Chapter 286: Luna

They say small earthquakes might also be a form of magic?

Wizard Sean suddenly thought.

In early times, wizards who used ancient runic script accomplished many incredible feats—for example, Wizard Sean found that in the 1379 Dueling Championship, a wizard had used a similar “weather-based magic” in battle—the origin of the famed Mountain-Lifting Spell.

The participants in this match were rated as possessing “unprecedentedly superb skill and dueling ability.”

It was written: the second wizard faced the third, conjuring a [massive storm cloud] overhead, drenching his opponent in freezing rain while forcing him to constantly dodge lightning strikes.

The third wizard countered with a [powerful whirlwind], which not only scattered the storm but also blew away the judges, most of the spectators, and several trees.

This magic demonstrated immense power, much like the material transfiguration Wizard Sean was currently studying.

Wizard Sean needed to study ancient runes under Professor McGonagall and undergo prolonged preparation to cast such a transfiguration.

Even though Professor McGonagall labeled such transfigurations as “flashy but useless magic.”

But for Wizard Sean, it would provide powerful assistance when confronting the Basilisk.

If Wizard Sean could truly lift a mountain and crush it onto the Basilisk’s head, one major obstacle in developing Basilisk cookies would be solved.

Amid such planning, the summer quietly slipped away.

During this time, the Fairy Workshop officially announced the new release of the “Three-Headed Dog” series, reigniting wizarding enthusiasm. Number 77 Diagon Alley, a shop visited by only a handful of people, had nearly become a legend.

Reporters from The Wizarding Weekly camped outside daily, desperate to capture earth-shattering photos, yet always returned empty-handed—except on opening day, the shop was as “dead” as a tomb.

September 1st.

Young wizards were to head to King’s Cross Station and board a train named the Hogwarts Express.

Leaving home did bring sadness and unease, but the thought of friends on the train quickly brightened the young wizards’ expressions.

This should have been what every young wizard did on September 1st each year—but today, an exception arose.

“Do I have to go too, Hagrid?”

Wizard Sean followed behind Hagrid as the two stepped out of the castle, one after the other.

Wizard Sean had recently been studying the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets; his memory of it was slightly hazy, recalling only Moaning Myrtle and the girls’ bathroom.

As for its true entrance, Wizard Sean had only theories—this would be one of the most important tasks he’d undertake after term began.

“Why not? You’ve never ridden a Thestral carriage—believe me, it’s a wonderful feeling—”

Hagrid shouted, leading Wizard Sean down the slope outside the castle toward the Forbidden Forest. More precisely, toward the Thestrals.

They were to lead the Thestrals to Hogsmeade Station to transport wizards in second year and above back to the castle.

After all, first-years could row boats—but how could second-years and above possibly swim across?

…

The sky had darkened; the sun hung like an orange on the treetops.

Hogsmeade Station buzzed with activity. In the distance, the train slowed gradually. Jia Jia Siting, Hermione, and Neville heard chaos all around—everyone hurriedly gathering luggage and pets, preparing to disembark.

They trudged out of their compartment, joining the stream of passengers in the aisle, finally feeling the sharp sting of night air on their faces. Slowly they edged toward the exit, where they could smell the pine trees lining the path to the Black Lake.

Stepping onto the platform, they looked around and strained their ears for that familiar voice:

“First-years this way… first-years…”

The voice was too familiar, yet strangely odd—they looked closer and saw a young wizard gathering the newcomers.

“Wizard Sean?”

Hermione froze—had Hogwarts really entrusted Hagrid’s job to Wizard Sean?

He was only… a second-year!

While Hermione stood stunned, Jia Jia Siting and Neville were already helping Making Guide the scattered first-years.

After much effort, they finally gathered the newcomers, and only then did Hermione voice her question:

“Where’s Hagrid, Wizard Sean? Why are you here?”

Hermione frowned.

“Lost a Thestral—Hagrid went to look for it. He’ll be back soon.”

Wizard Sean replied calmly. When Hagrid was with him, the half-giant became unreliable—he’d even come up with the idea of letting Wizard Sean lead ten Thestrals alone.

Completely forgetting Wizard Sean was just a young wizard.

“Thestrals? That… never mind, not now—have you seen Harry and Ron? We couldn’t find them on the train—did they return early?”

Hermione asked.

At that moment, Jia Jia Siting and Neville both looked up, waiting for Wizard Sean’s answer.

Wizard Sean had a hunch about what had happened; he murmured, “It’ll be fine,” and Hermione let out a long breath.

“Oh, then how do we get back to the castle?”

Hermione glanced curiously at the harnesses—about a hundred horseless carriages stood parked there.

“Don’t rush.”

As Wizard Sean spoke, a completely unfamiliar voice came from in front of them—a voice like singing, feminine:

“You’re using Thestrals to pull the carriages?”

Before anyone could react, the voice drew nearer:

It was a “strange” witch.

She had long, messy, dirty golden hair reaching her waist, very pale eyebrows, and eyes that bulged outward, giving her a perpetually startled expression.

The girl radiated unmistakable eccentricity—perhaps because, for safety, she’d stuck her wand behind her left ear; or because she wore a necklace made of beer-bottle corks; or because she read magazines upside-down.

“Pleased to meet you. Can you see the Thestrals too? Seems not… only you and I can.”

Luna, gazing at them from her upside-down magazine—the title read The Quibbler—didn’t blink like ordinary people; she simply stared fixedly at Wizard Sean.

“Hmm.”

Wizard Sean replied.

“She’s a bit odd.”

Hermione stared into Luna’s eyes and said.

“Maybe?”

Jia Jia Siting didn’t mind; he gently agreed.

“Like Thestrals—people once thought creatures like Bubble-Headed Slime and Horned Snorlaks didn’t exist. Do you believe that?”

Her thoughts leapt rapidly—as if hearing Hermione’s remark, she raised her voice slightly.

“Bubble-Headed Slime and Horned Snorlaks don’t exist at all.”

Hermione grew irritated, especially seeing Wizard Sean pondering as if he were an idiot.