Ever since Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been carried to the depths of the North Sea by a gigantic knight, the climate there had undergone some unique changes.
The air grew damper at night, and by the next morning the moisture had condensed into frost. Yet, strangely, no snow fell, even in January.
Thick clouds stretched from the outskirts of Hogwarts Castle and the edge of the Forbidden Forest into the distance. Everything there seemed to tower high above the heavens.
Sometimes, a strong wind would send a huge cloud drifting past the classroom windows. It would float over the Quidditch Pitch toward the Black Lake, then roll away into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
It was said that the Professors were discussing whether to restore Hogwarts's climate or preserve its fantastical, mysterious scenery.
The changes didn't seem all bad. Professor Hagrid, who also served as the Forbidden Forest's groundskeeper, had excitedly told everyone how the forest had grown denser and teemed with life.
Even the Hippogriff nesting grounds were full of expectant mothers. He said the Young Wizards could look forward to seeing the creatures' babies being born in a few months. Then he would lead everyone in observing and documenting the young ones as they grew.
It was now the end of January, a week before the Top 100 Tournament's third task. The headmaster of Durmstrang Institute, Gellert Grindelwald, had led the competing students to Hogwarts ahead of the others, adding to the school's excitement.
Professor Snape was still asleep. The Young Wizards who didn't know what had happened had barely had time to wonder where their Professor had gone when they were distracted by the arrival of Professor Horace Slughorn.
Compared with Professor Snape's teaching style, Professor Slughorn was more humorous and charming, and