Chapter 143: The Ministry of Magic’s Compensation
The train finally stopped at the Hogsmeade platform, and everyone spilled out onto the platform. Chaos reigned everywhere: owls were hooting, cats were meowing, and toads were croaking in unison, creating a cacophony that filled the small space.
Suddenly, a lion-shaped firework burst across the sky, capturing everyone's attention at once.
Bang!
Another firework soared up with a trailing plume of smoke.
The young wizards quickly noticed Fred, who was at the center of it all, calmly setting off more fireworks. With everyone's eyes on him, he wrapped a parchment edged in gold around one of the fireworks and lit it.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang...
Fireworks exploded one after another, forming lions, badgers, and dragons that leaped and swirled across the sky, holding their shapes for a surprisingly long time before fading.
"Is this Hogwarts' welcome ceremony?" one of the first-years asked, clearly excited.
Unaware of the actual reason behind the display, they assumed Hogwarts was putting on a grand show just to welcome them. And truthfully, the fireworks were mesmerizing. Watching the animal shapes sparkle overhead, many of them felt their nervousness begin to fade.