I, Hogwarts Second Time Around.

Chapter 176 Christmas - Magic Divination

Irving and the other two were taken away from the principal's office.

The afternoon classes were cancelled.

All the young wizards gathered in the Great Hall to study.

The professor and the Aurors from the Order of the Phoenix practically turned the castle upside down, but still found nothing.

After one night.

Just when everyone thought the attacker had left the castle.

Another attack has occurred.

This time it's second grade.

In the morning, during the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw History of Magic class, Professor Binns continued to recount the deeds of the villain Emery in his drowsy, unenthusiastic tone.

Emery was a short-lived but extremely cruel dark wizard who wielded considerable power in southern England during the early Middle Ages.

He was killed by his opponent Egbert in an extremely bloody duel.

This famous duel has been talked about for generations.

What they didn't know was that this was also the first example of the Elder Wand changing hands through a duel.

Emery was one of the former wielders of the Elder Wand.

Honestly, the young wizards had absolutely no interest in a duel story that took place a thousand years ago. They would much rather discuss the professors' frantic search yesterday with their friends than that duel from a thousand years ago!

While the students were hastily jotting down names and dates, confusing the villain Murric with the eccentric Yurik.

It just happened suddenly.

"Look!"

"Ah~~~"

The classroom suddenly erupted in chaos. The young wizard stared in disbelief at Professor Binns, who seemed to be dead and was floating in the air.

He looked exactly like the Pikachu from yesterday. His body had become transparent, he was suspended silently in the air, and even his facial expression was almost identical—his eyes were open, and his face was stiff.

It was as if he had been murdered.

The dim light streaming through the window made the scene even more terrifying.

Among the second-year wizards, a few calm ones, such as Ginny, Colin, and Luna, immediately realized what was happening.

They immediately rushed out of the classroom and ran towards the other professors who were nearby.

The classroom closest to the history of magic is undoubtedly Lupin's Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Lupin arrived at the Spell Classroom almost immediately.

"this"

Having never encountered this situation before, he had no idea what to do. He could only evacuate the young wizards first, and then find Professor McGonagall to discuss countermeasures together.

At this time.

Owen, meanwhile, was outside the castle attending their last magical creature protection class before Christmas.

Hagrid's choice to use a wicked woman as the protagonist of this lesson is not a good idea.

The harlequin is a bird native to Africa with exceptionally vibrant plumage. Its population includes four colors: orange, pink, orange-green, and yellow.

For a long time, its feathers have been an excellent material for making fine quill pens, and its eggs are also very beautiful with distinct patterns, but its song can drive people crazy.

Irving and his friends had to wear thick earplugs, just like they did in herbal medicine class.

As they returned to the castle after class, a strange sense of tension washed over them.

All the young wizards were talking about Professor Binns.

The atmosphere in the auditorium was unusually oppressive.

Only Ron breathed a sigh of relief, his face full of a relieved smile.

"Phew~ I knew it, Mischievous Ghost's business has nothing to do with me!"

He was finally cleared of suspicion.

Hermione was very unhappy with his attitude. Everyone was worried about Professor Binns, and Ron's behavior was truly inappropriate. She then said sternly, "You shouldn't be gloating over Ron's misfortune, and is this the time to talk about this?"

Then she turned to Ginny and pressed her for details: "Did Professor McGonagall explain what exactly happened?"

"I don't know?" Ginny shook her head and continued, "The three professors haven't come out since they went to the principal's office."

Breaking news!

Breaking news!!!

Just as the group was talking, the twins' voices suddenly came from the entrance of the auditorium.

The two of them rushed in. To the astonishment of the young wizards, they uttered shocking news: "Another ghost attack!"

"Who is it!"

Fred approached, picked up a silver cup from the long table, took a big gulp of fresh orange juice, and continued to explain, "Just now, at the tower entrance, Nick, who was almost headless, was also floating in the air, as if he had been attacked."

"Yes, Professor Lupin, who witnessed all of this, has already taken the ghost to the principal," George said.

"And that's not all!" Fred continued, "The fat monk from Hufflepuff and the bloody Barrow from Slytherin have both been taken to the headmasters' offices."

"Oh my god!"

"What happened?"

Is this the end of the world?

"Why ghosts?" Ron suddenly interjected. "I mean, who would have a grudge against ghosts? They're already dead, how can they be killed?"

"I don't know!" Gemini shrugged, looking helpless.

"Anyway, Dumbledore is probably the most anxious right now."

