After a night's rest on the moor, the three continued their trek on foot.
"Professor, can't we use Apparition to go straight to our destination?"
"I mean, even a Portkey or the Floo Network would be better than walking all this way!"
After climbing a hill, Hermione was a little out of breath. Unable to keep the question to herself any longer, she asked Professor Flitwick.
She did not suggest riding Flying broomsticks to their destination. The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was one of the first laws every young wizard learned upon entering the Wizarding World.
If Muggles saw them on Flying broomsticks and they ended up in the newspapers and on the news, the three of them could forget about competing in the Wizard Duelling Tournament. They would be lucky not to be arrested!
"We're almost there, Hermione," Professor Flitwick said reassuringly, then explained:
"We're going to Moscow. To cross such a vast distance over land and sea, we have to use an international Portkey!"
"And Portkeys this rare must be placed in remote wilderness, where Muggles won't stumble upon them!"
Professor Flitwick was about to explain why they had not used Apparition to reach the Portkey.
But Li Wei cut in. He straightened up on the hillside and gazed out over the Scottish Highlands. Spreading his arms, he let the wind rush past him and called out:
"As for why we walked here?"
"Hermione, life isn't just about the destination. It's about the scenery along the way!"
"Look! If we'd used Apparition, when would we ever have had the chance to see a view like this?!"
Hermione stood beside Li Wei, her clothes snapping in the wind. She looked out across the landscape:
Endless meadows spread over the blue-green moor. Thick green forests covered the rolling hills,