The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 142 Quidditch Stadium, a Classic Song

People sometimes wonder what exactly happy education looks like.

If anyone still doesn't understand, then I recommend they visit Hogwarts. Hogwarts truly lives up to its promise of half a year of study and half a year of play.

After the Christmas holidays, all the young wizards' schedules were drastically reduced, and they basically didn't have more than a few classes a week.

Of course, strictly speaking, the school has left ample time for review so that students can better prepare for the end-of-term exams.

As for whether or not to review, that depends on individual self-discipline; in any case, there is plenty of time.

……

As time goes by, the afterglow of Valentine's Day is gradually fading.

Although the scene of Ino and Cedric receiving gifts in the Great Hall is still occasionally mentioned, just like the Lockhart incident, there are no eternal topics or eternal interest in the castle.

The College Cup Quidditch tournament started the week after Valentine's Day.

Saturday morning at nine o'clock.

Today is the first match of the school year, Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin.

In the morning, before 8:30, everyone in the castle was already rushing towards the Quidditch pitch in groups.

At this moment, no one cared about Hogsmeade anymore. On the contrary, people came to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade. They were Quidditch enthusiasts who would buy tickets to watch the game.

Quidditch pitch.

Instead of joining the stands, Ino stood quietly on the open ground at the edge of the field, holding a broom, with ten different musical instruments of various sizes floating around him.

The match hadn't even started, but the Slytherins and Ravenclaws watching had already begun their habitual shouting contest, and various dazzling slogans and banners began to light up the stands.

Just as no one wants to miss such a grand event, no one wants to miss such a money-making opportunity.

George and Fred, each with a small box a foot long hanging around their necks, moved nimbly through the crowd, hawking their two nut bundles of fireworks.

"Give me twenty fireworks!" a crisp voice rang out.

Despite the noise around him, George still heard the shopping message, pinpointed the location, and quickly walked towards it.

"Why did you buy so many fireworks? This isn't our competition." Ron looked at Hermione with some confusion.

Twenty fireworks cost a full forty naats, nearly two sikes—a huge sum. Wouldn't it be better to save that money? He couldn't understand it.

"If I were you, I would have learned to shut up, dear little Ronnie! This firework is for you, consider it a reward for a good boy who's been obedient."

George was a little frustrated. He'd been there for fifteen minutes and hadn't sold more than a dozen fireworks. He'd finally landed a big order for twenty, but his good brother was trying to sabotage it.

"I'm not doing this for the competition. Ino will be singing before the competition starts, so I bought some fireworks for him to create some atmosphere."

As Hermione explained, she took out two siscons and handed them to George.

"Is Ino going to sing later?" George didn't reach for the money, but asked curiously instead.

"Yes! Cheerleading is a Muggle sport..." Hermione quickly explained the basics of cheerleading.

George left, taking 20 Nat with him.

"Fireworks on sale! Buy one get one free! Heartbreaking clearance sale! We're literally selling at cost price..."

……

Time passed by, second by second.

9:00 AM.

Suddenly, a figure riding a broom appeared in mid-air above the Quidditch pitch. Upon closer inspection, it was not Ms. Hodge, the referee who was usually the first to appear.

Although it was somewhat unexpected, the young wizards didn't cause too much trouble, mainly because their figures on the field were quite beautiful.

Exquisite features, tousled dark blue hair, and a magnificent silver gown—all shimmered in the sunlight. Like a magnet, she captivated everyone's attention.

Floating in mid-air.

After settling all the instruments, Ino pressed his wand against his throat.

"Welcome everyone to the first match of the season, Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin!"

With the amplification spell, the sound was clearly transmitted throughout the entire stadium.

"But before that, I begged Professor McGonagall, and she allowed me to take a few minutes of your time so I could sing a song to celebrate the exciting competition that was about to begin!"

On the other side, Professor McGonagall also smiled with satisfaction. She had been convinced by the song when she heard it in her office.

In the sky, after a simple opening remark, Ino waved his wand, causing all the musical instruments to play.

Accompanied by a passionate yet steady musical rhythm:

"Ahhoo... grant me freedom, grant me fire! Grant me truth, make me higher! Aim for the championship, soar through the skies, prove my worth, create glory..."

The theme song for the 2010 South Africa World Cup, "Wavin' Flag," was played at the Hogwarts Quidditch Stadium in 1993.

The rousing song, amplified by magic, resounded throughout the sky.

Regardless of academy, race, or whether they are professors or students, everyone's emotions were driven by the music at this moment.

This is the power of classic music.

After the first verse, during the pause in the rhythm, Ino flew around the field on a broomstick, gesturing for everyone to join in the singing.

"Under this sun, let us sing with joy! Let us celebrate this wonderful competition and stay together until the end of the world! Time may pass, but when we are old and vigorous..."

Just as the lyrics say, under the sunshine, all the little wizards on the field sang with abandon. Even those who couldn't remember the lyrics still followed the rhythm and sang along, and no one laughed at them.

At this moment, everyone was cheering from the bottom of their hearts, completely immersed in the music.

……

On the stands, bursts of fireworks were lit one after another.

Although it was daytime and each firework was very faint, when these colorful little beams of light came together, they seemed to truly rival the sun in brilliance.

Gazing at the sea of ​​fireworks before him, Ino couldn't help but raise his wand.

There was no spellcasting or incantation, but the wand seemed to hear his inner desires.

Countless flames, representing hope and redemption, continuously surged from the tip of the staff, gradually gathering in the sky to form a vast orange-red cloud.

The flames gathered together, obscuring the sun.

In this scene that resembled a natural disaster, instead of fear, everyone showed a hint of hopeful smiles, as if they saw the scene they most wanted to see in the sky shrouded in flames.

In the stands, Dumbledore smiled, a smile tinged with nostalgia and relief, his deep blue eyes now as pure as a baby's.

Professor McGonagall, Snape, Professor Sprout… everyone unconsciously curled their lips into a smile.

On the Gryffindor stands, Colin held his prized camera and kept pressing the shutter, as if he wanted to remember this wonderful moment forever.

Today, Xiaodi is sharing about Fantastic Beasts: The Swamp Digger.

Level: xxx

Features: When the swamp digger is stationary, it looks like a piece of wood, but upon closer inspection, you will find that it has sharp claws and teeth.

Habits: They usually lurk in swamps and feed on small to medium-sized mammals, with mandrake grass being their favorite food.

(End of this chapter)