great-warnovel Chapter 144 The Road Forward
Chapter 144 The Road Forward
Chapter 144 The Road Forward
Thank goodness, nothing more bothering us this Christmas holiday.
In the days that followed, the castle returned to peace.
The students were unaware that Hogwarts' course had changed. They would head north again, re-enter France, cross the English Channel, return to the British Isles, and then continue north, traversing the whole of England before finally reaching the Scottish Highlands.
The road ahead is long and difficult. They will be very close to burning Paris, which means they might be under Grindelwald's watchful eye. Although it seems unlikely that he will do anything to Hogwarts at the moment, it is still a nerve-wracking prospect.
The second difficulty was crossing the sea. Given Hogwarts' weight and size, even in winter, when the cold froze the entire strait, it dared not casually step onto it. Moreover, by the time the castle reached that point, it would most likely be almost summer.
Hogwarts also took this route when it left England. Back then, because the luminous stone was quite unstable, all the professors and students cast a spell together, using a super-large levitation charm to float the castle across the sea like a ship.
The whole process was fraught with difficulties. A large amount of seawater flooded into the castle, causing great misfortune to the Slytherin students living underground. The Potions classroom was turned into an aquarium, and classes were suspended for a long time.
Fortunately, with the splendid stone as an energy source, crossing the sea is not so difficult. Dumbledore can even use the splendid stone to make the entire castle fly for a short time, and then land on the other side.
Besides the environmental and potential external risks, Hogwarts' return will also face resistance from Malfoy Castle.
Those nobles could accept the existence of a magic school that was constantly in exile and needed their funding, but they certainly could not accept the emergence of a new wizarding force in the British Isles that was firmly established and possessed the most complete magical heritage.
If Hogwarts could truly eliminate the threats in the Scottish Highlands, with its powerful energy source of Brilliantstone, a large group of outstanding and top-notch professors, and a long-standing, kind, and gentle reputation, the castle could instantly become the heart of a new wizarding city if Dumbledore so desired.
Many wizards and Muggles, unable to bear the oppression of Malfoy Castle, would choose to break away from the control of the nobles and seek refuge in the Scottish Highlands.
With its vast land base, Hogwarts could easily recruit its own staff and resume production.
Completely break free from dependence on the nobles.
Of course, Dumbledore and McGonagall probably didn't think that much about it, but that doesn't stop purebloods from judging others by their own standards, even if Hogwarts refuses to accept outsiders and maintains its own school characteristics.
Many people would prefer to gather near this powerful and reassuring castle, much like the shantytowns outside Malfoy Castle.
Hogwarts was once right next to Hogsmeade Village. Although it has long been abandoned, if more people were willing to go there, rebuilding it wouldn't be difficult.
The emergence of a new and powerful wizarding force will undoubtedly severely damage Malfoy Castle's status and even threaten the very foundation of their existence.
Hogwarts' routes are quite secretive, making it difficult for wizards outside the castle to know its exact location. However, as long as McGonagall announces this news, Malfoy Castle will definitely react.
They might threaten to suspend aid to the school, or even send people to obstruct the way to the castle, such as the English Channel, though perhaps they wouldn't dare; a direct confrontation wouldn't be a good option.
But they would probably be happy to do something more covert, such as secretly helping the monsters that are entrenched on the site of the castle and strengthening their power.
A good Hogwarts is one that needs their help. Of course, they certainly wouldn't dare to do it too openly, as that would cause Dumbledore and McGonagall to simply run away. The world is so big, there are plenty of places willing to accept this magical school.
However, these things are still quite far off. Hermione estimates that they will probably not be able to cross the English Channel until near the end of their second year. In order to ensure stability and secrecy, and also to take into account teaching, the castle's movement speed is not very fast.
That evening, she was copying the magic of the Oracle Bubble in the lounge, remembering her promise to Professor Trelawney.
Harry suddenly sat down opposite her.
"You're hiding something from me!" he said, staring at Hermione with conviction.
"Why do you ask that?" Hermione looked up.
"You've been acting strange ever since the Christmas dinner," Harry said, looking at her suspiciously and trying to come up with a rhetorical device.
