A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts-Chapter 735: Side Story - Longbottom

The public unveiling of the wizarding world brought about changes in all aspects. Today, the floating island serves as the largest wizarding transportation hub and transit station, connecting wizards from major regions worldwide. It has invisibly strung together the entire magical community, greatly facilitating communication between wizards.

The international mailing service on the floating island is also booming. Any ambitious company would want to set up an office here, explained by a widely circulated phrase: "Here, the world is within reach."

However, a word of advice follows closely: Before crossing the flames, ensure you have the necessary travel documents, or you'll be kicked back with nothing but a boot print on your behind, a fine, and a summons waiting for you. But don't worry too much, the governmental agencies stationed on the floating island are specifically set up to handle such issues.

After a few years of operation, at least you don't have to worry about language barriers leading to fights.

A week before the World Cup opening ceremony, Neville received a letter from Harry. He was in the Leaky Cauldron's upstairs bathroom at the time, and an owl silently flew through the second-floor window, landing on the shelf above the sink, startling him.

"Hello, Hedwig," Neville said with a mouth full of foam, extending a hand.

Hedwig puffed up her feathers and hopped back twice, avoiding the wet hand and lifting the leg tied with the letter. Neville carefully opened the letter, scanning it quickly, his eyes gradually lighting up.

A few minutes later, two heads came together.

"We have enough time; we can leave with the other professors," said Hannah. "I'll write back to Harry right now," Neville declared, bustling around looking for paper and pen.

The two married a few years back. After leaving the Ministry, Neville took over Professor Sprout's position as the Herbology teacher at the school, while Hannah took over the Leaky Cauldron, becoming the landlady. Their combination made them quite cool in the students' eyes.

Two days later, at the crack of dawn, early risers in Diagon Alley found a sign on the Leaky Cauldron's door stating "Closed during the World Cup" and locked up. No one was surprised; this year's World Cup drew too much attention, attracting even those not interested in Quidditch to join the festivities. Rumor had it that many novel products would be available during the match.

Neville and Hannah used the Floo network to reach Hogwarts, where it was summer vacation and not a student in sight. Professor McGonagall stood among a group of professors, wearing a feathered hat and a tailored dark green robe, looking as elegant as Emmeline Vance beside her.

Professor Pomona Sprout was waving at them, and Neville waved back. Professor Sprout had retired and lived in Hogsmeade but often visited the school to check on her beloved plants in the greenhouse. She had given Neville many tips when he started, especially on how to deal with Professor Snape.

"We don't cause trouble, but... many herbs are used in potion-making."

This was a big help to Neville.

Professor McGonagall nodded at Neville and Hannah. "Just the two of you? What about Frank and Alice, and Hannah's parents?"

"They're already on the island," Neville replied cheerfully, "They even sent us a stack of photos. Luna, Seamus, Dean are there too. Grandma stayed home; she's not interested in Quidditch." Professor McGonagall sniffed.

"My parents couldn't get away," said Hannah, shaking her head.

"Alright," said Professor McGonagall, glancing at the others, "Emmeline, Pomona, Sybill, that makes—oh, sorry, Filius, just the right number. Our Deputy Headmaster is absent again, as expected, but this time we might forgive him. According to the Daily Prophet, he seems to be caught in the vortex of power transition... which I highly doubt. Let's go."

"I wonder how Professor Trelawney is doing," Neville whispered, grateful for her help.

"She's doing fine up there," Hannah said softly.

Neville nodded, and when Professor McGonagall passed by, overhearing their conversation, her eyebrows knitted tightly.

"Professor Trelawney was just invited to do research on the moon. She'll come back," she couldn't help but explain.

"Hmm, I hope she does well," Hannah sincerely said.

"If it were me, I wouldn't be so sure," interjected Trelawney, "I specifically observed the stars before traveling. The angle between the moon and Mars suggests it's not a good time for travel, prone to unexpected mishaps."

"Thank you for the warning, Sybill," said Professor McGonagall, "Felix has visited both places you mentioned. I'll ask his opinion." She led the way off

.

"I never knew Professor Trelawney was interested in Quidditch," whispered Hannah.

"Me neither," whispered Neville, "But the school's other Divination professor made it clear she doesn't like Quidditch, so..."

Trelawney, wearing layers of veils, suddenly turned her head as if she heard their whispers, startling them into silence. Emmeline smiled at them. The group appeared in Hogsmeade's square, pushing through the crowded space to see a temporary Floo network setup, chaotic.

"Don't push! Take turns, the Three Broomsticks is the key deposit point..." an Auror with a thinning hairline loudly maintained order as wizards one by one jumped into the flames and disappeared. Soon it was Neville's turn.

"Designated spot, Pacific—thirty kilometers west of the floating island, Inglesor Island—" the Auror began to chant, checking Professor McGonagall's ticket before recognizing the group, startled, "Professor McGonagall? And several professors? You could have applied for direct access to the island, no need for a transfer."

"We're not in a hurry," Professor McGonagall replied, "And it's a chance to see the scenery."

