Chapter 64: The Awakening of Slytherin's Ancient Magic
Since Remus Lupin became the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, this class has completely changed.
He never used boring theories or intimidating teaching methods; every lesson was solid and interesting. Facing dangerous creatures like Boggarts, Red Caps, and Kappas, he always explained how to deal with them in the safest and clearest way, allowing everyone to experience it firsthand while always ensuring the students' safety. He was gentle, patient, and good at encouraging, never mocking cowardice nor condoning slackness. Even the students who were originally most afraid of this subject gradually dared to raise their wands and try.
Red Caps are a type of small, sturdy, evil creature, looking like withered little dwarves with gray skin and always wearing a cap stained with fresh blood on their heads. They love to lurk in ancient battlefields, abandoned Castles, or deep pits and dead corners of remote paths, specifically ambushing those who are lost, alone, or injured. Red Caps are agile and have considerable strength, skilled at using clubs and stones for sneak attacks. Once successful, they use the victim's blood to stain their caps to maintain their ferocity. Dealing with them does not require particularly powerful magic; as long as one is calm enough, basic jinxes can scare them away, but if one is alone and unprepared, it is easy to suffer a great loss.
As for Kappas, they are a type of dangerous magical creature that inhabits water. They resemble monkeys, with smooth, sticky skin, green scales, and sharp claws. Their most iconic feature is a small, concave pit on the top of their heads that must be filled with water to maintain their strength. They mostly occupy ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, actively dragging creatures near the water into it to feed on their blood. Kappas are incredibly strong and particularly difficult to deal with in water, but their weakness is also very obvious—as long as you use spells or tricks to induce them to bow their heads, letting the water in the pit on their head drain out, they will instantly lose their strength and be unable to harm anyone.
With practical knowledge, vivid classes, and a reliable and approachable Professor, Lupin's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class unknowingly became the most anticipated and popular class among Hogwarts students.
However, this intense interest in Dark Arts creatures soon bred a training target for a large group of little Slytherinsnakes.
Every night, many Slytherin students would team up to sneak out of the Castle, heading towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest or the shore of the Black Lake. They originally thought that after the number of Acromantulas decreased, there wouldn't be so many targets to hunt, but no one expected the surprise to come so suddenly. Now, the first-year freshmen had training targets.
Under the cover of night, faint commotions and the light of wands could be heard from the depths of the Forbidden Forest from time to time, and there were always people probing near the water surface by the Black Lake, trying to lure the Kappas in the water to appear.
It wasn't until Professor McGonagall announced one morning that Slytherin students were not allowed to continue this slaughter that they restrained themselves. However, they were still unconvinced. Why would anyone call it slaughter when dealing with such man-eating monsters? As expected, in troubled times, kill the "saint" first; they silently added Professor McGonagall's name to their list.
Su Yu was stunned by their actions. He turned his head to look at Cassandra, because Cassandra usually led the training. Cassandra lowered her head in embarrassment, as if she had brainwashed them a bit too much; she would be careful next time.
Farley also thought it was quite good. These new Slytherinstudents all looked like fanatics, showing great promise.
Su Yu rolled up his notebook and hit both girls on the head, then earnestly told them that Slytherin was not a religion and he would not allow them to continue like this. Although the two girls wanted to retort, they had to listen to Su Yu in such matters.
As for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, this was not the end of it. Neville was now living in fear at school.
Back in the Boggart class, the person Neville feared most was always Professor Snape. Lupin gently guided him, making him imagine Snape in ridiculous grandmother's clothes—oversized dresses and funny hats—completely dispelling that fear. At the time, the whole class burst into laughter, and the atmosphere was incredibly relaxed, but this incident eventually reached Snape's ears.
From then on, the way Snape looked at Neville became increasingly cold and mean, picking on him at every turn. He deliberately made things difficult in Potion Class and made cold, mocking remarks when they met in the hallways. Even the most insignificant little mistake would be seized upon by him and severely reprimanded. Neville, who was already timid and cowardly, was now constantly on edge, afraid of accidentally running into Snape's crosshairs again.
Ever since the incident in the Care of Magical Creatures Class, no student truly liked it. At first, Hagrid was eager to show off dangerous and novel creatures, but then Malfoydeliberately provoked Buckbeak and got into a fight with it, causing the whole school to panic because magical creatures could attack people. After this, Hagrid completely lost confidence and dared not bring everyone to interact with interesting magical creatures anymore, turning instead to teaching one boring lesson after another on how to care for the lifeless Flobberworms. The class was incredibly dull, with no fun to speak of; students were either drowsy or full of complaints. Compared to Lupin's vivid and practical Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, this subject completely became the class everyone hated the most.
Entering October, a strange anomaly quietly appeared in Hogwarts—in Slytherin, more and more students had awakened rare and unique abilities after learning Ancient Magic.
This ancient power, derived from the source of magic and far exceeding conventional spells, began to manifest in Slytherin students. In classrooms, corridors, and the common room, there were frequent magical anomalies caused by the sudden awakening of special abilities among Slytherin students. Their eyes carried a bit more hidden fanaticism, and they frequently discussed their awakening experiences in private. This abnormal magical trend spread rapidly in the snake house, making the already turbulent Slytherin even more mysterious and dangerous.
Draco Malfoy was the first to master the Ancient Wind of Tearing, able to conjure invisible, sharp wind blades with a casual wave, which were both gorgeous and highly aggressive; Theodore Nott awakened the Ancient MagicDisruption, needing only a light touch to forcibly cut off others' spells and magical flows, causing all magic to fail instantly.
Blaise Zabini possessed Mental Shock, able to make the target's mind blank and their body stiff with just one look; Pansy Parkinson could easily perceive and manipulate others' emotions, magnifying their fear and restlessness.
Crabbe's Lava Fist was hot and domineering, with astonishing close-range destructive power; Goyle's Petrified Skin was as hard as iron, enough to withstand the vast majority of physical and magical damage.
At the same time, one night, Farley awakened Ancient Time Stagnation in Su Yu's dormitory, which could briefly freeze attacks and spells within a small range around her, seizing the initiative. However, that night tortured Su Yuquite badly.
Daphne Greengrass mastered the Ancient Magic Mirror, able to reflect all incoming magic and attacks, using their own way to pay them back.