"I don't know how to describe it, well—it's not quite the same as usual. The way I talk, the way I do things, I can't quite pinpoint what's different, but it just feels weird." He scratched his head.
"After Professor Lockhart woke up, he would make strange eye contact with you while dining in the Great Hall, and your expression was also strange when he saw Draco."
"And Professor McGonagall, it seems you and she have some kind of secret, but only you two know, even your mother is kept in the dark."
He listed Hermione's oddities one by one, though no one else seemed to notice.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. This kid has a strong intuition. This kind of subconscious awareness of something being wrong often proves surprisingly effective in battle.
As an experienced Finger Witch, she possessed a powerful soul and acted meticulously. Since she had promised to keep Lockhart's secret, she would not utter a single word. Even her expression would not reveal any flaws. Occasionally, when she encountered Draco, everyone would think that she was no different from usual.
The return of Hogwarts is currently just a draft. Apart from Dumbledore, McGonagall, and herself, the other professors are unaware of it. She and Professor McGonagall have only exchanged a brief glance when they passed each other in the corridor.
Harry keenly observed all of this.
"If the professor didn't want to tell you, there must be a reason," Hermione said, leaning back in her chair and smiling with a slight smile.
"Is it because we're not strong enough?" he leaned forward and asked.
"Maybe so, but as you've noticed, the other professors are unaware of it either."
The boy stood up in a huff, paced around the lounge a couple of times, and then sat down again, still feeling resentful.
"Compared to us, you're hardly a student. In fact, Professor McGonagall probably thinks you're more important than many professors." He sighed in frustration.
But isn't that normal? Someone who saved Hogwarts in their first year and created the Brilliant Stone magic...
In his second year, he negotiated a collaboration with Beauxbatons and opened a perfumery at the school. This young wizard was already more capable than many adults.
Besides, Hermione is so reliable, she won't cause trouble, and she's very strong, so it's perfectly reasonable that she has the professor's deep trust.
He looked up and gazed sincerely at the girl: "Hermione, can you teach me how to become strong?"
"I'm not referring to the first year, where you simply teach us magic; those instructions only constitute a part of it."
He continued, "Your adaptability in battle, your tactical planning, and most importantly, your mindset—your fearless and unwavering courage, which alone could intimidate Professor Lockhart—is something that can't be achieved simply by giving you some magical pointers!"
Second-year Harry is no longer like a first-year student, where only the surface level was visible. He has also grown, and although his powerful fighting talent hasn't fully materialized yet, Hermione's performance in combat is already evident.
Something deeper.
Hermione smiled slightly. Could it be that when you're sleepy, someone will come to your rescue?
I had just started planning to give three boys special training when he came to me on his own?
"If you're just going to give me some pointers and let Ron, Neville, and I practice on our own—" Harry frowned deeply.
"Perhaps we'll become excellent wizards someday, but that's not what I want!"
A persistent flame burned in his eyes, a flame that Hermione had seen since he entered school—a longing for greatness and achievement in this young boy's heart.
"Just like the Faded Ones who aspire to be kings," Hermione thought to herself.
Step onto the high platform revered by all, achieve extraordinary feats, and crown an era with your own name.
"Although it's still a bit childish, it's surprisingly passionate," she said with a smile.
"However, real training is not as easy as practical training."
In Hermione's eyes, the practical lessons that the other children considered brutal enough were, in fact, merely easy.
It simply doesn't provide a realistic and dangerous combat atmosphere. Even the children clearly know that they might get hurt, but there's no danger to their lives, and the best potions and healers are on standby.
"I can do it!" Harry said immediately.
"And Ron and Neville! I believe they can too!" He pulled his two brothers along without any hesitation.
Hermione chuckled and crossed her legs: "So, have you finished studying George and Fred's Transfiguration textbook?"
She had promised Harry long ago that if he could finish his third-year Transfiguration course before Christmas, she would consider studying human transfiguration ahead of time.
Harry's expression immediately turned awkward: "I thought you'd forgotten about this, but I'm almost finished reading it! This Christmas! I'll finish it before the holidays end!"
Hermione's smile faded, and she sat up straight. "It's settled then. Once the holidays are over and Ron and Neville return, we'll begin special training—a truly brutal training to make you stronger!"