"Well, I wish you a pleasant journey," said the Auror.

The spinning green flames took Neville through various Floo gates, a monotonous and dizzying experience worse than any Floo powder travel before. He finally found solid ground beneath his feet, standing on a beach with the sea breeze in his face and the bright sun on his skin. Surrounding him were footsteps and voices. Neville looked around, stunned: instead of the deserted island he expected, he was on a bustling beach.

At least a thousand umbrellas dotted the beach, with people surfing in the sea and paragliders and broomsticks soaring in the sky. A little girl walked by, leading a purple flying carpet with a round-bellied middle-aged man napping on it.

"Wow, did we come to the wrong place?" asked Hannah, stepping onto the soft sand and nearly falling. Neville steadied her.

"No," Neville said joyfully, pointing in a direction. The clear sky made the small island hanging over the water quite visible. Hannah laughed, "It does look a bit like a squished ice cream. What are those small dots next to it?"

"They look different up close," Neville said, "Those dots should be witches and wizards on broomsticks, possibly scouting for weather to guard against sea storms; or simply playing dueling games, where you ride brooms and aim to knock each other off. It's a one-on-one or free-for-all game, limited to specific spells. This sport was quite popular among Aurors for a while, I forget if it was Harry or Ron's idea."

Hannah looked at Neville.

"Oh, I'm not great at Quidditch," he said sheepishly, "Professor Sprout thinks it's best for the Herbology teacher to always stay grounded."

"I did say that," said Professor Sprout, emerging from the flames with a joyful aura, her soft gray hair lifted by the sea breeze, "Have you been to Classroom Seven? I always felt another me was a bit wild, but cool."

"I've interacted with every version of me there, learning a lot," said Emmeline Vance.

The professors and Neville and Hannah stood on the beach, looking out at the golden sand and endless blue waves. The floating island seemed to rotate slowly, the sunlight reflecting off the serpent scales entwined around the island's inverted base.

Twenty feet away, two workers waved flags under an umbrella. As they approached, they were surprised to find it much cooler under the umbrella.

"Special welfare," one worker explained, "Worried we'd get 'anthropophobia' with tens of thousands of people here."

"That many? Are they all tourists?" asked Professor Flitwick, amazed.

"Yes, some people worry the floating island will fall, despite it floating above the sea for twelve years. Both wizards and Muggles share this fear, preferring to camp on the island overnight." The other worker handed them a form, and Neville filled in their names.

"What about the opening ceremony? It's at night," inquired Emmeline Vance, curious.

"Maybe they plan to get drunk," joked the registration officer.

From him, Neville learned that island-bound ships arrived hourly, giving them about half an hour of free time. They wandered nearby, bumping into acquaintances. It was Bill and Fleur, dressed casually for the beach, Bill in swim shorts and sunglasses, an earring matching his wife's moonstone drop. Fleur, in a one-piece swimsuit, her silver hair cascading down, stood beside a similarly beautiful young girl.

"This is Gabrielle, my sister," Fleur said with a raspy voice.

Neville and Bill exchanged a glance and stepped aside.

"Did you get the letter too?" Neville asked.

"Got

it," Bill said cheerfully, "The island needs hands, and we're happy to help. The kids are with Gabrielle," he whispered, "Don't let her hear; she thinks she's got an important task."

Neville glanced over to see them laughing and chatting. He heard Hannah pointing at an African witch, "Lee Jordan chased her." Neville blinked, recalling the identity of the tall, dark-skinned girl after a few seconds—she was the Durmstrang representative in the Triwizard Tournament, Noma Leibert, four years prior.

"We're waiting for the rest of the family, arriving in the next day or two," Bill said, "Except for Ron and Percy, both busy at the Ministry, coordinating this massive event. They'll probably get time off right before the opening ceremony. We've already spent a night; Fijian wizards brought their mascot Dakovaha, a merfolk relative that can transform into a shark. And dragons! Charlie would love that."

Half an hour later, Neville and Bill's family departed separately—"I formed a band with Sirius called 'The Furry Ones'!"—boarding the ship to the floating island. The giant vessel parted the waves, seagulls following, passengers chatting excitedly on deck, eyes filled with anticipation. As they neared the floating island, conversation dwindled, and everyone was touched by a silent force, falling silent. A towering serpent head faced them, its rough scales extending upwards, forming a chaotic rock forest, its mouth biting its tail, its body coiled around the island's inverted foundation, nearly merging with the island itself.

The ship stopped beneath the island. Everyone leaned over the railing, peering into the distant shadows, something flashing.

Then they heard the sounds of ropes and machinery, and a glowing pathway extended towards them, solidifying above the water, connecting to the ship's ladder. The source of the light became clear: a lift, the size of a telephone booth, with a magic lamp hanging from its top.

The passengers stared at the small lift in awe.

"Line up! Prepare to disembark!" shouted a crew member, "The lift can only carry a hundred people at a time, please do not crowd."

There was a brief silence before someone shouted, "This is magic!"

"Yes, indeed, it is magic," the crew member said solemnly.

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