Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 454 Eleven Schools Of Magic

Soon, everyone arrived at the campsite that Mr. Weasley had reserved.

At the edge of the forest at the top of the field, there was an empty space, with a small sign nailed to the ground that read: WEASLEY.

"This place is splendid!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed happily. "The field is just beyond the forest; we are as close as we could be."

Evan gazed at the dense forest and felt that the location was truly marvelous.

The scenery was delightful. If any disturbance arose at the campsite, they could escape to the forest as a first resort.

Although Evan did not anticipate any disruptions, it was wise to preempt problems before they occurred.

"Well, let's start setting up the tents!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed with enthusiasm. "No magic allowed, not when we are in such quantities on Muggle land. We will pitch these tents by hand! Muggles do it all the time. It's not so hard, is it?!"

He pulled out two gray tents from his backpack along with an assortment of tools.

"Come on, lads..." He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

"Wait, Arthur, is there enough space for all of us in these two tents?" Sirius inquired, carefully examining the tents on the ground.

"When Charlie, Bill, and Percy arrive, we will be a group of twelve!" Mr. Weasley furrowed his brow. "I borrowed these from Perkins at the office. To be honest, they are not quite suitable. We will be a bit cramped if we add a few more beds..."

"We don't need additional beds. I have a tent over there, one with plenty of space!" Sirius interjected. "A few days ago, I instructed Kreacher to send it. Now I can use it directly."

"Very well then!" Mr. Weasley agreed. "It's a good idea; otherwise, we would have to squeeze in. There are two empty spaces here. Let's first set up a tent for the girls to stay in!"

"Evan, Harry, Ron, can the three of you come with me to move the tent?" Sirius requested.

The three nodded eagerly and followed Sirius to the campsite.

In that moment, the sun had just risen, and the mist was gradually dispersing. At the campsite, they could see endless rows of tents stretching in all directions.

The four strolled leisurely among the rows of tents, observing with keen interest.

"By God, I never thought there would be so many wizards in the world!" Harry exclaimed excitedly.

Before that, he had never seriously considered what wizards from other countries would be like.

"It's my first time seeing so many wizards as well!" Ron sighed. "It's almost surreal!"

"Yes, after graduation, you could join an organization like the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic, like Percy did; or the International Confederation of Wizards, you will be in frequent contact with foreign wizards!" Sirius explained with a smile. "In different countries, the traditions and magic utilized by wizards also vary. In Africa, for instance, curses, witchcraft, astronomy, and transfiguration are more prevalent, and they rarely use wands to cast spells, but are more accustomed to using fingers or arms."

"They don't use wands, but their fingers?" Ron exclaimed in amazement. "Like house-elves."

Evan recalled the dark African wizard he had seen in the tavern at the edge of the Albanian forest.

He did not have a wand with him, but he carried a malevolent doll, always hanging from his wrist.

Evan speculated that the peculiar doll was made of human skin and was used for casting curses.

"Sirius, you went to Beauxbatons with Evan during the summer holidays. It's also a magical school like Hogwarts!" Harry suddenly inquired, "Can you tell us something about other magical schools?"

Ron also focused intently and wanted to learn about other magical schools.

Evan had read relevant descriptions in magical books before, but most of them were vague.

The wizarding school is the most closely guarded secret in the magical community in many countries. Wizards who are not in their own countries rarely have access to relevant information about them.

"It is well-known that the culture and educational traditions of the magical world differ in each country. There are many ancient traditions that are still being carried on in a more traditional manner than through magical schools." Sirius stated, "But overall, there are eleven famous magical schools currently known in the world."

"Are there that many?!" Harry exclaimed. "I only know of Hogwarts!"

"Hogwarts is one of the three most renowned magical schools in Europe. The other two are Beauxbatons in France and Durmstrang in Germany," Sirius explained. "You must have heard Evan talk about Beauxbatons before. As for Durmstrang, it is a school of magic that only accepts pure-blood students. It has a long history, but its attitude towards dark magic is more lenient. In the past, many dark wizards graduated from there."

Evan knew that the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald had been at Durmstrang.

As the Dark Lord who existed before Voldemort, Grindelwald could even rival Voldemort at his peak.

Considering the atmosphere of the Muggle society at that time, the great wars across the world provided the perfect stage for the display of the Dark Arts, and Grindelwald and his followers nearly seized control of the whole of Europe.

He was hatching a dreadful scheme and was on the verge of achieving it.

But alas, he crossed paths with Dumbledore.

At the zenith of Grindelwald's power, Dumbledore single-handedly defeated him and preserved the magical circle of Europe.

Interestingly, shortly after, the protracted war in the Muggle world also came to an abrupt end.

Germany was vanquished and paid a steep price.

Since then, the world had entered into tranquility and a new international order had been restored.

"And what about the other eight magical schools outside of Europe?"

"There are three in the Americas, including two in North America, and one of them is a school of magic exclusively recruiting witches. It is the sole magical school in the world filled with enchantresses, and the third one is in Brazil," Sirius stated. (Translator's Note: While Beauxbatons was portrayed in the movies as a school only for girls, it was not the case in reality.)

"Well, I know. Bill had a pen pal at a school in Brazil," Ron added. "This was many years ago. He wanted to go on an exchange, but Mum and Dad couldn't afford it. His pen pal was very offended when he declined and sent him a cursed hat. It made his ears shrivel up."

Harry chuckled at the thought of that scene.

Indeed, he was greatly surprised to hear Sirius mention there were so many magical schools in the world.

Gazing at the tents in the campsite, he pondered on how naive he used to be.

He had never realized that Hogwarts wasn't the sole School of Magic.