In July, countless snowy owls flew out of the castle, soaring toward every corner of Middle-earth.
Along with the school supply lists for students entering their second year, the owls also carried acceptance letters for new students in the upcoming school year.
Under the hopeful gazes of children across the land, the snowy owls, like messengers of good fortune, delivered the long-awaited letters.
This year's admissions were even larger than the previous year.
Among the accepted students were young wizards from Sylas's territory, elves from various regions, Northern Dúnedain, and even several Southern Dúnedain children from Gondor.
The nobles and royal families of Gondor, like the Northern Dúnedain, were descendants of Númenor.
However, after generations of intermarrying with other peoples, their bloodline had thinned, and their lifespans had become similar to ordinary humans.
But occasionally, a child's Númenórean bloodline would "revert", showing ancestral traits. Children like this, blessed with magical talent, were selected by the Quill of Acceptance and recorded in the Book of Admittance.
News that several Gondorian children had received Hogwarts acceptance letters delighted Regent Ecthelion II, who even personally received the children and their families.
The Regent had long known that Hogwarts was admitting young students to study magic.
However, he was deeply disappointed that his son, Denethor II, was already past the age limit and could not enroll.
Although the Regent's family, direct descendants of Númenor, had shorter lifespans due to mixed bloodlines, they still inherited some Númenórean gifts.
Denethor II's sons, Boromir and Faramir, possessed prophetic ability and had dreamt of shadowy visions relating to the One Ring before the War of the Ring.
Denethor himself had magical potential, enough to prompt him to visit the wand shop in Diagon Alley early, purchasing a wand and every spellbook available.
Regent Ecthelion II, wealthy beyond measure, even hired a wizard who had graduated from Sylas's accelerated magical course to teach Denethor basic spells.
Although Denethor wasn't particularly talented, he managed to learn basic magic, barely reaching the level of a novice wizard.
Of course, advanced magic could only be learned at Hogwarts, there was no substitute.
Still, Denethor was satisfied. Magic was merely a casual interest for him; he had neither the time nor the energy to study deeply.As the Regent-to-be of Gondor, his duty was to learn how to rule a nation, not to chase magical mastery.
Once all new students received their Hogwarts letters, August arrived in a blink.
Families living far away used the Portkeys included with the acceptance letters to travel to Diagon Alley for school shopping.
The upper-year students, now entering their second year, wisely avoided the busy day when the new students arrived.
Instead, they wandered Diagon Alley with classmates or accompanied their parents to buy second-year spellbooks and supplies.
After a lively month, September 1st arrived before anyone realized it.
Both new and returning students gathered in Hogsmeade, bidding their parents farewell before boarding the enchanted carriages.
The returning students, seeing the nervous freshmen, felt as though they were looking at younger versions of themselves. Feeling every bit the "upperclassmen," they eagerly helped the anxious newcomers.
Bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the carriages, filled to the brim, crossed the long bridge and made their way toward the castle.
Passing through the gates, the carriages came to a stop.
"First-year students, this way!"
Vice-Headmaster Edward called out loudly.
Startled and overwhelmed, the new students hurried to gather together and followed his instructions.
As for the second-year students, the moment they saw Professor Edward, they instantly straightened up and rushed into the Great Hall, terrified that the professor might notice them.
"Whew, scared me to death! Professor Edward's serious face is really terrifying!"
Adam Bailey exaggeratedly collapsed into his seat at the Phoenix House table.
His roommates and good friends, the elf Alanier and the Dúnedain boy Anlomir, couldn't help but laugh at his cat-being-chased-by-a-broomstick behavior.
"Professor Edward may be strict, but he isn't that scary, right?" Anlomir said with a smile.
Adam Bailey slumped forward onto the table and sighed weakly,"You two aced Transfiguration, so of course you don't have to be afraid. But I only got an A, just barely passing, last semester. How could I not be scared?"
Not to mention… Edward was also their House Head.
It was exactly like a mediocre student running into their homeroom teacher, all one could do was pray they wouldn't get singled out.
Of course, Adam Bailey wasn't truly a terrible student. Aside from Transfiguration, all his other subjects were either O (Outstanding) or E (Exceeds Expectations).
But his Transfiguration performance was truly… indescribable.
For example, in last semester's final exam, Professor Edward asked him to transform a mouse into a snuffbox.
He successfully turned the mouse into a beautiful snuffbox.
However… at the same time, everything around the snuffbox transformed into countless mice, causing an instant rat invasion in Professor Edward's office.
Most of the mice were caught and reversed back to normal by Professor Edward, but some escaped into the corridors, terrifying the students waiting for their exam. Several more vanished entirely, slipping into some hole who-knows-where.
Because of this accident, Professor Edward lost a shoe, a teacup, and a pocket watch.
In his fury, he wrote a very heavy "A" on Adam Bailey's report card.
The incident became one of the school's biggest laughingstocks.
As the second-year students settled into the Great Hall, the professors also took their seats.
Once everyone arrived, the closed banquet doors opened once more.
Professor Edward entered first, followed closely by the first-year students, who lined up in two neat rows like ducklings following their mother, their faces tense, nervous, and filled with awe as they looked around the Great Hall.
The professors and second-year students watched the new students closely, waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to begin.
This year, there were 124 new students, more than the previous year.
After the Sorting Hat finished singing a newly composed song, the Sorting Ceremony officially began.
Each time a student was assigned to a house, the corresponding table erupted into enthusiastic applause.
When the Sorting concluded, Sylas briefly reiterated the rules and then announced the start of the banquet.
With only six months left until Alvin's due date, Sylas's attention was mostly fixed on his pregnant wife beside him.
But while he was quietly watching over Alvin, he suddenly felt a malicious gaze.
He immediately turned toward the source, but saw only the crowd of students below.
The gaze vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.'
...
Stones PLzz
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