In early March, Hogwarts suddenly welcomed a new professor whom everyone addressed as Professor Le Fay.
Professor Le Fay didn't teach any specific subject - she would temporarily substitute whenever a professor needed to take leave.
From Astronomy to Potions, Transfiguration to Alchemy, there wasn't a subject she couldn't teach.
Many students hoped their regular professors would take leave so they could have the chance to attend Professor Le Fay's classes.
Not because her teaching was particularly outstanding - Professor Le Fay's lessons were quite casual, often deviating from the syllabus and teaching whatever she felt like.
The real reason was that Professor Le Fay was simply too beautiful. The young wizards couldn't take their eyes off her.
Not only was she beautiful, but she also possessed a strange charm, something even more alluring than Fleur's half-Veela heritage.
Unfortunately, Hogwarts professors were quite dedicated to their work and rarely took leave, much to the students' disappointment.
Some observant students noticed that other professors seemed to hold Professor Le Fay in high regard; even veterans like Professor McGonagall would always greet her first whenever they met.
What they didn't know was that Le Fay, also known as Morgan, wasn't called professor because she could substitute for others, but because she was the professors' professor.
Hogwarts professors also needed improvement, and Wayne had invited Morgan to both teach Daphne and train Professor McGonagall and others.
Receiving guidance from a Legend-level magic master was absolutely a privilege others could only dream of.
Sometimes, even Dumbledore would come from the Ministry of Magic to seek Morgan's advice, gaining considerable benefits from these sessions.
The professors didn't disappoint Wayne's expectations; they often approached Morgan in their spare time for guidance. Continuing like this, Hogwarts' position as the world's number one magical school would be firmly secured.
Wayne had the highest expectations for Snape and Professor McGonagall.
Both were now transitioning to study ancient magic, with great potential to break through their limitations and become top-tier masters.
After all, while modern magic was easier to pick up and could be mastered quickly, it didn't provide a thorough understanding of magic's essence and tended to focus more on surface-level applications. Ancient magic was difficult to learn initially, but mastering the spells also enhanced one's comprehension of magic itself. Both had their advantages and disadvantages, requiring different approaches.
Of course, he wouldn't blindly promote ancient magic either. Many students had limited potential and just needed to learn how to use spells properly.
As the number of wizards increased, the gap between elites and ordinary people would gradually widen. Wherever people existed, class division was an inevitable phenomenon.
The peaceful semester approached its end. Entering June meant entering exam season.
Compared to its usual liveliness, the castle became much quieter, with the normally boisterous students channelling all their energy into revision.
Otherwise, they would face Professor McGonagall and Snape at their worst temper of the year.
When exams began, the students were astonished to discover that their Headmaster had quietly created another new invention.
"Anti-Cheating Doors," Professor McGonagall announced cheerfully to the students. "No cheating method can escape detection by these doors, unless your methods have surpassed Headmaster Lawrence's."
Hearing this, the young wizards all rolled their eyes in unison.
Surpass Wayne?
Better to hope they'd guess all multiple-choice questions correctly and score full marks on essay questions by writing nonsense.
The students queued obediently to enter the classroom through the main door. Those ahead passed through without incident, but when one girl reached the doorway, a piercing alarm suddenly blared.
The girl froze in terror, while Professor McGonagall examined her sternly.
"Fawcett, what are you carrying?"
"I... I don't know..." The girl named Fawcett shook her head desperately.
"I'm sorry, but I'll need to search you."
Professor McGonagall then escorted her to another room. After inspection, they discovered tiny writing engraved on her earrings.
Fawcett's face flushed crimson as she stammered, "P-professor, these are notes I made during last class's quiz... truly not for this exam."
Professor McGonagall gave her a penetrating look, temporarily confiscating the earrings to return after the exam.
No other suspicious items were found subsequently. Before entering, students discreetly destroyed all their cheating methods, averting disaster.
The seven-day examination period concluded smoothly. When the final subject ended, the young witches and wizards felt as if granted amnesty, tossing their schoolbags into dormitories before rushing outside to revel.
Wayne accompanied Cho wandering through the castle, joining other seventh-year students doing the same.
The dim corridors they'd long grown tired of suddenly felt novel again. Many portraits they'd never noticed on the walls became objects of fascination, with graduating students pausing before each painting.
"Thinking about leaving... I really can't bear it," Cho murmured, eyes glistening. The sentimental girl had mere days before she would completely shed her student identity.
Over the past seven years, she'd spent more time living in the castle than at home—or rather, this place felt more like home.
Wayne gently drew her close, letting her lean against his chest. "All good things must come to an end. People must grow up. If you truly miss it, you can always visit often."
"It's not the same," Cho shook her head softly. "Before, this was my home... afterwards, I'll just be a guest."
