Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 799 Sunset Glow

The path through the castle to Professor Boubaci's office is long and not quiet along the way.

After saying goodbye to the ghost girl Myrtle, they welcomed the portrait of Sir Cadogan.

"Destination not yet reached!"

The short, stout knight in armor, wielding a longsword, the metal clanging against the blade, shouted: "Loren Morgan, my dear friend, hold on, or die a heroic death on the charge!"

Loren had already climbed the seventh long flight of stairs, strolled past a corner platform, and saw a picture hanging on the stone wall of the platform. The picture depicted a wide meadow where a plump little gray zebra was grazing leisurely.

That was the mount of the Knight of Cadogan.

"Sir Cadogan."

Loren couldn't help but laugh: "At this hour, you should be in the portrait in the fourth tower, fighting against those treacherous monks. What are you doing here?"

"Sir Cadogan received news of your impending expedition and has come to see you off," the knight exclaimed. "I will cherish the days we fought side by side, the nights we spent hiding from the evil wizards, the search for the mysterious Astronomical Tower, and the rescue of Barnabas from the trolls..."

Loren twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a slight smile, but did not interrupt his narration. Instead, he stood in front of the portrait and listened quietly to his shouting, his gaze fixed on the endless grassland in the portrait.

The plump gray zebra was still grazing on the grass, its thick lips chewing in a way that resembled a cow. Water spurted from its nose, and it seemed carefree and leisurely. One wonders if the portrait was full, since there were no mosquitoes in the picture, and its tail was swishing back and forth.

The grass and leaves rustled against each other.

"Hey! Young wizard!"

Kadogan waved his hand dismissively: "Were you even listening to me? All those days we spent together...?"

"Wait a moment."

Loren gestured with his chin to the side.

"What's wrong?"

Your horse has run away.

"Um?"

Sir Cadogan followed his gaze and saw the plump gray zebra swinging the ladder and running fast, its figure gradually shrinking in the frame, seemingly about to disappear into the depths of the vast grassland.

"Farewell, my comrades! This is truly goodbye. May you continue to maintain your noble spirits and strong bodies!"

"Thank you, I will."

Sir Cadogan's farewell was somewhat hasty.

Loren still had a smile on his face as he watched him disappear into the depths of the painting. Perhaps it was a world within the painting and beyond, or perhaps it was connected to another painting. Who knew what exciting and thrilling adventure awaited him?

The portrait fell silent, and the person continued upstairs.

Perhaps because there were no classes, I ran into some friends on the way. There were ghosts from Gryffindor, classmates from my classes, and portraits that I wasn't very familiar with. Some I couldn't even name. I could still say hello and exchange a few pleasantries. Summer is here, and graduation is just around the corner.

Their destinations were different, and they soon parted ways.

Loren encountered Headmaster Dumbledore again on the stairs. He was walking slowly on the right side of the steps, admiring the paintings on the wall as he went.

From his time as a freshman to his time as headmaster, from early September 1892 to June 1998, nearly 106 years had passed. Dumbledore had sensed this before, but it wasn't until just before leaving that he truly realized how deep his bond with the school was. He was overwhelmed with emotion and complex feelings.

They were even more hesitant than graduating students.

During his student days, he was always concerned about his family, worrying about his mother and sister's health, and his father in prison. He hoped for a harmonious family and healthy relatives and friends. He wanted to take good care of them and provide them with a good living environment, but he was unwilling to let his talents and abilities be bound by his family. He hoped to become the half-bright, half-dark sunset on the horizon, and be free from all constraints.

Therefore, I tossed and turned at night, always silently agonizing.

His unquenchable ambition and aspirations led to tragedy the summer he graduated. Later, as a professor at Hogwarts, his guilt towards his mother and Ariana became the reason for his insomnia. Only by listening to the sounds of the castle at midnight could he find some peace.

Later, he imprisoned Gellért in a high tower in Austria. To restrain his ambition, and for many strange reasons, he also confined himself to the principal's office, which was also at the top of the tower. Only recently has he been willing to leave that tower.

Loren paused for a moment, then quickened his pace and soon arrived at the principal's side.

He greeted her in a cheerful voice, "Dumbledore."

"It's Loren..."

Dumbledore turned and saw it was him. He wasn't surprised, and a gentle smile appeared on his face. "Did you come up from downstairs? Have you said goodbye to your friends in the castle?"

"I already said that."

"How's the new space device project going?"

"smoothly."

"That's good." Dumbledore also went upstairs, admiring the paintings as he went. "The Wizengamots have already discussed it publicly, and most wizards support your plan. However, the International Wizarding Federation is facing some difficulties. Ms. Burns should talk to you personally."

"This is such a hassle."

"It will be more complicated after the plan is made public at the Federation. We will need to mobilize wizards from other countries to cooperate, persuade other magical intelligent beings, mermaids from other waters, centaurs and unicorns from other forests, and werewolves, vampires, Veela who have already made contact with Muggles..."

"hiss……"

Loren gasped and made a face as if he had a headache.

Dumbledore smiled gently and said, "Don't worry too much. My travel plans happen to pass through their settlement, and I happen to know a little of their language, so I can convey your plans."

"Thank you so much!"

"..."

Dumbledore blinked, not bothering with formalities, and was secretly pleased. Although he pretended to be troubled and afraid of trouble, he didn't say anything about backing down or giving up. He was clearly determined to push forward the plan. Such will and character were very suitable for taking over the school.

……

The principal went back to his office.

Loren arrived alone on the floor where the Muggle Studies office was located. The corridor was quiet, and the portraits on the walls were empty.

Loren walked down the corridor. The office was just around the corner. He didn't knock on the door, but stopped and waited for a moment. Soon, two sets of footsteps approached.

Two figures approached from around the corner. The one on the right was Professor Bubbaji, with neat short blond hair and a gentle face.

The one on the left is Hermione. She stopped immediately upon seeing him, turned around and said a few words to Professor Bubbaji, seemingly saying goodbye. Then she walked quickly to his side, naturally took his arm, and smiled.

"Have you finished your work?"

"It's done."

Loren took her hand and couldn't help but smile, glancing back at Professor Bubbaji.

A kind and gentle witch waved goodbye to him, her eyes smiling, and then turned and slowly walked towards her office.

Loren and Hermione also turned and walked back:

"I haven't gone to the kitchen yet. Come with me to see those house-elves."

"No, why didn't you go in the morning?"

"I was talking to Professor Bubbaji about your plan this morning."

"..."

The corridor windows were open, and looking out, it was already evening, with lingering rays of sunset still visible on the horizon. The evening breeze at Hogwarts made the corridor particularly cool, and crickets and birds chirped in the distance.

(End of this chapter)