While Malfoy continued suffering one humiliating defeat after another, his condition also worsened as the nightmares became increasingly unbearable.
Some students even saw him visiting Professor Snape to obtain Calming Draughts.
It seemed Miss Sadako was doing excellent work inside those nightmares.
In contrast…
Hagrid, whom Malfoy had nearly ruined, was now enjoying the exact opposite fortune.
Following Lewis's Care of Magical Creatures lesson, Hagrid's reputation had undergone a complete reversal.
At least…
That was true among every House except Slytherin.
Encouraged by the students' response, Hagrid threw himself into preparing every lesson with even greater enthusiasm, determined to earn even more approval and affection from his students.
When selecting magical creatures for class, Hagrid had finally learned to follow Lewis's standards to the letter.
He even pinned a chart listing the Ministry's magical creature danger ratings inside his cabin.
In the past, he had never cared about such things.
After all…
As a half-giant, Hagrid himself was more dangerous than most magical creatures.
Now, however, he only chose creatures from the first three safety categories.
Following the fairies, the students learned about Mooncalves, Puffskeins, Kneazles, and Nifflers.
Each creature was either adorable or fascinating.
More importantly…
Not a single one of them was particularly aggressive.
As expected, they quickly became favorites among the students.
Of course…
Lewis never told anyone just how much effort it had taken to convince Hagrid not to make Flobberworms and Horklumps part of the curriculum.
Even Aiyu disliked those creatures.
Had Hagrid really gone through with that idea…
Care of Magical Creatures would probably have become Hogwarts' most boring subject overnight.
As the classes continued receiving praise…
Hagrid's confidence steadily grew.
The students no longer viewed him as the clumsy half-giant they once knew.
Instead…
He had become a rugged, dependable man who genuinely loved nature.
Lewis even overheard rumors that several girls thought Hagrid wasn't a bad catch…
Though he honestly couldn't understand their taste.
Apart from that…
Even Slytherin, the only House that still disliked Hagrid, hadn't caused him much trouble.
According to several Slytherins…
Draco Malfoy had already reported his injury to his father, Lucius Malfoy.
Yet surprisingly…
The Ministry of Magic had still received no formal complaint.
At least…
That was what Onyxia, who currently worked in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, had told Lewis.
Incidentally…
Onyxia had also learned about Aiyu's existence.
She had written Lewis six or seven letters in succession, begging him to bring Aiyu to see her during the holidays.
She could hardly wait to meet a fellow dragon from another world.
Lewis, however, doubted the meeting would go smoothly.
After all…
As a dragon born in Elysium, Aiyu instinctively disliked creatures with overwhelming evil alignments.
Unfortunately…
The former Onyxia had committed far too many wicked deeds to make a good first impression.
Soon…
October arrived with its icy winds.
Lewis also became much busier.
The Quidditch season was approaching.
Besides his normal classes and daily life…
He now had regular Quidditch training.
Last year, because of the Chamber of Secrets and the Basilisk, several matches had been canceled.
As a result…
The Quidditch Cup had ended without a champion.
Everyone knew that, under normal circumstances, Ravenclaw would almost certainly have won.
Still…
Being recognized as the "uncrowned champion" simply wasn't satisfying.
Roger Davies swore that this year they would erase that regret.
Lewis agreed wholeheartedly.
This was also Ciri's final year at Hogwarts.
He absolutely refused to let her graduate without winning the Quidditch Cup.
Thus…
Filled with determination, the Ravenclaw team resumed training three times every week.
As winter gradually approached…
The weather became colder.
Rain fell more frequently.
Yet mud, fierce winds, and torrential downpours couldn't dampen the team's dream of finally lifting the Quidditch Cup.
One rainy evening after another practice session…
Lewis and Ciri returned together to the Ravenclaw common room, while Aiyu happily trotted behind them.
At first…
The little dragon couldn't understand why Lewis insisted on chasing a ball while riding a broom.
Why not ride her instead?
