The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 329 The Vibrant Valley, Professor McGonagall's Admonition

The next day, early in the morning.

At the end of November, temperatures in the Scottish Highlands plummeted to below zero.

Although it was a bit chilly, all the little wizards in the castle got up very early today.

Everyone washed and dressed early, then took the various equipment that had been prepared in advance, such as banners that had been enchanted, colorful fireworks, and of course, Quidditch telescopes.

Perhaps thanks to the World Cup, more than 80 percent of young wizards are using Quidditch binoculars.

As for the remaining small group, they were also divided into two categories. One category consisted of Muggle wizards who genuinely couldn't afford or couldn't buy a magic telescope; the other category consisted of those who possessed more expensive items, such as a video telescope, a camera, or both.

Colin possesses both qualities.

Last year, while on a train, he followed and photographed Ino, capturing a Dementor from a perfect angle. The twelve photos he took not only earned him financial compensation but also caught the attention of the Daily Prophet.

As a well-known wizard in the castle, Colin is holding multiple positions today, including the Daily Prophet, Mirror Media, and even Malfoy, who visited the day before yesterday.

Three commissions led him to skip breakfast and rush to the Quidditch pitch early to secure a good shooting position.

Colin thought he had arrived early enough, but when he actually got to the venue, he found that there were people who had arrived even earlier than him, and not just one or two.

After quietly observing his surroundings, he could tell from their equipment and expressions that these people were all newcomers to the same profession.

This discovery made Colin somewhat nervous; it seemed that more and more people wanted to pursue a career in photojournalism, which made him seriously consider the offer Malfoy had made a few days earlier.

……

At the same time.

Slytherin dormitory.

After washing up, Ino unusually used the privileges granted by the castle to have the house-elves bring breakfast to her bedroom.

"Marcus has arranged for twelve people to take photos from different angles, and I've also arranged for some staff. The first issue of the monthly magazine will be available by Christmas..."

As Draco spoke, his eyes kept glancing at the alarm clock beside him.

"Oh, by the way! Have you finished the preparations you mentioned last night? Actually, if you ask me, you don't need to think too much; just focus on getting a high score. Of course, this is just my suggestion..."

Perhaps due to excitement, Draco not only spoke very quickly, but also talked more than usual, becoming somewhat talkative.

Ino understood this and immediately pulled up her sleeve, revealing an ice-blue bracelet on her wrist.

"Don't worry, it was finished last night. Scores are important, but visual effects are what really matter."

After saying that, Ino picked up a napkin from the table and wiped her mouth.

The first battle with the fire dragon seemed like it could be ended with just one Divine Strike Without Shadow, but in reality, he had been considering it for a long time.

First of all, the original intention of the competition was not to intimidate or threaten.

Therefore, he abandoned most of the magic that could kill with a single blow, as well as Boggart's fear mist.

After much deliberation, only ice magic and shapeshifting remained. That's why I was late coming to the common room last night.

"A snake-shaped bracelet? An alchemical artifact?" Draco asked, puzzled.

In his view, the ice-blue bracelet was more like a work of art, about a third of an inch in diameter, and its ends were connected, making it look very beautiful.

"An alchemical artifact? Perhaps! But I believe it's alive more likely."

Ino reached out and gently touched the uneven scales on the surface of the bracelet, recalling the dreamlike experience of the previous night.

In fact, after deciding to focus on ice magic and shapeshifting, he thought of the earliest anaconda in the sanctuary.

A seventy-foot-tall ice serpent battling a fire dragon would probably score full marks in terms of both size and visual impact.

That's why Ino had the idea to disguise the anaconda so it would be easier for it to take the field.

But upon entering the shelter, he discovered a transformation—a transformation that could only be described as dreamlike.

The alchemical dolls that Nicolas Flamel once gifted, without any equivalent exchange of vitality, ran around and played wildly.

In the valley, the shape of facial features even faintly emerges on the trunks of the red maple trees and the three oak trees.

Even with shapeshifting magic, the lifeless ice and snow python's eyes became lively.

But the changes in the shelters go far beyond that.

Every blade of grass, every tree, even the white house, and the tables, chairs, benches, candlesticks, and teacups in the room, all seemed to come alive.

When asked about the changes that led to all of this, Ino immediately thought of the winding, rainbow-colored river in the sky above the valley.

The only recent change to the shelter is the addition of a river.

In fact, after careful and meticulous observation, he confirmed his guess.

The rainbow in the sky is not just a simple decoration; it is like the sun shining on the earth, bringing warmth and brightness, as well as boundless vitality.

But this vitality doesn't follow certain rules like sunlight.

The rainbow in the sky originated from the pebbles picked up by the children of Rohan, which makes its vitality more vibrant and inclusive.

This energy is like that of a real child; it seems that in its eyes, everything, whether it's a doll, a hat, or anything else, can be personified.

Singing flowers, talking teacups, runaway candlesticks, mischievous stools...

Although currently only Nico's puppets are truly active in the valley, Ino is certain that with time, this place will eventually become even more wonderful.

At that moment, he belatedly realized something.

Ten years in Middle-earth, the greatest gain was not at all that tulip that resembled the one that gave birth to the Ring of Fire.

The biggest gain was actually these inconspicuous pebbles, which were almost discarded.

It's everywhere, and quite ordinary.

But within the ordinary lies a miracle.

……

A fleeting memory.

Ino pulled up her sleeves again to cover the bracelet that had turned into an ice and snow python, then turned her gaze to the alarm clock beside her.

"I have to go. Judging by the time, Professor McGonagall should already be in the Great Hall."

After saying that, he stood up and gently patted Draco on the shoulder.

To be honest, Ino felt a sense of novelty about the upcoming matches. It was like someone who was used to telling stories suddenly stepping into one.

……

Leave the common lounge.

Along the way, Ino smiled and responded to the young wizards who passed by.

Everything went smoothly, except for being stopped by a few girls from Beauxbatons at the corner. They not only asked for autographs, but also surrounded by enthusiastic French girls for a group photo.

Overall, they were all minor, harmless incidents.

Wait until we enter the auditorium.

Before her eyes was Professor McGonagall, who had been waiting, and Harry beside her.

"Thank goodness! I thought you overslept; Harry's already here!"

Professor McGonagall appeared as serious and calm as ever, but from the way she kept tucking the stray hairs behind her ears, it was easy to tell that she wasn't as calm as she seemed.

"Excuse me, Professor McGonagall!" Ino said, nodding to Harry.

"Alright! Don't be nervous!" Professor McGonagall tucked her hair behind her ear again. "Don't be afraid, I'll be watching the game closely! But I must say, don't try to be brave."

At this point, Professor McGonagall looked at Harry seriously. As the Head of Gryffindor, she noticed something different about Harry; he seemed full of energy.

In the past, this would certainly have been a good thing, but to be so enthusiastic in the face of a 5X fire dragon isn't necessarily a good thing. She really didn't want Gryffindor to produce another Sir Cagando a thousand years later.

"Remember! Don't be reckless! If there's any danger or accident, give me time to intervene and rescue them. This is my last request!"

By the end, Professor McGonagall's voice trembled slightly, but she still managed to deliver all her instructions, word by word.

"Alright, now you two come with me! The Warriors will enter from the other side."

There's one more chapter, but it'll be delayed a bit. Xiao Di is still revising it, and it should be finished around 9 PM! Sorry everyone.

(End of this chapter)