Even Hermione Granger was favored by the power of ancient knowledge, awakening the Ancient Omniscient Analysis. At a glance, she could see through magical structures, biological weaknesses, and spell loopholes; no magic could hide from her. She was worthy of being a top student. Now, she was even more proficient in learning anything with Cassandra and the others.
Apart from the group of little Slytherin snakes who awakened Ancient Magic abilities, Cho Chang also showed her own dazzling brilliance. Her power was rooted in the source power of the Eastern cultivation lineage, and combined with the power of free transformation given to her by Su Yu, her already outstanding talent completely exploded. Now, she no longer needed paper or pens for assistance; with a thought, she could sketch runes in the air, and Daoist talismans would form out of thin air, agile and sharp, forming a school of her own, appearing particularly unique among everyone.
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That morning, sunlight streamed through the stained glass of the Hogwarts Great Hall, falling on the long table filled with breakfast. The air was filled with the aroma of toasted bread and pumpkin juice.
Students were whispering and laughing when Professor McGonagall stepped forward, coughed lightly to signal everyone to be quiet, and then announced in a clear and solemn voice:
"Attention, students. I hereby formally notify you that at the end of October, on Halloween, the school will organize students in the third year and above to visit Hogsmeade Village. Please have eligible students submit their parent-signed consent forms to the prefects as soon as possible. During the outing, you must strictly observe discipline and return to school on time."
As soon as she finished speaking, a wave of irrepressible cheers and discussions erupted in the Great Hall.
Amidst the noise, Hermione folded her arms, frowned, and approached Su Yu with a grievance, complaining in a low voice.
"I am really going to be driven crazy by Ron," she lowered her voice, her tone full of helplessness, "It's all because of Crookshanks and Scabbers. He insists that my cat is bent on eating his rat, and he picks fights with me about this all day long, refusing to listen to my explanation at all."
As soon as she finished speaking, the unhappiness on her face was immediately replaced by anticipation. Her eyes shone, and her tone became excited:
"But seriously, it's great to be able to go to Hogsmeade! I've already thought about where to go—we can go to Honeydukes first, there are so many novel candies there; then go to the bookstore to see the newly arrived magicbooks; if there is time, we can go to the Three Broomsticksfor a Butterbeer. I've been wanting to go shopping with you properly for a long time!"
Su Yu reached out and gently pulled Hermione into his arms, patted her back, and comforted her softly:
"Don't be angry. If you don't want to play with him, then don't. Just let him calm down. No matter where we go, I will accompany you. If it really doesn't work out, you can call Daphne and the others in the group chat."
Hermione leaned in his arms, the grievance in her heart dissipating by more than half, and she softly said "Mhm."
Hermione leaned in his warm embrace, and the accumulated grievances could no longer be held back. She softly told Su Yu the whole story. "Professor Trelawneypreviously told Lavender that the thing she feared most would happen on October 16th, and today happens to be that very day." She paused, her tone filled with disdain for Divination Class, yet full of grievance, "Lavender received a letter from home early this morning; her rabbit, Binky, was bitten to death by a fox. Lavender and Parvati and the others were acting like they were crazy, thinking ProfessorTrelawney's prophecy was incredibly accurate. I just told them that the rabbit might have died long ago, and the family just sent the letter today, which can't be considered a magical prophecy at all. Lavender cried even harder after hearing that."
Speaking of this, her voice became even lower, and her eyes were slightly red: "As a result, Ron was still loudly helping Lavender on the side, saying not to listen to Hermione, that she never takes other people's pets seriously. He doesn't understand me at all and is always accusing me indiscriminately like this."
After she finished speaking, she leaned tightly into Su Yu's arms. The pent-up frustration in her heart finally had a place to vent, and the sadness from arguing with Ron and being misunderstood by classmates slowly dissipated a little.
Su Yu held Hermione quietly like this, gently comforting her the whole time without saying too much, but using silent companionship to dispel the grievances and sadness in her heart.
Daphne, who was on the side, seeing the aggrieved Hermione, immediately raised her hand and softly summoned the Whisk, asking it to bring a few more exquisite magical snacks. Before long, the Whisk brought the sweet snacks and placed them gently in front of Hermione, full of thoughtfulness.
Kurama, lying by the table, was also exceptionally sensible. It immediately pushed its favorite cheesecake to Hermione's hand, giving all its beloved food to her, using its clumsy way to cheer her up.
These past few days, Harry had been depressed, full of frustration about not being able to go to Hogsmeade—Professor McGonagall had already made it very clear that without Vernon's signature, he could not participate in this activity. He sighed at the dining table every day, his whole person permeated with an indescribable sense of loss, as if the lively event at the end of October had nothing to do with him at all.
Su Yu watched from the side, secretly feeling that Harrywas too stubborn and inflexible. Clearly, all he had to do was put on that Invisibility Cloak, quietly mix into the crowd of people going out, and reveal himself after leaving; no Professor would find out. Why did he have to get stuck on a consent form? Now that he had made a big deal out of it, everyone knew he couldn't go.
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The wind at the end of October carried a faint scent of pumpkin and caramel. On the path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade, it was full of the sounds of students talking and laughing. Hermione, Su Yu, and Daphne walked side by side in the crowd. The three of them avoided the crowded main road and walked slowly towards the depths of the village, rarely enjoying this relaxed leisure time.
Just stepping into Hogsmeade Village, the sweet scent of candy rushed towards them. The windows of Honeydukeswere filled with colorful magical candies. Fizzing Whizzbees, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans were piled high, and the peppermint hard candies in the glass jars were emitting a faint silver light.
Hermione was attracted at a glance. She pulled the two of them into the shop, looking at the dazzling array of candies with bright eyes. While picking, she told Su Yu and Daphneabout the wonderful effects of different candies. Finally, she picked a large bag of fruit-flavored gummies and specifically chose a few boxes of exquisitely packaged chocolates, intending to bring them back to the dormitory to eat slowly, and by the way, bring some for Harry. Daphne elegantly selected a few types of creamy candies with delicate textures. Between her gestures, she still carried the unique, exquisite propriety of Slytherin, and did not forget to prepare small gift boxes in advance, intending to pack the candies separately.
Anyway, Young Master Su was paying for the whole trip, so the two girls could finally indulge in the shopping addiction that usually only Farley and Cassandra enjoyed.
