Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle

In the evening, Hermione, dressed in a black wizard robe, walked out of the express train and followed the platform signs for a distance. Dozens of Thestrals, of which only the carriages were visible, were waiting there.

Hermione could only hear sporadic clatter of horses' hooves, but couldn't see any sign of any mounts. Thinking of her two friends, she took a deep breath, drew aside the curtains, got into the car, and merged into the traffic returning to school in the deep night.

In the distance, the deep blue sky was dotted with scattered stars. Two of them flashed by, like the headlights of a Ford Anglia, racing across the fields of the Scottish Highlands.

……

The magic dome was a starry sky on a midsummer night, colorful candles floated in the air in the auditorium, metal tableware was placed on the dining table, and the bubbles in the champagne in the glass burst, releasing a slightly sweet aroma.

The professors had taken their seats in advance. Dumbledore was wearing a gold and red robe, his long silver beard was tied together with silver silk satin, his half-moon glasses sparkled in the candlelight, and he had a gentle smile on his face.

Even more eye-catching than him was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, who was wearing a blue and gold robe embroidered with silver lines and an impeccable smile. His white teeth even reflected the candlelight, sparkling.

Lockhart sat next to the headmaster, holding the goblet with dignity. He swirled it slowly for a long time, took a sip, and frowned slightly. "The glass wasn't placed on ice to cool it down beforehand, so the temperature isn't right."

"Oh, after the dinner, I told the kitchen to pay attention next time." Dumbledore accepted the advice humbly.

"Actually, this is already pretty good. I blame my tongue for being so picky and sensitive. I once tasted it in the Marne Valley in France..."

Lockhart spoke modestly, but his expression clearly said otherwise. He probably felt that just like Dumbledore, he was attracting everyone's attention and shining brightly just sitting there.

He pretended to casually glance at the professors at the table next to him, but his eyes were actually fixed on Melvin. The young professor was wearing a light blue casual suit, a shirt but no tie, and looked relaxed and casual as if he was at home.

He was talking to Flitwick in a low voice. He was indeed handsome, but his clothes were very ordinary.

Lockhart secretly admired his own wise decision. Yesterday afternoon, he was strolling in Diagon Alley and happened to come across a newspaper from a year ago in Flourish and Blotts. He saw the cover photo and found that his outfit was very eye-catching, so he took out the dress he wore when he was awarded the Order of Merlin.

His dress was better than the professor of the elective course, and his youth and handsomeness surpassed the old headmaster. When he thought about it carefully, Lockhart even felt that the gap in strength between himself and Dumbledore had narrowed. With the popularity brought by his best-selling books, he might even be more popular than Dumbledore.

Lockhart felt a little dizzy after taking a few sips of champagne.

"..."

Melvin was sitting next to Professor Flitwick and of course noticed his frequent glances. He knew very well what he was planning. Back when shadow mirrors were at their peak of popularity, this colleague had publicly announced in the newspapers that he was willing to provide his memories to show his adventures.

"Professor Lewinter!"

Lockhart, having triumphed in a comparison known only to himself, approached with his glass raised. "I know you're a foreign professor, and you might not be very familiar with me. Let me introduce myself. I'm the best-selling author in the British wizarding world, a recipient of the Order of Merlin, an honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League, a legendary adventurer, a traveler, a protector of remote villages, a close friend of the housewife witch, I have the perfect smile, and now, a professor at Hogwarts."

"Nice to meet you, Professor Lockhart."

Melvin listened to his self-introduction, not knowing what was in his mind, and tried hard to suppress the urge to laugh out loud.

After clinking glasses and watching him return to his seat, he turned his head and said to Professor Flitwick, "I don't think the main guest table can accommodate so many people."

"Ha ha……"

Several professors of elective courses nearby couldn't help but chuckle. Also sitting at the same table were Professor Barbling, Professor Victor, and Professor Kettleburn. After laughing, they looked at Professor Flitwick with subtle and strange expressions.

In fact, this is the exclusive seat for professors of elective courses. Dean Flitwick should sit in the front, but that seat is occupied by Lockhart.