Just as everyone was engrossed in their discussion, Hermione suddenly turned to Owen beside her and asked softly, "Owen, do you know what's going on?"

"I?"

As they spoke, the young wizards in the common room all turned their gaze to Owen. As Hogwarts' famous walking encyclopedia, everyone had high expectations for him.

"Stop looking. If I knew what was going on, I would have twisted the attacker's head off and sent it to the principal's office to claim credit."

He helplessly spread his hands, indicating that he truly knew nothing about it.

"Then—" Hannah beside her opened her mouth, her gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone present. Everyone was filled with worry, but what was even more terrifying was that their fears were becoming a reality: "Will the attack happen to living people?"

Yes, that's the question the young wizards care about most.

The ghosts have all fallen, so won't the little wizard be next?

At this point, Owen's gaze darkened. He took a deep breath and said, "If the other party, as Professor Dumbledore said, is here to steal soul energy, then—yes."

"It was indeed a good idea for that person to start with ghosts. Without the protection of a physical body, a ghost's energy should be easier to obtain. But this won't be the end. Since he can attack ghosts, he can naturally attack young wizards as well."

"Oh my God!"

Everyone sighed.

Then everyone fell silent; even the air was deathly still.

A moment later, as the silence gradually subsided.

Luna, holding a brand-new copy of "Singing the Quibbles," sat down, somewhat dispelling the oppressive atmosphere at the long table.

"You look tired, Owen." The elfin-like girl placed the magazine on the table and casually pulled out a number of oddly colored and uniquely shaped cards from the pages.

"This is--"

"Professor Trelawney gave me a tarot deck. I met her in front of the Ravenclaw tower. She was in a hurry to go somewhere, but her heart was full of worries that made her hesitate." She folded the tarot deck in her hand.

Then he looked at Irving.

In those clear eyes, there was a brightness that was hard for ordinary people to imagine.

"The professor is going to ask Headmaster Dumbledore some questions. I'm guessing they'll be about you."

"Me?" Irving was taken aback upon hearing this.

Did they go to complain to the principal?

"She's worried about you, I can tell. The professor is confused." Luna's ethereal voice reached Owen's ear. "Want to have my fortune told? Professor Trelawney said I have a talent for divination."

"Why not?" Owen grinned.

That crazy Professor Trelawney would actually worry about him?

Could it be that he really saw a premonition of death in his dark-circled eyes?

Hehe—it's alright. Anyway, she sees dozens of death omens every day on average. This time is no more than what I did, and this time is no less than what I did.

Instead of focusing on her "threats" to herself, she should think about what the real prophecy might mean.

"Professor Trelawney said that some people believe uncertainty is the devil and should be banished through divination, while others believe that change itself is the devil. This is not entirely true, because we are changing every moment and becoming entirely new people."

"Really? That doesn't sound like something Professor Trelawney would say!"

"Hmm—I guess I figured out what she meant!" She smiled sweetly, then shuffled the tarot cards in her hand and randomly drew one.

"Fool~"

"Everyone is a fool, including you and me. Every step on this journey is like the first step into a brave new world. Ultimately, this journey will change you."

The card depicts a young man dressed in splendid clothes, holding a rose in his left hand and carrying all his belongings in his right, his face full of wit and dreams.

There was a cliff in front of him, and the dog beside him reminded him not to keep forging ahead, but to stop and think.

"Hmm, sounds pretty good." Irving nodded noncommittally.

Then, she drew another card.

"The Magician~"

"The magician represents confidence, using intellect and pure will to adapt to any situation. A highly talented and charismatic person, a leader."

The card depicts Mercury, the messenger of the gods in Roman mythology, with a confident smile and piercing eyes.

"That's a lot like you, Kyrie."

"I don't want to be a leader, that's too tiring!"

Luna looked at him and then said softly, "But that's just your current thought. People follow you, and you'll become their leader without even realizing it."

"However, this card is reversed, which means that there is some kind of addictive tendency and mental instability."

Then, she drew another card.

"The next few cards are about your future, Irving."

"The Hanged Man"

"The Hanged Man is a card of sacrifice, signifying that enlightenment must come at a price. The Hanged Man's sacrifice opens a path to rebirth, but this path is fraught with pain sealed by time, ultimately leading to death."

The card depicts a warrior with his hands tied behind his back, hanging upside down, with a faint angelic halo appearing above his head.

The last one.

"The moon~"

"The moon reminds us that reality is often different from what we first see. In a world full of illusions, following your intuition is often the best choice. The moon also symbolizes dreams, desires, and of course, sleep, the night ritual of death."

