"Students, the person beside me is Mr. David Ricardo, head of the Auror Office of the Brazilian Ministry of Magic. He has something urgent to inform us."
After saying this, Professor Sprout stepped back, giving Ricardo the floor.
"The situation is critical, so I'll get straight to the point," Ricardo announced in a firm voice. "I need each of you to provide a strand of hair. A group of dark wizards intends to attack you today. Fortunately, our Ministry intercepted this intelligence in advance. To counter them, we require your hair to prepare Polyjuice Potion, allowing Aurors to assume your appearance and ambush the attackers."
As soon as he finished, twelve test tubes were placed on the table in front of him, each filled with Polyjuice Potion swirling like thick mud.
The students obeyed quickly. One by one, they plucked a strand of hair and placed it into the waiting potions. Once everyone was done, Ricardo gathered the tubes and reassured them.
"Do not be overly concerned. This is merely a small band of troublemakers. Our Ministry will resolve the matter once and for all. You will remain at the school today. The grounds are under a state of emergency and fully secure."
With that, Ricardo turned and left the carriage. Through the window, Ryan noticed Professor Kettleburn following him. It made sense—Hogwarts would want one of its own staff to participate in the disguise. Professor Kettleburn, capable and experienced, was a natural choice to accompany the Aurors on their mission.
When they were gone, Professor Sprout addressed the group again.
"For safety reasons, no one will leave campus today. However, the school has arranged an alternative. We've opened access to a historically sealed underground ecosystem within the Legendary Garden network. This will serve as our study location."
She smiled faintly before continuing.
"I spoke with Castrobrusho's Care of Magical Creatures professor. He assured me this place is even richer and more diverse than our original destination. So I hope all of you will seize the opportunity. Now, return to your dormitories, pack what you need, and gather back here in ten minutes."
Ryan felt uneasy. Something about the situation did not add up. The Ministry's intercepted intelligence almost seemed like a diversion. True, Hogwarts was heavily fortified—he could hardly imagine how the Blood Cult or the Chimera Society might infiltrate such a secure campus. Items as rare as a Vanishing Cabinet weren't exactly lying around, and Principal Fernando had given his assurances yesterday. Surely, he had taken additional precautions.
Still, Ryan could not shake the sense of danger.
This time, he prepared thoroughly. Beneath his school robes, he wore his assassin's suit, its belt and shoulder straps lined with over twenty small test tubes filled with liquids. The leather pouch at his waist carried potions and spellcasting materials. His enchanted space bag held further supplies and hidden tools. For direct combat, Clingway's tooth and his Liberator pistol rested in holsters strapped to his thighs. Finally, he buttoned his Hogwarts robes over everything, concealing his arsenal.
By the time he entered the common room with his backpack, most students were already assembled. After breakfast, the Hogwarts exchange students, guided by Professor Sprout, set off toward the Legendary Garden.
As they walked, Ryan drifted beside Hermione and spoke in a low voice.
"Something feels wrong today. It's not as simple as the Auror claimed. Stay alert—I think something might happen."
Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly. She whispered back, "I agree. The atmosphere feels off. Thank you for the warning—I'll remain cautious."
At the entrance to the Legendary Garden, Professor Ferdinand Gonzalez awaited them. He was the Castrobrusho professor of Herbal Medicine, a plump man with a small mustache and a genial smile.
According to South American custom, Professor Sprout greeted him warmly.
"Good morning, Professor Ferdinand. We're all here. Please lead the way."
"Welcome," Ferdinand replied, his tone cheerful. "Today, you'll be studying in Greenhouse No. 3. The other herbal professor, Old Bark, had an urgent matter to attend, so I'll be guiding your tour."
With that, he led the students past the sculpted arch at the garden's entrance and along winding paths toward the central area. His manner was just as enthusiastic as it had been during their initial exchange meeting. Yet Ryan could not shake a nagging feeling—something about Ferdinand seemed odd. No matter how much he thought, however, he could not pinpoint the reason.
After several turns, they reached the same tunnel entrance as before. Ferdinand stepped forward and announced their purpose. Instantly, the camouflaged stone shifted aside, revealing a dark opening two men high.
The students filed in.
The tunnel walls were lined with glowing moss and mushrooms, casting a cold blue radiance that lit the way clearly. Ryan's nerves prickled. This was exactly the kind of place where an ambush could occur. But to his surprise, the group passed through without incident until they reached the massive stone door of Greenhouse No. 3.
Perhaps I'm being too jumpy, Ryan thought. Principal Fernando's warnings yesterday were grim enough to make me see danger everywhere. Maybe I'm letting my imagination get the better of me.
Professor Ferdinand raised his wand and traced a complex magical sigil upon the left wall. The glowing symbol sank into the stone, and the door rumbled upward, revealing the hidden greenhouse beyond.
It was vast—larger than any greenhouse they had seen before. Clearly, it had been constructed by transforming a giant underground cavern. After years of work, the place had become a full subterranean jungle.
Suspended above the jungle, a great golden orb blazed like a miniature sun, radiating heat and light across the cavern. It was an awe-inspiring magical artifact, sustaining the lush ecosystem below.
Ryan gazed upward in wonder, but Ferdinand's voice rang out sharply.
"Please remain on the stone path. Dangerous creatures inhabit this greenhouse. Step off the protected path, and you may find yourself in grave peril."
Ryan quickly lowered his gaze and noticed the neatly laid stone walkway stretching from the platform to the depths of the jungle.
The design is ingenious, he thought.
Following the group, he stepped onto the path. Together, they advanced deeper into the greenhouse, heading toward a central observation
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427