HP: Azkaban's Outstanding Graduate

"I...I'm much better now, thank you, Professor..."

He responded weakly, his heart overflowing with gratitude for surviving the ordeal and thanks to the professor before him.

Hermione and Ron breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes filled with genuine admiration as they looked at Lupin.

"What was that just now?" the three asked, still shaken.

“Dementors!” Professor Lupin replied gently. “I guess they’re here to search for fugitives.”

His gaze then fell on Harry's forehead, and finally on Lochteis.

The raven had calmed down after the Dementors left, but it remained wary, its bright black eyes fixed on Lupin. Its gaze was unlike that of an ordinary bird; it was more like that of a human.

"A... raven?" Lupin raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "That's quite rare. It seemed to be trying to protect you just now?"

He looked at Harry.

“Its name is Lochteis, Professor,” Harry explained, gently stroking the raven’s feathers. “It is…Professor Greengrass’s messenger.”

“Greengrass?” Lupin was visibly taken aback when he heard the name.

A sharp glint flashed in his weary eyes, as if he had been touched by the name.

He looked at Lochtis again carefully, as if trying to discern something from the raven.

“Sagles Greengrass?” he asked, as if seeking confirmation.

“Yes, Professor!” Hermione immediately replied, her tone full of respect. “Professor Greengrass is our professor for Advanced Charms Theory and Practice, and he also teaches our Duel class! He is very… uh…”

“Very knowledgeable, very impressive,” Ron continued, recalling the several shocking moments the other man had displayed. He unconsciously lowered his voice and emphasized again, “Really… extremely impressive.”

“Well, not only that,” Harry said, regaining some of his composure, “Minister of Magic Fudge is very careful when speaking in his presence.”

Harry recalled Fudge's almost obsequious attitude towards Sacramento at the Leaky Cauldron.

Lu listened quietly to their description, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rough wooden handle of his wand.

His expression was calm, but deep in his eyes surged complex emotions.

Chapter 194 Opening Ceremony

The Hogwarts Express finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station.

The night wind, carrying fine raindrops, rushed towards me, but the familiar platform and Hagrid's signature loud voice brought a touch of warmth.

"First-year students! This way! Watch your step!"

Hagrid's loud voice stood out clearly amidst the noise.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione dragged their luggage off the train, preparing to search for the invisible Thestrals as they did every year, but their eyes were involuntarily drawn to the tall figure in the center of the platform.

“This is… Hagrid?” Ron’s mouth dropped open, his jaw almost falling to the ground.

That was indeed Hagrid, but... it was nothing like what they remembered.

He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, and his posture appeared exceptionally upright.

What's even more shocking is that his beard and hair, which were usually as unkempt as bushes, were now neatly combed and even had a sheen of hair oil.

His beard was carefully trimmed and braided into a thick but neat braid that hung down in front of his chest. His hair was also neatly combed back, revealing a broad but somewhat restrained forehead.

He was trying to straighten his back and make himself look more "proper," but his clumsy tugging at his bow tie betrayed his discomfort.

A group of anxious first-year students huddled around his feet like ducklings, looking up at this giant-like guide.

“Hagrid… what… what’s wrong with him?” Hermione whispered in surprise.

“He looked…” Harry struggled to find the right adjective, “like he was getting ready for a wedding…”

Just then, several empty horse-drawn carriages silently glided up in front of them.

The creature pulling the cart was clearly visible—a horse-like creature, skin and bones, entirely black, with huge bat wings.

Their eyes are white, empty and lifeless, exuding an aura of death.

The Night Steed.

As the three looked at these creatures, which only those who had witnessed death could see, a heavy feeling swept over them.

They turned away and silently boarded the same carriage.

Loctis landed on the roof of the carriage and quietly preened his feathers.

Its dark, bright eyes swept over the silent Thestrals, then looked at Hagrid in the distance, who was leading new life through the rain, seemingly with a hint of curiosity.

The carriage, pulled by the Thestrals, smoothly made its way to Hogwarts Castle.

Raindrops pattered on the roof of the car, and the interior was silent. The three of them seemed to still be immersed in the fright of the Dementors and the shock of Hagrid's dramatic transformation.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

The four long tables were gradually filled with chattering students, the candlelight flickering in the light of the floating pumpkin lanterns, and the air filled with the aroma of food and the excitement of returning to school.

Sagres sat in the teacher's seat, his long, slender fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth table in front of him.

He paid no attention to the noisy students below; his deep gaze seemed to pierce through the starry sky above the auditorium dome, and his thoughts returned to the grand investiture ceremony held by the Ministry of Magic in mid-August.

Memories slowly surfaced: the magnificent hall of the Ministry of Magic, crystal chandeliers reflecting dazzling light, impeccably dressed wizards raising their glasses in greeting, the air thick with insincere flattery and undercurrents of power.

The flashbulbs kept going off, focusing on the woman in the center of the auditorium, dressed in a gorgeous gown, with a polite smile but unable to hide her nervousness—Hummingbird.

