The news spread like wildfire, and during every class break and in every corridor, students eagerly discussed this unprecedented list of participating schools.
The excitement even spilled over into the classrooms.
During the advanced Charms Theory class that afternoon, after Sagres had just finished explaining a complex principle of counter-curses and announced the end of class, several bolder seventh-year students did not immediately begin packing their things as usual.
Instead, they nudged one another, and finally, a Ravenclaw girl stood up.
"Professor Greengrass," she asked hopefully, "we... we saw the announcement about the seven schools participating in the Tournament. Most of us know very little about these schools... Could you... could you tell us something about them? Just for a little while? Please!"
Her request was immediately echoed by nearly everyone in the classroom, and countless curious, eager eyes turned towards Sagres at the front.
Sagres's gaze swept across the young, expectant faces, and he remained silent for a moment.
He saw in their eyes the same pure curiosity he remembered possessing when he had explored the world in his own youth.
"Very well."
He answered simply, closing the textbook in his hand.
"Anyone who wishes to leave may do so. Those who wish to listen should return to their seats."
A wave of suppressed cheers and the hurried scraping of chairs instantly filled the classroom. Everyone sat down as quickly as possible, their eyes fixed on him.
Sagres glanced around. No one had left, not even the younger students auditing the class.
He walked to the front of the classroom, and with a light wave of his wand, a blurred holographic map of the world appeared in the air.
"Beauxbatons, located in the Pyrenees Mountains of southern France. Its Headmistress is Madame Olympe Maxime. The school emphasises elegance and artistic cultivation, and its palace grounds are decorated by flower fairies, creating an atmosphere of refinement."
His tone remained calm. With another slight movement of his wand, a point of light on the map illuminated and shifted to Northern Europe.
"Durmstrang, located in northern Scandinavia. It is known for its extensive study of the Dark Arts and its martial traditions. It does not accept Muggle-born students."
He omitted the darker rumours surrounding the school.
The point of light moved to North America.
"Ilvermorny, located on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts, United States. It was founded by the witch Isolt Sayre and her No-Maj husband, James Steward. Its House system is similar to that of Hogwarts, but with a distinctly American emphasis on practicality and innovation."
A student raised a hand.
"Professor, what's a No-Maj?"
"A Muggle," Sagres replied calmly. "In the United States, Wizards generally refer to non-magical people as No-Majs."
The point of light then moved to the African continent, glowing especially brightly.
"Uagadou, considered the oldest of all magical schools, is located in the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda. It is world-renowned for its unique system of gesture-based and spoken magic. Its students often display remarkable talent in Transfiguration, particularly in the field of Animagi."
The point of light moved to South America.
"Castelobruxo, located deep within the Brazilian rainforest. Its staff and students possess profound knowledge of magical creatures, Herbology, and Astronomy, and are highly skilled in healing magic, owing much to the region's rich magical flora and fauna."
Finally, the point of light moved to Oceania.
"Uagadou, located in the heart of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta region of Australia. Its teaching is deeply rooted in ancient Aboriginal magical traditions and the unique natural environment of the Pacific region. It excels in environmental magic, illusion magic, and ocean-related magic. Its student body encompasses the entire Oceania region."
Finally, the point of light returned to Britain.
"Hogwarts. That requires no introduction."
Each time he introduced a school, a low murmur of surprise and discussion spread through the classroom.
Sagres's explanations were entirely objective, without unnecessary embellishment, yet they accurately outlined the unique character of each school, opening a new window onto the wider magical world for the students.
"So, Professor," another student asked eagerly, "which of these schools is considered the strongest?"
Sagres's grey eyes rested on the student who had spoken, his tone still calm.
"There is no 'strongest' school, only Wizards who excel in different fields."
"The manifestations of magical power are diverse. Uagadou's wandless magic may not be inferior to Durmstrang's offensive magic, and Castelobruxo's understanding of natural magic may far surpass Ilvermorny's practical spellcraft. True strength lies in the breadth and depth of knowledge, not in simple comparisons."
His words brought this impromptu "Introduction to Magical Schools" lecture to a philosophical conclusion.
"Class is dismissed. Go and have your dinner."
After speaking, he gathered his books and prepared to leave, but the students, still hungry for more, crowded around him.
"Professor, tell us more! What about the other schools?"
"Yes, Professor! Are there more magical schools around the world?"
"How do Wizards live in those places? Are there any unusual forms of magic?"
Sagres stopped. His grey eyes swept over the faces still full of anticipation, including several Hufflepuff students who were usually rather quiet in his class.
He was silent for a moment. Instead of dismissing them with one of his usual brief refusals, he turned and began walking unhurriedly towards the Great Hall.
"We can talk while we walk," he said calmly.
That was as good as permission.
The students immediately followed with excitement, surrounding him like stars around the moon, creating a moving, chattering procession through the corridors of the Castle.
By the time they entered the brightly lit and bustling Great Hall, most students and teachers had already begun their evening meal.
The long tables were laden with food, and the air was filled with the aroma of roast meat and the sweetness of pumpkin juice.
At the staff table, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and several others noticed the commotion and cast surprised glances in their direction.
Sagres Greengrass being enthusiastically surrounded by students was not a common sight.
Sagres did not walk towards the staff table. Instead, in an unusual move, he headed directly for the Ravenclaw table.
He found an empty seat near the end of the table, a place where he himself had often sat as a student, and casually helped himself to some roast beef and vegetables.
Students gathered around him eagerly. Not only Ravenclaws, but also many Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, and even a few Slytherins, sat nearby with expectant expressions.
"Professor, how many magical schools are there in the world?" a Ravenclaw girl asked eagerly.
Sagres cut into his beef without looking up.
"The International Confederation of Wizards officially recognises eleven major magical schools. The seven you heard about today are all among them."
"Besides those, there is, for example, Koldovstoretz in Russia, which is renowned for its study of cold magic and ancient Slavic witchcraft..."
"Mahoutokoro in Japan, a magnificent palace located near the Ogasawara Islands, where students are often guided by Dream Eaters before enrolment..."
"The Kunlun School of Magic in China, which focuses on the internal application of magical power. Of course, they refer to it as 'Qi'. In addition, they are said to excel in magical scripts, talismans, charms, and a unique branch of Potions and Alchemy known as Elixir Crafting..."
"The Salzburg Academy of Magic in Austria. Its students are often naturally gifted spiritualists, seers, Animagi, and magical artists, with particular expertise in Astronomy and dream magic...."
His calm words seemed to possess a magic of their own, instantly conjuring images of snow-covered castles and palaces floating among the clouds in the minds of the students.
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