Hogwarts: I graduated before the system came

Subconsciously, Wormtail shielded his chest with his thin arms, as if trying to ward off the impending storm.

Voldemort stroked his wand in his hand. He spoke in the softest, yet most deadly tone. Every word was like a poisoned dagger, piercing Wormtail's heart:

"Wormtail, in your eyes, has the great Voldemort become a useless person who only knows how to rely on others for food and wait for his life to run out..."

These words were like a merciless bolt of lightning, shattering the silence in the room.

Wormtail's entire body trembled violently, every inch of his skin shuddering with fear. He struggled to squeeze out a sound, trying to defend himself, but his throat seemed to be tightly strangled by an invisible force. His words were intermittent, full of despair and helplessness:

"Master...Master..."

In the light of the fireplace, Voldemort's figure was like a dark silhouette, gloomy and oppressive.

In the end, he did not raise the wand in his hand, but cast his cold gaze at Wormtail who was shivering in front of him.

Although his tone softened, it still contained unquestionable determination:

"Wormtail, my old friend, I can no longer waste time in this remote place. You know, this place is too far away from our target - Britain. Only by returning there as soon as possible can we obtain more fresh and accurate intelligence clues. Do you understand?"

Facing Voldemort's question, Wormtail's throat spasmed, and he squeezed out the words dryly, as if every word was struggling between his lips and teeth:

"Master...but the Aurors are still tracking me. If I bring you closer to England like this, I'm afraid...I'm afraid it will lead to a greater crisis."

However, Voldemort remained calm and composed. His eyes were as deep as the abyss, and his voice was calm yet powerful:

"Don't worry, Wormtail. Great Voldemort, your old friend will not be a burden to you. I can feel the powerful power in my body quietly reviving, and we really can't stay here for long.

Those enemies, with their keen sense of smell like hyenas, will sooner or later follow our scent and track us down...

Go and prepare enough food for me. Tonight, we will set off and return to the battlefield that once belonged to us..."

While Wormtail was struggling to survive under the shadow of the Dark Lord, in the distant British capital of London, the young wizards of Hogwarts were boarding the familiar magic bus again, full of curiosity and expectation about the unknown and full of new knowledge, to continue their study journey.

As night fell, a unique atmosphere filled the carriage - they were in pain and happy at the same time.

The pain came from being assigned an unexpected and substantial amount of holiday homework on the first day of vacation, which was like a sudden academic blow;

The happiness came from the fact that Professor Holmes' strict and slightly mysterious teaching style did not accompany their journey, allowing them to temporarily enjoy a moment of relaxation and joy, adding a sense of ease and freedom to their journey.

They enjoyed a variety of magical refreshments under the flickering lights, reminiscing about the day's new experiences and engaging in lively discussions.

George and Fred, the lively pair, were even more focused, recording all the new things they observed in the Muggle world along the way. They firmly believed that these seemingly ordinary details might become the key source of inspiration for their wonderful inventions and innovations in the future.

At the same time, Sirius Black sat next to Harry Potter with great interest, guiding Harry to complete the heavy homework with the attitude of a veteran.

After all, in the past, he had been forced by Douglas to gain an in-depth understanding of and learn a lot of knowledge about the Muggle world. Now, these accumulations have become wealth that he is proud of in front of his godson.

The knowledge points that Sirius casually brought out attracted the curious eyes of the surrounding students like a magnet. They asked various questions, eager to get more insights and analysis about the Muggle world from Sirius.

The atmosphere in the carriage instantly became lively, and sparks of knowledge collided and blended enthusiastically among this group of young wizards.

Chapter 304: A Wolf and a Dog on the Kennet River

Ron whispered in Hermione's ear:

"If Professor Holmes hadn't broken the strange curse plaguing the Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship, then perhaps Headmaster Dumbledore would have considered inviting Mr. Black to be a professor at Hogwarts next semester."

Hermione rolled her eyes, thinking that no matter how much Black knew, he was only speaking from a wizard's perspective, while Professor Holmes was speaking from a higher perspective.

Especially today's Douglas class gave her a deep insight, and she began to understand what the professor wanted to do.

