Communication between cats is mostly through scent and body language.
Even when they use vocalizations, they're typically howls and meows; that high-pitched 'meow' is specifically for humans.
Sensing that this fellow cat, Karl, had a problem, Madam Norris immediately prepared to bolt.
Seeing the cat's frightened reaction, Karl didn't dare pull out his Magic wand to subdue her.
Although Mr. Ollivander had spoken of the magical properties of Zouwu hair, Madam Norris would probably start howling the moment he Transfigured.
So, it's better to leave it to Fire Treasure!
"Chirp~"
The adorable Fire Treasure appeared above Karl's head, instantly capturing Madam Norris's attention.
Feeling the natural aura and warm, friendly emotions emanating from the soft ball of fire, her bristled fur smoothed back down.
You little rascal! This will surely charm you!
Karl gently shook his head, and Fire Treasure landed on the ground, bouncing around.
Madam Norris finally couldn't resist the temptation, slowly approaching, then lying down to rub her head against Fire Treasure, purring from her throat.
And soon, she rolled over, exposing her belly, looking as if she'd been given catnip.
Seeing this little creature's fondness for Fire Treasure, Karl felt he could now hold the cat hostage to command Filch.
Just then, Fire Treasure, who was comforting the cat, suddenly waved towards the stairs, and Madam Norrisleaped three feet into the air, her expression as if she'd seen a ghost.
Karl turned his head and saw another cat.
Moreover, this cat's size and fur color were very similar to Madam Norris.
Karl: (ﾟдﾟ≡ﾟдﾟ)
What's going on? Did I stumble into a cat's nest?
There's already one Madam Norris, who is this new arrival?
After a careful look, he quickly noticed the differences between the two cats.
Unlike Madam Norris, who was bone-thin, had dull gray fur, and bulbous, lamp-like eyes.
This cat was well-proportioned, with soft, smooth fur, and large eyes that naturally had delicate eyeliner, making her cute and beautiful.
Fire Treasure raised a hand to report, "Chirp~"
Karl: Huh? What? You're saying this cat is Nina?
This isn't a joke... Well, it's normal for a Druid to turn into a cat.
He raised his paw to beckon Nina, and then saw her run over with small, quick steps.
She circled him twice, her body changing like flowing water, silently transforming into a Jungle Cat.
Karl: (⊙o⊙)
As expected of a Druid who does as she pleases.
Nina raised a front paw and pointed outside the Castle, indicating they should go out first.
So Karl put Fire Treasure away, and the two Jungle Cats ran side by side, quickly leaving the area.
Madam Norris: (•́_•̀)?
As a cat, she was already very intelligent, but she still couldn't understand what had just happened.
Not only were there two more of her kind in the Castle, but one of them could also transform. What was going on?
...
Under the cover of night, the two Jungle Cats ran faster and faster.
Before long, they passed through the vegetable patch and reached the Forbidden Forest, gave each other a paw, and then changed back into human form.
Uh... Instinct guided the action, this is how cats greet each other.
"Karl, you're an Animagus, that's incredible."
Nina looked at Karl curiously, really wanting him to turn back into a cat so she could pet him.
"You're the one who surprised me, okay! If it weren't for Fire Treasure, I wouldn't have recognized you!"
"Chirp~"
Fire Treasure happily hopped around above their heads, feeling like he had done a great deed.
"I told you I'm a Druid."
"Then you can transform into any animal, right? Is that how it works?"
A wicked thought arose in Karl's mind; as a former hunter player, he knew the best 'pet' was a Druid.
Cough cough cough! Just kidding!
Nina looked at Karl warily, couldn't help but take a step back, "Are you thinking something bad?"
"No... Not at all! I'm just expressing envy for Wizards who practice Animagus."
How difficult is it to become an Animagus? Holding a Mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month, brewing a Potion, waiting for a thunderstorm, chanting spells at sunrise and sunset...
This set of tedious and error-prone steps is actually only the simplest part of practicing Animagus Transfiguration.
After all, before that, one must first learn a vast amount of Transfiguration knowledge and possess deep foundations to avoid failure during the transformation process, which could lead to irreversible tragedies.
"To learn to Transfigure into an animal without becoming a Druid, you always have to put in more effort."
"Compared to the Druid's already limited path, infinite possibilities are more attractive, especially when the Druid lineage is almost extinct."
The two walked and chatted, following the already explored route, heading deeper into the Forbidden Forest.
"Karl, I had an interesting conjecture while reading recently."
"Tell me about it."
"I suspect the four founders of Hogwarts were all Animagi."
"Huh?"
"Do you think the lion, eagle, badger, and snake representing the four houses could possibly be their animal forms after Transfiguration?"
"Hey? That's a very interesting idea!"
Karl thought for a moment and found this setting quite exciting, no wonder Nina said it was an interesting conjecture.
"Do you know Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry School of Magic? It's on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts."
"I've read about it in books. I was quite curious why you didn't go to that school."
Having spent time together, Karl knew Nina's home was in North America, but she had relatives in Europe.
"I was supposed to go, but because Druids originated from the Celts, I came here to take a look."
"Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry School of Magic also has four houses, represented by the Thunderbird, Wampus Cat, Horned Serpent, and Pukwudgie; they are all Magical Creatures."
So, when I didn't know much about Hogwarts, I thought it would be the same here."
After listening to Nina, Karl realized that if the representative animals of the four Hogwarts houses were to be replaced with Magical Creatures, it would be quite difficult to choose.
As they talked, the two had already reached the Mooncalf's cave.
Today is November 1st, and according to the ancient Eastern Chinese calendar, it is precisely the early morning of the fifteenth day of the ninth month.
Although the bright moon in the sky was not as round as on the fifteenth or sixteenth night, it was close to a full moon.
Thus, the Mooncalves residing there all emerged from their caves.
These very shy Magical Creatures, in Karl's opinion, resembled alpacas with shortened limbs and elongated, thickened necks.
They had pale grey, smooth skin and large, round, bulging eyes, looking very endearing.
Their four slender legs ended in flat, large feet, and their entire bodies glowed faintly blue under the moonlight.
At this moment, bathed in moonlight, the Mooncalves stood on their two hind legs and performed a complex dance that was slightly comical yet possessed a strange beauty.
Light and shadow intertwined, bright and dark alternating, creating a dreamlike sensation for a moment.
"Karl, is it beautiful?"
"Yes, it was worth the trip."
Nina and Karl leaned against a tree, quietly admiring the beautiful scene brought by the Mooncalves.
Many years later, a memory that would still not fade.