Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

After the dinner, the Hufflepuff freshmen followed Prefect Gabriel Truman through the foyer and down to the basement.

Gabriel Truman is now in sixth grade and remains the prefect.

As Xavier passed the castle entrance, he saw Filch returning from outside, arms crossed, muttering things like "The Whomping Willow" and "Lawless," followed by Lady Lorris. The gray cat walked by with its tail held straight up, looking even more formidable than Filch.

Ernie, who would later become a prefect, was well-informed. He leaned over and whispered, "The Whomping Willow got hit by something. I heard it was Potter and his gang."

Justin gasped. "The Willow Tree that crashed into people? They're still alive?"

They knew more or less about the Whomping Willow—a magical plant with a fiery temper and astonishing destructive power. Professor Sprout had mentioned it briefly in the previous year's Herbalism class, saying it was a rare variety that had been specially transplanted from elsewhere.

As for how rare the variety is, the professor didn't say, but Hagrid once mentioned over tea that there might only be one in the whole of Britain.

Xavier's impression of the Whomping Willow comes from another level—its prototype may be traced back to Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

Because there is also a raging willow tree in "The Lord of the Rings"—Old Willowhead, who almost swallowed several hobbits before Tom Bombadil appeared.

Of course, this was in the world of a previous life.

In the world of Harry Potter, Xavier became increasingly certain that Tolkien must have some connection with the wizarding world, either because a wizard had secretly told him stories, or because he had seen these things that did not exist in the Muggle world somewhere.

"It's obviously alive," Hannah said. "It's just a shame the car probably won't survive."

No, the car is still "alive," even though it has driven away.

From this perspective, Mr. Arthur Weasley must have lost a lot of money. Hopefully, Mrs. Molly will be in a better mood.

Also, best of luck to Ron!

To be honest, Xavier had a deep interest in this light blue Ford Anglia luxury sedan.

Based on the current situation, at least the flying car seems to have its own consciousness—for example, it threw Harry and Ron, along with all their belongings, out of the vehicle and drove off into the Forbidden Forest on its own. Later in the story, this wandering car will also rescue Harry, Ron, and Hagrid's Toothpick from the Aragog family of eight-eyed spiders.

Considering that the flying car accomplished all of this on its own, Zell strongly suspects that the car has developed its own consciousness and is a "living" "creature".

Therefore, Xavier has reason to infer that Mr. Arthur Weasley possesses exceptional alchemical skills, at least in crafting sentient magical items.

After all, this car was modified by Mr. Weasley in his own garage, with most of the materials coming from Muggle junkyards, and the curse was secretly applied—he didn't even dare let Mrs. Molly know.

According to the Muggle Misuse Act, it is illegal to modify Muggle items without authorization, and Mr. Weasley himself works in the Office of the Muggle Misuse Act; perhaps the office that wrote this law is right next to his.

What is this called? Knowingly breaking the law.

Although many wizards secretly use Muggle items, at least they don't do it openly—after all, being isolated from the Muggle world is the "political correctness" of the wizarding world.

Back in the Hufflepuff common room, everything was just as it had been before the holiday, with the plush sofas and armchairs looking even more welcoming than before.

Several older students who had returned quickly had already taken the best spots in front of the fireplace and were playing a game of wizard chess that looked to have been going on for a long time. A white knight, who had just been slammed to the ground by the black queen with a chair, lay on the edge of the chessboard cursing, his voice like fingernails scratching across a blackboard.

One of them was Cedric Diggory, the Seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, who was studying the endgame on the board, his fingers absentmindedly fiddling with a piece.

The dormitory still had the same four-poster beds with yellow and black curtains, small desks, and wardrobes, and it seemed that the house-elves of Hogwarts had been cleaning it during the holidays.

Ernie threw himself onto the bed and lay down while arguing with Justin about whether the flying car was a contraband. Justin insisted that the flying car violated the International Law on Secrecy.

Zacharias had already yawned twice and pulled the blanket over his head.

Xavier sat at his desk, took the tightly sealed box out of his suitcase, placed it on the table, and stared at it blankly.

It's better to do it sooner rather than later. It's still early, and I imagine Old Deng hasn't rested yet.

Great, it's the first day of school and I have to go to the principal's office. Xavier unlocked an achievement he hadn't been able to unlock in his previous life.

He took a deep breath, tucked the box into his coat, and stood up.

Ernie looked up: "Where are you going so late?"

"I'm going out for a bit. Is there anything else you'd like to eat? I'll bring it back from the kitchen when I get back," Xavier said.

Ernie said "Oh," and replied with a pained expression, "No need, I think I ate too many egg tarts at the dinner party."

He did remember the way to the principal's office.

He climbed the stairs along the basement corridor, passed through several stone corridors, bypassed Filch who was staring intently at him, and arrived at the hideously ugly drooping stone beast on the third floor.

"Password?"

Xavier pulled out Dumbledore's reply to verify: "Today's password is—a pile of cockroaches?!"

And there's even the Guangdong-style double ponytail hairstyle!!!

Xavier frowned and gave the command, and the dripping stone beast jumped aside, revealing the spiral staircase behind it.

The stairs rose slowly, leading him to the half-open oak door.

He knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

Dumbledore's voice was gentle, with a relaxing ease.

Xavier pushed open the door and entered. Most of the portraits of the past principals were dozing off. Various silverwares, emitting wisps of smoke, were placed on the table. Phoenix Fox stood on the perch by the door. When it saw Xavier enter, it tilted its head and let out a low chirp.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, several letters spread out in front of him. His silver beard gleamed in the candlelight, half-moon spectacles sat on his crooked nose, and he wore a magnificent wizard's robe.

Upon seeing Xavier, he put down his quill and gave a gentle smile.

Dumbledore knew this rather special student—the one with magical creature blood.

"Oh, Mr. Xavier."

"I received your letter. How was your summer vacation?" He gestured for Xavier to sit down.

"Very good, thank you for your concern, Professor."

Xavier sat down in the chair opposite the desk and placed the box on the table.

"I apologize for disturbing your rest, Professor, as you mentioned the password for your office in your reply, so I came directly over."

Upon hearing the title "Professor," Dumbledore became extremely pleased, his blue eyes sparkling with a warmth within them.

Just as a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic prefers to be called Minister rather than Mr., the headmaster of Hogwarts also prefers to be called Professor rather than Headmaster.