After coming out of Honeydukes, the three walked slowly into the wizarding bookstore. The shop was filled with all kinds of magical books, from ancient History of Magicclassics to illustrated guides of novel magical items. The pages exuded a faint scent of ink. Hermione walked straight to the magical theory section, squatted in front of the bookshelf, and read carefully, occasionally discussing the knowledge in the books with Su Yu in a low voice. When she encountered books she was interested in, she carefully took them in her hands, her eyes full of love.
Daphne was browsing books related to magical etiquette and Potion ingredients on the side, occasionally stopping to exchange the content of the books with the two. The three stayed in the bookstore for a long time, not feeling bored at all.
After visiting the bookstore, the three walked along the stone road to the Three Broomsticks. However, at this moment, a noisy sound came from the pub, and the three couldn't help but walk inside to see what was happening.
Chapter 65: Outing
The three of them strolled leisurely to the Leaky Cauldronat the edge of the village. Intending to go in for a rest, they heard a commotion inside. Pushing open the wooden door, the first thing they saw was a familiar figure—CallisSelwyn standing at the bar, her face cold as she confronted a few drunken, local Muggle-born Wizards.
Usually elegant and poised, she had completely lost her gentle and well-behaved demeanor. Her dark hair hung over her shoulders, her almond-shaped eyes were wide, and she retorted rapidly, her face full of disdain: "Watch your mouths. Don't you dare spew filth at Hogwartsstudents here. Do you really think no one can deal with you?"
It started because those street thugs saw Callis in her exquisite Slytherin robes and made lewd remarks, mocking the arrogance of pure-blood families, which completely annoyed the already black-bellied and vengeful Callis. Although she was skilled in prank magic, the other side outnumbered her, leading to a stalemate. One of them even raised their hand to cast a hex.
At the moment the situation escalated, three figures stepped out from the shadows in the corner of the bar: Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zabini.
Blaise stepped forward first, blocking Callis. He wore his usual lazy smile, but his eyes were filled with coldness. His tone was flippant yet carried a heavy threat: "Gentlemen, raising a hand against a lady is hardly a decent thing to do."
Draco raised an eyebrow slightly, his face icy. A faint ripple of magic instantly emanated from him. Almost simultaneously with Theodore Nott, he drew his wand. Without any superfluous reprimands or incantations, he just flicked his fingers, and a surge of Ancient Magicsuddenly exploded.
The ringleader didn't even have time to scream before he was yanked up by an invisible force and slammed violently into a wooden table nearby. The tabletop shattered with a "crack." Before he could get up, the Ancient Magic swept him up again, slamming him hard against the stone wall, then throwing him into the glass cups on the bar, sending wine and shards flying everywhere. The other two were scared out of their wits. Just as they tried to turn and run, they were as if bound by invisible ropes, thrown back and forth one after another, until they were dizzy and in a pathetic state.
In just a moment, the few of them were battered and bruised, their clothes in tatters, lying on the ground wailing incessantly.
Blaise flicked the tip of his wand, and the last shred of Ancient Magic descended. The bodies of the guys who were still clamoring twisted, and with a few baaing cries, they were directly transformed into several dirty sheep, running around the bar in a panic.
Draco snorted coldly, put away his wand, and said with an arrogant tone: "A bunch of ignorant wretches, daring to lay a hand on a Slytherin student in Hogsmeade?"
Callis stood beside Blaise, instantly putting away her anger. A cunning smile flashed in her eyes as she leaned in close to Blaise and whispered: "You arrived just in time. I was planning to use Confundo to have some fun with them, but this saves me the trouble."
Blaise looked down and smiled at her, raising his hand to gently tap her forehead. His tone was lazy yet protective: "Better than dirtying your hands."
Then he turned to look at the others, his tone flat but unquestionable: "Get out of here, take these sheep with you, and don't let us see them again." The bystanders were pale with fright, scrambling to grab the flock of sheep and rushing out of the Leaky Cauldron.
The chaos in the bar gradually subsided, and everyone was cleaning up the mess or scrambling to leave. No one noticed that in the dark shadow behind the bar, an inconspicuous Goblin was huddled in the gap between wooden barrels, witnessing the whole process without moving.
He did not make a sound, but those eyes, which had originally seemed dull, brightened slightly when he saw that silent yet exceptionally overbearing Ancient Magic.
Until he was sure no one noticed him, he slipped out of the Leaky Cauldron like a shadow, hugging the wall silently.
Once out of the crowd, he quickened his pace, choosing to walk through secluded alleys to avoid all students and Wizards, hurrying toward the depths of the village.
The conflict subsided in an instant. Su Yu, Hermione, and Daphne stepped forward. Daphne looked at Callis and asked softly if she was hurt. Callis immediately resumed her elegant appearance, smiling and waving her hand to indicate she was fine, though a hint of regret for not being able to pull off her prank remained in her eyes.
Seeing the farce settle down, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Su Yu turned his head to look at Malfoy, Theodore, and Blaise, speaking with a half-smile: "You three are quite leisurely, running to the Leaky Cauldron together. Draco, you aren't even looking at who is standing next to you. Do Pansy and Astoria know you're running around like this? And Theodore, does Olivia not keep an eye on you?"
At these words, Draco's movements stalled. His originally arrogant expression faded a bit. He coughed lightly and turned his face away, pretending to be calm as he adjusted the collar of his robes, while still insisting: "Chief, I just happened to run into them, it wasn't intentional concealment." That slightly embarrassed look was completely devoid of the cold ferocity he had shown when casting magic earlier.
Theodore, who was always indifferent and taciturn, felt his ear tips quietly flush a light red. He pursed his lips and only uttered a faint "Nothing is wrong," but subconsciously avoided Su Yu's gaze, showing a rare sense of awkwardness.
Blaise watched from the side, amused, arms crossed as he enjoyed the spectacle, the smile on his lips impossible to hide.
Daphne, Hermione, and Callis nearby couldn't help but chuckle. Callis's eyes lit up immediately, and she leaned in, speaking rapidly as she persistently asked gossipy questions. The atmosphere instantly shifted from the tense confrontation just now back to a noisy, relaxed state.
They found a quiet spot by the window to sit. Hermionetook the initiative to order a few cups of warm Butterbeer. The rims of the cups were steaming faintly, and the taste was sweet and mellow, with a slight malty aroma, dispelling the chill of autumn.
