Rolling thunderclouds blanketed the sky, hanging so low that it seemed one could touch them from the top of a tower. Dazzling lightning lashed the vast surface of the Black Lake. The giant squid, roused from its sleep, waved its eight enormous tentacles, and the floods it stirred up even submerged the Entrance Hall for a time.
On the first day of June, the appalling weather seemed to herald that the final month of the school year would be anything but peaceful.
An owl drifting through the howling wind and rain brought Amosta a letter from Remus. After reading it, a faint smile appeared on Amosta's lips.
Mr. Weasley had already written to ask whether Percy's resignation from the Ministry of Magic and his plans to join the Learning Machine Workshop had come from Amosta's suggestion. In his reply, Amosta told Mr. Weasley that it had not been his suggestion, but that if Percy had made his choice, he hoped they would respect Percy's decision.
Remus's letter told him that Percy had already gone to the workshop for an interview and had passed it smoothly. Remus was asking for his opinion on whether Percy should truly be hired by the workshop. Amosta believed Remus had likely sent the same letter to Mr. Weasley as well.
After writing down his opinion, Amosta glanced at the rain pouring down outside the window. Then he said to the owl squatting before the fireplace, drying its damp feathers,
"I'm heading out now. Take this letter back to your master. There's no rush—you can wait until the rain stops before leaving—"
Remus's owl hooted softly to show that it understood.
Classes were in session, and there were no young wizards darting about the castle corridors. Amosta stood beneath an archway, watching the shrieking curtain of