Chapter 470: The Ugly Eight Monsters Alastor

The wealthy Bai Lang could easily stroll down Diagon Alley with his head held high, seeing if anyone would try to beat him—he's richer than almost everyone else on that street! He hadn't been to Diagon Alley for a while, and this time he bought a new robe—indeed, he's still growing quickly, even a bit taller than the average British boy his age. Moreover, at his age his build is already impressive.

His wand now looks more like a walking stick—since Bai Lang has grown taller, the wand naturally appears short. He also had a new outfit custom‑made; the old one was already small and had become worn after training and night patrols. Of course, all the textbooks and such were supplied, but Bai Lang didn't linger longer in Diagon Alley, because his primary purchase—having the magic shop enlarge the interior space of his bag—takes some time.

So he took his purchases home and will return once before term starts to collect the bag he left at the magic shop; per his request, its interior will be expanded severalfold—to reach roughly half the capacity of a Care of Magical Creatures enclosure. That will likely require material replacement and reinforcement, plus a fairly strong enchantment—everything that costs money, but Bai Lang has plenty of gold now.

After paying three times the original Galleons for the bag, Bai Lang retrieved his postman's bag a week later. He climbed out of the opened bag and was delighted to find that inside it could be called a "park"; according to the shop's manual, the space is about 250 acres—roughly a little over one square kilometre, even a third larger than the Shanghai Zoo.

The shop also planted many plants in that area, and under magical acceleration they grew well—Bai Lang plans to raise some animals; after all, there's a magical spring‑fed stream here, so he could keep cattle, sheep, deer, etc., and even let Dio roam there.

On the day he headed to Hogwarts, a torrential downpour—fortunately Bai Lang had pre‑booked a cab. After alighting at King's Cross platform, one hand held his wand and the other a custom‑made umbrella from SAB, fully displaying the gentleman‑bandit style. With the bag enchanted with a seamless expansion spell, he could wear it cross‑body, freeing both hands, and he had no suitcase that needed to be exposed to the rain.

He crossed the platform to the Hogwarts Express, and as always Bai Lang was among the first to arrive. On the train he found a rear compartment, set his bag on a shelf, and hung the dripping umbrella on the door's rack. "Whoa, I recall this year's Tri‑Wizard Tournament, the one when the noseless Voldemort returned." Bai Lang pondered his own schemes—"Enter the Tri‑Wizard Tournament? Seems impossible; I have no one to cheat for me, and I won't even think about relying on my own magical skill."

That was just improvisation; it's a pity about Cedric, the Hufflepuff prefect a year ahead of Bai Lang, a very fine person. The platform grew lively as young wizards and their families kept appearing. "…Do you know, my father really considered sending me to Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts. He knows the headmaster there. You see, his view of Dumbledore—he loves mud‑bloods too much—Durmstrang never admits those low‑born students. But my mother refused to let me study so far away. Father says Durmstrang's stance on Dark Magic is far more reasonable than Hogwarts'. Durmstrang students actually study Dark Magic, unlike us, learning some shabby Defense."

Draco Draco Malfoy's voice echoed from the corridor; Bai Lang slumped in his seat, watching Draco Draco Malfoy speak—of course with the idiots Goyle and Graff walking beside him. Seeing Bai Lang's mocking stare, Draco Draco Malfoy's voice dropped, then he cut off—he and his two henchmen hurried past the compartment doorway. Gryffindor is full of enthusiastic warriors, but Bai Lang resembles a ferocious, brutal big cat.

Draco Draco Malfoy realized this from his first day at school; he knows the man before him truly cares nothing for human lives—his father's influence, wealth, and status are useless against such a person. If you offend him, he'll kill you, and he doesn't consider the consequences. Young Draco Draco Malfoy lacks his father's worldly experience, but he knows this.

When Neville Longbottom entered, Bai Lang was startled; the short, chubby boy was gone, replaced by a youth about Bai Lang's height or a bit taller, with a less round face. Watching his stride, Bai Lang said, "Neville Longbottom, I'm pleased you didn't quit training over the holidays. Good—can you now imbue your blocks and attacks with magic?" Neville Longbottom returned a delighted look and nodded heavily.

"Did you hear? Apparently Hogwarts has some special event this year," Zabrina said as she pushed open the compartment door. "Yeah, my grandmother mentioned it too. Something traditional is being held." Neville Longbottom added. Bai Lang shrugged, "Anyway it probably doesn't involve us; we should think about which unlucky soul will get this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class…"

Even under Bai Lang's words, Neville Longbottom smiled—not the shy chubby smile, but the mischievous grin of English brats. Indeed, the rowdiest troublemakers at Hogwarts are all in Gryffindor, no doubt. The train kept heading north as the rain grew heavier and fiercer. The sky was pitch black, the windows fogged, so lanterns were lit even in broad daylight. Clatter, clatter, the snack cart rolled down the aisle, and Bai Lang bought a huge pile of treats to share.

A ruckus came from outside—Neville Longbottom had run to Harry's compartment minutes earlier, leaving only Bai Lang and Zabrina present. "Draco Draco Malfoy's fighting Potter again? Tell me, Zabrina, what's their relationship?" Bai Lang asked with a hint of malice, and Zabrina's smile was equally wicked, "Who knows…." Then the two rascals burst into loud laughter.

