The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

St. Mungo's Hospital for the Injuries of Magic and Wounds, a place Scott knew absolutely nothing about, he would never risk going there.

"And you?" Jacob's face finally showed surprise.

"I've said before, it's just about exchanging ideas with you."

By this time, the small boat had reached the shore. Scott stood up from the boat and jumped onto the dock.

He turned to Jacob, who was still sitting on the boat, and said, "We are both Muggle-born wizards, and we often share the same views. And you are a smart fellow, so perhaps we can cooperate many times in the future. This is just the beginning of our understanding."

After saying that, he waved his hand and turned to leave.

Before leaving the dock, he heard Jacob's disgruntled voice, "I don't know you!"

"That's a matter of your own ability."

Scott turned and said something, then stepped onto the stone steps leading to Hogwarts Castle.

Chapter 045 Bargaining, Portrait Painting

Jacob jumped off the boat as fast as he could and ran behind Scott.

"Then..." he said vaguely, "when...we get back to Hogwarts, what should we do?"

Scott continued walking, saying with a sigh, "Oh, Jacob, I think you can do just fine without my advice."

Seeing that Scott remained unmoved, Jacob could only say sullenly, "Fine, we'll see when the time comes."

"Oh, right."

Scott suddenly stopped and turned to look down at Jacob.

"You know who started this nasty nickname I have lately, right?" he asked.

“Nickname? Oh, yes, that’s true,” Jacob replied, “but I’ve only heard people talk about you.”

Scott was quite surprised. "Wasn't that damn nickname Travers used to humiliate me?"

Jacob shook his head. "No, she only calls you that in private..."

[Mud Seed.]

He mouthed the word.

Scott said coldly, "So, who gave me that damn nickname?"

"Do you need me to find out for you?" Jacob blinked. "For a fee."

“What do I need to pay for this?” Scott asked curiously.

Jacob immediately replied, “I need you to instruct me in transfiguration.”

Just as Scott was about to refuse, Jacob held up three fingers to him.

"Three times, each time for no less than two hours." He set the limit himself.

Scott retracted his refusal and readily nodded in agreement, "It seems you know how to handle things well. Okay, deal."

Jacob smiled happily, "I will find out."

Scott said with satisfaction, "I'll be waiting for your answer."

Back at the castle, Scott took out his pocket watch to check the time, then parted ways with Jacob and headed alone to the Transfiguration classroom.

When he sat in the Transfiguration classroom and met Professor McGonagall's gaze, he realized with a start that he had forgotten Professor McGonagall's birthday present.

He quickly recalled the date; fortunately, it was October 1st, three days before Professor McGonagall's birthday.

He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled naturally at Professor McGonagall, not letting her see his guilty conscience.

The lesson is about turning a hedgehog into a pincushion.

Scott completed the transformation in the fastest time, and after adding 2 points for Ravenclaw, he began to think about his birthday present.

Unfortunately, he still hadn't come up with any good ideas by the end of get out of class.

After dinner, Scott returned to his dorm room and asked his three roommates for advice.

He first described the problems he was facing, and then said with distress, "Mainly... although I feel it's a bit boastful of me to say this, I still have to say it, mainly because the birthday gift I gave to Professor Flitwick was just too amazing."

At this point, only Milton expressed his agreement.

However, Scott didn't care about Roger and Eddie's opinions, because he thought they had no artistic talent whatsoever.

He continued, "Do you think it would be perfunctory to give Professor McGonagall the same painting? If we can't give her the same painting, then what gift could be as original as that one?"

After listening to his troubles, Milton immediately nodded in empathy, "You're absolutely right."

Then he seriously started thinking about Scott's situation.

But Scott wasn't going to let the other two distracted people go.

He turned to them and asked, "Roger, Eddie, do you two have any good suggestions?"

“Perhaps you could send me a Quidditch League ticket? As far as I know, Professor McGonagall is quite obsessed with Quidditch. Oh, that's what the Gryffindor students told me.”

