with interest. "From early magical creatures like Brownies, to deeply engaging in wizarding life, to forming true communities, existing in wizarding life through procreation and generational inheritance..."
Lockhart nodded. "I thought of many transitional creatures, but I doubt any other creature has such distinct and stable characteristics."
"There is!" Newt suddenly interjected. Seeing them look at him, Newt tilted his head, recalling the past, a strange smile, both sweet and wistful, appearing on his face. After a moment, seeing his friend and son staring at him, he quickly said, "Matagot cats!"
"They are magical creatures originally from France. The French Ministry of Magic uses them as guards, but there's also extensive experience of them being kept by common folk because they can bring wealth."
Newt gestured with his hands, describing the unique aspects of this animal. "The owner lets the Matagot eat the first bite of every meal, and it brings a gold coin to its owner every day. But owners who keep Matagots soon discover they can't keep them long-term; after a certain time, they must be released, otherwise, the Matagot will actively attack greedy owners."
Theseus Scamander frowned. "Humans shouldn't let animals eat first. Animals have their own hierarchy in their understanding, and such behavior would only make the animal feel it's raising the human, making it impossible to establish a long-term pet-owner relationship."
Lockhart wore a strange expression, suddenly remembering the tabby cats he'd seen in his past life, many of whom people claimed felt like they were raising humans, not the other way around.
Newt nodded. "That's right, so the key to long-term Matagot keeping is for the owner to eat the first bite themselves. Of course, that's not the main point."
He looked at the two before him with a very subtle expression. "In the wizarding world, a Matagot looks like a black panther, with blue eyes almost as large as a human's hand. Not blue irises, but the entire eye socket is blue."
"They possess strong magical resistance, are immune to many spells. When maliciously attacked by magic, they split into three. And they split every time they are attacked. They are incredibly agile, possess astonishing leaping ability, and their claws can easily harm magical creatures like Zouwu."
"However, as soon as they enter the Muggle world, they instantly lose all magical abilities, and their bodies transform into tiny, fluffy black kittens."
After explaining all this, he looked at the two with excitement. "Do you notice anything special?"
"Different states, even forms, in wizarding life and Muggle life!" Lockhart exclaimed. "Newt, this cat has immense research value!"
"Yes!" Newt nodded. "I once pondered this: the Ministry of Magic typically dispatches Aurors to protect Muggle dignitaries from the influence and attacks of other wizards. In truth, this magical creature could perform that task excellently."
"When near Muggles, it's an ordinary black cat; when wizards appear, it takes on its powerful attacking form."
"It can sometimes tell us very well what the boundary and state between magical and non-magical life should truly be."
"You know, cats have always been one of humanity's most common pets, and this would have enormous practical applications."
Theseus Scamander stroked his sideburns thoughtfully. "This is absolutely fascinating. Wizarding world and Muggle world... a division the Matagot makes instinctively?"
He looked at his father with a hint of confusion. "Even we wizards struggle to tell the difference. How does it distinguish?"
Wizards don't actually adhere strictly to the so-called International Statute of Secrecy. Pure-blood wizarding communities are rare; Hogsmeade is truly an exception. Wizards and Muggles living together is the norm. Even the Black family, renowned for their ancient and noble pure-blood lineage, lived on a Muggle street. How then, should such boundaries be defined?
Newt smiled, gesturing towards Lockhart. "That's what he was talking about—the difference between wizarding life and Muggle life, and how magical creatures show a clear distinction in their magical bloodline manifestation because of it." This goes even further. It's not the evolution Lockhart previously described, but an instantaneous transformation.
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Lockhart was curious. "Newt, you said it splits into three when attacked, and continues to split if attacked again. Is that a spell, or does it truly become three distinct creatures?"
"Completely three distinct creatures!" Newt said with an astonished tone. "Yes, each of the three possesses true animalistic nature. If one dies, the other two will continue to live. But fundamentally, they are one. When their own lifespan ends, all split individuals will die at the same time."
---
Wow! Lockhart thought of Voldemort and Tom, the Horcrux in the diary.
"What about their souls?" Lockhart asked curiously. "If they die at the same time, does that mean that while they possess bodies with different life activities in the material world, they actually share one soul?"
"Could we interpret this as them being fragmented states of the same individual, without physical connection?" Lockhart gestured with his hands. "Like my two hands living separately, but they are still my hands, and if I die, they will lose their vitality?"
This went beyond Newt's realm of research.
Theseus Scamander, however, had some thoughts. "I'm inclined to agree with that idea. The Tales of Beedle the Bard tells the story of a wizard with a hairy heart. The wizard took out his heart and placed it in a casket, and the heart changed, causing the wizard himself to undergo changes he didn't even notice."
"This needs to be verified," Newt nodded, looking at Lockhart. "But I think this relates to what you said about magical creatures developing animalistic traits in wizarding life, just in reverse."
"Yes..." Lockhart was astounded. "I think I need to find one of these magical creatures. A Matagot? Right, you said they can be found in France?"
"I can have two sent over," Theseus Scamander casually offered. "I have some supply channels, but the Magical Congress of the United States of America has strict controls on magical creature entry and exit. I'll have someone send them directly to you from France."
"That would be greatly appreciated," Lockhart said, a hint of expectation in his voice. Perhaps this magical creature could help him better understand the relationship between Voldemort and Tom. This was truly fascinating. Perhaps Tom should also be involved in this research. He vaguely felt that this unique splitting state actually meant that the Matagot was essentially in an intermediate stage of evolving from a magical creature towards a dark magical creature.
This was an excellent topic to discuss in Care of Magical Creatures class, allowing more young wizards to participate. After all, the existence of house-elves was far too sensitive. Matagots, however, were just right.