Homecoming from Hogwarts

For the first time ever, some "weirdos" arrived at the Hogwarts Great Hall.

The house-elves in the kitchen wiped the dining utensils until they were shiny silver and prepared a rich meal, but not many students paid attention to the food in front of them.

Professor Bryan gave another brief speech:

"It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that we welcome you to Hogwarts for a study exchange.

This exchange activity is unprecedented in the history of world magic, and I believe that you have all seen the profound significance behind cross-border magic exchanges.

I think this is a great beginning. We, both sides, will open up a new era of prosperity for the world's magic civilization through communication!"

Professor Blaine said, and then he raised the cup in front of him and toasted to the many creatures at the table in the middle of the two long tables of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

The same was true for Dumbledore and the rest of the staff at the staff table.

"Isn't that a bit too much?"

Ron said with a frown, but still raised his cup towards the dining table under Hermione's sharp gaze.

The banquet began.

Almost every student was looking at the table where various 'weirdos' were sitting.

To be honest, the goblins, who are the largest in number, cannot arouse the students' interest.

They had seen a lot of goblins. Gringotts was full of goblins, and even on the days when Hogsmeade was open, they could often see goblins in the Three Broomsticks.

Sitting down to eat with them wasn't a big deal, it was just a bit of a novelty at best.

The children brought by Professor Lahansen could only slightly arouse the interest of the little wizards.

They were all well-educated, and the wide variety of food on the table did not arouse their interest. Instead, the environment of the auditorium and the little wizards sitting around it made them more curious.

Many girls were looking at the foals in fascination.

It was so beautiful, its silky fur gleaming in the light of a thousand candles.

Polly could also feel the eager gazes from all directions, which made her even more shy, and she didn't even dare to touch the pile of fresh fruits in front of her.

“I really want to touch it.”

Lavender said wistfully,
"I heard that centaurs are masters of divination. Maybe it's better than Professor Trelawney—"

Hermione wrinkled her nose in disapproval.

Professor Trelawney was one of the few professors she looked down upon.

Harry was more concerned about Hagrid and Grawp.

As they entered the Great Hall, Hagrid had hurriedly explained to him that Grawp was his brother, but he hadn't given many details.

In order to keep an eye on his brother, Hagrid moved his seat from the staff table and sat next to Grawp, smiling as he watched his brother tear apart a whole leg of beef that was only medium-rare at best, while people around him avoided him.

To be honest, Harry didn't see the point in Professor Braine bringing Grawp into Hogwarts.

It can't even speak clearly, so there's no way it can communicate with them. Oh, maybe there is a meaning.

Grawp's presence made the other "aliens" in the hall seem less out of place.

Many people were also interested in the boy and girl, who were about the same age as the first grade, who were finally taken down from the carriage by Professor Brian.

Harry had thought they were brother and sister.

But actually, that shouldn’t be the case, because the two people sitting together don’t communicate at all.

The boy looked very nervous. This was not unusual.

He would occasionally get himself a bite of food from the table in front of him, but the girl next to him, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes, looked at the food in front of her with indifference.

She sat in a dignified posture, as if she came from a famous family. The little wizards around her could not arouse her interest. Only occasionally, she would quickly glance at Professor Blaine at the faculty table.

As for the three house-elves.

In the noisy auditorium, the three of them seemed to be abandoned on the dining table.

No one pays much attention to them, and they themselves are trying hard to reduce their presence. By the way, they try their best to restrain the urge to pick up the empty plates.

The banquet ended in a lively yet deserted way.

"Deans and prefects, please guide the students of your respective houses back to your common rooms -"

Professor Brain said, he glanced towards the Gryffindor table and his eyes fell on Hermione, "Miss Granger, please wait a moment. You and I will show the guests to their resting place."

"Remember to ask for me, ask--"

While Lavender wasn't paying attention, Ron quickly moved his face closer.
"Is that girl a Veela or not?"

"And Dobby and Kreacher--"

Harry also said before leaving,

"Give them my regards."

Faculty members helped guide students from each college back to their respective lounges.

Old Bana walked down the staff table and instructed the goblin he had brought with him.

"Professor Brain, there's a letter for you from the Ministry of Magic!"

Filch came in from the entrance hall, struggling to squeeze through the students, waving an envelope with a big red Ministry of Magic stamp on it.

"Okay, thank you, Argus--"

After reading the letter, Amosta raised his eyebrows and said nothing.

After "driving" the students out of the hall, the prefects followed them one by one. When Draco and Parkinson walked into the underground passage beside the entrance hall, there were no students in the hall except Hermione.

"Let's go--"

Amosta waved to the guests at the middle table.

Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape left through the side door at the front of the Great Hall.

Hagrid accompanied his brother in an 'escort' manner.

"This is Miss Hermione Granger -"

Amosta led them to the hall and introduced them to the upper floors.
"During your time at Hogwarts, if you encounter any problems that need to be solved, you can report them to her. Similarly, you also need to obey her management, understand?"

Hermione smiled nervously at these still unfamiliar faces.

Amosta took them to the third floor, passed his office, turned a few corners along the corridor, and finally stopped in front of a classroom.

Pushing open the door, Hermione let out a small exclamation at the soft sunlight and refreshing air that greeted her.

She followed Professor Brian into the classroom, and the members of the exchange group filed in.

This classroom no longer looks like a classroom, but rather a forest.

At first glance, the not-too-dense forest seemed endless. But Hermione knew that this forest certainly couldn't be infinite, but it was at least as big as several Quidditch pitches!
A sparkling stream divides the forest into two parts. On one side of the stream, there is a row of custom-built two-story sloping-roof wooden houses on the flat land.

"you--"

Amosta pointed to the children that Professor Lahansen had brought, Polly and the Goblin.
"That's your dormitory, one for each of you."

He pointed to the hollow of a huge, scary-looking banyan tree on the other side of the stream and said to Hagrid,

"That's the sleeping place I prepared for Grawp. Take Grawp to have a look. I think it's spacious enough. Oh. I don't think it needs to maintain its short stature here—"

"Come on, Grawp, let's go see your new home!"

Hagrid put his arm around Grawp's shoulders and walked past the message, heading towards the banyan tree.

"Professor B, Blaine, can you, can Dobby think--"

"No, Dobby, you are not allowed to go back to the kitchen to work, just rest here--"

Amosta said, but seeing the three elves' desperate look, he pondered for a moment.

"If Hermione needs help, you can give her a hand—"

The three house-elves looked much more relieved after hearing what he said.

The little boy with messy chestnut hair was also arranged to live in the wooden house on the left side of the stream, while Amosita guided the little girl into a dark bunker a little further away.

An antique bronze key was handed to Hermione.
"Here are the keys, Hermione. From now on, they will eat in the Great Hall like the little wizards. During the day, they can visit the castle or the grounds outside, but they must all return here after lights out. You can communicate with them first--"

Amosta said, then looked at old Bana,
"Amelia sent me a letter, wanting to talk to me about opening a workshop specializing in the production of surveillance mirrors. I'm going there now, and you can go with me to the Ministry—"

(End of this chapter)