The Firebird had looked enormous from afar. With its wings spread, it seemed to occupy the entire sky.
Yet the closer it drew to Hogwarts Castle, the smaller it became. By the time it swept over Hogsmeade, it was only twenty or thirty meters long, but its brilliance had become blinding, like a smaller sun streaking across the sky, impossible to directly observe.
Only when that ball of fire descended into Hogwarts Castle did its flames contract, and the entire world suddenly darkened.
The original daylight reclaimed dominion over this land.
Whoosh—
Zheng Qing could clearly hear countless people exhaling at once, as though the world itself had let out a small sigh of relief. The tension along the entire street eased into relaxation.
The watching wizards murmured among themselves, clicking their tongues in admiration, envy, and regret as they gradually dispersed in small groups. The patrons of The Three Broomsticks also returned to the tavern one after another.
Shadows moved about.
The light grew dimmer still.
After seeing that figure like the sun, the dim lighting indoors created an enormous contrast. Fortunately, the Firefly Bugs that had fallen silent in terror when the giant Firebird passed earlier puffed up their abdomens again and began tremblingly giving off light, filling the tavern with brightness once more and easing that sense of disparity somewhat.
The slightly chilly atmosphere soon flared back to life.
"—It was so bright! I could barely keep my eyes open!" a witch shrieked softly, covering her eyes.
"—You only couldn't open your eyes. When that great figure passed by, I nearly couldn't breathe!" Her companion clutched her chest, looking as though she were about to faint.
Beside them, a young wizard in brand-new robes solemnly explained to the two witches, "—That's perfectly normal. A Grand Wizard's true