The carriage swayed as it headed towards Hogwarts, and as usual, Vid cast a Transfiguration Spell on the shabby carriage first. The lanterns on both sides turned into blue flames, warming the carriage.
Theo exhaled deeply, rubbing his cold fingers and said: "Thank Merlin, thank Vid! I think my hands were about to freeze stiff."
"This year's weather seems particularly cold, and it's only September!" Michael said, shaking the water off his leaf umbrella and placing it by his feet, breathing warmth into his hands.
Vid saw Leian glancing at him several times hesitatingly, so he took the initiative to ask: "Leian, was there something you wanted to say?"
Leian hesitated for a moment and then said: "Vid, have you changed your magic wand?"
Although the light was dim just now, making it hard to see, Leian was certain the wand in Vid's hand was shorter than before.
Vid waved the wand and put it away, smiling as he said: "This is my backup wand, which I've been using recently."
Actually, when Vid captured the bearded man, he also retrieved the wand taken by those people. He just hasn't found the right opportunity to return these wands.
His own white poplar wood wand has also been put on ice.
No one asked Vid why he stopped using his original wand. Theo glanced at it and laughed, saying: "Is it that walnut wood one? I've always felt it matches you well."
"Walnut wood..."
Neville froze for a moment, his expression suddenly becoming a bit dazed.
"What's wrong?" Theo keenly sensed his friend's mood.
"It's nothing." Neville's fingers curled slightly, and he lowered his head to say: "Bellatrix Lestrange... she used a walnut wood wand."
"I remember 'Magic Wand Theory' mentioned that walnut wood symbolizes wisdom and inspiration. Its owner is often a pioneer and inventor in magic, but it also has an extraordinary adaptability and can execute all commands of its owner," Leian remarked.
"So it's the ideal partner for a wizard, and also a deadly weapon," Michael said, resting his chin on his hand. "No principles... But I like it."
"I've heard that only wizards with great talent are chosen by walnut wood wands..." Neville said, wiping his face, finally shaking off that sudden emotion: "Vid, did you get this from Olivander's Wand Shop as well?"
"No, it was from a second-hand shop," Vid said. "Theo introduced me to it."
"When can you take me along!" Michael said, wrapping an arm around Theo's shoulder. "I want to get a backup wand too; it seems very useful."
"Sure, but there aren't many wands to choose from there," Theo said.
"That's okay, it's a backup anyway," Michael thought aloud. "Hmm... I want to buy a yew... or an ebony one would do..."
"Ebony is fine, but yew doesn't quite suit you?" Leian teased.
"It doesn't matter if it suits me or not, sounds cool though..."
As they talked, the carriage had already reached Hogwarts.
Vid got off the carriage and patted the snorting Thestral. The black Pegasus tilted its head slightly, its hollow eyes appeared both frightening and adorably silly.
Michael picked up his leaf umbrella and looked back at the empty front of the carriage before catching up with the group.
Everyone walked up the stone steps into the castle, the muddy ground eliciting complaints from the nearby portraits, but the students walked past them, unseen, hurrying towards the warm hall.
Professor McGonagall, wearing a black wizard robe, had her hands clasped as she stood by the marble staircase. Under her gaze, the students' noise quickly diminished and even disappeared as they quietly entered the hall.
"Gray, Granger!" Professor McGonagall suddenly said: "Come with me for a moment."
Vid and Hermione exchanged a glance, and the two of them squeezed through the crowded throng to follow Professor McGonagall to her office.
This office was much smaller than the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office, perhaps the smallest among all professors' offices, but it was cozy with a roaring fire in the fireplace.
Over the past two years, Vid frequently visited here to consult Professor McGonagall, so he knew that beside the bookshelf in this office, there was a concealed small door leading to Professor McGonagall's private living quarters.
Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and two chairs slid out from beneath the desk.
"Have a seat."
Professor McGonagall sat behind the desk and looked at the two of them with a pleased smile on her face.
"Gray, Granger, you are among the most outstanding students I've taught. During the previous course selection, you also chose all the elective courses— so this semester, you will be studying twelve subjects."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said nervously.
Vid looked at Professor McGonagall and nodded without speaking.
He feared that the eagerness would surge out of his throat if he uttered a word.
"Even if I don't say it, I'm sure you both understand. Studying twelve courses simultaneously is a very heavy burden, and very few can handle such a load,"
Professor McGonagall warned seriously: "Many brilliant wizards aren't proficient in every subject. If you change your mind now and wish to drop one or two courses, I can completely understand, and I think it would be very wise."
"Sorry, Professor." Hermione said: "Giving up before trying is not my style."
"I made this decision after careful consideration, Professor," Vid also said.
"Alright... I suppose you noticed during course selection that some courses have scheduling conflicts."
Professor McGonagall said: "To ensure each student successfully completes their studies, the school applied to the Ministry of Magic for something to help you regulate your time—"
"Clink."
Two gold timers were placed on the table by Professor McGonagall, with thin gold chains attached to them.
The face of the timer was a small hourglass filled with golden sand, looking exquisite and mysterious.
Vid couldn't help but swallow, his heart racing as he almost couldn't tear his eyes away.
"This is the Time Turner."
Professor McGonagall said: "Each turn reverses time by one hour..."
"What?" Hermione exclaimed. "That's impossible! Time... time is irreversible!"
"Though it's unbelievable, magic indeed can reverse time, Miss Granger,"
Professor McGonagall stated seriously: "But reversing time is extremely dangerous magic. Many wizards tried to use a Time Turner to change the past, and without exception, they all caused disastrous consequences."
"Like killing their past or future selves, making someone who should exist never born, or causing someone who should live happily to encounter strange misfortunes."
"The Ministry of Magic punishes the misuse of the Time Turner with the most severe penalty, even more than murder or breaching the Confidentiality Law!"
"To allow you to legally use it, I wrote dozens of letters to the Ministry of Magic, proving you both are model students and absolutely won't use it for anything beyond learning—"
"You must swear to me that you will indeed adhere to this promise! And absolutely not share this matter with anyone!"
Vid and Hermione naturally raised their hands and swore.
The power of magic stems from a wizard's heart; when a wizard earnestly makes a vow, even without signing a pact, magic creates invisible restraints.
Professor McGonagall gently pushed the Time Turner forward, saying: "Well, you can take it now."
"Remember, the maximum duration for time travel is five hours; exceeding this increases the likelihood of danger significantly."
"I recommend you only reverse time by one hour each time, so you can attend courses without violating the laws of time."
"Additionally, after reversing time, do not change any events that have already occurred, and absolutely do not let your past self see your future self."
"The Ministry of Magic has established hundreds of laws concerning the use of the Time Turner. Review them carefully and ensure you follow every one, or I'll have to reclaim the Time Turner!"