After reading carefully for a while, they finally understood why Lee Jordan had cursed so furiously earlier.
Every Hogwarts student knew that the potions exchange program was a project Vaughn had strongly pushed for, while Dumbledore had been the one running around for it. Ever since term began, Old Dumbledore had been nowhere to be seen for ages because of this matter.
"Shameless bastard!"
"Last year, when that fat bastard came to visit the school, I knew he was no good."
"Des—despicable—"
Seamus, Dean, and Neville were indignant.
Ron, on the other hand, went red across his freckles for a moment before suddenly saying, "The article says China's Central Refining Academy will be sending an exchange delegation soon. Does that mean the potions exchange program is about to happen?"
Everyone froze.
Even Hermione shot Ron a surprised look before nodding. "That's right. There are eleven magical schools registered with the International Confederation of Wizards worldwide, nine of which are major regional magical schools. Beauxbatons and Castelobruxo have already said they'll participate. I heard from Vaughn that Fudge has secured Durmstrang. Once the negotiations with China succeed, the potions program will have gathered half the schools in the Americas, most of those in Asia, and all the ones in Europe. Once it reaches that stage, Mahoutokoro in Japan, Koldovstoretz in the Russian Federation, Uagadou in Africa, and Ilvermorny in North America will definitely ask to join on their own."
Because if they did not join, they would fall behind.
China's movements were especially significant. As one of the largest magical civilizations in the world, every move it made as it reconnected with the international community after decades apart was scrutinized and analyzed repeatedly by countless people.
In a sense, a potions exchange limited to magical schools was the perfect channel for