He watched as she accepted the Order of Merlin First Class, a symbol of "outstanding service," from Umbridge, and listened as Minister for Magic Fudge praised her "loyalty" and "outstanding service to the wizarding world" in an exaggerated tone.

Sagres was sitting in the audience, clapping expressionlessly, with only a hint of cold mockery flashing in the depths of his eyes.

loyalty?

Indeed, loyal!

He sneered inwardly.

However, the object of their loyalty is questionable.

A carefully arranged chess piece was finally placed in a prominent position on the chessboard.

Lockhart... your good days are coming to an end.

At the next gathering of the Bronze Feathers, he will personally tell the Hummingbird that the carefully collected evidence, enough to nail Lockhart to his deathbed in Azkaban, can now be made public.

The other party was currently promoting his new book. Although he had aged, his influence had only grown stronger.

Let the fall of this world-renowned author help the hummingbird—Mirabella Rolsen—to ascend to the position of director of the St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Sicknesses.

Just as he was immersed in his cold, calculating scheme, a wind carrying the scent of earth and rain rushed into the auditorium.

Sagles's thoughts were pulled back to reality.

Hagrid's massive figure appeared at the doorway, leading the trembling first-year students inside.

His suit looked somewhat out of place among the group of wizards in their robes, but he tried to straighten his back and maintain his dignity.

The freshmen looked around curiously, and bursts of laughter and whispers filled the auditorium.

Then, Professor Lu Ping also came in.

His face was still sallow, showing the fatigue of the journey, but his steps were still relatively steady.

Lupin and Hagrid walked toward the faculty seating area. Hagrid sat down next to Professor McGonagall, while Lupin sat down in an empty seat next to Sagres, giving Sagres a slight nod in return.

Professor McGonagall left with Potter and Hermione, and the task of sorting the houses naturally fell to Professor Flitwick.

Sagles could tell that the other party had been looking forward to doing this job for a long time.

The short professor rubbed his hands excitedly and used a levitation charm to place the Sorting Hat on the bar stool. Immediately afterward, the Sorting Hat began to sing a song that it had been conceiving for a year, bringing the atmosphere in the Great Hall to a climax.

Then Professor Flitwick stood on the chair and began reading the long list of new students.

After cheers, the long line of new students dispersed and merged into the four long tables.

Finally, Professor Dumbledore stood up.

He opened his arms wide and said in his loud yet gentle voice, "Welcome! Welcome back to Hogwarts to begin a new school year!"

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted.

As the applause subsided, Dumbledore's smile faded and his expression turned serious: "Before the feast begins, I have a few things to tell you."

He looked around the Great Hall, his gaze sweeping over every young face. "First of all, I regret to inform you that all entrances to Hogwarts Castle and its grounds are currently guarded by Dementors stationed by the Ministry of Magic."

A collective gasp of alarm and uneasy murmurs filled the auditorium.

Harry and Hermione had just returned from Professor McGonagall's, and their faces turned green upon hearing the news.

“They are stationed at every entrance to the school,” Dumbledore continued, his voice clearly cutting through the murmurs. “While they are on guard, I must emphasize: no one may leave the school without permission. Understand that Dementors are not fooled by any disguise or trickery—not even the Invisibility Cloak!”

As he spoke, his gaze swept intentionally or unintentionally toward the twins. "They are born without the ability to ask or make excuses. Therefore, I warn each and every one of you: do not give them a reason to harm you. I hope that the prefects, and the newly appointed presidents of the male and female student councils, will ensure that no student will have any conflict with the Dementors."

The auditorium was silent, as if the shadow of the Dementors had already descended.

Dumbledore's tone softened, and a faint smile returned to his face: "On the more pleasant side, I am delighted to welcome two new professors to our ranks."

He turned to the teachers' seat.

“First,” Dumbledore said with a hint of regret, “given that Professor Lumina is unable to continue teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts due to the damage caused by the curse and will need to recuperate at St. Mungo’s for an extended period, her position will be temporarily filled by Professor Remus John Lupin.”

He reached out his hand to Lupin, who was standing next to Sagles.

Professor Lu Ping stood up somewhat awkwardly, bowed slightly to the students, and polite but not very enthusiastic applause rang out in the auditorium.

Many people were looking at his tattered robe and tired face.

Only Harry, Ron, and Hermione were clapping enthusiastically. Professor Lupin was a truly talented man, and he had even saved their lives on the train.

“Furthermore,” Dumbledore’s voice carried a hint of amusement, “Professor Kettleburn officially retired at the end of last semester, and Rupert Hagrid has agreed to retain his duties as game keeper while also taking on the role of professor of Magical Creatures Protection!”

He opened his arms toward Hagrid.

Hagrid jumped to his feet, his massive body nearly knocking over the chair. His weathered face flushed red, and his beard trembled with excitement.

He bowed awkwardly to all around, nearly knocking Professor McGonagall's hat off.

The Great Hall erupted in applause and cheers far more enthusiastic than before, especially at the Gryffindor table, which practically boiled over.

Fred and George stood up and whistled loudly, while Ron and Harry clapped their hands excitedly until they were red. Hermione smiled happily, genuinely pleased for Hagrid.