"How's it going?" Owen's somewhat languid voice rang out. "Am I nearing my end?"

He clearly didn't quite believe in these things.

"No." Luna put the card away again. "You will be reborn. You will understand some things, but you will also lose some things."

"Is that so?" Owen curled his lip in noncommittal. "You know me, I trust my wand more than any of those things."

"It's not a bad thing, is it?" She blinked, a reassuring agreement appearing in her light silver eyes. Her gentle smile possessed a unique charm.

"Wizards who are obsessed with divination will eventually become slaves to prophecy. Only by learning to resist it can prophecy remain prophecy, rather than becoming some kind of established fact."

"."

Irving glanced at Luna, finding it hard to believe that a twelve-year-old girl could say such a thing.

However—she's right. No matter what happens next, I will face it without fear, just like the petrel, for whom the storm will only be a backdrop to its courage!

The storm continues.

The crisis continues.

Even if the little wizard was very unwilling.

Christmas has arrived.

This year may be the most agonizing year for young wizards.

Never before had they been so worried about the arrival of Christmas.

Meanwhile, inside the castle, the usual magnificent Christmas decorations were all in place, even though very few students remained at school.

Thick ribbons made of holly and mistletoe hung along the corridor, and mysterious lights emanated from within each suit of armor. As usual, twelve Christmas trees stood in the hall, adorned with glittering golden stars.

The corridor was filled with a strong and enticing aroma of cooking, and Irving arrived at the auditorium early.

Many young wizards have already gone home for Christmas.

Excluding those who had to remain in the castle due to uncontrollable factors.

There are hardly any people left at Hogwarts.

I thought you had already gone home.

He had just sat down at the long table when a girl with rosy cheeks and two golden braids sat down next to him.

"I suddenly don't want to leave anymore, is that not allowed?" She turned her head away, seemingly stubbornly saying.

"What are you doing staying? You'll only make things worse!" he bluntly criticized.

Hannah's personality is unlike Hermione's.

She doesn't need to think about Hermione.

Few witches resemble Hermione.

She is not good at handling pressure. She gets overwhelmed and stressed every time an exam approaches. Even if she knows the textbooks by heart, she will repeatedly recite them and sometimes even break down in tears, saying that she is stupid.

Hermione, on the other hand, would just bite him relentlessly, her eyes filled with danger, probably thinking only of how to dethrone him, the number one in his age group.

She was nervous, of course, but not in the same way Hannah was flustered.

"Mind your own business!" Hannah glared at him, then forcefully took the silver plate from Owen's hand and used it herself!

"Hey! You're all here!"

From the tone of his voice, Irving knew that it was that silly boy Ron who had arrived.

"Guess what Harry's Christmas present is?" He sat down excitedly.

"A fire crossbow bolt!!!"

"That's worth a lot of money! Who would give him something so valuable?" Hermione raised an eyebrow and walked over, sitting on an empty bench in Hufflepuff.

That's such a waste.

The little witch frowned, a hint of disdain rising in her heart. So much money could have bought countless precious magical manuscripts, and all she got was a broom!

What a waste!

"Do we even need to guess? Apart from the Black family, who's famously rich for generations, who else has that much money!" Owen glanced at Harry with displeasure and said with a hint of jealousy.

A single fire bolt costs several thousand Galleons!

You should know that last summer, the Daily Prophet's grand prize in Ron's house was only seven hundred gallons.

Several thousand Galleons is enough for an ordinary person to live on for several years, or even more than a decade.

That many Gallonnaises, although Irving could afford them,

It breaks my heart.

Wow! I also want to hook up with a rich godfather.

A godmother is fine too! I'm not picky.

As he pondered this, Irving suddenly thought of Wenda.

He had previously guessed that his mother might have come from the Rozier family.

I may be related to this ancient family.

Like the Black family, Sirius's uncle, Alfred Black, was expelled from the family for "funding his runaway nephew".

Or perhaps Tonks' mother, Andromeda Black, who became famous for marrying a Muggle-born wizard.

Owen guessed that her mother was probably like that too—no, it was more serious because she married a Muggle. Andromeda Black at least married a wizard, while her mother married a Muggle.

As a result, she may become famous through the Rozier family.

That's why I ended up at the bottom of the orphanage.

"The sender didn't leave a name!" Harry joined in.

He chuckled and scanned the crowd with his bright eyes.

This guy is just showing off!