As the night gradually fell, George and Fred led everyone in singing the soul-stirring "Hogwarts Song" enthusiastically and cheerfully, announcing the end of the day, and the entire carriage gradually immersed in a deep sleep atmosphere.

Mr. Claude, the bus driver and a dedicated wizard driver, was staring at the empty and deserted road ahead through the windshield of the cab.

He had strictly followed the instructions of the Hogwarts professors and deliberately slowed down his driving speed to give the young wizards a chance to observe and understand the daily life of the Muggle world.

But now, with the children all drifting off to sweet dreams, the magical bus that carried them across two worlds can finally break free and show its true power.

Mr. Claude smiled slyly, then decisively activated the vehicle's stealth mode.

Suddenly, a faint but invisible magical fluctuation appeared around the bus, successfully hiding itself from various technological detection methods in the Muggle world.

Then, he took a deep breath and stepped on the accelerator without hesitation, letting the magic bus rush away like a phantom in the night, and drove to the next stop at the fastest speed while ensuring safety.

In the quiet night, Sirius Black remained awake all the time, his sharp intuition as alert as a wolfhound on the hunt.

At this moment, inside this moving magic bus, he caught a glimpse of a subtle abnormality, as if a speeding train had suddenly deviated from its planned track. This made him curl his lips slightly, with a barely perceptible disdain flashing between his brows.

If the Ministry of Magic had not imposed many strict restrictions on space magic, Douglas, the guy with a head full of creative ideas, would have already imagined how to integrate space jumping technology into this bus.

In that way, not only could they travel thousands of miles in an instant, but they could also get rid of the uncomfortable feeling of being torn and squeezed by an invisible force caused by the portkey.

However, this beautiful idea can only be put on hold for the time being, after all, the real world is not always as magical as one wishes.

At this moment, although the bus they were riding was generously provided by the Justin family, its ownership had long been under the name of the Ministry of Magic.

Compared to the violent fluctuations of the Knight Bus during space transfer, the interior of this bus was so stable that the slight bumps were like a lullaby, making the little wizards on the bus immersed in a deeper dream.

However, just as Sirius's thoughts were racing, the bus trembled slightly.

The journey, which was supposed to take more than an hour, ended in just five minutes, as if it had just stopped after rushing out of the starting line.

This peculiar experience of "arriving as soon as you start" made Mr. Claude, who had tried a Muggle sports car, feel extremely uncomfortable, as if his newly ignited enthusiasm had been extinguished by cold water.

Unfortunately, the driving route was jointly planned and determined by the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, so he couldn't drive as he pleased.

But Claude had already hatched a plan in his mind. Once this matter was successfully concluded, he would submit a formal application to the Ministry of Magic, pleading to become the full-time driver of this bus.

It had been a long time since the wizarding world had seen any new Muggle technology or magical creations, at least on the surface.

After all, compared to Apparition and Portkey, although this car seems a little inferior in speed, the gap is actually not that big.

More importantly, the stability and tranquility it provides are incomparable to ordinary space magic and flying brooms.

While riding in it, you don't have to endure the discomfort caused by space distortion, and can enjoy the comfort and ease of the journey.

This is especially true if transporting Aurors or other employees from operational departments in large numbers.

As he was thinking, Claude successfully parked the car on the bank of the Kennet River, just a stone's throw away from his destination. It was a quiet and picturesque place.

He activated the vehicle's sleep mode, and a warm and peaceful atmosphere immediately filled the cabin, as if the car itself had entered a deep sleep state, awaiting the next call to depart.

Sirius Black glanced at Harry Potter who was sleeping in the bus. His young face looked very comfortable under the dim light, and he smiled slightly.

Then, like a silent ghost, he slipped out of the carriage silently.

Under the dim light of the street lamp, a public telephone booth is like a silent watchman.

Sirius dialed the phone number Douglas provided during the day. To be honest, he might have gotten used to being in the Muggle world over the past few months.

He felt that this device was much more convenient than the traditional owl mail method used by wizards. Although wizards also had fireplace communication, burying their heads in the fireplace was not as comfortable as this.

