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An owl arrived at Albus Dumbledore’s window one afternoon. After accepting the letter, Dumbledore went to sit at the kitchen table to read it. Newt Scamander had invited him over to his house for tea to discuss a matter of urgent importance.
Dumbledore responded with his Screech owl to inform Scamander that he would arrive at precisely two in the afternoon.
Once Dumbledore had arrived, he was told a rather interesting tale about an uncommon species of animal.
“Albus, I require a couple—literally a pair—of camel spiders,” Scamander began once he had finished pouring lemon tea, topped with lavender foam, for both of them.
“Well, now,” Dumbledore began as he set his teacup onto the saucer. The word camel mixed with the word spider was not something he expected to hear, but then again, common animals were not his forte. He was more about magical beings such as the Phoenix or perhaps the dragon. “That is a most unusual find, Newt.”
“The camel spider is a desert-dwelling animal,” Scamander explained. “They can bite. Not venomous, so not deadly. However, their saliva is unique, as I have recently found.”
“You discovered a use for their saliva?” Dumbledore asked in surprise. He knew that Scamander’s knowledge of the animal kingdom far surpassed his own. This was news, indeed!
“Purely, by accident, Albus,” Scamander said, a poor attempt at modesty. “But the saliva of a camel spider has some magical properties.” He had a sip of his steaming tea. “It would likely cure little Alisha’s thorny problem.”
Alisha was a little Ravenclaw girl who kept growing thorns like roses on her arms. No one knew how to get them to stop growing until now, possibly.
Hopefully...
“Is this why you invited me for tea, Newt?” Dumbledore asked, lifting his white cup for another sip.
“Yes.” Scamander nodded. “I require permission to leave immediately. I would like to collect a pair to bring home.”
“Very well then,” said Dumbledore. “I will clear it to allow you to remove two camel spiders. No more, no less!”
“Thank you, Albus!” Scamander hurriedly finished his tea.
“Any time, Newt,” said Dumbledore, finishing his sweet drink, before smiling quickly at Newt.
“Great. I’m heading over to Israel right now,” Scamander said, lifting his cup in a salute for a moment before setting it on the saucer. He disappeared a moment later to collect his new pets.
