13 Beast Speech

Waking up early, Art got dressed and went to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast. Hardly any students or teachers were up this early so the Great Hall was basically empty. After having a few bites of toast he headed towards the hospital wing. He saw Madam Pomfrey checking over a few students who seemed to feel ill. Seeing Artland she walked over to him.

"Right on time Mr. Cason."

"Of course Professor Pomfrey."

"I'm no teacher boy. No need for that." she said but Art could tell she liked the sound of it.

She began to show him simple healing spells and the theory behind healing magic. Wanting to try, Art took out a knife from his bag and cut his palm.

"What are you doing!?" she screamed, seeing Art bleeding.

Art was stunned, not knowing what he did wrong. "I want to try the spell." he said confused.

Madam Pomfrey looked at him, shocked. Art took out his wand and muttered, "Episkey." The wound on his palm slowly started to knit together before completely healing and not leaving a scar.

Pomfrey looked at him palm is shock, "Well… well done but no need to mutilate yourself. We can practice on other things." she trailed off, surprised at Art's brutality towards himself.

Art smiled but said nothing. He continued to listen and learn from her, trying out small healing spells and diagnostic spells. Following her around most of the morning, she then said he had potential and to be here next Saturday at the same time.

Seeing it was a beautiful morning, Art went outside for a jog. He ended up next to the lake where he practiced his hand to hand. He then transfigured a stick into a staff, practicing his martial arts. He went through all the weapons he knew, ending up with a pair of knives which he was most comfortable in. Finishing up his training he glanced at the lake and saw something watching him. They looked human, except for the fish tale and webbed hands. He approached the water and gently waved at them. He knew that Merpeople were intelligent and able to communicate with humans. The merpeople looked shocked and timidly waved back at Art. One even stuck his head out of the water and tried to talk to Art but much to his disappointment, he couldn't understand him. Art frowned and tried to send pictures and emotions with his ability to the merperson. The merperson didn't respond at first but then Art felt his emotions coming through clearer.

Art grew close to the shore and sat down. He and the merperson communicated for a bit, sending each other different pictures. Art showed him the inside of the castle while the merperson sent pictures of his home. He was shocked to find out that they had such a complex and beautiful home on the lake. Art reached out his hand, trying to tell him to take it. The merperson looked at his cautiously. It took awhile but eventually the merperson came and took his hand. Lots of hissing and splashing from the water came from the other merpeople, trying to warn the merperson not to trust Art.

After they touched, Art could communicate perfectly with him, using sentences. The merperson was shocked but soon conversed with Art eagerly. He told him that he had to go but he should visit him again soon, which Art said he would.

Artland was still confused about this ability and didn't know what it was or where it came from. He tried to find out about it in the library but nothing he found could explain it.

'Should I ask Dumbledore?' he wondered.

He thought it would be a good idea next time he saw him. Art continued to explore the grounds. He saw a Kelpie jump out of the water in the lake, which gave him the urge to go swimming and ride it but decided against it. He saw a couple of Threstrals flying over the Forbidden Forest. After his stroll, he returned to the library to get some of his homework done. Although his teachers from his extra lessons didn't give him any written homework, he still wanted to be prepared for the next class. He also cut himself a few more times, practicing his healing magic. This caused a few students to scream when they saw him and caused the vulture of a librarian to kick him out. Mumbling under his breath, he returned to Gryffindor common room and finished his homework.

Fred and George had both made the Gryffindor Quidditch team and were busy with practice for their upcoming game. He saw them dragging their tired bodies through the common room while Percy scolded them for brining dirt with them. Percy and the twins were both red headed but their similarities ended there. Percy never broke the rules and tried very hard in his classes. Art found it hard to think of them as brothers.

The week went by quickly as Art was busy every night with his extra classes. After his Warding class with Dumbledore he asked him a question.

"Professor are their wizards who can talk to animals?"

Dumbledore looked at him carefully before answering. "Parselmouths can communicate with snakes. Others like Newt Scamander have an innate ability to bond and communicate. Why do you ask?"

"I can project my thoughts or emotions to animals and feel their thoughts and emotions. When I make physical contact with them I can understand them perfectly." Art told him.

Dumbledore's eyebrows scrunched together and was deep in thought. "Could you show me?" he asked, motioning to his Phoenix, Fawkes.

Art nodded and sent calming feeling towards Fawkes, who in turn looked at him. Approaching Fawkes, Art gently placed his hand on his side. It felt warm and silky, his feathers a beautiful glossy red. Fawkes cried happily and jumped on his shoulder, nibbling his ear. Art laughed and turned towards Dumbledore who looked at him amazed.

"Amazing… I will have to research this and ask a friend of mine about it but I am sure you have the gift of Beast Speech. Something that hasn't been seen since the ancient warlocks." he said, watching Fawkes play with Art's hair.

"Beast Speech sir?"

"The ability to communicate with all animals. To be able to feel their emotions and let them feel yours. A very powerful ability." he said while pulling a book from the shelf. He flipped through the book before putting it back.

"But it isn't just beast sir. I have been communicated with Merpeople as well and they are Beings." he told him.

Beasts and Beings were different. Beings were creatures that are of human or close to human intelligence that could communicate with humans. This included Merpeople, Centaurs, Goblins and Dwarves.

"The smarter the creature, the easier it is to communicate but you won't be able to influence them as easily as you would a beast" Dumbledore explained.

Nodding his head in understanding, Art thanked him and left, leaving Dumbledore sitting there in his thoughts.

"This child becomes more dangerous… is he the light or the darkness?" he muttered before disappearing.

Somewhere in the county of Dorset, Dumbledore appeared in front of a simple looking house. A smile hung on his face as he walked up and knocked on the door. Soon an older woman with greying hair answered the door.

"Albus? Come in come in! I will get Newt." she said, giving Dumbledore a hug before inviting him in.

"Thank you Tina. You look lovely as usual." Dumbledore said, entering the house.

She offered him tea and went to get Newt.

After a few minutes, an older man with reddish hair walked into the kitchen.

"Dumbledore? What do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit?"

"Newt, how have you been?" Dumbledore got up and hugged Newt.

Sitting down, the three of them started to sip their tea in silence. A Kneazle jumped up on his lap which he started petting.

"What can I do for you Dumbledore?" Newt asked, setting his tea down.

"I found an interesting young man that reminds me of you. I was wondering if you would like an apprentice this summer." Dumbledore asked with a smile.

"An apprentice? I am retired now Dumbledore." Newt smiled as he scratched the Kneazle's ear.

"He had the Beast Speech ability Newt and had a love for beasts like you. Though Hagrid is great he isn't you." Dumbledore laid all his cards on the table.

"Beast Speech?" Newt asked surprised. He had the same ability but a weaker version of it.

"He is incredibly gifted in magic as well. I am asking you as a favour to me."

"A favour? Don't you think I have done enough favours for you, Dumbledore?" Newt asked, raising an eyebrow. Tine reached over and grabbed his hand.

"It has been getting a little boring around here. A young child would be perfect I think. Plus, I know you want to share your knowledge with someone with the same gift as you Newt." Tina said in a gentle voice.

Newt's face softened. He looked back towards Dumbledore and said, "What is the real reason you want him to stay here?"

Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer Dumbledore told him. "He watched his family murdered by Voldemort. I'm afraid he will take a dark path if he doesn't find something to be passionate about besides revenge."

Hearing this Newt went deep into thought. "What is his name?"

"Artland Cason."

"Cason?"

"Yes, the ancient family but his mother is from the MacFusty clan." Dumbledore explained.

Newt nodded his head. "Fine. I will teach the boy."