Chapter 181: Preparation and Departure
Chapter 181: Preparation and Departure
"Students, this is Mr. David Ricardo, Head of the Auror Office at the Brazilian Ministry of Magic. He has an urgent matter to inform us." After saying this, Professor Sprout stepped back, allowing David Ricardo to step forward.
"The situation is urgent, so I'll get straight to the point. I need each of you to provide a strand of hair, as a group of Dark Wizards is planning to attack you today. However, the Ministry of Magic has already intercepted the information. We need your hair to brew Polyjuice Potion, which will allow the Aurors to transform into your appearances and ambush the Dark Wizards."
He then arranged 12 test tubes on the table in front of him, each containing a Polyjuice Potion that resembled churning mud.
Everyone quickly followed the instructions and placed their hair into one of the test tubes on the table. Once everyone had contributed their hair, Auror Ricardo took the test tubes and said, "You don't need to worry too much. This is just a small group of troublemakers. The Ministry of Magic will definitely resolve this issue thoroughly. You will stay at the School today, which is now under emergency status, so you will be very safe."
With that, Ricardo turned and left the compartment, with Professor Kettleburn following behind. To avoid arousing suspicion, Hogwarts needed to send a teacher to join the ruse. Given his stronger combat capabilities, Professor Kettleburn would accompany the Aurors on this mission.
After they left, Professor Sprout addressed the students, "Due to safety concerns, we cannot leave the School grounds today. Therefore, the School has opened one of the underground ecosystems in the Legendary Garden Underground Network System, a place that has historically been closed to outsiders, as our learning location."
"I just consulted with the Care of Magical Creatures teacher from Castrobrusso, and they informed me that this place is even more diverse and advanced in species than our original planned location. So I hope you all take advantage of this opportunity. Now, you can return to your dormitories to pack up and meet back here in ten minutes."
Liam felt that the situation was becoming increasingly suspicious. The information the Aurors had seemed like a ploy to lure them away. However, considering Hogwarts Castle's magical defenses, he couldn't imagine how the Blood God Cult and Chimera Society could breach this campus, which was no less secure than Hogwarts. After all, items like the Vanishing Cabinet were not common. Not to mention Headmaster Fernando's assurance from yesterday, which suggested he had some precautions in place.
Although Liam couldn't figure out where the Dark Wizards might come from, he decided to be cautious and fully equipped himself: he wore an Assassin's Outfit underneath, with over 20 small vials of various liquids attached to the belt and shoulder straps. His leather pouch at the waist contained several Elixirs and spellcasting materials. His Spatial Bag was filled with various supplies, including some of his best equipment. For convenience, Krinvi's Fang and the Liberator Pistol were holstered on each of his thighs.
Finally, Liam donned his Hogwarts Robe and fastened the buttons, concealing all his gear.
When he left his dormitory with his backpack, most of the others were already waiting in the Common Room. After a collective breakfast, the exchange students, led by Professor Sprout, set off towards the Legendary Garden.
As everyone walked along the path, Liam slowly approached Hermione and whispered to her, "Something feels off today. It’s definitely not as simple as that Auror from the Brazilian Ministry of Magic made it out to be. I have a feeling something might happen today, so it’s best to keep an eye on our surroundings."
"Got it. I also feel like something’s not quite right today. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll stay alert", Hermione nodded and whispered back.
At the entrance of the Legendary Garden, Professor Fernando Gonzalez, the Herbology Professor from Castrobrusso, was already waiting for them. Following the custom in South America, Professor Sprout stepped forward and greeted him, "Good morning, Professor Fernando. We’re all here. Please lead us in."
Professor Fernando nodded, his round face with a small mustache breaking into a kind smile. "Welcome to our Greenhouse Three for your studies. The other Herbology Professor, Old Bark, had an emergency, so I’ll be guiding you today." With that, he led them through the park entrance, past the statue, and along the garden path toward the center.
Professor Fernando was as enthusiastic as he had been during their initial meeting when they first arrived, but Liam couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about him. However, he couldn’t pinpoint what it was no matter how hard he tried to recall.
After a few turns, they arrived at the entrance they had used to access the underground tunnel during their last visit. At the entrance, Professor Fernando stated their purpose, and the disguised stone rolled aside, revealing a large, two-person-high opening.
The group filed into the cave, where the walls were covered with glowing moss and mushrooms, casting a clear blue light that illuminated the entire tunnel.
Liam felt a bit nervous, knowing that this was the perfect place for an ambush. However, they walked all the way to the entrance of Greenhouse Three without incident.
Maybe I’m just being overly paranoid. After all, the things Headmaster Fernando and the others told me yesterday were quite terrifying. It’s making me see everything as a potential threat, like hearing the wind and seeing soldiers in the grass. Liam thought to himself.
Professor Fernando then drew a complex magic symbol on the left stone wall with his wand. The symbol sank into the wall, and the stone door in front of them slowly rose, revealing the full view of Greenhouse Three: it was larger than any greenhouse they had seen before, likely transformed from a large underground cave. After extensive construction by the school, it had become an underground jungle.
Suspended in the air within the cave was a golden orb, burning like a sun, providing the necessary light and heat for the underground ecosystem.
As Liam marveled at this magic artifact, Professor Fernando’s voice from the front interrupted his thoughts. "Please stay on the stone path when entering the greenhouse. There are some dangerous creatures inside, and straying from the magic-protected path could be hazardous."
Hearing this, Liam tore his gaze away from the golden orb and looked down to see a stone path extending from the small platform at the entrance, leading deep into the jungle.
This greenhouse is truly a marvel of design, Liam thought, admiring the place’s ingenuity. He then followed the group along the path, heading toward the observation point nestled in the heart of the jungle.
(End of Chapter)
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