Hermione held the warm cup, her face full of satisfaction. The unhappiness from her argument with Ron had long since dissipated. She chatted and laughed with Su Yu and the others about interesting things at school. When mentioning Professor Trelawney's ridiculous prophecies in Divination Class, she still couldn't help but pout in disapproval. Callis also chimed in softly, occasionally offering unique insights, and the three girls talked happily together.
Afterward, the three of them strolled through the alleys of Hogsmeade, passing shops filled with magical accessories. They looked at the exquisite Witch hats and gem-encrusted necklaces in the display windows, occasionally stopping to admire them. When passing by Zonko's Joke Shop, they avoided the students playing at the entrance and didn't go in to join the commotion, simply walking past quietly. Daphne was very thoughtful along the way, occasionally checking on Hermione's mood. When she saw small items Hermione liked, she would silently note them down. Hermione was excited the whole time; this was her first time accompanying Su Yu and Daphne on a leisurely shopping trip, and she radiated relaxation and joy.
The setting sun gradually slanted westward, and golden sunlight spilled onto the cobblestone roads of Hogsmeade, casting a gentle halo over the entire village. The three of them walked back along the same path, carrying carefully selected candies and books, chatting and laughing all the way. The evening breeze blew past, carrying full satisfaction and joy. This trip to Hogsmeade, belonging to the three of them, was simple yet exceptionally warm.
The next morning, Sunday, just at the break of dawn, there weren't many people moving around in the Slytherin Common Room yet, but Kurama was already darting back and forth, full of energy. She had gone shopping with Farley and Cassandra yesterday and had a very happy day playing.
However, she was now wearing a shiny, exquisitely crafted magical necklace around her neck. The gems twinkled in the faint light of the fireplace, looking expensive at a glance.
The little one deliberately took slow, leisurely steps, swaying back and forth between the long tables and sofas, afraid that others wouldn't see her new accessory, her tail held high.
As soon as Callis entered, she caught a glimpse of it. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she hurried over, exclaiming rapidly: "Wow! What a beautiful necklace! Kurama, you look so good!"
Astoria, who was nearby, also smiled gently, squatting down to take a closer look: "It really suits you, the style is particularly exquisite."
Praised by the two, Kurama wagged her tail even more happily, lifting her head to show off triumphantly: "Of course it's pretty! I bought this in Hogsmeade yesterday! A whole 5000 Galleons! Isn't that awesome?"
"Hogsmeade?" Callis was taken aback and immediately asked curiously, "Where did you get the money to buy this?"
Kurama had no psychological burden and said loudly and confidently:
"I took it from Malfoy's drawer! He has so many piggy banks in his drawer, I just grabbed one randomly to buy it!"
As soon as the words fell, the entire Slytherin Common Room, which had just quieted down, instantly fell into an eerie silence.
Not far away, Daphne, who had just walked over holding a teacup, paused. Su Yu choked, and even the few Slytherinstudents passing by froze in their steps.
No one expected that this little one, while showing off its new necklace, would end up selling Malfoy out.
"Damn, why didn't you say so earlier! I'll do the same next time!" Blaise said with a laugh, enjoying the chaos, as he walked over to sit beside Callis.
"That's f*cking theft!" Su Yu reached out, grabbed Kuramaby the scruff of its neck, lifted it up, and without a word, gave its round bottom a few hard slaps.
The little one immediately wilted, whimpering softly.
Just then, Draco Malfoy strolled out from the direction of the dormitory, dressed neatly with a lazy expression, looking completely like someone who had just woken up and was ready to go eat breakfast. He glanced at the group gathered there, saw Su Yu holding Kurama, and wore a look of utter confusion, completely unaware of what had happened.
"Chief? What's wrong?"
Su Yu held Kurama out toward him and said in a calm tone: "Apologize to Malfoy."
Kurama drooped its ears and muttered reluctantly to Malfoy: "I... I'm sorry..."
Malfoy was even more confused, frowning with a bewildered look: "Apologize? Apologize for what?"
Su Yu didn't explain much. With a slight flick of his finger, he counted out five thousand Galleons from his storage ring, and with a "clatter," they were neatly stacked on the stone table beside them, shining with golden light.
"It took money from your drawer without permission and bought a necklace in Hogsmeade. These five thousand Galleons are to compensate you."
Draco stood frozen in place, mouth agape, taking a long while to react.
His family had more money than could be counted, and he never noticed when a few Galleons went missing from his drawer. At this moment, looking at the pile of gold coins before him, and then at the aggrieved-looking Kuramashrinking in Su Yu's hand, he was in a state of "Who am I, where am I, did I lose money?" confusion. He kept saying it was fine, it was fine, that Kurama could just keep it, it wasn't a big deal anyway...
Twilight completely enveloped Hogwarts Castle, and the magical atmosphere of Halloween spread wantonly along the Castle corridors. When Su Yu led the Slytherin group into the Great Hall, everyone was firmly captivated by the scene before them.
The originally spacious and magnificent Great Hall had long been thoroughly dressed up for Halloween. The ceiling was no longer the clear starry sky of ordinary days, but was shrouded in ink-like darkness. Countless jack-o'-lanterns hung in mid-air, their warm orange light flickering. The faces carved on the lanterns were all different—some grinning mischievously, others squinting cunningly—and as the light and shadows shifted, it cast a mysterious and lively filter over the entire hall.
The stone pillars around the Great Hall were wrapped in garlands of mistletoe and Halloween wreaths in deep green and orange. Dried golden wheat ears and black berries with sharp thorns were interspersed among them, and strings of silver-bright magic fairy lights were wound within, swaying gently with the breeze and casting fine specks of light. Giant pumpkins of varying heights were placed in the corners, each exquisitely carved. Vines snaked along the floor, and occasionally, tiny fluorescent butterflies would flutter out from between the vines, circling the dining tables before quietly dissipating.
The four long house tables were polished until they gleamed, their edges decorated with black and orange ribbons. The original white plates had been replaced with magic plates engraved with pumpkin patterns. The candlesticks held ghastly blue and orange-red magiccandles, their flames burning quietly without a hint of warmth, instead exuding the eerie romance unique to Halloween. The air was filled with the sweet scent of roasted pumpkin, cinnamon, honey cake, and mulled wine, mixed with a faint magical floral fragrance, making one immersed in this rich festive atmosphere before even sitting down.
