The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

“I’m afraid even Professor Girard herself didn’t expect her students to resort to such underhanded tactics to express their protest,” Lucio shook his head. “If she knew, she would probably be even angrier than Mrs. Maxime.”

Scott nodded in agreement.

Such underhanded tactics are utterly disgraceful.

It's a disgrace to the names of Beauxbatons and Girard.

"It must have been Waldo who acted on his own initiative; he's never been very bright," Lucio said with a hint of schadenfreude.

Hearing this, Fred asked curiously, "But those students, I mean, those in the Gilal alchemy classroom, seem to be led by him."

Lucio scoffed. "Because he also has the surname Girard and is Professor Girard's nephew, so even though he's a bit slow, those people always follow his lead."

Next, Lucio told them more of the background story.

The alchemy classrooms of Russell and Girard have been operating in Beauxbatons for hundreds of years and have always been controlled by the Russell and Girard families.

Perhaps due to mutual disdain among peers, the two wizarding families, both researching alchemy, had accumulated numerous conflicts due to their long-standing competition, which led to the apprentices in the two classrooms being hostile to each other.

Of course, the two families also have different styles.

The Russell family is quite open-minded, values ​​communication, and is generous in teaching others.

The Girard family, on the other hand, is very conservative and has always preferred to keep their knowledge to themselves, never easily sharing it with outsiders.

"In short, both Professor Girard and Professor Russell are the best alchemists in Beauxbatons today, but she is far less popular than Professor Russell."

Lucio said quietly.

"Because of the Girard family's consistently conservative approach, she took in very few apprentices, mostly descendants of families on good terms with the Girard family. Among those apprentices, the one she valued most was always Waldo, her nephew, who shared the same surname as her."

He laughed gleefully again.

"This time, Waldo has caused trouble, and Madame Maxim will definitely use this as leverage to force Professor Girard to lower his standards and recruit more students. I suspect Professor Girard will have no choice but to compromise. In short, no matter how much she loves Waldo, she will definitely punish him severely."

Cedric asked, "If they're not happy to take on students, why come to the magic school to be professors?"

"Of course, it's because it brings them status and prestige, as well as opportunities to exchange benefits with other families," Lucio replied without hesitation.

Scott and the others seemed to be deep in thought.

But the three of them treated these events as just stories and made no comment on them.

Only Cedric asked with concern, "Is it alright to just tell us all this like this?"

“It’s alright.” Lucio didn’t seem to care much. “These things are an open secret; everyone knows them, but no one talks about them publicly.”

He suddenly smiled slyly.

"Besides, what's wrong with me, a Spaniard, discussing French matters with an Englishman?"

"Absolutely no problem!"

Scott and Fred both gave him a thumbs up.

Amidst laughter and conversation, they arrived at their destination.

"We've arrived."

Lucio pointed to a large metal door in the corridor ahead.

The door appears to be neither gold nor silver, with numerous patterns and densely engraved ancient magical runes, and inlaid with several large gemstones.

A beautifully carved wooden plaque hangs horizontally above the door.

[Roselle's Alchemy Classroom]

[— Beginning in 1535]

Lucio said, "The material used to forge this door is an alloy transformed by alchemy, known as Roselle alloy. It is said that no wizard can break it or cast any magic on it."

As he spoke, he placed his hand on the circular pattern in the center of the door.

Drip, drip.

The gems flashed a few times, and the door opened.

“From now on, you will probably have to come to class with me, because you cannot open this door on your own.”

Lucio pushed open the door and went inside, with Scott and the others following behind him.

“It’s huge,” Cedric said softly.

The classroom was surprisingly large, almost half the size of a Quidditch pitch.

Although the space is large, it does not feel spacious; on the contrary, it feels somewhat crowded.

The huge workbench, the towering bookshelves and shelves filled to the brim, and some oddly shaped specimens and instruments filled the entire space.

Lucio said, "The professor hasn't arrived yet, so follow me."

He walked to a workbench by the window.

“This is my territory,” he said, turning his head. “Since you’re auditors, you’ll probably have to use our equipment to operate this…”

He glanced somewhat reluctantly at the things on the workbench.

“Everyone else treasures these things and might not be willing to let you borrow them, except for me.”

He sighed.

"In short, be careful not to damage any of my things. Of course, you will be paid for any materials you use in the future."

Scott and his two companions looked at each other, then nodded.

Soon, the other students entered the classroom one after another.

"Lucio, I heard you and Waldo had a fight?"

"What happened... Oh!"

Several students went straight to Lucio as soon as they entered, but quickly shut their mouths when they saw Scott and his two companions.

Lucio said, "You know, about the translation headset thing, Waldo warned us not to do anything unnecessary, and then I found out their mistake was intentional."

"Oh my god..."

The others were initially surprised and their mouths dropped open, but they quickly burst into laughter.

Perhaps because Scott and his group were present, these people started huddling together and whispering.

"did not expect……"

"He's still so stupid..."

"This time, definitely..."

"Professor Girard..."

Although Scott couldn't hear clearly, he was certain that they were just as gloating as Lucio.

Just then, the closed door opened again, and a male wizard wearing a white robe and with long, flowing black hair walked in.

“Professor Russell is here,” Lucio said in a low voice.

To Scott's surprise, Professor Russell looked very young, no more than 35 years old.

He had an exceptionally handsome face, with deep-set eyes, sharp features, and an outstanding temperament.

The apprentices immediately stopped whispering and all stood up, including Lucio, who respectfully greeted the wizard.

"tutor."

Scott and his two companions also bowed.

"Professor Russell."

"Ah."

Professor Russell nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Scott and his two companions.

"Only three guests have chosen my course, and they are all Hogwarts students. Anyway, welcome."

He said "welcome" but his expression and tone were very cold.

He strode to the largest workbench at the front of the classroom, took off his pure white gloves and put them away, then looked at Scott and the other two again.

"As far as I know, Hogwarts does not offer a course on alchemy, so you may not be able to keep up with our pace."

As he spoke, he placed his hands on the workbench and leaned forward.

"But I'm sorry, I can't change my teaching plan for you, so I can't guarantee that you will gain anything from my class..."

At this point, he straightened up again.

"I will not have any requirements regarding your learning progress. You can leave my class at any time without explaining to me."

As he spoke, his expression remained indifferent, but his eyes remained calm as he looked at Scott and the others.

"If you ask me, I would suggest that you audit the courses in Duran's Alchemy Classroom, together with the third-year students. Professor Duran will start teaching from the most basic knowledge."

Upon hearing this, Scott and the other two turned to look at Lucio.

They came here, but it was his suggestion.

Prior to this, they were unaware that alchemy classrooms were divided into advanced and beginner levels; neither the course schedule nor the signboard indicated this.

Lucio responded to them with an innocent look.

Scott thought for a moment and then raised one hand.

Professor Russell's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Is there a problem? You are... oh, Mr. Troop, a champion of Hogwarts?"

“Yes, Professor,” Scott said. “May I ask you some questions and read the books in this classroom?”

"Oh?"

Professor Russell seemed a little surprised.

But he quickly nodded, "Sure, as long as you don't disrupt our teaching. Of course, the books can't be taken out of this classroom."

Thank you for your generosity.

Scott bowed politely.

Fred and Cedric bowed to him as well.

Professor Russell nodded, gesturing for them to sit down, and then began his lesson.