Soon, a familiar and deep voice came from the other end of the phone line. It was Lupin.

When the midnight bell rang quietly, Sirius and Lupin had already met up by the River Kennet.

Sirius pulled out a portable barbecue grill from his pocket that he had "borrowed" from Douglas's house. On this special night, this thing seemed to become a unique symbol of their friendship and trust.

They gathered around the barbecue grill, one man and one wolf, enjoying the comfort brought by wine and barbecue under the night sky where starlight and moonlight intertwined. Although neither of them had very good barbecue skills, they had both lived through hard times and did not care about it.

The aroma of alcohol blended with the moist air by the river, creating an atmosphere that was both melancholic and warm. Their conversation ranged from Harry's growth to past experiences and future challenges.

Two souls who had been teased by fate, on this silent night, drank together again and again, pouring their thoughts and trust into the gurgling water of the Kennet River.

"...During the Easter holidays last year, right after that unsettling night of the full moon, my werewolf identity was revealed again, and I lost my job..."

"...At that time, I was still suffering in the gloomy and terrifying Azkaban prison, where the Dementors brought endless despair and torment to the depths of my soul. During those days, it seemed as if every minute and every second was squeezing out my remaining courage and hope..."

"Yes, that person was the only one who was at Hogwarts or in the warm and lively Weasley home, enjoying the peaceful and comfortable Easter celebration that did not belong to him..."

"This year is completely different, Moony. We've cast off the shadows of the past, sitting leisurely by the river, feeling the gentle breeze, the aroma of barbecue smoke mixed with the richness of beer... And he, that filthy betrayer, is probably huddled in a dark, damp corner of a sewer, struggling for his life..."

"Do you think Douglas's publicity of this matter will really attract him?"

"Probably not. That dirty rat doesn't have that kind of courage. Besides, I guess Douglas's target is not him, but Voldemort..."

"And Harry?"

"He seemed to be conveying some message to Voldemort... He didn't elaborate. Anyway, Doug assured me that there would be no danger this time. And we can't stop Harry from doing these things for James and Lily..."

"James... Lily..."

Chapter 305 Morning Snack

The next morning, as the morning light filtered through the car window curtains, gently shone upon the sleeping little wizards, they rubbed their sleepy eyes, their bodies still lingering with the warmth of their dreams. They rose, washed, and began the prologue to a new day.

The bathroom on the bus has also been transformed by magic. It can accommodate fifteen people, both men and women, to wash and use the bathroom at the same time, and there is even a separate shower room.

The entire decoration adopts the Muggle style, with black, white and gray, simple and bright.

After washing up, the house-elves duly presented today's breakfast, accompanied by several novel snacks. These foods were quite different from the traditional breakfast at Hogwarts, and were eye-opening. The students looked at the ingenious meals with great interest, casting curious glances.

When children from Muggle families see these familiar snacks with a strong Muggle flavor, they feel as if they are embraced by a warm current in an instant, and a long-lost sense of intimacy surges in their hearts.

On this journey full of exploration and knowledge, students weren't the only ones tasked with research. The accompanying house-elves were also tasked with learning the latest in Muggle snack making techniques.

After all, every year Hogwarts welcomes a new group of forces from the Muggle world.

In order to let young wizards from the Muggle world feel the tolerance and consideration of the magical world in the future, we should not only provide traditional wizard desserts and snacks, but also keep up with the times and produce some snacks that are in line with the aesthetic interests and tastes of contemporary Muggle young people.

Douglas made such a suggestion, on the one hand, to enable those young wizards who stepped into the magic world from the Muggle world to integrate into the new environment more quickly and reduce their sense of strangeness; at the same time, it also gave those young wizards who had lived in the magical world since childhood the opportunity to understand and accept Muggle culture, thereby enhancing understanding and friendship between students from different backgrounds.

Of course, Douglas did not directly state the latter reason. For the people in the Ministry of Magic, reducing the contact between wizards and Muggles can save them a lot of trouble.

The house-elves in the Hogwarts kitchens, under the guidance of Ms. Hufflepuff and further training of Professor Holmes, are famous in the wizarding world for their outstanding culinary skills.