Who but Sirius Black could afford something so expensive!

"So, where's your broom?"

"George and Fred, take it and test it," Harry replied, his eyes sparkling.

"Harry's been flying all morning!" Ron chimed in, "I tried it out too, Merlin's Beard. Owen, you should really try it, over two hundred miles per hour, my God, it's faster than lightning!"

"Hehehe, the lightning bolt shows: I travel 300,000 kilometers per second, that snail over there that travels over 200 miles per second can't even compare to me!"

"A metaphor, a metaphor, you understand!" Ron shouted a few times, then, still unable to hide his excitement, added, "Even those Dementors can't catch us!!!"

"???"

"Dementors?" Owen turned his head and looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah! The fire bolts flew out of the school in an instant, and the Dementors around us swarmed around us like flies that smelled blood, chasing after us!" Ron seemed completely unaware of how ridiculous his statement was.

He seemed to regard walking around Dementors as an honor.

"Now it's George's turn to test fly."

"Ahem—may I ask, how long has he been flying?" Owen asked cautiously.

"It's been more than half an hour! We ran out of the castle at six o'clock in the morning and took turns to test fly. When it was George's turn to fly, it was already past noon. It's almost one o'clock now, so it's been flying for about half an hour."

"???"

"Didn't you notice anything strange?" Owen's lips twitched slightly as he looked at Ron's idiotic face and silently prayed for George for half a minute.

"Something's wrong?" Ron touched his chin.

"Hmm—he's been flying for too long, it's time for the next person to go."

"Does he want to fly that long? He's afraid to stop!!!" Owen roared.

Damn it—have these little wizards gone mad?

Hmm—wait, have these Gryffindors gone mad?

He remembered that a large group of Dementors were chasing him from behind.

If George dares to stop, he'll be completely drained in an instant!

"It's nothing!" Ron waved his hand casually, then pointed at him and Harry.

"We left a lot of people in the open area. If he wanted to land, the people below would cast a spell first, and after the Patronus Charm's light barrier gradually rose, the person in the sky would then pass through the barrier and land. It's very safe. That's how Harry and I played!"

"???"

"What the hell? Don't you want to listen to what you're saying?" Owen looked at the group of arrogant Gryffindors with a blank expression.

Not only Hannah beside him, but also Justin, who had just walked in from the entrance of the auditorium and looked like he'd seen a ghost, all wore expressions of shock.

"I've seen plenty of people walking cats and dogs, but this is the first time I've ever seen someone walking a Dementor! Typical Gryffindor! Awesome!"

"It was Harry, his idea! You wouldn't believe it, he's now successfully summoned a Patronus in human form! He can drive away dozens of Dementors at once, it's incredible!"

Ron roared excitedly.

It's as if he himself is the one who can summon a physical body to protect himself.

He looked up, the candlelight in the auditorium illuminating his face.

It looks like it's glowing.

"That's amazing!" he murmured, his voice calm and devoid of any other emotion.

He simply stared at that silly Weasley.

"Let's go to the open space!" Harry suddenly said.

"Give it a try, Owen! Those are fire bolts. I guarantee you'll fall in love with them after just one ride."

As he spoke, he and Ron, one on each side, scooped up Owen, who was digging in pumpkin juice, and carried him out.

One of the Hufflepuffs hadn't even put down his silver spoon yet.

The soup from the spoon dripped onto his shirt.

He wasn't annoyed.

He simply flicked his finger and tossed the spoon back over, and it landed right in the bowl.

The rest of the group, including Hannah, followed her out with expressions of anticipation and excitement.

Walking a Dementor!

They've never seen it before!

The group of people skipped and hopped as they ran all over the mountains and fields.

Stepping through the thick snow, even the air was filled with laughter.

"Oh~~~"

In the distance, a large number of people had gathered there.

Irving saw George, Fred, and Percy.

There are also several players from the Gryffindor team, including Wood, the captain of the Woods team, Angelina Jensen, and Katie Bell.

There are also several Seekers from Hedgehog.

Oh!

Cedric was also there.

Qiu Zhang stood right next to him.

Then it's Luna!

The group looked up at the dark clouds in the distance.

I'm captivated!

Irving glanced to the side and saw a cloud of black mist about a hundred feet above the sky, relentlessly chasing a black dot.

She is very fast.

The black dots could almost play with that cloud of black mist.

"Wow!!!"

Irving finally saw the identity of the person high in the sky.

yes.

Ginny?

Oh my god~~~

(End of this chapter)