Halloween Eve

In the morning, Albert opened his sleepy eyes and tilted his head to look out the window. It was raining outside the castle, and the raindrops were hitting the windowpane, making a pattering sound.

"It's raining again," he muttered, lazily turning over, pulling the sheet back over his head, intending to stay in bed a little longer before getting up later.

After some time, Albert finally opened his eyes again, got out of bed, stretched, got dressed, and woke everyone up to go downstairs for breakfast.

Every year on Halloween Eve, Hogwarts Great Hall undergoes a transformation. Of course, swarms of bats and jack-o'-lanterns are always indispensable decorations.

After greeting the acquaintances at the table, Albert found an empty seat, sipped his milk tea, flipped through today's Daily Prophet, grabbed a Pumpkin Pasties from his plate and ate it by himself, occasionally chatting with Angelina next to him.

Yes, the topic is related to Flying Broom. There's an ad for the Nimbus Racing Broom Company in the Daily Prophet, and that company will be launching a new broom next year: the Nimbus 2000, which is Potter's first broom.

"I've heard that Nimbus Racing Broom Company's products are all excellent," Albert asked with a smile. "Do you regret buying them so soon?"

"No, not at all." Angelina shook her head; she knew it was just a joke.

A burst of laughter interrupted their brief conversation. Albert looked up in the direction of the sound and saw a large swarm of enchanted bats hovering above Lee Jordan's head. Lee Jordan was trying to dodge and shoo them away, but to no avail. Frustrated, he threw a piece of bread at the swarm.

"Alright, stop fooling around, this is fine as it is." Albert covered a yawn and said carelessly, which earned him an eye roll from Lee Jordan.

Lee Jordan sat there eating and sulking, and before long the swarm of bats actually flew away.

The first class in the morning is Herbology class. Nobody likes to have Herbology class on a rainy day, especially since the classroom is in the Herb Garden outside the greenhouse. When it rains, you'll be busy in the herb garden, and before long, you'll feel like you've been pulled out of the mud and water.

Fortunately, this morning I only repotted the Mandrakes.

Mandrakes is a magical plant with powerful Potions properties. Like last year's Dittany, this magical plant will be used in many ways, especially after it matures, it will be made into a powerful restorative agent.

It's important to know that many Charms that cannot be dispelled with incantations require powerful restorative potions made from Mandrakes to restore normalcy.

Since it wasn't the first time they had repotted Mandrakes, everyone had experience and completed the task before the end of class.

Albert stuffed the last Mandrakes back into the pot and checked the Task Panel. The quest was indeed incomplete. While this was expected, he was still a little disappointed. It meant that to truly complete the quest, he needed a pot of Mandrakes.

Before class ended, they were told what the next lesson would be about: taking care of Shrivelfig.

That is also a magical plant with powerful Potions properties, and it is somewhat dangerous.

"Let's go, to Transfiguration Class." Fred vigorously shook the dirt off his work robe, cleaned it again with Scouring Charm, then changed back into his robe and prepared to attend Professor McGonagall's class.

"Take it slow," Albert muttered, dispelling his inner turmoil before joining the others for Transfiguration Class, one of his best subjects.

Perhaps because of Halloween, Professor McGonagall knew everyone was distracted in class, so she treated this lesson as a review session. She reviewed previously learned Transfiguration and recounted several tragic cases caused by Transfiguration, hoping to warn everyone to use Transfiguration with extreme caution.

After hearing the story, everyone got goosebumps. Professor McGonagall's story was so terrifying and horrifying, especially the tragedy of the Runespoor.

The legend of the Runespoor originated on the Deria Island, which is now a mystery. It is said that the Runespoor was once a wizard. Imagine how terrible it would be if someone turned into a terrible monster and their mind was completely twisted, and they could never turn back.

Although Albert couldn't be sure if the story of the Runespoor was true, he believed it was very likely true because many ancient stories in this world were actually true and had their own versions.

"Professor McGonagall, has the Ministry of Magic never tried to turn those monsters back?" Katrina asked, expressing her confusion. They all knew that even the most powerful Transfiguration Spell could still be restored to their original state with potions, such as the powerful restorative potions made from Mandrakes.

"They refused," Professor McGonagall said, shaking her head. "Rumor has it that the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures tried to restore them to their Reparo Reparo, but the Runespoor resolutely resisted."

"Professor, do Transfiguration creatures revert to their original form after they die?" Albert suddenly asked, though he already had a vague answer in Albert mind.

He had seen the skeleton of the Runespoor.

"No," Professor McGonagall said.

The Transfiguration Class ultimately ends in the story.

After class, Albert stopped Katrina and brought up the bet from last time, which had been so long ago that they had almost forgotten about it.

"The first Quidditch Match will begin in mid-November, and that's when our bet is placed." Albert and Katrina walked side by side down the corridor.

The latter looked at Albert with a very strange gaze and said in an odd tone, "I thought you had forgotten about this."

"How could that be?" Albert challenged. "Time is running out. Are you ready?"

"Time is running out." Katrina glanced at Albert and said calmly, "Winning or losing is no longer that important to me."

"Well, it looks like I can save ten Galleon this time," Albert said.

"Save ten Galleon." Katrina's tone became even stranger. "I don't think you're short of money. I heard that when Isobel gave you a lesson, you generously gave him ten Galleon. Why don't you just admit defeat and give me ten Galleon instead?"

Albert's face darkened, and he retorted, "Isobel told you that?"

"So, it really is ten Galleon?" Katrina's tone was a little complicated. "No wonder she spent money to buy me that expensive birthday present the other day."

Albert's face darkened further upon hearing this. He hadn't expected to be tricked into revealing information. Had he been walking on the dark side too much and encountered a ghost? "What did she teach you?" Katrina asked curiously.

"Go ask her yourself," Albert said irritably.

"She won't tell me, so she's asking you."

Albert hesitated for a moment, too lazy to answer her anymore, because Katrina was just trying to trick him into revealing information.