Erwin stepped onto the raised platform as Head Prefect, a role that came with its usual responsibilities. He would oversee the common room while Charlotte managed the practical spellwork sessions—a task she was more than capable of handling now.
Watching his retreating figure, Sunny Finch's face remained flushed. She hadn't expected Erwin to have known about her observations, much less call her out so directly. The embarrassment was overwhelming.
The students from the three visiting schools were distributed among the respective common rooms. Since their numbers were relatively small, it didn't cause much disruption. Hogwarts was already operating at full capacity, making the visiting students' presence barely noticeable.
Two figures entered the Slytherin common room: Fleur and Sunny Finch. They had come voluntarily, and the reason was obvious—Erwin. The Slytherin students were delighted to have two striking young women among them. Sunny Finch was undeniably beautiful, though to Western eyes, Eastern beauty sometimes seemed subtle. Fleur, however, was a different matter. With her Veela heritage—faint as it was—she had an almost magnetic allure that brightened the entire room.
Erwin sat at the head of the common room, observing the reactions of the Slytherins. He shook his head with a faint smile. They were growing up. Just as he was.
The morning study session passed without major incident, aside from the initial adjustment of the exchange students. Erwin sat like a living reference book, fielding questions from Slytherins who approached him one by one. He answered them all patiently. This set a precedent. Similar scenes played out in the other common rooms. In Hufflepuff, Cedric took the lead, helping his housemates with their questions. The visiting students found the arrangement surprisingly refreshing—far more engaging than the rigid lectures they were used to back home.
Even Dumbledore, flanked by the heads of the visiting schools, paused outside the common rooms to observe. Madame Maxime sighed with admiration. "Albus, this is wonderful. We should implement self-study sessions at Beauxbatons! The students would progress so much faster."
Even Karkaroff nodded grudgingly. He could see the benefits, even if he wouldn't admit it aloud.
Dumbledore chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Erwin has done far more than just arrange study sessions. Since he arrived, Hogwarts has transformed profoundly. Even I couldn't have achieved this alone. Now, let's leave them to it and head to the Great Hall."
As the delegation moved on, an elder from the Eastern group glanced back at Erwin. Erwin met his gaze and offered a polite nod. The elder smiled in return before turning away.
The self-study period ended swiftly. The bell chimed, and the students began their second activity of the day: morning exercises.
A run around the Black Lake.
For Hogwarts students, it was routine. Their bodies were conditioned, no longer unaccustomed to physical exertion. For the exchange students, it was manageable—except for the girls from Beauxbatons. They had never endured such physical activity, and their complaints filled the crisp morning air. Even Fleur was struggling, her breathing labored.
Sunny Finch ran beside her, grinning. "Not used to this, are you? A strong body is crucial. Back home, even a first-year student could overpower you in close combat. Sometimes, physical strength saves your life when magic fails."
Fleur gritted her teeth, too exhausted to reply. She knew Sunny Finch was right, but her legs felt like lead.
Then, Fleur's foot caught on a stone. She stumbled, about to fall.
Sunny Finch's hand shot out, grabbing the back of Fleur's robes. She steadied her effortlessly. "Careful!" she laughed, letting go and continuing her stride.
Fleur watched Sunny Finch's retreating back, a small smile touching her lips. "She's kind... but that doesn't mean I'll give up on Erwin."
Summoning a burst of determination, Fleur pushed herself faster.
Sunny Finch glanced back, noticing the effort. "Now that's resilience," she thought. "She'd make a good candidate for physical training. I wonder what the professors here will teach us."
With guests from three other schools, Hogwarts had arranged a special lecture schedule. Dumbledore was far too shrewd to let such expertise go to waste. The visiting professors were ready to share their knowledge, and the students were in for an education unlike any other.