School Opening Day

In the days before term began, Hogwarts gradually regained its usual vitality.

Some of the children had already returned to school early.

After obtaining the Diary, Wes spent most of his time, aside from resting, immersed in deeper research into magic, trying to uncover its greater mysteries.

Naturally, he also tried to establish contact with Senior Tom in the diary.

But Senior Tom was extremely reserved and never gave Wes even the slightest response.

Until the night before term began, Wes wrote the following in the diary:

"There's a question that has always troubled me deeply. Why is a wizard's lifespan no different from a Muggle's? Wizards clearly possess miraculous magical powers and are a higher form of life, so why is that?"

"Nicolas Flamel lived for more than six hundred years with the Philosopher's Stone. The Philosopher's Stone truly is astonishing!"

"That damned Dumbledore actually rejected my conditions and insists on destroying the Philosopher's Stone! This is practically a crime!"

"Dumbledore has gone senile. He is no longer the greatest wizard worthy of admiration..."

In the lines Wes deliberately wrote, dissatisfaction toward Muggles and an intense yearning for immortality seeped through every word.

Sure enough, just as Wes had expected, the writing slowly vanished, as though absorbed by some mysterious force and gradually drawn into the diary.

Senior Tom finally could not hold himself back.

Before long, a clear line of words appeared in the diary: "I can help you!"

The corners of Wes's mouth curled up slightly in a smug smile. Finally took the bait!

However, he did not reply at once. Instead, he snapped the diary shut, pretending to be frightened.

Then he locked the diary back in the drawer.

The next day, Wes carefully straightened his robes and came to school for the opening feast. By the time he entered the Great Hall, all the professors had already arrived.

The moment Dumbledore saw Wes, he sensed the extraordinary magic emanating from him.

With this magical response, he had already entered that realm.

Although Wes had not deliberately concealed his strength, none of the professors, including Professor Flitwick, had noticed that Wes had stepped into a higher level.

Only Dumbledore had keenly noticed the change in Wes. Dumbledore raised his goblet. "Congratulations, Wizard Erwin."

"Thank you." Wes calmly picked up his goblet and lightly clinked it against Dumbledore's.

The two drained their drinks in one gulp.

The professors looked at one another, completely unaware of what the two were celebrating.

The opening feast began on time, but no one paid much attention to it this year. Not even the annual, much-enjoyed spectacle of first-years making fools of themselves drew any attention.

That was because everyone's focus had been drawn to the Daily Prophet's front-page headline.

"Flying Ford Anglia Astonishes Muggles"

Wes picked up the newspaper from his seat, shook his head slightly, and said, "As expected of Gryffindor's little lions. They've got some nerve."

After reading the report, Professor McGonagall trembled with anger.

"Perhaps they found the train too boring and chose another means of transportation. I've never even ridden in a car before. I've heard these Muggle vehicles..."

Under Professor McGonagall's murderous glare, Dumbledore wisely shut his mouth and did not dare say another word.

"Dumbledore, this is no time for jokes." Professor McGonagall spoke anxiously, deeply worried about the safety of the two students.

"Do you know how serious the consequences are? Before even arriving at school, they've broken a whole pile of school rules and even violated the Statute of Secrecy!"

"Calm down, Minerva..."

Dumbledore tried to soothe Professor McGonagall, but before he could finish, Professor Snape said ominously:

"They should be locked in Azkaban. Hogwarts cannot accept students so lawless."

Professor McGonagall glared furiously at Snape, but Snape seemed oblivious and remained expressionless.

Just then, the sound of an engine suddenly came from outside the castle, and everyone turned to look out the windows.

A blue sedan was flying crookedly through the air, swaying as it swept past the castle.

"That's Dad's car! Ron and Harry are inside!" Fred and George shouted excitedly.

The students immediately erupted. Everyone was thrilled, because no one had ever pulled off such a feat before.

"They really have ideas. I suppose once you get old, you can't keep up with the times."

Dumbledore adjusted the glasses that had nearly slipped to the tip of his nose.

"Oh no!!" Professor McGonagall cried. "They're heading toward the Whomping Willow."

Professor Snape moved even faster than she did.

"Stupid, reckless Potter..."

He had already swiftly left his seat and strode outside.

Professor McGonagall followed close behind.

"Very well, leave it to Severus and Minerva. I trust they will take good care of those two children."

Dumbledore motioned for everyone to continue eating.

"Children these days have such nerve. I was never that crazy when I was young."

Professor Flitwick took a sip of wine to steady his nerves.

"I think that car is quite interesting."

Wes had developed a strong interest in the modified magical car that could fly.

Perhaps he could ask Mr. Weasley how to modify a car of his own.

Gilderoy Lockhart, meanwhile, sounded envious and a little jealous. "Why didn't I think of that? It's explosive news worthy of the front page."

The professors beside him gave him a disdainful look, then quietly moved their chairs a little farther away.

Gilderoy Lockhart seemed completely unable to sense their disdain and began tirelessly bragging about his adventures.

The professors had no choice but to endure his verbal bombardment, their faces full of pain as though they had been hit by an Unforgivable Curse from a Dark Wizard.

"Professor Erwin is also an adventurer. Perhaps the two of you have something in common to discuss."

Dumbledore was also getting fed up with Lockhart's incessant chatter, so he shoved the conceited fellow onto Wes.

"Professor Erwin, I believe we have met before. Do you remember my book signing?"

Gilderoy Lockhart eagerly shifted his seat closer to Wes. "Perhaps we could form an adventure group. I could write about our adventures in my next book..."

"Sorry, I prefer to work alone..."

As Wes sampled the steak on his plate, he answered Gilderoy Lockhart somewhat perfunctorily.

But Wes had underestimated Gilderoy Lockhart's shamelessness. He continued tirelessly trying to recruit Wes.

"Professor Erwin is so handsome. You have the potential to become a major star."

"I have good relationships with many newspapers."

"..."

"..."

Gilderoy Lockhart's endless babbling irritated Wes greatly.

With a spell, Gilderoy Lockhart shut his mouth.

"Mmmpf!"

Gilderoy Lockhart flailed helplessly, gesturing frantically for Wes to lift the spell, but Wes did not agree.

He began asking the other professors for help, but not a single one was willing to assist him.

Everyone thought sealing his mouth was a rather good idea.

Dumbledore even secretly gave Wes a thumbs-up.

Gilderoy Lockhart raised his own wand and cast a spell on himself, but his skill was so poor that he used the wrong incantation and knocked himself unconscious on the spot.