This legendary adventurer often attends various banquets throughout the year, and he obviously regards the Hogwarts opening dinner as that kind of occasion. He makes sure to stand in the eye of the storm at the venue, becoming the most dazzling star in the room and attracting the attention of all the guests.

"What an outstanding Ravenclaw graduate, isn't he? Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw?"

Hearing Professor Babbling's teasing, Flitwick lowered his head in shame. Seeing the graduates of his own academy behaving like this, even with the thick skin brought by his elf blood, he still felt hot.

Although his title and experience sound impressive, as long as you get to know him and chat with him for a few minutes, you will know that his shiny appearance is filled with straw. He is keen on showing off himself, but he actually has no talent at all.

The thought of working with such a wizard for at least a year made Flitwick feel that the road ahead was bleak.

Melvin had a happy smile on his face as he listened to the professors of the elective course rubbing salt into Professor Flitwick's wounds. He soon felt Flitwick's resentful gaze, coughed lightly twice, and talked to Sprout about the cultivation of snake trees.

"Melvin, I must say that this snake tree in Ilvermorny is different from other plants."

"Sounds like you're in trouble?"

"Those branches are full of vitality, but in order to make them take root and sprout, they need a unique magical power, and I don't understand what this magic is yet." Sprout felt very sorry that the rare and magical plants were right in front of him, but he couldn't cultivate them.

Unique magic...

Melvin's heart moved slightly, and he guessed that this magic would eventually fall on Salazar Slytherin. This legendary wizard had been dead for nearly a thousand years, and he could only find a way to get information from his successor, Senior Riddle.

Go back and continue writing your diary at night.

There was no way to explain these things to the professor, so Melvin could only say, "Take your time."

Professor Sprout sighed and nodded.

There was a commotion in the hallway.

The clatter of footsteps and the buzz of voices followed the students as they poured into the auditorium. After two months, those familiar faces had undergone subtle yet noticeable changes: less youthfulness, more freckles and pimples.

Professor McGonagall had her hair tied tightly into a bun as she went to the entrance hall to greet the freshmen and took them to the side hall to wait patiently. She was fine when she left, but when she came back to put the Sorting Hat away, her expression turned ugly, her lips were tightly pursed together, and her movements were a little rough.

She murmured, "How dare they... How dare they!"

"Unbelievable!"

"..."

The students near the front row didn't dare to say a word, for fear of offending the vice-principal.

In the guest of honor seats, the professors looked at each other, not knowing what was going on. Professor Flitwick was about to ask when he suddenly heard Snape sneer.

With a sarcastic look on his face, he slowly took out a copy of the latest Evening Prophet and passed it to others to circulate.

The headline on the front page was in bold: "Ford Anglia Can Fly, Muggles Amazed!"

Melvin secretly admired in his heart that the Daily Prophet was indeed the most authoritative wizarding newspaper. The reporters and photographers were very professional. Before Harry and Ron arrived at the school in their flying car, the newspaper had already been printed and delivered to the school.

"Two Muggles in London were convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office building... At noon in Norfolk, while Mrs. Heidi Baylis was hanging out the laundry... Mr. Angus Fleet of Peebles reported it to the police... There were six or seven Muggles in total."

Lockhart finished reading the newspaper, slapped it on the table, and laughed heartily: "Ha! What a show-off!"

"If you ask me, this is nothing. I also thought about these things when I was young. Isn't that the case with all students?" He winked playfully. "Even our Harry Potter is no exception. Once they read my adventure stories, they will understand what is right!"

"..."

Although his noise was very annoying, this matter was not too serious.

Although the leak violated the confidentiality law, it did not cause any casualties or major damage, and only spread within a small area. Considering that the offenders were two second-year students, it was impossible to put them in jail.

The Whomping Willow was doomed to fail, and Melvin mourned silently in his heart.

Oh, and Arthur.

If the Ministry of Magic holds the parents accountable, the nature of the matter may change. As an employee of the Office Prohibiting the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts, secretly keeping a Muggle car and illegally modifying it... he will be fined at least three months' salary.

The newspaper was circulated in the guest seats, and the Sorting Hat in front was ready. A few minutes later, Professor McGonagall led the freshmen into the hall.

They had young faces, some were nervous, some were eager to try, and when they heard the Sorting Hat's song, their eyes widened and rolled around.