Wayne said no more, understanding this was something she needed to overcome herself; others' consolation would prove futile.
...
Days later, at the end-of-year feast, the Great Hall remained decked in yellow and black, representing the badger house's sixth consecutive victory for the House Cup.
This year's win proved particularly narrow. Gryffindor had claimed the Quidditch Cup's hundred-and-fifty points, and had they not trailed too far behind earlier, this year's championship would have been theirs.
Still, Gryffindor felt thoroughly satisfied—they'd awaited this Quidditch Cup for over a decade. Harry and several Quidditch team members wore beaming smiles throughout.
Moreover, Slytherin posed fierce competition. Gabrielle had become the unofficial leader of the first to third-year students, under whose supervision these year groups diligently earned house points. Yet they remained outnumbered—Hufflepuff's obedient children spanned all seven years.
Seeing the massive badger house banner, Gabrielle pouted, her chubby cheeks flushed with frustration.
But what could she do? She couldn't possibly overpower the older students, nor could she restrain them.
When she grew a few years older, she would definitely make all Slytherins obedient and submissive.
After the feast, Wayne stood up and delivered the final speech of the term under everyone's gaze.
"This year has been the most eventful since my enrolment. The world has undergone tremendous changes; myths have become reality, and legends have become truth. But what remains unchanged is Hogwarts' strength and unity."
"I can proudly declare that Hogwarts remains the safest place in the world. It was before, it is now, and it will continue to be so."
"I wish all graduating students success in finding desirable jobs, and I hope all current students study magic diligently. Spells are your weapons, and magical power is your shield. Only when you possess the weapons to harm your enemies and the shields to protect your family can life go smoothly."
"May I see all of you gathered here again this time next year."
After speaking, Wayne raised his glass. The professors stood up one after another, and the young wizards clapped excitedly, their applause as thunderous as a storm.
Though brief, the speech filled their hearts with strength.
...
The next day, the term ended, and the Hogwarts Express departed on schedule.
To avoid having no compartments available, additional carriages were added. Wayne exercised a small privilege of his authority and prepared a luxurious private compartment for himself.
It had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, making it completely unrecognisable as a train carriage but rather resembling the great hall of some mansion.
Wayne was discussing future changes with Hermione.
"The Ministry of Magic is negotiating with Muggles to purchase new trains as school transport."
"Couldn't we just add a few more carriages?" Hermione looked somewhat puzzled. Previously, when carriages were insufficient, simply adding more had sufficed. Why replace the entire train this time?
"Because I think the journey from Hogwarts to London is too slow. I plan to replace the railway tracks as well. You know what high-speed rail is, right?"
"Of course I know." Hermione wore a wry expression. "It's that project the government spent tens of billions on that hasn't built a single kilometre so far."
"Exactly right." Wayne snapped his fingers. "Fortunately, wizards haven't fallen to that state yet. With two months, combined with magic and my designs, by the time September term starts, we'll be able to enjoy an express train travelling at 350 kilometres per hour, reaching the school in just three hours."
Cho, who had been flipping through a magazine, suddenly looked up and smiled mockingly. "As expected, all the good things only appear after you've graduated."
"Absolutely. Next year, the dormitories will even have air conditioning installed, so it won't be cold in winter either."
"How annoying." Cho rolled her eyes and ignored him.
"When will we be able to ride winged horses to school?" Luna murmured, but Wayne still heard her and replied with a laugh: "Like winged horses? How about Odin's Sleipnir? An eight-legged steed that flies fast enough. If you like it, I'll bring one back for you."
"Me too, me too!" Ginny excitedly raised her hand.
"You?" Wayne glanced at her disdainfully. "You'd better stick to taking the train properly. Could your pocket money even afford to keep a winged horse?"
Ginny gritted her teeth in frustration. That bloody man, did he have to be so double-standard?
She looked at Luna, then at herself, and suddenly felt rather dejected.
In terms of looks, she was undoubtedly the most beautiful girl in their year aside from Astoria, so why had Wayne accepted Luna but shown no interest in her?
Could it be true what the books said—that descendants of Rome didn't care for Celts?
Should she go home and discuss dyeing her red hair blonde with her mother?
Wayne had no idea Ginny was capable of such wild assumptions; he was currently discussing with Luna which legendary magical beasts from the divine realms were worth collecting.
Lately, things seemed calm on the surface, but the final confrontation was drawing near.
Right around the exam period, Orynix and Athena each sent messages.
Thor, the God of Thunder, had achieved Legend status, Hera had broken through to Legend rank, and Illapa, the God of Storm of the Aztlan Divine Realm, had also successfully advanced.
The power of the divine realms would soon reach its peak, and once all preparations were complete, that would be the day they moved to surround and kill Wayne.