A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 618: An Unusual Banquet

On the evening of September 1st, a persistent drizzle enveloped the Hogwarts Express as it pulled into the Hogsmeade Station.

Ron and Hermione, braving the rain-soaked, muddy path, organized the excited young wizards into the carriages. Harry deliberately took his time, waiting until the platform was nearly empty before finding the opportunity to slip away. Thus, they were among the last to board the carriages.

"Those little rascals are quite a handful," Ron complained. "I suddenly crave French cuisine, what about you guys?"

"Anything works," Hermione said wearily.

As the carriage set in motion, dark clouds loomed overhead, casting the surroundings in dimmer light than usual. Raindrops drummed on the carriage roof, seeping inside, causing Harry to shiver. The carriage finally halted near the stone steps leading to the oak doors. Hermione, who had been dozing off, woke abruptly, jumped off the carriage, and urged, "Hurry up, you two!"

"She's definitely starving," Ron whispered to Harry in a hushed tone.

They joined the crowd, their footsteps echoing on the waterlogged stone steps. The bright entrance hall was visible in the distance, and the thought of sitting in the Great Hall and enjoying a feast warmed Harry's chilled body. He climbed the final steps in a rush.

A pair of shoes blocked his way.

"P-Professor?" Harry swallowed hard.

"After the feast, Harry, stay back. Professor Dumbledore and I need to take you somewhere," Felix said. He had waited in the cold wind at the entrance for nearly half an hour, fearing Harry had missed the train.

Valen, soaked to the fur, couldn't endure it any longer and ran off to the Great Hall.

Harry opened his mouth but swallowed the words he intended to say. "Alright."

Felix nodded at him and led him toward the Great Hall. "Professor?" Felix stopped and looked at Harry. Harry, shivering from the cold, asked, "Do I need to prepare something?"

"No need, oh, it's best to bring your wand, though."

Harry walked into the Great Hall with heavy steps.

The dining tables were lively, and as he sat down, Ron and Hermione exchanged puzzled glances with him. Harry shook his head. Unable to resist, he looked towards the professor's table. Professor Snape, beyond Professor McGonagall's vacant chair, was saying something to Headmaster Dumbledore in a hushed tone. Dumbledore nodded solemnly.

His heart sank bit by bit.

"I have already informed Harry. After the feast..."

"I understand," Dumbledore said solemnly. He picked up a fork and tapped the goblet, the crisp sound echoing in the hall. The commotion gradually subsided as students turned their attention to the professor's table. Some who had been chatting with classmates noticed something unusual.

"Two new professors!" Seamus exclaimed in surprise, counting each subject one by one, his face puzzled. "How come there's one more..."

"Professor McGonagall's seat is empty!"

...

"The one sitting next to Snape is Professor Slughorn, and next to Professor Snape is Professor Bathsheda." Harry whispered.

Hermione took a sharp breath, looking uneasy.

"What's wrong?"

"The number of chairs doesn't match, there's an extra one—"

At that moment, the door to the hall opened. Professor McGonagall led a line of young wizards, having them line up in front of the staff table. Then, she placed a dirty and battered hat on a small stool and stood aside, waiting.

The Sorting Hat began to sing aloud:

"I once adorned the head of the most outstanding duelist,

Though at that time, life was not yet breathed into me;

I am older than everything in this castle,

But don't think I'll never change.

The deeds of the four great founders,

Their tales echoed for a thousand years;

Who else in the world truly understands them?

Think about who carried on their thoughts!

Godric Gryffindor, the undefeated duelist,

Rowena Ravenclaw, unmatched in wisdom,

Helga Hufflepuff, generous and kind to all,

Salazar Slytherin, shrewd and unyielding.

Though my body may be decaying,

Their ideals are reborn in the students;

Four houses of great talents,

Together making Hogwarts renowned.

But let me pour cold water on you,

Single-mindedness leads only to strife.

Courage and recklessness are intertwined,

Wisdom and pride are intimately connected,

Kindness and weakness always transform,

Shrewdness and selfishness are only a thought away.

Now I stand before you,

To honestly recount that history;

I have fulfilled my duty, truthfully speaking—

Now, let the Sorting begin."

After the Sorting Hat finished speaking, there was complete silence in the hall. It felt like someone had pressed the pause button, and it took a few seconds before scattered applause broke out. Students whispered to each other, "This is the first time I've heard the Sorting Hat criticize the ideologies of all four houses." Ron exclaimed in surprise.

"But it does have the authority for it," Harry said, applauding along with others, though he found it a bit odd.

Usually, the Sorting Hat merely highlighted the qualities valued by each house and praised the four founders (with Slytherin sometimes being an exception). Last year was different; it issued a rare warning, urging students to unite, but that was because Voldemort was lurking outside the school.

Now that the war was over, Ginny even bet with Ron on the train, saying that the Sorting Hat would probably praise people for emerging from the shadow of war in a sentimental way.

Professor McGonagall was also a bit bewildered. She cleared her throat forcefully, and the murmurs below ceased. She took out a long scroll of the new student list and began reading the names.

"Turls Elimo."

"Quite distinctive," Professor Binns commented from the staff table.

Felix smiled faintly, scanning the hall. Students and professors had different reactions to the Sorting Hat's song. For example, Slughorn, who had been loudly networking with many professors, was now silent and frowned.

He glanced at Dumbledore, then subtly looked at Grindelwald with his peripheral vision. Grindelwald's beard trembled slightly.

Perhaps he's weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Felix thought. He knew that Dumbledore had used his position and offered protection as an excuse to win Slughorn over. But at that time, Voldemort had not yet been defeated, and Slughorn did not want to expose himself openly.

Now that the war was over, the cunning old walrus could no longer hold back.

But this also brought a benefit; Severus finally got the position he coveted.

"Toby Gilbert."

Felix looked at the Sorting Hat, keenly sensing the focus of this year's Sorting Hat song — similar to last year — calling for unity among students. However, these two situations were different; last year was because of external threats, and this year might be due to internal reasons.

Did the Sorting Hat hear something from Dumbledore?

He looked at Grindelwald, who was enthusiastic and content. Felix thought the direction was quite obvious — the old man's power had severely diminished, and all he could do now was talk. Although Felix had jokingly teased Grindelwald about this year's Dark Arts Defense class book list, he didn't think the once aspiring ruler of Muggles would easily bow to his peaceful ideals.

Using his book as a target for criticism was about right.

Felix had already made up his mind; he had to attend a couple of classes when he had the time. He had put effort into writing his book and couldn't let Grindelwald misinterpret it.

"Hubert Zenobia."

"Slytherin!"

The Sorting Ceremony finally ended. Professor McGonagall walked over to pick up the Sorting Hat and chair. "Please wait, Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore suddenly spoke. McGonagall stood still, hesitating, and asked, "Albus?"

Dumbledore agilely stood up, his steps light. He smiled and said, "I'm just curious. If it were now, what house would I be sorted into?" He picked up the Sorting Hat, turned his arm to put it on his head, and sat somewhat comically on the small stool.

The hall erupted.

Although their stomachs were growling with hunger, students stood up, eagerly anticipating. "He's gone mad!" Hermione exclaimed. "No, this is just normal!" Harry and Ron said in unison. All students stared at Dumbledore without blinking.

"What do you think he's up to?"

"Don't know, but it'll be fun if the Sorting Hat puts him in a different house!"

"Maybe that's what he wants!"

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