She was obviously much more fun than a broomstick.
Before long, however…
She became Lewis's biggest fan.
Every practice session, she watched enthusiastically from beginning to end.
Training in the rain was miserable.
Rainwater…
Mud…
Sweat…
Everything mixed together until everyone looked soaked and filthy.
Lewis didn't mind at all.
Every now and then, stretching his body through Quidditch was surprisingly refreshing.
After helping both himself and Aiyu wash up…
He stepped back into the common room feeling completely refreshed.
Only to discover the room buzzing with excitement.
"What happened?"
He stopped Cho Chang, who was happily gossiping with several classmates.
She immediately beamed.
"We finally get to visit Hogsmeade for the weekend!"
Her eyes curved into happy crescents.
"I look forward to this every single semester."
"Are we going somewhere fun?"
The moment Aiyu heard that, she became excited.
"Yay! Take me too! Take me too!"
"Of course we're bringing you."
Lewis gently rubbed the little dragon's head before asking Cho,
"So when is it?"
She pointed toward the newly installed notice board.
"At the end of October."
"The day before Halloween."
Then she looked at Lewis expectantly.
"How about… just the two of us?"
"Well… maybe with Aiyu too."
"We could visit Honeydukes and buy lots and lots of chocolate."
Hearing the invitation…
Lewis couldn't help looking awkward.
"Well…"
"You know I'd really like to…"
"But…"
"There are rather a lot of friends who expect me to spend time with them too…"
"So…"
"Oh…"
Cho lowered her head, unable to hide her disappointment.
That expression filled Lewis with guilt.
He wasn't the sort of person who took other people's affection for granted.
After thinking for a moment, he added,
"Still…"
"If I can squeeze out some time…"
"Going for a walk with just you for a while shouldn't be a problem."
Her eyes instantly brightened.
"Deal!"
"Deal."
The two clapped hands to seal the promise.
Naturally…
It wasn't just Lewis's group discussing the upcoming trip.
The third-years were by far the most excited.
After all…
This would be their very first visit to Hogsmeade.
Nobody wanted to miss it.
Ravenclaw students quickly mailed permission forms home for their parents' signatures.
As for students like Lewis and Ciri, who had no parents available…
Professor Flitwick had already signed the forms for them.
However…
On the night before the Hogsmeade weekend…
An accident occurred.
Dinner had just ended.
Everyone was returning to their respective common rooms as usual.
Lewis had already changed into his pajamas and was preparing to wash up when Professor Flitwick's magically amplified voice echoed throughout Ravenclaw Tower.
He hurried downstairs with everyone else.
Without offering any explanation…
Professor Flitwick led the entire House straight toward the Great Hall.
By the time they arrived…
The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were already there.
Their common rooms were closer.
Slytherin arrived last.
Even after every student had gathered…
Nobody understood what was happening.
Some students did notice one strange detail on the way.
The Dementors had once again begun circling above Hogwarts.
Finally…
Professor Dumbledore entered the Great Hall.
He addressed the students solemnly.
"Hogwarts has suffered an intrusion."
"The staff and I will be conducting a thorough search of the castle."
"For your own safety…"
"You will all spend the night here in the Great Hall."
"I would like the prefects to stand guard at the entrances."
"The Head Boy and Head Girl will assist in maintaining order."
"If anything unusual occurs…"
"Report it to me immediately."
He paused before adding,
"Oh…"
"You'll be needing these."
With a casual wave of his wand…
The four long House tables floated to the edges of the hall.
Another flick…
And hundreds of purple sleeping bags spread themselves neatly across the floor.
"Sleep well."
Dumbledore said simply before leaving the hall and closing the doors behind him.
The Great Hall immediately exploded into excited chatter.
The Gryffindors eagerly began telling everyone else what had happened.
Lewis, however…
Already knew the answer.
Without question…
Sirius Black had entered Hogwarts ahead of schedule.
If you want to read 60 chapters ahead of the public release, head over to: Patreon.com/RedString