[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wizard-war-at-hogwarts":3,"chapter-wizard-war-at-hogwarts-wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-45":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wizard War at Hogwarts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2358018,4612,"Chapter 45","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>Harry spent two very interesting weeks at the Burrow, where everything about the wizarding family fascinated him; yet compared to it, he seemed more eager for life at Hogwarts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the eve of term start, Mrs. Weasley prepared a lavish dinner, nearly rivaling Tang Dun’s banquet; Harry was unfazed by the usual dishes, but what intrigued him most was dragon steak—rumored to be a Ministry perk, where employees had to invent excuses to kill a heatstroke dragon each month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Departing the next morning took considerable time, as the Weasleys scrambled in chaos; Harry and Ron, however, packed slowly and calmly, preparing a basket filled with sandwiches and pumpkin juice, as if heading for a picnic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur first took the children needing the train to the station, helping them board one by one under Molly’s watch, then returned to collect Harry and Ron, secretly transporting them directly to the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The modified car could become invisible by day; Harry saw Arthur press a button, and the vehicle soared high, piercing through clouds, bathed in sunlight, its wheels gliding over fluffy seas of cloud, the sky a boundless, brilliant blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry wanted to peer out the window at the scenery below, but all he saw were vast stretches of white clouds; occasionally, patches of land appeared between them, yet they were merely color smudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two boys soon lost interest in the view, sharing snacks and sweets while chattering away; after some time, they noticed the car beginning to descend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There we are, children,” Arthur said. “I’m sure you’ll arrive earlier than anyone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry looked outside and saw the car had broken through the clouds—he could clearly see Hogwarts Castle. Judging by their direction, Harry easily deduced Arthur intended to land the car on the grass before the Forbidden Forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After flying over a massive willow tree, the bright blue Ford began descending and slowing, finally coming to a steady stop before Dumbledore and McGonagall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you,” Dumbledore murmured. “Your help at this sensitive time means a great deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No trouble,” Arthur winked. “It’s what I should do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come along, children,” McGonagall said. “I’ll take you to the castle. Headmaster Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley have matters to discuss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impressive—your dad and Dumbledore seem close,” Harry said as they walked toward the castle, glancing back at the two adults talking; eventually, he couldn’t resist asking Ron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe,” Ron replied. “They’re probably planning how to fight You-Know-Who.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry suddenly remembered that, under Dumbledore’s protection, he didn’t constantly dwell on You-Know-Who.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stowed their luggage early, played a few games of wizard’s chess in the dorm, and, guessing the new students were nearly due, went to the Great Hall and took seats at the Gryffindor table. Soon, the newcomers filed in, and ghosts settled into place. Professor McGonagall stepped forward with her list and announced the Sorting Ceremony was beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year’s Sorting differed little from last year’s; yet as Harry and Ron sat at the table, watching their familiar relatives line up at the very end, a strange mix of anticipation and curiosity stirred within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ivy Crowley!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivy’s surname came early in the alphabet, and soon it was her turn; Harry tensed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff—” The Sorting Hat had barely uttered a syllable when it fell silent, for it heard Ivy’s thoughts: she didn’t want Hufflepuff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Hat,” she whispered. “Put me in Gryffindor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well,” the Hat spoke. “Tell me loudly—what do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…” Ivy drew a breath, gathered courage, and shouted: “I want to go to Gryffindor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” the Hat shouted louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I want to be in the same house as my brother!” Ivy unconsciously raised her voice too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the Hall heard the exchange; countless eyes fixed on Ivy. She was shy, but mostly nervous and excited—her face blushed crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You speak to the old Hat like that? Brave,” the Hat said. “Then—Gryffindor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry and Ron led the applause; Gryffindors, hearing the word “brave,” instantly triggered the keyword, rising one after another to clap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following Sortings, children envied Ivy, but they saw the Hat always chose the best fit—and so they all obeyed its decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cui Ge Fontroy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well now,” the Hat said, “you’re brave too—but this ambition is astonishing. You’d suit Gryffindor, but I think I’ll place you in Slytherin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” Cui Ge shouted. “I want Ravenclaw!