At the top of the hall, little ghosts in black cloaks drifted by from time to time, and the mischievous Peeves flew back and forth in mid-air, clutching a bag of pumpkin candies, occasionally scattering a handful of colorful jelly beans, which drew bursts of exclamations from the lower-grade students. At the teachers' table above the podium, the Professors were already seated. Dumbledore wore a purple robe embroidered with pumpkin patterns, a gentle smile on his face. The entire Great Hall possessed both the mysterious fun that Halloween should have and the warm, lively atmosphere of a banquet, everywhere revealing the magical romance unique to Hogwarts.
Kurama was curled up on the table beside Su Yu, still wearing that exquisite magic necklace around its neck. At this moment, it had completely lost the smugness of showing off from the morning, its mind entirely on the food. Its paws gripped the edge of the table, its little head buried in its exclusive cheesecake, occasionally nibbling on the sweet little pumpkin cookies and soft, creamy pudding nearby. Its cheeks were stuffed round, and its tail swept across the table from time to time, looking like it was eating with great delight. Occasionally, it would look up, gazing at Su Yu with wet, watery eyes, whimpering softly for more dessert.
Daphne sat in a dignified and elegant posture, her movements with the knife and fork gentle and proper. She carefully cut the non-sugary fresh fruit on her plate into pieces and slowly pushed them in front of Kurama, her actions gentle and meticulous, her brows and eyes full of a gentle temperament, quiet and proper throughout.
Halfway through the banquet, the noise in the Great Hallhadn't diminished in the slightest. Hermione, holding her books, made her way through the bustling crowd and walked straight to Su Yu's side, her expression carrying a hint of urgency and worry.
She first politely nodded slightly to Daphne, Cassandra, and Farley at the table, then stood beside Su Yu, lowered her voice, her tone full of conflict and dissatisfaction: "Su Yu, I..."
Su Yu raised his hand to signal her to sit down before speaking. Kurama was busy nibbling on a little cookie; it looked up and glanced at Hermione, then buried its head to continue eating, completely undisturbed.
"Su Yu, Harry just told me something very unsettling. When he was in Professor Lupin's office, Snape brought over a potion and watched Professor Lupin drink it. Harryis convinced that Snape wants to poison him, but I think... even if he really wanted to harm Lupin, he would never do it in front of Harry; it would be too easy to get exposed."
She furrowed her brows, analyzing with clear logic, her tone calm yet conflicted:
"But I can't be completely at ease. Snape has always been full of hostility toward Lupin, and no one can say for sure what his intentions are. That cup of medicine smelled very bitter, and Lupin even shivered when he drank it. I always feel like something is wrong with this, but I can't find any evidence, and I don't know what kind of potion it was. What if there really is a problem..."
Hermione paused, her voice lower: "I want to warn Professor Lupin to be careful, but I'm afraid I'm overthinking it and will end up making a mountain out of a molehill. Now the whole banquet is lively, but I just can't let this matter go."
Hermione had just finished speaking about her doubts and worries, her brows still tightly furrowed, looking like she couldn't let it go.
Su Yu looked at her nervous appearance and suddenly reached out, gently flicking her forehead with his knuckle.
"Don't be silly, thinking so much."
His voice was very soft, carrying a hint of helpless indulgence, "Snape won't harm Lupin, don't scare yourself."
Hermione was stunned by the flick, subconsciously covering her forehead, and asked more confusedly: "But he clearly hates Lupin so much, what if that potion..."
"There is no 'what if'." Su Yu interrupted her gently, not revealing any secrets, just with a firm and reassuring tone, "He just looks a bit fierce and seems unapproachable, but he would never do such a despicable thing."
He leaned in slightly, his voice softer: "Trust me, it's fine, stop overthinking, and eat your meal."
After saying this, he reached out and rubbed Hermione's head.
After he said that, the heavy stone in Hermione's heart suddenly lifted, her original doubts faded significantly, her cheeks felt slightly warm, and she had to nod, no longer asking questions.
Kurama's mouth was covered in frosting, its little tail flicking back and forth, completely ignoring their conversation.
Chapter 66: The Turmoil
Hogwarts' Halloween feast concluded successfully. The Great Hall was still filled with the rich aroma of roast turkey, the cloying sweetness of pumpkin pie, and the delicate scent of various magical candies. The pumpkin lanterns decorating the hall emitted a warm orange glow, and flickering magical streamers still floated gently in the air, creating a full atmosphere of holiday joy.
Students left the hall in twos and threes, laughter filling the Castle corridors. The Slytherin group walked among the crowd, everyone wearing expressions of contentment and relaxation after the feast.
"The caramel apples this year were so delicious. If I had known, I would have taken two more." Callis linked arms with Astoria, her eyebrows curved, her tone full of lingering desire, and a smile still lingering on her face, completely immersed in the joy of the holiday.
Blaise chuckled at this, raised an eyebrow, and teased: "Some young lady just ate three whole chocolate cauldrons; aren't you afraid you won't be able to sleep tonight?"
"Mind your own business!" Callis pouted, but couldn't help laughing out loud. The group chatted and joked along the way, the atmosphere light and cheerful.
Draco played with the candy in his hand, his footsteps light, chatting casually with Pansy beside him about interesting things from the feast, mocking the greedy eating habits of the Gryffindors, his tone full of his usual pride and ease.
The group chatted and laughed, walking along the stone steps to the entrance of the Slytherin dungeon. As the password was spoken, the cold stone wall slowly slid open, and warm green light rushed out to meet them.
The fire in the fireplace burned vigorously, warming the entire common room. Soft velvet sofas, exquisite silver ornaments—everywhere exuded comfort, completely shedding the noise of the feast, leaving only ease.
"Finally, I can get a good rest." Draco stretched, walking straight towards the boys' dormitory, "At least I can get a good night's sleep tonight."
Others also stretched, shedding the restraint of the academy. Callis was still gossiping with Astoria about small episodes from the feast, Daphne was tidying up Su Yu's hair, which had been ruffled by the evening wind. The entire Slytherin common room was filled with a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.
Su Yu sat on the sofa by the fireplace, closing his eyes for a nap, enjoying this rare ease. Kurama huddled next to Daphne, chattering and clamoring for milk.
Daphne coaxed it helplessly and gently, getting up to get it some milk. Everyone dispersed; some prepared to return to the dormitory to wash and rest, others were still whispering about the joy of the holiday. No one noticed that a sudden change was quietly approaching.