In just one night, by the fire where magic and fireworks intertwined, and with their endless love for food, they replicated a series of unique delicacies found in snack shops in the Muggle world.

For example, the Thai sweet and spicy potato chips, carefully prepared by the house-elves, have the passionate and unrestrained Thai chili and the sweet and graceful honey syrup. Every bite seems to be able to feel the scent of the sun-drenched rice fields and the tropical rainforest blending together, which is very memorable.

For the yogurt series of biscuits, the house-elves have cleverly blended rich yogurt into the crispy biscuit core. Each piece is like a sweet poem in the breeze of a summer pasture, with just the right balance of sweet and sour, and distinct layers of taste. Not to mention the various fresh berries wrapped in it, which are like plump gems. Not only are the colors attractive, but they are also rich in natural fruit aroma, bringing a refreshing and pleasant feast to the taste buds.

The chocolate series' berry sandwich cookies feature a rich, smooth chocolate coating concealing a sweet filling made from carefully selected berries. The two complement each other perfectly, satisfying people's love for the deep allure of chocolate while imbuing the cookies with a new vitality and interest through the unique sweet and sour flavor of berries.

The soft candy series is equally mouth-watering. They come in various shapes and colors, with a chewy and bouncy texture, and a hint of sweetness that soaks into the tip of the tongue. They also come in a variety of flavors such as fruit and herbs.

In addition to Muggle methods, they even innovated and combined unique magical ingredients to create a magical taste that is both retro and novel.

The various flavors of beef jerky, carefully roasted from premium beef, are firm but not dry, and are loaded with smoked, spicy, spiced and other flavors. When you take a bite, the freshness and fragrance overflow, as if you can taste the various flavors from all over the world.

They not only copied Muggle snacks, but also made them more delicious. After all, the snacks sold by Muggles are basically industrial products, while these are made by themselves.

(It’s late at night, are you hungry?)

When the students finished their rich buffet in the morning and were enjoying the relaxing time under the sunshine.

Professor Lupin and Sirius appeared in front of the bus door.

Lupin was smiling broadly, and in a friendly and energetic manner, he greeted the students while preparing to arrange today's activities.

But as soon as they saw Professor Lupin, the expressions on the students' faces, which were originally lively and cheerful, froze instantly.

"How can this be?"

A student couldn't help but grumble, obviously surprised by Professor Lupin's appearance outside Hogwarts.

"We've already left school, but he's still here to supervise our morning exercises?"

Another student immediately took over the conversation, curled his lips, and analyzed the logic behind it:

"I think this must be Professor Holmes's arrangement. After all, Professor Lupin works so hard on weekdays, and the holidays are a rare time for him to rest and relax."

However, not all students are opposed to morning jogging. Neville Longbottom, the president of the Wind Sword Club, said regretfully:

"Actually, I think morning exercises are pretty good. They can both strengthen the body and cultivate willpower. It's a pity that the professor doesn't allow us to bring swords. Otherwise, this would be a unique combat drill. But I heard from Professor Holmes that many people in the Muggle world practice swordplay in the park in the morning..."

At this time, another member's eyes flickered with eagerness:

"Neville, have you ever thought that we could take this opportunity to find some of the top swordsmen in the Muggle world to spar with each other, so that the swordsmen of the magic and Muggle worlds can have a cross-border clash?"

Neville began to feel a little moved as he listened.

Originally, Lupin had no such idea, but when he heard the students whispering, the discussion filled with surprise, curiosity and a hint of nervousness lit up his inspiration like a spark. He raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

"Good morning, gentlemen and ladies. It is such an honor to meet your enthusiasm and energy in the Muggle world outside the campus on such an ordinary yet extraordinary morning."

Lupin's words were warm and powerful. He waved his arms, signaling Percy and Penelope, the two student union presidents, to organize the students into an orderly formation.

"Come, come, let us run along this road to the port of Kennett River as Hogwarts students and let the Muggles see the youthful elegance of the wizarding world."

A murmur of mixed sorrow and surprise immediately rang out from the crowd:

"I knew Professor Lupin would always come up with something new!"