Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 325 Before the Start of School
The next day, the first day of school at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley was shrouded in a somber atmosphere of the end of the holidays.

The weather was also very cooperative, raining continuously since early morning. By the time Xilun was about to go out, the rain had intensified, pattering against the windows.

Fortunately, Garrick was fine this year and Apparated to send Siron to King's Cross Station.

It was still that secluded alley, where a wizard sat at the entrance, looking at a newspaper that was upside down.

“I think we’ll see each other again soon this year.” Garrick handed the umbrella to Celen. “Trust me, this year’s Hogwarts is going to be very interesting.”

"Is that so?" Xilun said, looking at his grandfather's smug and excited expression. He hesitated for a moment and did not reveal the matter of the three-way competition.

This is probably one of the few forms of entertainment available to Hogwarts students' parents. Let him have some fun; consider it as amusing the old man.

Xilun pretended to ask a few more questions, but Garrick rambled on and refused to answer. After going through this formality, Xilun, holding an umbrella and pushing his luggage, walked into the station.

He didn't actually need an umbrella; a waterproof and moisture-proof charm would have solved the problem. But this was King's Cross Station, a place teeming with Muggles, so magic was definitely out of the question.

Xilun pushed the luggage cart and skillfully found the partition wall between platforms 9 and 10, and went straight through it.

Behind the wall was Platform 9, the gateway to Hogwarts, where a crimson steam train was already waiting.

He also saw Bill and Charlie; it seemed they were the ones taking the others to school this year.

As Xiren walked over, he happened to hear Bill say something very familiar.

“You’re going to have a lot of fun this year,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “Ah, I wish I could go back to Hogwarts.”

“What are you talking about?” Ron asked, frowning.

“You’ll find out,” Charlie said with a smile, without any intention of answering his question.

Ron wanted to ask more, but by then, Bill and Charlie had already spotted Siron approaching.

"So, are you confident?" Bill walked over and asked with a smile.

Xilun naturally understood what he meant and immediately nodded, "We've made some preparations, so there should be an opportunity."

“Then the news I’m about to tell you might disappoint you.” Bill sighed and said softly, “I just heard it myself. They’ve changed the rules. This year there’s an age limit. The minimum requirement is… sixteen years old.”

"You should understand what this means, right?"

“Of course I know,” Siren said.

“Don’t be discouraged,” Bill patted his arm. “Being a spectator can be just as fun.”

He had already accepted that Siren could not become a warrior. In the British wizarding world, a wizard typically enters Hogwarts at the age of eleven.

Sixteen years old roughly corresponds to sixth and seventh grade, while Xilun will only be in fourth grade after the start of the school year.

“Yeah, and more importantly, it’s safe to be an audience member.” Charlie walked over as well. “Honestly, I’m a little unsure whether those who were chosen this year were lucky or unlucky.”

“Maybe,” Xiren smiled, “but it’s not impossible.”

As I just mentioned, he made some preparations in advance, so he should have a chance.

“I completely agree,” Bill laughed, echoing, “That’s the thing about magic; it always brings all sorts of different surprises.”

"Wait, what are you talking about!" Ron couldn't hold back any longer and walked over irritably. "What is it? You all know, but you've been keeping it from us?"

“Silen…” he turned his head, “You know that too, don’t you?” Silen shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"What is..."

“Don’t tell him,” Charlie said first, stepping forward and easily pushing Ron aside with a single gesture.

"Don't forget, this is a top secret of the Ministry of Magic, and it cannot be revealed lightly."

Ron looked even angrier.

But just then, the whistle blew, and everyone had to rush to the car door immediately.

Harry and his friends arrived early and had already reserved a private room, and they even saved a seat for Siron.

Silen put the luggage into their compartment. During this time, Ron kept asking him what he and Bill had been talking about, and what the age restriction meant.

After a moment's hesitation, Siron decided to respect the long-standing tradition of the magical world and chose to keep it a secret.

"You'll find out soon, but until then, stay tuned."

One minute later, the train left the platform.

But the rain showed no sign of stopping; instead, it grew heavier and more torrential. The sky turned pitch black, eerily gloomy, to the point that the lights inside the carriages were turned on during the day.

Ron pressed for an answer a few more times, but gave up after not getting a response. He then took out a chessboard and suggested playing a few games of wizard chess.

In the afternoon, a few familiar friends walked into the VIP box. Simo was still wearing the Irish badge he had bought at the match; with the slightest movement, it would squeal and shout out the players' names, "Troy! Mallet! Moran!"

However, the sound was much quieter than before, probably because some of the magic power was slowly fading.

The group huddled together, discussing intensely everything that was happening at the Quidditch World Cup.

“We’ve spotted Viktor Krum, very close,” Ron shouted. “We’re in the top-floor box…”

"Ha!" A sneer came from outside. It was Malfoy, who had appeared at the door of the private room at some point.

However, Siron noticed that he was alone; Crabbe and Goyle, who were always by his side, were not standing behind him as usual.

Perhaps for this reason, Malfoy didn't say anything sarcastic, just chuckled and left.

Even so, Ron wasn't angry. Instead, he walked to the door of the private room with great interest, pushed it open, and glanced outside.

"No!" he exclaimed excitedly as he returned, his eyes shining. "Crawb and Goyle weren't hiding outside. It looks like they really have fallen out with Malfoy!"

“Great!” Harry exclaimed excitedly. “I should have guessed. If those two big guys were here, Malfoy would have laughed more than just twice.”

This was really good news. Ron had been a little sullen because he hadn't gotten the answer he wanted, but now he was immediately happy.

Harry generously took out all the Krum models he had bought and shared them with Neville, who hadn't gone to the game.

For the rest of the journey, they remained in high spirits. In this atmosphere, even the sound of raindrops tapping on the glass outside seemed pleasant.

……

(End of this chapter)