Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 9 Freshman Banquet
"What's the purpose? Haven't you heard?"

Levi glanced at Snape with a strange expression.

"What did you hear?"

He noticed Li Wei's expression, and his thoughts paused for a moment—he suddenly realized that because of Li Wei's low profile, he hadn't updated the other's status for a long time.

"I was invited in by Dumbledore. If you don't know why, why don't you go and ask him yourself?"

Li Wei shook his head and left—Snape's attitude made it seem as if he had deliberately planned to come to Hogwarts to teach.

Although his thoughts have changed slightly, it's not Snape's place to comment.

After that, Snape did not bother Levi again, and he successfully helped Filch complete the Great Hall setup.

Before the sun had even set, they had everything ready. Levi even cleaned and maintained the castle armor, saving Filch a lot of trouble.

"Thank you, thank you. You're the new Professor Li Wei, right?"

Filch thanked him somewhat awkwardly, then gave him a serious reminder.

"You need to be careful of those troublemakers at school, like the Weasley brothers. They see you as a new professor and might play pranks on you later."

"Thanks for reminding me, I will."

Li Wei nodded, seemingly unconcerned about Filch's attitude.

While he still had some free time, he checked on the progress of his two teaching assistants, and before he knew it, it was getting dark.

"Let's stop here for now. Don't miss the freshmen dinner. The Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony is quite interesting, and you can go and have a look. If you're interested, I'll ask Professor McGonagall if she can privately sort you into a different house as well."

Joe and Camille nodded and obediently followed behind Li Wei.

Upon entering the auditorium, Camille let out a soft gasp, and Jowell seemed somewhat dazed.

They silently gazed up at the ceiling of the auditorium, where hundreds of burning candles shimmered, the starlight twinkled, and ghosts, gleaming with a hazy silver light, moved about.
Li Wei turned his head and looked at their performance, suddenly feeling a little guilty – had he neglected their studies in other areas over the years?

On the surface, Joe Verri appears very mature, but now it seems more like he's imitating his behavior; in reality, he's still a child at heart.

Let's not even mention Jia Meier.

"You guys use the Disillusionment Charm to watch from behind. I'll come find you after this is over."

Li Wei bid farewell to the two men and sat down at the long table representing the teachers.

Before long, some noise came from outside the door, which quickly grew louder and included the excited shouts of children.

But soon, the noise subsided, and the senior students filed in like quails and quickly took their seats.

Then, Professor McGonagall, like a lead hen, walked ahead, guiding one chick after another into the hall.

As Professor McGonagall moved out a four-cornered stool and placed the dirty Sorting Hat on it, an unusual singing voice suddenly rang out.

You might not think I'm pretty.

But never judge a book by its appearance,
If you can find a prettier hat than mine,
I can eat myself.

The Sorting Hat gave a playful performance, which drew thunderous applause from the audience.

Li Wei rested his chin on his hand, watching one young wizard after another put on the Sorting Hat, anxiously awaiting their place in the house.

Such a scene, full of youthful energy and vitality, can make one smile with emotion just by watching it; it truly evokes a sense of nostalgia.

While Li Wei was admiring the new students, many senior students also turned their attention to him.

"Cool, a new face! I bet that's our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"He looks a bit too young, but he has a lot of charisma. Does he look like a star player on a Quidditch team? Is there such a person?" "Whoever it is—do you guys still have any expectations for this course? I've completely given up. Without expectations, there's no harm. I advise you to embrace the new professor with the mindset of wasting another year, just like me."

After a year of being tormented by Professor Quirrell, the students of Hogwarts had largely come to understand how absurd Defense Against the Dark Arts was in their school.

They all wasted a whole year! Not a single step forward! Every day they just spent their time in class reading some boring, absurd tales like vampires!

Older students have completely given up hope and are now seeking other paths.

In fact, this is not a recent phenomenon; Hogwarts' educational problems have been accumulating for a long time.

Even many officials in the Ministry of Magic can't even cast a single Armor Charm properly—it may look a bit awkward, but it's an undeniable fact in the British magical community.

From a rational perspective, Voldemort's curse is indeed powerful, even Dumbledore couldn't break it? Or is it just a coincidence that has lasted for decades?

Li Wei noticed a group of students talking about him, but he didn't pay attention.

After the Sorting Ceremony, Levi approached Professor McGonagall, hoping that his two assistants could also play with the Sorting Hat, but was sternly refused.

"The Sorting Hat is one of the oldest and most sacred properties of Hogwarts. Its purpose is to sort new students into different houses, not to provide a place for them to 'experience' or 'test' themselves."

"I'm sorry, Levi, but they are not Hogwarts students, so I won't let them use the Sorting Hat."

"Okay, I understand."

Li Wei nodded and was about to leave when he saw Snape, looking menacing, escorting a boy with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Behind them followed a cowering red-haired boy.

"Professor McGonagall!"

Snape was about to speak when he saw Levi standing to the side.

His face showed visible disgust—before he could do anything, Li Wei left immediately.

Only after leaving the auditorium with his two assistants did he belatedly realize what had happened.

'Were those Harry Potter and Ron Weasley just now?'

It seems the plot has indeed begun.

He turned to look at his two assistants.

"Sorry, it seems the Sorting Hat isn't something you can easily play with. I'll see if I get another chance later."

"It's just a boring ceremony, not worth your trouble."

Camille directly expressed her disdain for the Sorting Hat, her expression almost icy, while Jowell smiled and advised Levi to stop worrying about it.

After the door closed, Ron let out a long, soft whistle.

“I thought we were in trouble,” he said, grabbing a sandwich.

“Me too.” Harry grabbed a piece as well.

The two went to school in a magical car, which was witnessed by many Muggles. They also bumped into the Whomping Willow and caused quite a bit of trouble, and at one point they thought they were going to be expelled.

But Professor McGonagall forgave them.

Since no punishment was imposed, the two quickly forgot how serious the matter was and began talking about other things.

Ron was already planning to brag about it, and Harry was secretly pleased—this was the adventurous spirit buried deep within Gryffindor.

Today, they have one more thing to talk about.

“Harry, do you remember? The cool guy standing next to Professor McGonagall just now, I have a feeling he must be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.”

(End of this chapter)