Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 290 The Horn Sounds Again

This was perhaps the most special opening banquet ever, with both professors and students sitting at their respective college tables whispering among themselves.

The professors discussed the horrific attack, their expressions grave. The students, however, were more interested in sharing rumors they'd heard over the summer, and some even tried to explain the attackers' actions to the newly promoted sophomores, eliciting expressions of shock and fear, along with hushed gasps.

Hermione and Ron had barely settled back into their seats when the Great Hall doors opened. Professor McGonagall, as always, led the way with a roll of parchment, while the little ones behind her looked much better.

That's understandable. Seeing Hogwarts Castle by carriage and by boat are two completely different experiences. In addition, the ceiling of the Great Hall has been carefully decorated tonight, making it even more cozy. This will undoubtedly soothe the wounded hearts of the little ones.

Professor McGonagall waved her hand, telling the little ones to stay where they were, and then walked to the area below the podium. She nodded to Dumbledore, who was in the center of the professors' table, and then waved her wand. The Sorting Hat flew over and landed safely on the round stool placed below the podium.

After the Sorting Hat sang a song, the Sorting Ceremony officially began.

Professor McGonagall called each of the little ones up, the Sorting Hat gave the sorting results, and the little ones went to their respective house tables.

This time, the atmosphere finally improved, and familiar cheers and applause rang out, somewhat dispelling the previous gloom. By the end of the Sorting Ceremony, it seemed no different from previous years.

After Professor McGonagall put away the parchment, lifted her dark green dress, and returned to her seat at the professor's table, Dumbledore stood up.

He pushed up his glasses with his right hand, and only then did Hermione, Harry, and Ron notice the change in his hand.

"I know everyone has been waiting a long time, so let's eat!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a sumptuous dinner was laid out on the long table. Ron picked up a fried chicken leg, took a bite, and leaned closer to Harry, whispering, "Harry, you saw that just now, didn't you? Dumbledore's hand..."

"I see it." Harry forked a piece of steak onto his plate, but his brow was furrowed. "Something's not right."

"Of course something's wrong," Hermione finally spoke, putting some salad on her plate. "There's no reason for an injury like that to heal so quickly."

"I bet he definitely tried Fox's Tears right after he got injured. But the last time we saw him, his hand wasn't healed yet..."

"But that's a good thing, isn't it?" Ron said.

"I don't know," Hermione shook her head, "but it can't get any worse, can it?"

"I hope so," Harry said softly, his brow furrowed with worry. He had foreseen the outcome of the battle—a draw in both sides. Although Ike's injuries seemed more severe, Dumbledore's wouldn't be much less serious.

So, is this relaxed demeanor just an act?

"Forget it, don't think about it too much. We're back at Hogwarts now, those guys won't come in." Ron put the chicken bones aside and poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice. "It's safe here."

"Of course." Harry nodded; he agreed with Ron on this point.

As long as Dumbledore is there, there is safety.

Hermione glanced up at Harry and Ron across from her, then looked down and started eating the salad on her plate, not saying anything more.

Gradually, everyone finished eating, and the atmosphere returned to its usual joyful and relaxed state. Then, Dumbledore stood up again, clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention, and said, "Before the new term begins, there are a few things I need to say..."

"The Forbidden Forest remains off-limits to all students, especially first-year students."

"Mr. Filch, the administrator, once again earnestly requests that I remind everyone not to cast spells in the hallways and not to bring any joke items purchased from the Weasley Wizarding Room."

"Students who want to join the Quidditch team, please give your name to the Dean as usual. At the same time, we are also looking for a new Quidditch commentator; those who are interested should also register with the Dean."

"Also, as you may have noticed, we are delighted to welcome a new faculty member this year, Professor Slughorn!"

Dumbledore was the first to applaud, and Slughorn stood up with a smile, waved to everyone, and then sat down.

"This is a former colleague of mine who agreed to return to his old profession as a Potions teacher."

"Potions class?"

Potions Class!

The auditorium erupted in uproar; everyone thought they had misheard.

"At the same time..." Dumbledore suddenly raised his voice, "Professor Snape will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts!"

"No!" Harry shouted, his voice ringing out loudly amidst the cacophony.

He glared angrily at Snape on the professors' table, watching him lazily raise his hand toward the cheering Slytherin table, and noticing the smug look on his face.

"Harry, didn't you say..." Ron tugged at Harry's sleeve and asked, "Professor Slughorn was going to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"I thought it was him," Harry said, trying to recall what Dumbledore had told him. Only then did he realize that Dumbledore had never explicitly told him what Slughorn was going to teach.

The hall was in complete chaos, with some screaming in despair and others shouting with glee. Dumbledore cleared his throat and waited for everyone to quiet down before continuing to speak.

"Everyone in this hall knows that Voldemort and his entourage are causing trouble again, and their power is growing."

"I need to emphasize that the current situation is extremely dangerous. Just a few hours ago, we experienced an attack and paid a heavy price for it..."

"Some people left us forever in that battle," Dumbledore's voice turned somber. "The lessons of blood and pain taught us that everyone must be extremely cautious to ensure their own safety."

"Some of you may have heard that the castle's magical defenses were strengthened during the summer holidays, but that doesn't mean we can let our guard down!"

"Every teacher and student must remain vigilant at all times and must never let their guard down!"

Dumbledore paused, his sharp eyes sweeping over everyone in the Great Hall.

"I demand!" he said sternly, "You must strictly abide by every safety rule set by the teacher, no matter how annoying those rules are, you must strictly follow them, especially the rule that you are not allowed to get up and go out after lights out!"

"Whether on or off campus, everyone must immediately report any unusual or suspicious activity to the teacher!"

"I hope that, for your own safety and the safety of others, you will all restrain your behavior."

"Whether you like it or not, the facts are there..."

"The war has begun!"

"They're all around us!"

(End of this chapter)