Roger was initially uncertain, but he became more and more confident as he spoke.

Scott ignored his answer without a second thought and turned to look at Eddie.

“Hmm, maybe you could give Professor McGonagall a collection of jokes to make her a little more humorous?” Eddie said seriously. “Or, just to make her less serious.”

"I knew you two wouldn't come up with any good ideas," Scott said, turning his head away in disdain.

Now he can only hope for Milton's advice.

After a while, Milton happily said to him, "I've got it, Scott!"

“Thank you, Milton, tell me about it.” Scott looked at him expectantly.

“You should continue to use your artistic talents and paint a portrait of Professor McGonagall!” Milton said.

"A painting? But... a portrait?" Scott raised an eyebrow. "You mean a portrait painting?"

Milton nodded repeatedly. "That's right. But the colors used in this portrait should be similar to those in the painting you gave to Professor Flitwick."

Scott understood what he meant.

"So, you mean combining the way you used color to express magic in that previous abstract painting with portraiture?" He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Milton said excitedly, "That's right, I think it's a great idea! If you can finish it, Professor McGonagall will love it!"

“But… I only have two days to prepare.” Scott shook his head. “Although tomorrow and the day after are the weekend, I’m afraid two days won’t be enough for me to finish such a painting.”

“Oh! I think you don’t have to paint it so realistically, or you could use an impressionistic style?” Milton suggested again.

Milton, who grew up in the magical world, originally had no idea what Impressionism was.

The magical painting techniques in the magical world are similar to the classical oil painting techniques in the Muggle world; both are in a realistic style.

But ever since he saw the abstract painting that Scott gave to Professor Frievy, Milton has become deeply interested in all forms of art in the Muggle world.

Scott has recently borrowed many books on this subject from him.

“Great idea!” Scott nodded in agreement.

He was once again amazed by Milton's understanding of art.

He said gratefully, "Thank you, you've saved my reputation with Professor McGonagall, Milton!"

"You're welcome, Scott."

Milton was happy that he could be of help.

Scott became excited and couldn't wait to pick up his paintbrush and start painting.

"I can't wait to start writing!"

He turned and walked to his bedside, using his transformation magic to turn the coat rack into an easel and placed it in front of the dormitory window. Then he took out a new canvas and a box of oil paints from the transformed lizard skin bag.

He envisioned what the finished painting would look like and prepared the base paint with linseed oil.

However, the paintbrush in his hand, smeared with paint, stopped when it touched the canvas.

“No.” He put down his paintbrush. “I shouldn’t have painted like that.”

He put down his paintbrush, stood up, and began pacing back and forth in the dormitory.

"Scott?"

At this moment, his roommates all looked at him strangely.

“Let me think!” Scott gestured for them to be quiet. “I just suddenly feel that I shouldn’t paint it this way. There must be a more suitable way to depict this painting.”

Chapter 046 Saturday, Scenery in the Morning Mist

That night, Scott did not put pen to paper on the painting.

He felt uncomfortable because he clearly thought there were better ways to express it, but he couldn't think of them for the moment.

So he woke up very early the next day.

After he finished washing up and changing his clothes, he sat by the window for a long time, staring at the blank canvas.

Unbeknownst to him, the morning light pierced through the thin mist and shone on his face through the glass window.

Scott snapped out of his daze and, seeing that his roommates were still fast asleep, left the dorm room alone.

He decided to go out for a walk to clear his mind.

When he arrived at the common room, he saw Luna, wearing a nightgown, sitting on the windowsill with her knees drawn up, staring blankly out the window.

Scott went over and greeted her.

Good morning, Luna.

Luna slowly turned her head, and upon seeing Scott, gave a dazed smile.

“Good morning, Scott.” She waved slightly.

“Every time I see you in the lounge, you’re sitting here,” Scott said.

He walked to the window and looked in the direction Luna had been gazing—the Forbidden Forest.

He asked curiously, "Is there any scenery there that you can always appreciate?"