As time moved into late October, the Scottish Highlands had truly entered autumn.
The morning mist shrouding the valleys grew thicker, and Hogwarts Castle was filled with a lingering chill that would not disperse.
The weather became unpredictable again. Just when you thought it would not rain and you could have a proper outdoor lesson, the sky would suddenly darken, and a fine, drizzling rain would quietly fall in silken strands.
If it rained after nightfall, the drizzle would turn into beads of ice, pattering against the leaves with a rustling sound.
The atmosphere on campus also seemed to have stepped into autumn. The corridor outside the Selection Examination classroom grew deserted, and far fewer students were going in and out of the library.
There was also much less discussion about the Selection Examination. The thing the students had been talking about most recently was probably Moody's practical combat training...
The bell rang for the end of class. Michael Corner sat in the wheelchair Vizet had conjured and was pushed out of the classroom by Anthony Goldstein.
"That was terrifying..." Michael tried to move his thigh, and in the next second cold sweat broke out on his forehead. His whole face twisted, and he kept making hissing inhales through his teeth.
"It really was terrifying..." Chris Moen, beside him, clutched his stomach, laughing so hard his whole body shook. "You did a full set of ballet moves!"
"Including the full splits, spinning on your toes... you even jumped into the air and did the splits! I guarantee it! Right now, girls absolutely adore you!"
"Hiss... whew..." Michael let out a breath, his face less twisted than before, and asked in a doubtful tone, "Are you sure?"
Before Chris could answer, a burst of girls' laughter came from behind them.
Perhaps