"Outcasts don't have magic, so they can't use magic.

Their abilities are innate and usually very limited. They can't compare with wizards, but they're still far stronger than Squibs."

Newt spoke with some emotion.

"Some of the more unusual outcasts have obvious characteristics of magical creatures. But I can't exactly study them as magical creatures, so I didn't mention outcasts in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

What the hell?!

Vader's expression changed slightly.

This guy isn't treating outcasts like magical creatures wearing human skin, is he?

"It sounds like you have some connection with Nevermore Academy, Mr. Scamander?"

"I've been there a few times when releasing some magical creatures back into the wild, and I've also dealt with Nevermore's headmaster several times."

"If you're planning to go there, I can write you a letter of introduction."

"But it's quite far away. Before going to Nevermore, I'd suggest taking care of everything you need to do in Britain first."

"I'll do my best."

"If you need a Portkey, I also know a few reliable brokers."

"A Portkey is an enchanted object that can transport anyone who touches it to a designated location."

"If you're traveling between countries, Portkeys can save you a great deal of time. They're at least much more convenient than Apparition, and considerably safer too."

Vader's heart immediately stirred.

A Portkey was basically a teleportation portal.

If he could learn how to make Portkeys, then even while staying at Hogwarts, he'd have plenty of time to leave the school, carry out his acting as Enzo, and return in time.

Its significance to him was enormous.

"Please forgive my bluntness, Mr. Scamander."

Vader looked hesitantly at the somewhat awkward old man sitting across from him.

"Since I walked through your door, you've already offered to introduce me to a broker and write two letters of introduction for me."

"We've only just met."

"Aren't you being a little too helpful?"

Newt froze for a moment before laughing and waving his hand.

"Don't overthink it. These are all just small favors."

"Your small favors are a little frightening."

"All right."

Newt smiled awkwardly.

"Actually, Dumbledore had something to do with it."

"But don't misunderstand. He didn't know you would come looking for me."

"He did write in his letter that if I happened to meet you, I should help you as much as possible, because I'm the person most likely to encounter you."

"Although I'm retired, I don't stay at home all the time."

"I occasionally go into the wilderness to visit some old friends and check on how their populations are doing."

Vader understood.

Newt Scamander was basically an upgraded version of Hagrid.

Both loved magical creatures.

But while Hagrid was practically tied to the Forbidden Forest, Newt was connected to the entire map.

Who knew when he might stumble across a wild Enzo?

The probability wasn't high, but it wasn't impossible either.

"So that's how it is."

"That also means your divination is quite accurate."

"The second person you found was someone who could provide you with the greatest possible assistance."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"What else did you divine?"

Since you're being so generous, I suppose I can take advantage of it.

Vader decided to squeeze as much information out of Newt as possible.

"Diagon Alley. I've already been there, but I didn't find anything useful."

"Another place was Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley."

"Do you know that shop?"

"Hmm..."

Newt frowned thoughtfully for a moment.

"Borgin and Burkes deals in rather shady business."

"They mainly buy and sell ancient wizarding artifacts, but they have very few scruples."

"To make more profit, they'll also sell objects containing Dark Magic and other dangerous items."

"Besides that, they're brokers."

"Slave trading, information dealing, hired protection... all of these fall within their business."

"They're very capable and have a good reputation in the brokerage business, but they charge extremely high prices."

"And they don't necessarily protect their clients' information."

"If you're planning to ask them for help, be very careful."

Vader thoughtfully nodded.

He didn't need Newt to remind him of that.

Anyone who could survive in Knockturn Alley for so many years certainly wasn't going to be a good person.

But for him, they could still serve as a source of information.

That was better than having nothing.

"The last thing I saw clearly was a tall tower standing in darkness."

"Inside was an elderly man with heterochromia."

"He looked even older than you."

Pfft!

Newt suddenly sprayed tea from his mouth.

His usually calm and gentle expression finally cracked.

Aside from Dumbledore, there was probably no one who understood better than him who Vader was talking about.

"Mr. Scamander, you seem rather shocked."

"I certainly am."

Newt hurriedly wiped his mouth, his words becoming somewhat disjointed.

"Your divination must have shown you Nurmengard in Austria."

"And the man imprisoned there is the first Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald."

Damn.

Vader couldn't help swearing inwardly.

Even he hadn't expected his divination to point toward a former major figure in the magical world who had been locked away for half a century.

"I only have one piece of advice regarding him."

Newt's expression became extremely serious.

"Don't go looking for him."

"Whatever you do, don't go looking for him."

Even if you hadn't said that, I had absolutely no intention of going.

It took me considerable effort to get out of Dumbledore's sight. I'm not stupid enough to jump into an even bigger mess.

Vader silently complained, but deliberately put on a puzzled expression.

"Could you tell me why?"

"First, Grindelwald is dangerous."

"Extremely dangerous."

"Second, he's exceptionally skilled at manipulating people's hearts."

"Once you meet him, you may gradually stray from the path you've chosen for yourself."

"Understood, Mr. Scamander."

"I won't go anywhere near him."

Newt finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He really didn't dare imagine what kind of reaction might occur if a Grindelwald who was contemplating a return to the world encountered a genius comparable to himself.

Especially when the genius's background was so mysterious.

On the surface, the magical world was still relatively peaceful.

But beneath that calm surface, turbulent undercurrents had already begun to surge.

The first Dark Lord could escape prison at any moment.

The second Dark Lord wasn't truly dead either and could return at any time.

Yet both Dumbledore and Newt were getting old.

They no longer had the strength to stop them as they had in their youth.

Even Dumbledore's current priority was cultivating the next generation.

Bringing another powerful force into the equation under these circumstances would only make the situation more complicated.

Vader had no idea what sort of elaborate scenario Newt had constructed in his head.

If he knew, he would probably have scoffed.

Quite an imagination.

Too bad I don't have anyone backing me at all.

Newt forced a stiff smile.

"We've gone off topic."

"Let's return to your first question."

"Why did you come looking for me?"

Vader also returned to the matter at hand.

He took out his copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

"I found this book in the library."

"I realized that you could help me learn as much as possible about the magical creatures of the wizarding world in the shortest amount of time."

"More importantly..."

"I had a feeling that you might have what I need."