The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

He sat down in the empty seat next to Milton.

“We’re talking about our summer vacation experiences,” Milton replied.

"I thought I had already said that before."

Scott smiled and patted Milton on the shoulder.

"Should I once again welcome you back to Hogwarts instead of dropping out?"

“It’s all Eddie talking,” Roger yawned, looking bored. “He’s told his summer story in America over and over again, and every time he comes up with a different version.”

Milton laughed too. "Just think of it as listening to a story when you're bored."

"Hey!" Eddie grumbled in annoyance at being mocked.

Roger ignored him.

"I'm still regretting missing the World Cup final."

He seemed uninterested in anything.

Three days ago, the previously unsuccessful Quidditch World Cup final was moved to Iceland. Due to the hasty decision and the previous unforeseen circumstances, the match, which was originally expected to attract a lot of attention, did not have many spectators.

All anyone knows is that the Irish and Bulgarian players played the entire match on a makeshift pitch built in the middle of nowhere, and the Bulgarian Seeker caught the Golden Snitch, giving Ireland the championship.

“The Irish players and the Bulgarian seeker must be even more upset than you,” Scott told Roger. “That was their moment of glory, but there weren’t many people cheering for them.”

Eddie shrugged. "At least they made the front page, especially the Bulgarian Seeker, Viktor Krum. I heard he was just a student at Durmstrang Magic Academy before graduating, and now he's a household name..."

The four chatted idly, but of course, the topics remained within the "safe" range.

But accidents always happen unexpectedly.

The cubicle door was suddenly pushed open, and Dylan and Kayla, the lovey-dovey couple, walked in.

“Oh, Scott, you’re always slacking off here,” Kayla complained casually. “Professor Flitwick should have just given the prefectural head position to Dylan. Oh, and…”

She looked at Milton.

"Congratulations, Milton. I've heard that your father may become the new Minister of Magic."

Kayla's words seemed to have triggered something, and in an instant, the previously harmonious atmosphere in the cubicle suddenly changed drastically.

Scott and the others glanced at Milton cautiously.

“Oh… thank you, Kayla,” Milton said with some difficulty, “but it’s not something to celebrate.”

"I'm sorry, please don't mind her nonsense."

Dylan smiled awkwardly, reached out and pulled Kayla away, intending to leave.

"W-what's wrong?"

Kayla was still a little confused, but Dylan had already dragged her away.

"Are you alright?" Scott patted Milton on the shoulder.

Roger and Eddie looked at him with some concern.

"I am fine."

Milton's eyes reddened, but thankfully he didn't shed a tear.

“You know, that’s why I came back.” He took a deep breath. “I know I can’t run away anymore. Anyway, I’ll figure everything out.”

It seems his personality has finally become stronger than before, which relieved Scott and the others.

“I also want to say that you don’t need to be so careful about what I say,” Milton said earnestly. “These are things I’m about to face.”

Scott nodded. "As far as I know, Medea is still unconscious. Given her prior arrangements, it won't be easy for Mr. Grevis to take over."

Roger agreed, saying, "In fact, I also favor Ms. Burns, who has Dumbledore's support. In the current situation, as the head of the Department of Law Enforcement, her position and past achievements make it easier for her to gain everyone's support."

Eddie also offered advice, "I think you could secretly contact Mr. Grevis and find out his true thoughts..."

Since Milton wanted to confront those issues directly, Scott and the others stopped trying to avoid the topic and instead helped him sort out the current situation.

Finally, Milton decided to first make secret contact with Mr. Grevis with Scott's help.

As dusk approached, they disembarked at the Hogsmeade station.

The weather suddenly changed; strong winds blew and torrential rain poured down.

They ran and boarded the carriage pulled by the Thestrals.

Just then, Luna ran over, and Scott quickly reached out and pulled her onto the carriage.

"That's great, they really are back!"

Luna smoothed her wet hair and looked happily at the Thestrals pulling the carts.

As she spoke, her gaze was drawn to Milton again.

