What Is "War Magic"?

In the rain, the Hogwarts Express let out a melodious whistle, its wheels turning faster and faster as it left Platform 9 3/4 behind.

The heavy rain still showed no sign of stopping. Rainwater struck the carriage windows and quickly slid down, crisscrossing trails of water forming a curtain that blurred the scenery outside.

Vizet's dormmates also came to the compartment. Since the Quidditch World Cup Final had only just passed, the topic they discussed naturally centered on it.

Because England had no team in the final, and because Michael Corner and the others all had their own summer vacation plans, none of them had bought tickets to watch the match.

Now they could only listen to Anthony Goldstein recount it, spittle flying as he described just how exciting the match had been.

For certain details about specific goals, as well as the communication and cooperation on the pitch, Anthony still had to ask Vizet a few questions, only continuing after he received confirmation.

That was also why Michael Corner and the others listened with such rapt longing. Anthony was essentially giving an impassioned commentary, and with an actual player adding firsthand accounts, it felt far more immersive than reading the newspaper.

Every now and then, they would express regret too. If only they had persuaded their families to buy tickets, they could have seen the grand spectacle of the match with their own eyes.

Still, they would comfort themselves again. In any case, both had been big-score leads, so watching the House Cup and the World Cup... perhaps there was not all that much difference.

The Hogwarts Express continued north, and the rain not only failed to weaken, it grew heavier and heavier.

Raindrops the size of beans hammered against the window glass, making a continuous crackling sound.