Under the night sky, the sharp peaks of the four towers pointing toward the heavens were all engulfed in raging flames, resembling four colossal candles. Their dazzling brilliance not only lit up the night sky but also illuminated every blade of grass and tree on the grounds in vivid detail.
"You set the school on fire, Professor Delfino!"
The Weasley twins shouted in unison. It was hard to tell whether the expression on their faces was more terror or excitement.
"This is way too extreme!!!"
"Oh, don't worry, Fred, George!"
The "earth-shattering" commotion had even startled Professor Flitwick, who was supporting the operation. However, he quickly recognized that it was just illusory fire, the same type of light emitted by the Lumos charm.
Professor Flitwick's explanation put the young wizards at ease... They wanted to make some noise under Professor Delfino's leadership, but they certainly never intended to burn Hogwarts to the ground!
"I still have some Catherine wheels here... they might be a bit damp, leftovers I didn't get rid of—who wants them?"
Ares asked with a beaming smile.
After a scramble, another round of brilliant fireworks exploded amidst the students' cheers. Amidst the crackling explosions, Ares conducted the students to shout slogans in unison:
"We want freedom, not hegemony!"
"Reject dictatorship, give us back our peaceful campus!"
"We want rest, we want games, we want vitality!"
...
Not everyone could shout so freely. Take Hermione Granger, for instance—she was curled up in the chaotic, joyous crowd, covering her face as if terrified of being recognized...
Hermione's face was pale as she stared helplessly at the scene before her. If she could, she would have preferred to be tied up and thrown onto the common room sofa like Percy Weasley!
And then there were the Slytherins—Draco Malfoy had ultimately joined the activity, and he had even "invited" all the first-year students to participate.
Draco Malfoy looked around, eyeing the howling students with disdain. However, when his gaze shifted to the Entrance Hall and saw the students crowded there purely to watch the spectacle, looking at the group on the grounds with respect, he couldn't help but puff out his chest!
"Touching, truly touching!"
Professor Flitwick floated beside Ares, smiling as he shouted in his squeaky voice.
"In all my years at Hogwarts, I've never seen the students so happy, Ares!"
"They've all been led astray by Dumbledore!"
Professor Kettleburn, the old professor, took a swig of rum and chuckled.
"They all learned his serious, stuffy ways!"
"Oh, exactly!" Ares laughed. "Too rigid, isn't it?"
"But you were different when you were at school too, Ares!"
Professor Flitwick waved his wand, scattering a trail of silver shooting stars into the dazzling night sky. "You weren't this rebellious back then, were you?"
"Oh, my dear Professor Flitwick, one has to keep a low profile when one is weak, right?"
BANG!!!
A firework exploded in the sky, bursting into colorful brilliance. Amidst the sparks, an image of an Irish leprechaun as tall as a tower appeared, scattering gold coin-like sparks in all directions!
This was looking entirely like a fireworks gala rather than a protest. Even the merpeople in the Black Lake were disturbed; heads popped out of the water one by one, looking curiously toward the castle!
Minerva stared at this scene, dumbfounded... Initially, her heart was filled with anger, but the tender faces coming into view one by one, and the cheers, quickly dissipated her rage.
Then, she noticed that there weren't just students on the grounds. Weaving through the continuously exploding fireworks were the castle's ghosts... and also, a few of her colleagues—
"Wonderful, isn't it?"
An enthusiastic voice came from behind. Minerva recognized it as Pomona's voice. She turned around and saw not only the Head of Hufflepuff... Albus and Severus had arrived at some point as well.
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore—"
Professor McGonagall twitched her nose, looking a bit awkward.
"I haven't had a chance to ask them what they're up to yet?"
In the Entrance Hall, the surging warmth from the torches met the chill from outside the castle, creating a breeze that ruffled Dumbledore's silver-white hair and beard. He watched the jubilant scene on the grounds, his slightly furrowed brow showing a mix of surprise and confusion, but not much anger.
"It doesn't matter, Professor McGonagall. We can go ask," Dumbledore said calmly, caution and gravity flickering in his bright blue eyes for a moment.
So—
When Dumbledore approached with a group of students and staff, the students who had been jumping around wildly quieted down visibly.
Even the most cheerful Weasley twins, under the gaze of those deep blue eyes, grimaced and clenched their fists.
"The candles you made are beautiful, Professor Delfino—"
Dumbledore looked back at the tips of the four towers burning like candles, illuminating the night sky, then looked at Ares and spoke calmly.
"Aren't they?"
Among everyone, only Ares kept his smile.
"I think this could be a tradition in the future, Professor Dumbledore. Light up the four towers at the start-of-term welcoming ceremony every year. It would make the new students feel the warmth."
"I have to say, Professor Delfino, that is indeed a good idea—"
Dumbledore said.
"So you planned a welcoming party to make up for this year's new students?"
"Oh, naturally not—actually, I organized a student demonstration!"
Ares looked back at the students behind him, who were now shrinking back, and looked at Dumbledore with a beaming smile.
" aimed at protesting some of the rigid, outdated policies made by the school management!"
In the sudden silence, many students caught the expression on their Headmaster's aged face: surprise—suspicion—disbelief—and more disbelief...
"If you're referring to—"
"Exactly, Professor Dumbledore—"
Ares nodded cheerfully.
"You banned first-year students from participating in the 'Protect the Captain' experimental teaching—look at how many students your decision has angered. They are all here to support the cause... Oh, and a few of my colleagues, they couldn't stand it either—Hmm, let me find a representative for you to talk about his views on this matter..."
Ron instantly sucked in a cold breath, the blood draining from his face!
"Let's go with Hagrid—"
Of course, Ares wouldn't 'betray' his client. He dragged Hagrid forward.
"Cough cough—"
With Hagrid's size, hiding was impossible even if he wanted to.
His two dustbin-lid-sized hands nervously patted his pockets over and over. He braced himself.
"Actually—cough cough, er—I think—that is, I mean... it's no big deal letting the kids play a bit, Professor Dumbledore."
"Allow me to remind you, Headmaster Dumbledore—"
Severus Snape, standing in the shadows of the firelight, looked at Dumbledore's tense profile and his twitching eyelid, desperately holding back a laugh.
"You were the one who insisted on hiring him."
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