Chapter 254: The Winds of Change
"The report is much more exaggerated," Sean replied.
"You admitted it..."
Ron's pupils dilated suddenly, and he froze as if hit by a Body-Bind Curse, holding his pose from a moment ago without moving.
"You've just entered the wizarding world, and you've already become Nicolas Flamel. Merlin's joke..."
He held the newspaper, looking from it to Sean again and again. Finally, he accepted it calmly.
Nothing Sean did was strange anymore.
"What is it? Sean, oh, can I know what it is?" Ron asked cautiously, feeling as if he and Sean might not be living in the same wizarding world.
"Just some Transfiguration Biscuits," Sean replied. With a casual wave of his wand, a biscuit appeared in Ron's hand.
Ron stared wide-eyed at it, turning it left and right but seeing nothing unusual, so he opened his mouth to eat it.
"That will turn you into a Hippogriff," Sean said.
"Ah—!"
Ron quickly put the biscuit down. The baked biscuit was indeed shaped like a Hippogriff, but no one could have predicted it possessed such powerful magic.
While Ron examined the biscuit from all angles in the garden, everyone else at the breakfast table was engaged in a heated discussion.
" Witch Weekly calls him the most talented alchemist of the century, and a handsome little fellow at that!"
Mrs. Weasley was examining a magazine sandwiched inside the Daily Prophet, one with exquisite colors and layout.
This was the magazine beloved by witches of all ages—Witch Weekly.
It mainly featured news about celebrities, including Quidditch stars, along with psychological tests, advice columns, recipes, and more.
Incidentally, the Most Charming Smile Award was also presented by Witch Weekly.
At this moment, Mrs. Weasley was pointing at a photo taken from behind. Despite the angle, it wasn't hard to see the young wizard's upright posture and an air of detachment.
Of course, this might also be due to the photographer's superb skill, but in any case, a single view from the back was enough to send witches' imaginations running wild.
" Transfiguration Today says they have been waiting for this alchemist's arrival. I've never seen them adopt such a humble tone..."
Percy's focus was different from Mrs. Weasley's; his eyes were filled with a yearning for prestige.
Only Mr. Weasley was uncharacteristically silent today, occasionally casting glances toward the garden.
With the release of the latest issues of the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, Transfiguration Today, and other publications, the entire wizarding world was in an uproar.
"Biscuits that can transform you into magical beasts?! Merlin's beard—is that even possible?"
"An invitation-only shop, with the lowest price at seven hundred Galleons? Seems reasonable enough. Good heavens, I can't believe I'm saying that..."
"Where is this Mr. Hermes?! Is he really a Hogwarts student, as Rita claims? That would be terrifying."
Groups of wizards were discussing it on every street corner, especially in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. These places were not only for shopping but also for gossip over tea.
Meanwhile, testing at the Ministry of Magic had begun in earnest. When Mr. Weasley arrived at work, he found the entire second floor in shambles. There were several holes in the walls, radiating intense heat.
"Arthur, you're here!" a colleague greeted him. "You really should see this. Those folks in Law Enforcement turned themselves into a dragon! Tsk, look at these walls—that's the power of the 'Small Dragon Biscuit.' Rumor has it there will be a real Dragon Biscuit later. I reckon the entire second floor won't survive that.
"But I have to say, the biscuit really works. I'm truly curious about Mr. Hermes's real identity..."
Far away at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was chatting with Professor McGonagall.
Summer had quietly arrived on the grounds surrounding the castle. The sky and the lake had both turned a pale blue tinged with violet, and the honey-colored turrets were visible from the Headmaster's office.
"Minerva, I hope I can get used to the days ahead without you," Dumbledore said with a kindly smile. He took a newspaper from the claws of an owl that had flown in through the window and spoke as if musing aloud.
"An interesting alias... Minerva, a fine boy, isn't he? We all know that fame is a tempting thing; for some wizards, it symbolizes power. Few can refuse it. Given today's outcome, I often think this is to your credit..."
Minerva McGonagall took the report from Dumbledore. Even from the back, she quickly recognized which young wizard it was.
Her lips were pressed tight, as if trying to suppress surging emotions, while all the words left unspoken overflowed from her gazing eyes.
"Albus, I must go."
She walked quickly out of the room. Looking back at the old wizard in the Headmaster's office, who seemed eternally imprisoned there, she said softly:
"I thought change would never happen, but it turns out that memory is the only road with no return."
Hogwarts Castle had weathered a thousand winters and summers, and its stone walls were permeated with secrets buried in wind and snow.
Two people who had lost their loved ones had once shared secrets here, but today, one of them was leaving the castle.
Albus Dumbledore stared blankly at the newspaper, and only a faint sigh echoed in the Headmaster's office.
Outside The Burrow.
Fields and clumps of trees formed dark patterns across the landscape. Beside the front door lay a pile of high-top boots and a rusty cauldron. Several fat brown chickens were pecking around the yard.
Ron was agitated, acting as if he harbored a monumental secret. Standing next to Sean, he kept chattering about whether Sean would become Head Boy or a Prefect.
But soon he slapped his forehead, realizing how shortsighted he was being.
Sean would be an Alchemy Professor at the very least!
Before long, Professor McGonagall appeared not far from The Burrow. She had arrived a full hour earlier than the agreed eight o'clock.
This caught Mrs. Weasley, who was still busy in the kitchen, off guard. She abandoned her pots and pans to wash themselves, came out, and placed a scarf she had knitted into Sean's hands.
"You'll need it, little Green."
Sean looked at the scarf. It featured an exquisite eagle pattern and had the letters "Green" embroidered on it.
"Thank you."
He turned back to see The Burrow's front yard filled with wizards. Ron was curious why Professor McGonagall had come to pick Sean up but dared not ask.
Percy kept saying that if Sean needed anything at Hogwarts, he could come to him, while the twins hooted:
"Percy only says that to people he thinks are useful; he never says it to us."
This made Percy flush red with anger.
At the very back, a group of gnomes gathered by the garden gate, shrugging their shoulders and sobbing.
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