The train arrived, but the weather was the classic dreadful Scottish misery—torrential rain, wet and cold. Bai Lang donned his robe and a cape‑style raincoat, then opened his umbrella through the staggered waterproof seams; the double protection kept him dry and warmly comfortable. The other young wizards, however, were left to be drenched misfits.

Fortunately, wizards' robes are waterproof and quick‑dry; even if they get wet, a simple magical whoosh in a dry place dries them instantly.

The carriage was fairly dry, but Bai Lang didn't want to remove his raincoat; he just sat there. Unlucky Neville Longbottom and Zabrina were soaked, now regretting why they didn't bring an umbrella. Just then, in the forecourt, Bai Lang watched Ron fire a water‑blaster round, "Whoa! It's been a holiday since I saw A Pi, you're much more normal now!" Bai Lang shouted, and twenty feet above his head a Pipigui was cackling while tossing water‑blaster rounds.

The Pipigui swooped down, launching a barrage of shots—accompanied by Professor McGonagall's roar as she burst from the hall, "Pipigui, stop right now!"

The water‑blaster rounds exploded on the ground and on the young wizards' heads, but they never hit the clumsy, rain‑coated Bai Lang. At the moment the Pipigui, clutching a huge water‑blaster round for a suicidal strike, Bai Lang leapt like lightning and smashed it with a wind‑borne staff. The Pipigui and its round detonated together, drenching the surrounding students. The Pipigui turned into a glowing, gooey mess that splattered onto the wall and slid down slowly.

"Don't worry, it can't die. The Pipigui will be up to its mischievous tricks again in at most twenty minutes," Bai Lang reassured everyone. Professor McGonagall, irritated, gave Bai Lang a tug, "Could you be a bit gentler next time? You scared the second‑year students, Mr. Ron. In the future, don't be so violent."

"No problem, Professor; next time I'll beat it where they can't see it," Bai Lang said nonchalantly. "Alright, let's go!" Professor McGonagall sternly told the drenched crowd, "Into the Great Hall, quickly!" The Great Hall remained as magnificent as ever, further decorated for the new school banquet. Hundreds of candles floated above the tables, lighting the golden plates and goblets. Four long house tables were already packed with chattering students. At the far end of the hall a fifth table held the staff, each sitting on one side facing their students.

Soon after, Professor McGonagall led the first‑years into the Great Hall; it seemed a hapless student had fallen into the water—because he was wearing Hagrid's gigantic leather coat. Then came the tedious, yawning‑inducing Sorting Ceremony—what Bai Lang considered, while other students clearly felt differently; they cheered for those sorted into their own houses and sometimes jeered those placed in other houses—something the Weasley brothers did to Slytherin students.

After the Sorting Ceremony, Professor Dumbledore rose. He smiled warmly at all the students, spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. "I have only two words for you," he said, his deep voice echoing through the hall, "Eat!" Instantly, food magically floated in the cauldron, and Bai Lang surged with energy, devouring greedily. Meanwhile, a Gryffindor ghost named Nick chatted with the trio, apparently discussing house‑elf matters, and Hermione Granger's gestures grew so large that her spoon slammed into the soup bowl.

Bai Lang glanced at her, then kept eating and drinking indiscriminately. Eventually the desserts were cleared, the plates' last crumbs vanished, leaving the dishes spotless and gleaming. At that moment Albus Dumbledore stood again. The murmuring in the hall fell silent, replaced only by the howling wind and the pounding rain.

"All right!" Dumbledore smiled at everyone, saying, "Now that we've all eaten and drunk our fill, I must ask you to pay attention again; I have a few announcements." At that moment Bai Lang heard Hermione Granger say, "Ugh!" "Mr. Filch, the caretaker, wants me to tell you that this year the list of prohibited items in the castle has grown by several entries: screaming yo‑yo balls, toothed flying discs, and rapid‑fire returning darts. The full list, about 437 items, is posted in Mr. Filch's office for anyone interested to check."

Dumbledore's mouth twitched a few times. He continued, "As before, I must remind you that the Forbidden Forest is off‑limits to students, and Hogsmeade Village is off‑limits to anyone below third year. I also regret to inform you that there will be no House Cup Quidditch match this year." Harry and the others gasped in astonishment—not just Harry, but students from other houses also voiced various sounds, mainly protests.

Dumbledore went on, "This is because a major event will begin in October and run throughout the school year, consuming much of the teachers' time and energy—but I believe you'll all enjoy it greatly. I am delighted to announce that this year at Hogwarts—" At that moment a deafening thunderclap rang out, and the Great Hall doors burst open with a bang.

A man stood in the doorway, leaning on a long staff, wrapped in a black travel cloak. Everyone in the Great Hall turned to stare at the stranger, and a forked lightning bolt streaked across the ceiling, allowing Bai Lang to see the man's face clearly.

"Pretty much like the book describes," it looked as if carved from rotting wood, and the carver apparently had only a vague idea of how a human face should look and was clumsy with the chisel. Every inch of skin on the face seemed scarred, the mouth a crooked gash, the nose's raised area missing. The most terrifying part of the man was his eyes, Bai Lang thought as he examined him.

One eye was tiny, black and glittering; the other was huge, round like a coin, a vivid bright blue. That blue eye darted nonstop, moving up, down, left, right, completely independent of the normal eye—later the blue iris flipped and burrowed into the man's head, leaving only a large white eyeball visible.

"Allow me to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore cheerfully broke the silence, "Professor Moody."