The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

Page 256

“Yarrow tea?” Neville looked up at him. “That requires fresh yarrow to be made into tea. If you trust me, I can make it for you.”

Scott smiled immediately. "Thank you, then I'll leave it to you."

So, after agreeing on a date with Neville for the yarrow to be processed, Scott happily left the greenhouse.

Using yarrow tea to enhance perception during arithmetic divination was a suggestion given to Scott by his Ravenclaw mentor.

Ravenclaw argues that modern wizards may be pursuing simplicity to the point of losing some essential rituals in certain matters.

Ravenclaw told him, "Some rituals are useful, and of course, some are not really useful, but in any case, a sense of ritual can help us get into the corresponding state better."

So Scott followed his mentor's advice and went to Professor Sprout to ask for some yarrow.

Professor Sprout seemed quite surprised by Scott's sudden private visit.

Scott's grades in herbalism were mediocre, and due to a lack of interest, he wasn't particularly dedicated to it. This resulted in him and Sprout not being very close.

Nevertheless, the kind witch did not refuse Scott's request.

Scott spent the entire month of October just as busy as September, but fortunately he had almost adapted to this extreme state.

Habit is a terrible thing.

As time goes by, after two days of intense mental work over the weekend, Scott's spirits won't be as low as they were at the beginning.

October 31, 1993, was another Sunday.

Because it was Halloween Eve, Scott was able to leave the Room of Requirement early to attend the Halloween dinner.

The Great Hall at Hogwarts was decorated anew on this day.

Of course, there's nothing new about it; it's still the same old giant pumpkin, black candles, flying bats, and scattered candy.

But Scott didn't care about any of that; he was looking forward to the delicious meal that evening.

When Scott walked to the long table, his three roommates all turned and stared at him.

“Oh, Scott, the elusive one, the mysterious Scott,” Eddie said in a strange tone. “Where have you been again? I woke up this morning and you were nowhere to be found!”

“Study.” Scott waved the notebook in his hand.

“Study!” Roger glared. “Listen to this, this guy has clearly forgotten that today is our first Hogsmeade Village weekend of the year!”

“It’s also Roger’s 5th anniversary of being single!” Eddie shouted.

Scott ignored the two men.

After he sat down, he simply looked at Milton and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I really forgot. How was your meeting with Mr. Grevis today?"

“It’s alright,” Milton smiled. “It’s better than I expected.”

"How so?" Scott asked curiously.

“My father… I don’t know if he’s become more lucid or more confused.” Milton’s expression was somewhat strange. “He told me I don’t need to go home.”

Eddie interjected softly, "I think Mr. Grevis is definitely more confused."

Roger immediately covered his mouth.

Scott glanced at the two of them and asked Milton, "What do you think?"

“That’s good, isn’t it?” Milton gave a somewhat forced smile. “At least… my request has been fulfilled, and my father will help me withstand the pressure from my grandfather.”

But... is it something a normal father would say to his underage son that he doesn't need to come home?

Scott and Roger exchanged a glance, both conveying the same meaning.

Having broken free from Roger's grasp, Eddie asked Milton, "Hadn't your grandfather contacted you before this?"

Milton shook his head. "Grandfather doesn't care about me, or rather, he only cares about the Grevis surname, not about any particular person."

"So, do you have any plans for your future?" Scott asked again with concern.

“My dad will pay my tuition and living expenses before I graduate. During the holidays, I will stay in the apartment left by my mom. Apart from my dad, my grandparents don’t know about that place.”

Milton said.

"After graduation..."

He thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I think I'll try to audition for the London Philharmonic Orchestra."

“But your musical talent…” Eddie blurted out, but Roger reached out and covered his mouth again.

"It's okay, at least with continuous practice, my playing technique won't deteriorate."

Milton smiled and told Roger to release Eddie.

He said in a relaxed tone, "If I can't get into the Philharmonic Orchestra, I'll try out for other orchestras. I think I'll always find my place."

"Of course, your original skills were already very strong; you could even get into the Philharmonic Orchestra."

Eddie quickly offered a few words of comfort, then said with some hesitation, "But..."

He quickly grabbed a glass of pumpkin juice and took a sip.

"You're planning to leave the wizarding world and live in the Muggle world after graduation? I mean... you were working so hard on your combat training before, why didn't you join the Weird Sisters singing group?"

“I train for real combat so I can better protect myself in the future, and that’s not contradictory,” Milton said with a smile. “Have you forgotten? I left the Weird Sisters last semester, and I’m no longer a prospective member.”

Roger said, "You can apply to join again; they might not necessarily reject you."

Milton shook his head. "The members of the Eccentric Sisters are all true geniuses, I mean in music."

He meant that he himself was no longer qualified.

"and……"

Mirge looked up and said in a hopeful tone.

“I have a feeling that one day in the future, I will reunite with my mother at a music event. At that time, I will see that she is doing well, and of course, I will also tell her that I am doing well too.”

At that moment, the Halloween candlelight overhead reflected in his eyes.

"That day will come."

"of course."

"must."

Scott, Roger, and Eddie agreed with his statement.

……

Chapter 291 The Banquet Performance, The Vanished Thestral

After Dumbledore announced the start of the Halloween dinner, an exceptionally lavish spread of food immediately appeared on the long table.

Various tempting meats, fruits, and desserts were piled up.

Milton composed himself and smiled at Scott and the others, saying, "Now, don't think about these things. I don't want my own affairs to spoil your holiday mood. Enjoy the feast!"

After saying that, he stood up and walked towards the front of the teachers' table.

At the same time, students from various colleges stood up from their seats.

Good evening, everyone!

Professor Flitwick walked out of the faculty seat, somewhat agitated.

"Please enjoy the performance presented by the Toad Choir and the Classical Music Club!"

He strode to the center of the hall and gently waved his wand.

Countless points of light fell, and a beautifully decorated stage appeared in the open space in front of the teachers' seats.

Pianos, cellos, violins, bagpipes... a variety of musical instruments were placed on both sides of the stage, gleaming under the candlelight.

Milton and other members of the classical music club went on stage and set up their instruments.

Finally, Roger's ex-girlfriend, Caccini, gave an elegant bow and sat down at the piano.

At the front of the stage, a giant pumpkin lantern rose from beneath Professor Flitwick's feet.

Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and the members of the classical music club sprang into action, followed by a beautiful ensemble of music.

"Quack! Quack quack!"

With a few croaks of frogs, the members of the Frog Choir, who were holding up a large frog with both hands, stood up from the long tables in their respective colleges and began to sing along with the music.

Cook twice as fast as you can.

Flames roared as foam poured from the pot.

Cook twice as fast, twice as fast.

Misfortune follows the wicked.

As the choir members sang, they walked from the various long tables onto the stage and stood in neat rows.

[Salamander's eyes and frog's toes.]

Bat wing membrane dog tongue.

Viper's venomous tongue and worm-like sting.

Lizard feet, owl wings.

Next, the music played by the musicians gradually became more exciting, and the vocals of the Toad Choir and the croaking of toads formed a duet.

Cook twice as fast as you can.

Flames roared as foam poured from the pot.