Chapter 562: Magic School Arrive 3
After the guests had entered the Castle, the Hogwarts students remained in line, though the wait was no longer tedious. On the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the far-traveled animals were beginning to acclimate to their new surroundings.
The three-headed dragon eagerly paced toward the forest’s edge, its massive paws churning the earth. Centaurs darted nervously at the tree line, their silhouettes flickering in and out of sight. Elephants stretched their trunks long and sinuous, attempting to peel leaves from the Maze Bush wall. The Sigil Horses, though calm under Hagrid’s care, refused to approach the dragon’s territory. Hagrid had no choice but to tether them near his hut.
Only a few students noticed another scene: a Night Kneazle from the school, wings fluttering, had landed near the Sigil Horses, as if trying to greet them. But the magical steeds were terrified by the creature’s appearance—some reared back in alarm, while several sturdy Home Horses stepped forward, standing in defensive formation, eyes sharp and wary.
Hagrid stepped between them, trying his best to calm both sides, all while ignoring the fact that one of the elephants had nearly torn a chunk out of the wall in its excitement.
And then there were the other wonders—Flying Carpets, a Bus, a Ghost Ship, a Train—each drawing fascinated glances from the students.
Of course, this leisurely curiosity was only possible because everyone was now warm and comfortable. If they’d still been shivering from the cold, their only thoughts would’ve been furious curses toward the tardy.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet. Birds erupted from the forest canopy. Animals stamped their hooves, restless and agitated. Even the surface of the Black Lake rippled with a series of spreading waves.
Anthony gripped Terry’s arm, his voice tight with worry. “Earthquake?”
“No… it’s—” Michael began, but his words died in his throat.
Before them, a giant stone slab—larger than Hagrid’s hut—rolled toward the Castle with a deep, rumbling growl, like someone inside was drumming on the walls.
Then, without warning, the stone halted abruptly before the gates. It shuddered twice—like a stone stretching after a long sleep.
From its surface, a massive, arched doorway slowly emerged, as if the stone itself were breathing. Out stepped a tall man, draped in a golden cloak, a necklace of beast teeth hanging around his neck.
Behind him came about twenty students, all around seventeen or eighteen, dressed in vibrant Kangabu robes. Some bore intricate tattoos on their arms and necks; others wore their hair in thick, braided styles.
“Dumbledore! Old friend! Long time no see—still the same old wizard, I see!” the man boomed with a wide grin.
Dumbledore smiled warmly and embraced him. “Welcome to Hogwarts, Adeso.”
Adeso clapped him on the back. “There’s one question I’ve been meaning to ask for ages…”
“Please,” Dumbledore said, gesturing politely.
Adeso lifted a hand, miming the motion of stroking a beard. “Your beard’s getting longer. Where do you even sleep with it?”
Even the ever-wise Dumbledore was caught off guard. He blinked, then chuckled, eyes crinkling. “Where it belongs, of course.”
“Hahaha!” Adeso laughed heartily. “My children are all exceptionally talented. I brought them here to experience the breadth and wonder of the magical world. If we’re lucky, Wagadoo might even bring home a champion!”
“May your dreams come true,” Dumbledore said with a gentle smile. “But my students won’t let you down.”
As the students from Hogwarts and Wagadoo exchanged cautious glances, a soft, delicate fragrance drifted through the air, followed by a clear, ringing chime.
Wade, ever alert, heard a faint “tch” from behind. He turned—just in time to see Cavallo, the headmaster, leaning against the Castle entrance, his expression cold as he stared toward the source of the sound.
Then, with a sudden, silent ripple in the air, a wooden carriage materialized. It glided forward with quiet grace, its most peculiar feature being a single enormous wheel—centered on which was the face of a bald old man.
His eyes darted in all directions. His mouth opened and closed, emitting a creaking, wheezing laugh.
Though the Hogwarts students had seen many strange magical sights, this ancient, unsettling wheel was enough to leave them speechless.
The carriage stopped beside the giant stone. The curtain parted with a flick of a fan, and a woman stepped down—dressed in a flowing kimono, a coral hairpin fastened in her dark hair.
“Apologies,” she said, bowing slightly to Dumbledore. “I hope our Rinnyu-do didn’t frighten the children.”
“An undoubtedly unique mode of transport,” Dumbledore chuckled. “Welcome, Ms. Fujiwara. Please, bring your students inside.”
A dozen students followed her from the carriage, all dressed in golden robes. At the end came a young boy in a light pink robe. As soon as he stepped onto the ground, his eyes sparkled with curiosity as he scanned the surroundings.
“I’m sorry,” Fujiwara said, glancing at the students from Wagadoo. “We seem to be late?”
“No,” Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling. “The timing is perfect. Our feast is already prepared.”
The guests from both schools entered the Castle, followed by the Hogwarts students.
As they passed the staircase, both Fujiwara and Adeso paused briefly, savoring the warm breeze that wrapped around them from every direction. They exchanged a glance with Dumbledore before continuing.
In the instant the line faltered, the Weasley Twins ducked down and slipped out of Gryffindor’s ranks. Using the cover of trees, they darted toward the wooden carriage.
“Do you think that thing can talk?” Fred whispered.
“I’m more curious about what it eats—and whether it even needs to go to the bathroom,” George said, circling the strange wheel. He peered behind it, only to find a hollow axle. He turned back, frowning.
The twins looked at each other.
“Shall we try?” George asked.
“Sure!” Fred said eagerly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flattened piece of bread. George hurried to break off a twig, speared the bread onto it, and held it toward the face on the wheel.
The grin on the man’s face vanished instantly. His expression turned cold, eyes flashing with irritation. But the twins didn’t care. They pressed forward, determined to test the mystery.
Suddenly, the face opened wide—and roared, “Rude little brats! Get away from me!”
With a sharp crack, the face bit through the twig. Then, with a loud pfft, it spat the bread straight into Fred’s face.
Fred yelped, jumping back. “It actually talks!”
“Fred! George!” Professor McGonagall stormed out of the Castle, her face red with fury. “You two! Stop messing with the guests’ transport! Gryffindor loses twenty points!”
“Oh, no… Professor…”
“If you keep breaking the rules,” she added, “you’ll be banned from the competition.”
The twins fell silent, shoulders slumping. They obediently followed her back into the Castle.
(End of Chapter)
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