Chapter 1264: Unexpected Visitors

Outside the Umbrella House, Luna appeared by Astoria’s side.

She tilted her head, her silvery-grey eyes mistily gazing at Ron and Theo, with no hostility or scrutiny, but rather as if she saw something interesting.

She slowly said to Ron, “You seem to be entangled by a harassing beast, do you need me to help expel it?”

Ron looked puzzled, “Expel… what?”

“All right, Ron.”

A hand pressed on his shoulder from behind, gently applying pressure.

Ron turned back and saw Vid saying, “You keep practicing, I’ll handle it.”

“Oh… okay.”

Ron actually wanted to ask what the harassing beast was, but looking at Luna’s hazy gaze, his intuition told him he better not ask.

He scratched his head, glanced at Astoria, wanted to say something but couldn’t get it out.

Ron told himself — as a newcomer, it was best not to give any opinions on people’s choices.

Beside him, Harry patted his arm, and Ron headed to the practice area, ears perked up, attention fully on the sounds behind.

Vid came to the door, his gaze directed at the three by the door.

Luna waved, a happy expression on her face, “Hi, Vid.”

Her voice floated, with a tone of “it’s only natural we meet again.”

Astoria looked up at him, eyes clear with no hint of avoidance, lips slightly pursed.

Beside them, stood someone who hadn’t spoken from the start — Rolf Scamander.

The boy stood there with his hands behind his back, with a touch of anxiety on his face, scratching his cheek with his fingers.

He met Vid’s eyes, smiled bashfully, and softly said, “I know this seems a bit odd… but we came anyway.”

“Of course, I’m glad to see you.” Vid smiled, side-stepped to clear the doorway, and said, “Come in.”

Rolf’s eyes lit up, he took a half step forward, craned his neck to peek inside the Umbrella House, and softly asked, “Is it okay?”

“Of course, it’s okay.” Vid said with a laugh, “It’s never been our private place, just a classroom the school allowed us to borrow.”

His sight swept the hallway, then turned to some lower-year students, and said warmly, “Besides, we’re all standing at the door talking, which seems improper.”

Once the three were inside, Vid casually glanced outside again, and closed the door.

…

At Hogwarts, SSC — that name that few could recall, “Seekers of Star Chasers” — had become a legend bridging reverence and suspicion among many students.

Vid was indeed dazzling, but the others weren’t lacking.

Harry was the renowned “Star of Salvation,” Hermione was one of the top students in her year, and the Weasley Twins were not only interesting, but their various inventions were widely pursued by students.

This was different from Vid’s inventions.

Many of Vid’s Alchemy Works gradually became “necessities” in life, like blankets and fireplaces that everyone needed;

Whereas the Weasley Brothers’ works? Absurd yet filled with fun, like chocolate — you don’t have to eat it, but every bite you take brings joy.

As for Michael and others, their academic performance was always top-notch, but what truly made them stand out was a maturity and insight beyond their age.

Neville was originally considered the laggard of SSC, even secretly ostracized for it.

Yet from one day onwards, the boy who was always at a loss began to change.

He no longer lowered his head to avoid others’ gaze, nor did he simply endure or secretly cry about Slytherin’s bullying.

He faced others’ malice with head held high, steady and grounded, like a tree slowly taking root.

In some subjects, Neville indeed still struggled, like Magic Potion Class; but in other areas, he had become the one others needed to chase.

Because of these outstanding members, especially considering Neville’s changes, rumors about SSC among students became increasingly wild —

“Actually, it was Vid who found Ravenclaw’s lost Diadem.” Ravenclaw students vowed, “They take turns wearing the Diadem, sharing each other’s wisdom!”

Slytherin students gloomily said, “No, those people got Slytherin’s secret treasure, you remember the Basilisk back then, don’t you? It’s the treasure’s guardian!”

“You all got it wrong!” Gryffindor students confidently stated, “SSC discovered a secret room hidden in the castle, the time flow inside the room is different, they study for an hour, but only a second passes outside!”

“But, the version I heard is… Vid is actually a wizard who’s lived a thousand years, he studied Alchemy for a thousand years, now he just made himself young to live again…”

Hufflepuff students, half-believing, expressed the most outrageous rumor.

…

Amid these various halos, when the three stepped into the Umbrella House, even Luna couldn’t help but turn her eyes, curious to observe around.

Rolf and Astoria, not to mention, seemed eager to grow eight eyes to take in every detail.

Seeing them trying hard to turn their gaze, wanting to see the scene beyond the partition wall, Vid couldn’t help but laugh:

“Why don’t… I give you a tour?”

The three quickly nodded, like chicks pecking at grains.

To their surprise, yet unsurprised, this place indeed was just a repurposed empty classroom turned into an activity room.

In their personal areas, each person’s bookshelves and desks formed a semicircular structure, not very different from students’ desks at home.

Some desks were messy, some tidy, some appeared empty, while others were filled with various items.

But there was no Diadem, no Slytherin secret treasure, just common items.

The reference books on the cabinets, too, could be found in the school’s library or outside bookstores, there was no “ancient wizard’s” secret manual.

The practice area had been remodeled many times, with plenty of targets and mats piled in the corner, and the partition wall in the middle was marked by spells, making the room appear particularly old.

Additionally, the walls were adorned with some odd decorations, such as stone and vine woven wreaths, crooked sailboats, and some eerily lifelike clay figurines like “cursed dolls” from legends — of course, the non-moving kind.

Those shabby “craft works” hung on the walls unabashedly, making Astoria suspect that even a blob of mud thrown on the ground would look better.

“See, this is SSC.”

After a tour, Vid invited them to sit around a small tea table, waved his magic wand, and several teacups flew over to land in front of the three, the teapot tilted, pouring them three cups of fragrant black tea.

He lifted his eyes and asked, “You mentioned earlier… wanting to join?”