This relaxing break lasted only a short ten minutes.
A calm voice, yet carrying unquestionable majesty, suddenly pierced through the walls, clearly echoing in every corner of Hogwarts, and instantly shattered the tranquility of the Slytherin common room—it was Dumbledore's voice, without his usual gentleness, having added a few points of solemnity: "All students of Hogwarts, please proceed to the Great Hall immediately for assembly. Repeating, all students please proceed to the Great Hall immediately for assembly."
The moment the voice fell, the laughter in the common room stopped abruptly.
Draco had just walked to the dormitory door, stopped abruptly, and turned back with a face full of confusion: "What's going on? We just dismissed, and we have to assemble again?"
Callis also wiped the smile off her face, looked at Astoria, her eyes full of incomprehension: "Gathering everyone suddenly when things were fine, I've never seen this situation before."
Daphne stood up, a trace of bewilderment in her eyes. Theodore also lifted his eyes to look at the entrance of the common room, the aura around him slightly condensed.
Su Yu slowly opened his eyes, a faint surprise flashing in his eyes, then he seemed to remember something, returned to calm, stood up, and ordered in a steady tone: "Stop discussing, everyone line up and head to the Great Hall."
Everyone dared not delay, immediately put down what they were doing, and quickly lined up. Cassandra and Farley also stood up immediately, following closely by Su Yu's side.
The group walked out of the dungeon, only to see the Castle corridors already crowded with students from other houses. Everyone was full of confusion, whispering to each other. The Gryffindor students looked flustered, chattering about something, completely devoid of the happiness after the feast just now.
Although the Slytherin students maintained the stability of the house, doubt also rose in their eyes. No one knew what had happened, they just followed Su Yu's footsteps towards the Great Hall, full of confusion about this emergency assembly.
Until they walked into the Great Hall and saw Dumbledorewith a solemn expression on the high platform, as well as the Professors with heavy auras, and the chaotic, panicked Gryffindor students, everyone realized belatedly that something extraordinary must have happened at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore stood on the platform, his eyes sweeping across the audience calmly, and slowly explained:
"Shortly after the feast ended, someone broke into the entrance of the Gryffindor tower, attacked The Fat Ladyportrait guarding the door, and tore it completely. According to the traces at the scene and witness descriptions, the intruder is the fugitive who escaped from Azkaban—Sirius Black."
He paused, his voice steady and powerful:
"To ensure everyone's safety, all teachers and prefects will immediately conduct a comprehensive search of the entire Castle. Tonight, all students will spend the night in the Great Hall until the search ends at dawn. During this time, please stay quiet and do not walk around at will."
"The Head Boy and Girl, and prefects are responsible for maintaining order, guarding all exits of the hall, and patrolling all night. Report any anomalies to the Professors immediately. Before the search ends, no one is allowed to leave."
After speaking, Dumbledore raised his wand and waved it gently towards the center of the hall.
Accompanied by a gentle golden light, hundreds of thick purple sleeping bags slowly fell from the air, neatly covering the originally empty floor, arranged in an orderly manner.
As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, the whole room was in an uproar. Many students already looked panicked, looking at the purple sleeping bags neatly laid out on the ground.
Su Yu stood in front of the Slytherin team, just raised his eyes faintly, with no tension on his face, but instead showed a trace of obvious disdain.
He didn't even look at those sleeping bags much; he didn't want to hold a cold sleeping bag tonight instead of Farley. He tilted his head slightly, his tone calm but unquestionable:
"Black broke into Gryffindor, it has nothing to do with Slytherin. Back to the common room."
As soon as the words fell, he turned and walked towards the outside of the hall.
The Slytherin group followed without hesitation, the whole team neat and uniform, walking straight out.
Dumbledore frowned slightly and said: "Sean Foley, the whole school is arranged uniformly now, for the sake of safety—"
"Kurama can identify everyone's malice. Black is not in the Slytherin dungeon. Staying in the hall is just a waste of time." Su Yu didn't stop, his voice calm and firm, "I will look after my people. As for some people, it's been three years, I haven't touched you yet, I hope you continue to hide well."
Snape stood aside, expressionless, and did not stop him.
Other Professors looked at each other, but no one dared to step forward. Dumbledore watched the back of Su Yuleading the entire Slytherin group away calmly, silent for a moment, and finally did not order to stop them, just sighed softly and let them leave the Great Hall.
The figures of the Slytherin group disappeared completely at the entrance of the hall. The noisy Great Hall was still filled with panic and astonishment. Many students whispered towards the direction of the door, and the eyes looking at Dumbledore also had a few more complexities.
Harry stood in the Gryffindor crowd, staring closely at the direction Su Yu left, his brows tightly furrowed, his heart surging with unresolvable doubts.
He turned to Hermione beside him, lowered his voice, his tone full of confusion: "Hermione, you saw it just now, right? Su Yu... he must know something! To the point of daring to take Slytherin away directly. Did he know long ago that Black wouldn't go to Slytherin, or even... did he know Black would break in? And his last sentence, who was he talking to? Snape?"
Harry's voice carried a probe. For the past three years, Su Yu had always appeared different from others at Hogwarts, calm, strong, as if everything was under control. Now, acting like this, disregarding the school's unified arrangement and leaving decisively, made him more convinced that Su Yu was hiding secrets.
"I saw it too, he was too calm." Hermione crossed her arms, looking at the hall exit with complex eyes. She didn't want to sleep in a sleeping bag either, she really wanted to go to the dormitory to sleep...
She turned and gently tugged at Harry, telling him to lower his voice, "But Harry, don't think about asking him, and don't rush to find him."
"Why?" Harry looked at her, confused.
"Think about it, what kind of person is Su Yu?" Hermionesaid firmly, "With his personality as a prankster, if he wanted to say it, he wouldn't have waited until now, and he wouldn't have left in such a way that directly opposed the whole school's arrangement. If he doesn't want to say it, even if you ask, he will never reveal a word, and it will only cause trouble."
Hermione looked at Harry's unwilling expression and persuaded softly: "Now the whole school is on guard against Black, we just wait for the results. And Professor Dumbledore didn't force him to stop, which shows that Su Yu has enough confidence. You can't get any clues from him at all."
"Then why don't you ask?"
"I won't go. If he doesn't tell me about this kind of thing, he definitely doesn't want me to know and worry. It's not like I don't understand him." Hermione pouted.