“Oh, Milton.” She reached behind her ear and took her wand. “Do you need me to drive away the swarms of gnats? They’re swarming all over your brain.”

"What?" Milton looked at Luna, who had a serious expression, in astonishment.

“You can give it a try, Milton,” Scott suggested with a smile.

"Okay... alright."

Upon hearing Scott's words, Milton hesitated before agreeing.

Luna nodded and decisively waved her wand.

"My brain is turning to mush!"

A flash of white light, and Milton was transformed into a dazed little fool.

"In this way, the harassing horsefly will not be able to survive in his brain."

Luna said to Roger and Eddie, who were both shocked.

“Very good,” Eddie muttered. “Being an idiot really does mean you won’t have any worries.”

"You're a real genius," Roger said, giving Luna a thumbs up.

Luna nodded and waved her wand again.

"Stop the curse immediately."

Under the golden light, Milton's dull eyes regained their sparkle.

What's wrong with me?

He stared in shock at the scenery outside the carriage, realizing with disbelief that he had abruptly missed a part of the journey.

"Look, he's much better now."

Luna smiled with satisfaction and tucked the wand back behind her ear.

"Oh, he does look much better!"

Roger and Eddie couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Milton, finally snapping out of his daze, had no time to think about the things that had been bothering him, and couldn't help but laugh along.

"He finally cheered up."

Seeing this, Luna happily said to Scott.

“Yes, it’s all thanks to you.” Scott gave her an encouraging look.

Soon, the carriage passed through a gate flanked by sculptures of winged wild boars and traveled along a wide driveway.

The carriage finally stopped at the foot of the stone steps in front of two oak gates.

Just then, a bolt of lightning ripped through the sky.

They followed the crowd up the stone steps toward the brightly lit auditorium.

At the entrance to the auditorium, Scott stopped his companions who wanted to go in.

The next moment, screams erupted as Pippi the Ghost launched a frenzied attack on all the students with water-filled balloons, leaving many soaked to the bone.

Professor McGonagall shouted at him, but Peeves remained unmoved, throwing water balloons around while laughing maniacally.

It wasn't until Professor McGonagall invoked Dumbledore's name that the mischievous boy finally retreated reluctantly.

Scott and his companions then entered the Great Hall and saw Dumbledore and several professors already seated in the faculty section.

Of course, this excludes Professor McGonagall and Hagrid, who were responsible for welcoming new students, as well as Lupin, who had already left, and...

“Oh, so Snape, that Death Eater, can’t go back to Hogwarts after all,” Eddie muttered with a hint of schadenfreude. “Those snakes have lost their snake king.”

Scott glanced toward the Slytherin table and noticed that most of the Slytherin students were sitting there expressionless.

Despite the lively Great Hall, these Slytherins acted as if they belonged to a different school of thought.

"The new students have arrived!"

Scott turned his head and saw Professor McGonagall leading a group of curious children into the auditorium.

"Everyone!"

Just then, Dumbledore, who was in the teachers' seat, stood up and stepped forward.

"Before the Sorting Ceremony begins, I would like to introduce two new professors to everyone!"

The students were immediately drawn to his words, and the auditorium fell silent.

"First of all, I am honored to introduce you to Alastor Moody, who will soon become the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Moody!"

click, click, click...

The sound of wood hitting the stone slabs on the ground rang out.

Professor Moody, leaning on a wooden cane and sporting a wooden prosthetic leg, makes his entrance from one side.

His scarred, grotesque face and his constantly shifting demonic eyes instantly stunned everyone.

The freshmen standing behind Professor McGonagall were terrified, their faces pale and trembling.

Dumbledore continued, "Professor Moody is a powerful wizard who has worked as an Auror for decades, always fighting on the front lines against dark wizards! I believe he will bring you a perfect lesson with his rich experience! Let's welcome him with applause!"

As he spoke, he spontaneously began to applaud.

But not many people in the auditorium joined him in applauding.