"Edgar Shacklebolt!" Professor McGonagall called out one by one as she followed the parchment list.

"Slytherin!" The Sorting Hat made the decision in just five seconds.

"Godwin Randall."

"Slytherin!"

"..."

When Colin Creevey was called, Professor McGonagall noticed two figures arriving late at the entrance of the auditorium. Her expression grew increasingly grim, and she turned back to glance at the guest of honor. Before the headmaster could make a decision, Snape had already stood up and left through the side door next to the guest of honor.

Several professors looked at each other and shrugged helplessly.

It looks like Harry and Ron are going to be in trouble too.

Melvin prayed silently for them.

The incident did not interrupt the sorting ceremony. The young wizards in front of the guest seats stepped forward in order, put on the sorting hats nervously, and then walked towards the four college tables. The professors watched the whole process with gentle smiles.

This was Melvin's second time participating in the Hogwarts sorting ceremony. The process was similar to introducing oneself in class. For those freshmen who made an impression, the sorting ceremony would make their names and colleges known in a short period of time.

But there is only one name as famous as Harry Potter.

Among ordinary students, the surnames of the twenty-eight pure-blood families are the most well-known and are generally sorted into Slytherin.

Then there was Rolf Scamander, with his naturally curly hair. He was Newt Scamander's grandson and was sorted into the Hufflepuff team under the expectant gaze of Sprout and Kettleburn.

Others include Ginny Weasley from Gryffindor, Luna Lovegood from Ravenclaw, and a witch named Stellanus Nienia, who is extremely talented and whose parents are said to be voodoo researchers.

"Welcome!"

Dumbledore stood up and looked at the young wizards with a broad smile. "Welcome everyone back to Hogwarts to start the new school year! I know some of you fans can't wait, but I'm more accustomed to introducing new professors after the banquet."

“Now, let’s enjoy our meal!”

All kinds of food appeared on the table out of thin air, the aroma was fragrant, the metal knives and forks shook, and made crisp clinking sounds when they collided.

At the Gryffindor table, several girls were having their meal while talking about the star. Their voices were filled with uncontrollable eagerness and excitement. Even steak and roast chicken could not stop them from talking.

"Have you watched 'Magic Me'?"

"I saw it! I even went to a book signing!"

"..."

Hermione sat absent-mindedly on the bench, listening to their discussion. She unconsciously looked at the professor on the stage, then thought of her friend who had just been taken away by Snape. She held the cutlery tightly in her hands and looked out the door worriedly.

"I think 'Holiday with a Dominatrix' is better!"

How does that book compare to Traveling on a Ship with a Vampire?

Hermione frowned slightly and turned around to join the discussion, but when the words came to her lips, she thought of her friends and turned to look at the door... Her eyes and neck turned like this several times, and her head soon became dizzy and could not move anymore.

Just as she closed her eyes to rest, Lavender poked her arm: "Hermione, Hermione, who do you think is more powerful, Professor Lockhart or Professor Lewynter?"

Hermione was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at the two professors, her eyebrows tightly knitted together, and she couldn't help but feel conflicted.

She had read all those autobiographical books. Although Professor Lockhart looked a little strange and his expressions and movements were like a peacock with its tail spread out, his adventures were very exciting and his magical skills were powerful.

Professor Lewinter is younger and more knowledgeable. He always has profound and unique insights into problems and phenomena. He can guide students to think unconsciously and has the wisdom of both wizards and Muggles.

Hermione hesitated for a moment and shook her head: "I don't know..."

"We think it's Professor Lockhart. He's dealt with so many dark creatures before, so he's more powerful!"

Hermione was a bit of a nitpicker. Although she couldn't come to a conclusion herself, she was happy to refute others' conclusions: "I don't think so. Professor Lewynter can easily defeat the troll, and the dark wizard! Remember last year's Halloween?"

"But--"

"No buts! That night in the Forbidden Forest, I witnessed Professor Lewynter saving the unicorn from the dark wizard."

Hermione's mind stopped racing as she faced off against her roommates, refuting every objection they made, occasionally taking a sip of juice to moisten her throat, her mind working at full speed and her expression focused.

She paused occasionally as she thought.