Harry pursed his lips, lowered his head, and was silent for a moment. The doubts in his heart still hadn't dissipated, but he also understood that everything Hermione said was the truth. Su Yu's unquestionable appearance just now was telling him that Su Yu's thoughts were simply not something he could easily pry into.
He finally nodded gently, suppressing the urge to ask, but his eyes couldn't help but look towards the hall door for a long time without moving, feeling in his heart that Su Yumust know more secrets about Sirius Black.
The panic of Black's break-in and the shock of Slytherin's collective departure became the only topic in Hogwarts in the following days.
In corridors, classrooms, and dining tables, there was buzzing discussion everywhere—some repeatedly recounting the tragic state of The Fat Lady portrait being torn to pieces and hiding in a painting on the third floor; others vividly guessing which secret passage of the CastleBlack was still hiding in.
More people were whispering about Su Yu. That SlytherinPrefect dared to take everyone from his house away in front of Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and even Headmaster Dumbledore himself did not forcefully stop him. That composure, that authority, even the seventh-year prefects felt inferior.
The Fat Lady's position was temporarily taken over by Sir Cadogan—that crazy knight who always rode a fat pony, held a broken sword, changed complex passwords three times a day, and frequently wanted to duel with students. The Gryffindor students complained, but they had to endure it.
Only the Slytherin group, under Su Yu's arrangement, stayed safely in the dungeon common room as usual, unaffected in the slightest.
And in the Wednesday Divination Class, ProfessorTrelawney spent a lot of time telling others, "If Black were obedient, he would have turned into a bush or a jar of coral, but he wouldn't, and in the end, it was that Black dog shape that brought death."
At lunchtime that day, the Great Hall was bustling with noise, and the aroma of food filled the air. Hermione carried her plate over to the Slytherin table and chatted casually with Su Yu, who was eating, about the morning's events.
"Professor McGonagall spoke with Harry today," Hermionesaid.
Su Yu put down his fork and looked up with some curiosity: "Oh? Because of Black?"
"Yes, she's worried that it's too dangerous for Harry to go to the Quidditch Pitch for training in the evening, so she won't let him practice anymore," Hermione said. "But Harryrefuses, saying the match is coming up soon and he must keep training."
"He certainly never yields when it comes to Quidditch," Su Yu smiled.
"In the end, Professor McGonagall relented," Hermionecontinued, "but with a condition: Madam Hooch must accompany him during training to ensure his safety."
Su Yu was a bit doubtful whether Madam Hooch had that capability... After all, back in the first year, when she saw Neville in that state, she screamed louder than Nevilledid...
For several days in a row, Hogwarts was tightly shrouded in a fierce storm.
The sky was pitch Black, and torrential rain poured down day and night. Raindrops pelted against the Castlewindows with a pitter-patter, the wind howled and swirled through the corridors, the lawn outside the Castle was beaten into a muddy mess, the Black Lake churned with murky waves, and even the distant Forbidden Forestblurred into a dark shadow within the curtain of rain; the whole world seemed to be submerged in water.
Even Theodore, who loved dating Olivia at the Black Lakethe most, hadn't been out for days, spending every day helping Olivia write her essays in the group chat.
It was in such terrible weather that the first Quidditchmatch, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, arrived as scheduled.
The Quidditch Pitch was already crumbling in the wind and rain; the stands were soaked through with rainwater, and mud was everywhere. Only on one side of the pitch, in the exclusive area for Slytherin, several huge waterproof tents had been set up. The thick magic canvas was firmly fixed to the ground, remaining motionless despite the wind and rain.
It was warm and cozy inside the tent. Su Yu was guarding the barbecue grill, flipping skewers of lamb by hand. The crimson charcoal crackled softly, and the rich aroma of cumin and chili mixed with the scent of meat wafted through the air, the intense barbecue fragrance completely dispelling the surrounding chill.
Su Yu sat in the center seat, with the table covered in hot drinks and snacks. Kurama was lying to the side, obediently drinking milk, but its eyes were fixed straight on the meat skewers on the grill. Cassandra and Farley kept fanning the air, fearing that the smell of barbecue would cling to them. Daphne was the best; she kept helping Su Yu skewer the meat, which prompted Su Yu to reward her with a kiss. However, this disgusted Daphne thoroughly because Su Yu had just finished a skewer and hadn't wiped his mouth yet!
The entire Slytherin group was relaxed and comfortable, as if the storm outside had nothing to do with them.
The world outside the tent had long been swallowed by the storm. Lead-gray clouds hung extremely low, and streaks of silver lightning tore through the dark sky, followed by thunder that shook the ground. Bean-sized raindrops fell like a deluge, smashing hard onto the pitch lawn and splashing up countless mud flowers. The wind rampaged, carrying sheets of rain, blowing the magicgoalposts on the field askew, and even the airflow in the air became chaotic.
Madam Hooch, braving the gale, struggled to blow the silver whistle in her mouth. The sound was torn to shreds by the whistling wind, barely reaching the players' ears. The entire Gryffindor team, dressed in bright red uniforms, had their robes soaked through by the icy rain, clinging tightly to their bodies. Their hair dripped with water, and their cheeks were frozen pale, yet they still gripped their broomsticks tightly, their eyes determined. Captain Woodflew back and forth in front of the goalposts on his broom, shouting at the top of his lungs to organize tactics, but his voice was swept away by the wind as soon as it left his mouth, so he could only keep gesturing to remind his teammates. Opposite them, the Hufflepuff team, wearing bright yellow uniforms, was equally bedraggled but not in the least bit timid. The players held their broomsticks firmly, ready to launch an attack at any moment.
As Madam Hooch waved her wand, the match officially began. The Chasers from both sides spurred their brooms at the same time, rushing toward the Quaffle in the air like arrows released from a bow. The strong wind disrupted their flight paths, and several players were blown off course, forcing them to struggle to adjust their direction and stabilize themselves. Gryffindor Chaser Alicia exerted force first, taking advantage of a slightly calmer gust of wind, nimbly avoided the interception of the Hufflepuffplayers, grabbed the Quaffle, and dove toward the opponent's goal.
"Nice interception!" Cassandra, holding a cup of hot milk tea in the tent, commented casually, her eyes fixed intently on the pitch.
