The group crossed the silent courtyard and reached the shore of the Black Lake, where a bitter wind blew.
"All right, gentlemen, ready to start our underwater party?"
Fred rubbed his hands together and breathed out a cloud of white vapor, his face brimming with the excitement of someone about to pull off a prank.
Lupin smiled without answering. Instead, he took an Antique Silver Whistle from inside his clothes, brought it to his lips, and blew gently.
The whistle made no sound, but ripples suddenly disturbed the calm lake.
A staircase formed of pure magic slowly extended from the lakeshore at their feet toward the center of the lake and down into its depths.
"Come on, everyone. Let's not keep our daytime colleagues waiting."
Lupin stepped onto the staircase first, his tone familiar.
The werewolves followed with practiced ease. There was no surprise on their faces, only the satisfaction of having eaten and drunk their fill and the calm of people about to start work.
They had long since grown accustomed to this magical staircase, which they used twice every day.
As they followed the Staircase of Light into the lake, they felt no trace of wetness.
A thin, warm magical barrier enveloped them, and before their eyes lay an immensely familiar sight: a vast Basin-Shaped Construction Site, brilliantly lit by magical lights.
This was the masterpiece of Professor Douglas Holmes's improved ultimate spell-the Moses Parts the Sea Charm.
Dozens of werewolf engineers who had just finished the day shift were packing up their tools, getting ready to leave work.
Seeing Lupin lead the night shift down, they waved in greeting.
"Supervisor! You're finally here!"
"Hey, Old John, the party in the Great Hall was really lively tonight!"
"Fred! George! Is there any roast chicken left in the Kitchen?"