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why go there? You don’t belong,” the Hat replied calmly, not shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have friends there, Hat,” Cui Ge shouted louder. “I want Ravenclaw!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re truly bold,” the Hat said. “Consider Gryffindor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“RAVENCLAW!!!” Cui Ge nearly screamed himself hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough,” the Hat shouted back. “I have my pride too—Slytherin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slytherins clapped politely; Cui Ge looked thoroughly displeased. Donald seemed about to say something, but Dumbledore kept watching him, making him hesitate. Eventually, Cui Ge walked to the Slytherin table, glancing back every few steps, and sat down sullenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yankee,” Malfoy said coldly. “You think Ravenclaw’s better than Slytherin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all,” Cui Ge said, glancing at Luna in the crowd, gently. “But the girl I like will probably go to Ravenclaw.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crabbe wanted to sneer, but Malfoy gave him a warning look. This was the new professor’s nephew—no need to offend him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll see,” Malfoy’s tone softened considerably. “Slytherin is far better than Ravenclaw. You might even find a girl more worthy of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ge clearly didn’t believe him, but he didn’t argue—only grunted twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Cui Ge’s unreasonable demand was overruled, some new students began to understand: if you loudly declared you wanted Gryffindor, the Hat would actually sort you there. But this Sorting secret worked only for the Lion House, indirectly proving that daring to stand out was a unique trait of Gryffindor. Some new students didn’t grasp this secret—or understood it but dared not speak it aloud—proving they truly didn’t belong in Gryffindor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw; she never said she wanted Slytherin. In fact, at that moment, her attention was entirely on the magical Hat, completely forgetting about Cui Ge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ginny had planned to muster courage and declare she wanted Gryffindor too—but before she could speak, the Hat sorted her directly into the house she desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Sorting ended, Dumbledore rose, as he had last year, and spoke a few cryptic words, then declared the feast open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While eating, Harry noticed several glances directed at him; he looked up occasionally and saw Ivy sitting with Ginny, chatting merrily; Zhang Qiu sat at the Ravenclaw table, poking her food with a small wooden stick; Neville and Hermione sat together but said nothing, focusing entirely on their meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the staff table and realized Donald kept glancing toward the Gryffindor table. Each time, his gaze lingered for seconds on Harry and Ron, then swept across the table, as if searching for someone. Harry noticed his expression was troubled, and felt puzzled. After eating half his fill, Harry stopped eating altogether, occasionally glancing at Donald.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, he saw Donald’s strange gaze cease—he appeared lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, children,” Dumbledore stood after dessert, speaking loudly. “Since we’ve all eaten our fill, let me add a few words—new students should pay special attention…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the Headmaster’s clichés, Harry whispered to Ron: “Looks like there are no secrets this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True,” Ron joked. “I was really looking forward to ‘horrible deaths.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the school song, Harry and Ron returned to their dormitory first, knowing new students were guided by prefects through room assignments, so they didn’t intrude. When they arrived, they found Neville back even earlier—he was reading a book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Ron,” Neville closed his book upon seeing Ron. “You look much stronger—summer must’ve been productive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah,” Ron said. “I trained every day. Mr. Fontroy trained me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trained you to be a rider?” Neville asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knight,” Ron corrected precisely. “A knight of the Round Table.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For wizards,” Harry chuckled, “paladin might be more fitting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you insist,” Neville said meaningfully, “saber—a hero with a sword—is also a synonym.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know something?” Harry sensed something off in Neville’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing,” Neville said. “Probably just my wording habits—I had a tutor from Tianchao.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1350,"2026-06-21T04:54:27.874Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0223bb700b0bb07b60c84dc912d1b85ff672ae88f2e373c8aac00430bbdd5a6f","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-46","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-44",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwizard-war-at-hogwarts-cover.jpg"]