The Hufflepuff Beater immediately swung their bat, smashing hard toward the Bludger attacking Alicia. After being hit, the wild Bludger changed direction and crashed toward the Gryffindor players. Fred and George, the brothers, worked with tacit understanding, both swinging their bats, blocking left and right, and batting away the Bludgers one by one. Their broomsticks shook violently in the gale, but the two remained as steady as Mount Tai, firmly protecting their teammates.
Alicia seized the gap, raised her hand, and threw the Quaffle toward the Hufflepuff goal. The Quaffle traced a crooked arc through the wind and rain, accurately passing through the goal. Gryffindor took the lead with ten points. The few Gryffindor students in the stands braving the rain to watch let out a faint cheer, which was quickly drowned out by the sound of the rain.
The situation on the field immediately became deadlocked. The Hufflepuff Chasers were not to be outdone; taking advantage of the strong wind, they passed the ball quickly in coordination, breaking through the Gryffindor defense one after another. Several times they approached the goal, but were blocked by Wood, who was guarding the goal. Wood was splattered with mud, and every save required him to fight against the strong wind, leaving him panting, yet he firmly guarded the goal, refusing to let the opponent score easily.
The chaotic airflow made the Bludgers increasingly manic. They no longer flew according to their established trajectories, suddenly turning from time to time to launch surprise attacks on the players on the field. One Gryffindorplayer failed to dodge in time and was hit hard on the arm by a Bludger, letting out a muffled groan in pain. Their broom instantly lost balance, spinning in place several times before barely stabilizing.
"Those Beaters are still too reckless; they can't even control the Bludgers." Draco curled his lip, reached out to take the freshly grilled lamb skewer handed to him by Su Yu, and took a bite, full of disdain.
Su Yu flipped the skewers; he was not interested in Quidditch.
At this moment, Harry was riding his Nimbus 2000, struggling to weave through the high altitude. Rainwater soaked his hair, sliding down his forehead. Even with a waterproof spell cast in advance, it had little effect in such a violent storm. He had to squint his eyes, trying hard to search for the traces of the Golden Snitch in the sky full of rain, his hands tightly gripping the broom handle, fighting against the gale that could blow someone off at any moment. The Hufflepuff Seeker, Cedric, was equally steady, his flight posture stable, his gaze scanning everywhere, forming a standoff with Harry. The two maintained their distance, neither willing to let go of any chance to catch the Snitch.
The score on the ground rose alternately. Gryffindor was temporarily leading by thirty points thanks to their tacit cooperation, while Hufflepuff played steadily, pressing step by step. The Chasers, Beaters, and Keepers of both sides maneuvered back and forth. Every pass, every save, and every block had to fight against the terrible weather, consuming several times the effort. The players' breathing became more and more rapid, their stamina was consumed rapidly, and the mud on their robes grew thicker and thicker, long gone was their pre-match appearance.
Callis crossed her arms, watching the deadlocked situation on the field with great interest, occasionally whispering to Astoria about the players' tactical mistakes, while Blaisesmiled and chimed in from time to time. The group remained in a relaxed mood, just watching the excitement.
Just as Gryffindor scored another goal, widening the score to fifty points, Harry's pupils suddenly constricted. In the gap of the rain curtain in the distance, he caught a glimpse of a flash of golden light—it was the Golden Snitch! Without hesitation, he fiercely urged his broom, diving toward that golden light. The Nimbus 2000 made a slight hum in the gale, its speed astonishingly fast.
Cedric sensed the movement almost at the same time and immediately turned his broom, following closely behind Harry. The two, one after the other, dove rapidly through the pouring rain. Their figures were slightly shaken by the wind, but both kept their eyes fixed on that golden light, chasing with all their might. The distance grew closer and closer; a duel between the Seekers had officially begun.
Just as Harry was about to reach out to touch the Golden Snitch, a large area of bone-chilling Black mist suddenly surged at the edge of the pitch. An icy coldness instantly spread across the entire pitch, and the wind seemed to be frozen. Hundreds of Dementors floated silently into the pitch, their heads bowed, emitting a suffocating aura of despair, closing in directly on Harry in the air.
Harry's whole body suddenly stiffened, and an extreme chill shot from the soles of his feet through his entire body. A piercing scream abruptly echoed in his ears—it was the sound of his mother before she died. Familiar pain and fear instantly overwhelmed him. Everything went Black before his eyes, his hands could no longer grip the broom handle, his body went limp, and he fell straight from the high-speed Nimbus 2000!
All the players on the field panicked. Cedric, who was chasing the Snitch, stopped abruptly, subconsciously looking at the falling Harry. In this moment of chaos, the Golden Snitch happened to fly right to his hand. Cedricinstinctively raised his hand and grabbed the Snitch.
The Hufflepuff players erupted into cheers, but Cedric felt no joy at all, looking at the rapidly falling Harry with a pale face. The Slytherin crowd in the tent also stopped their actions instantly, all looking toward the pitch. Kuramadidn't even look outside, blinking its eyes as it stared at Su Yu's barbecue.
Dumbledore stood up instantly, raised his hand to cast a gentle cushioning magic, steadily supporting Harry's body, and gently placed him on the muddy ground. The Nimbus 2000, having lost its master's control, was swept by the wind toward the Forbidden Forest, crashing hard into the manic Whomping Willow, instantly being smashed to pieces by the branches, completely ruined.
Cedric's face turned pale, and he immediately ran to the referee, loudly demanding a rematch—he had no idea that Harry had been attacked by Dementors. But Wood shook his head, his face livid, yet he still conceded: "You won fair and square."
The Hufflepuff players erupted into cheers, while Gryffindor fell into dead silence. Harry was supported by McGonagall and Dumbledore, leaving the pitch with a pale face, soaked through and covered in mud.
Su Yu had just finished grilling a skewer, sprinkled on the last pinch of chili powder, and handed it to Kurama, who was wagging its tail eagerly beside him.
"Alright, the match is over, and the skewers are ready. Come and get them."
Draco took a skewer, took a big bite, and laughed gloatingly: "Harry Potter, he can't even keep his broom—how embarrassing."
The wind continued to howl, and the rain continued to pour. Outside the tent, it was a mess, with some rejoicing and some sorrowful; inside the tent, the air was filled with aroma and it was warm. The Slytherin crowd ate hot lamb skewers while commenting on the messily ended Quidditch match, leisurely and comfortably.