Chapter 488: Group Portrait in the Auditorium

Chapter 488: Group Portrait in the Auditorium
When night fell, the train slowly stopped at the station. Everyone took the Thestral carriage to the castle and sat down in the auditorium.

The teachers' seats were already full. Unlike in the original book, Hagrid had returned and was now sitting at his seat at the end of the table in the professors' seats. When the students took their seats, he excitedly greeted Harry and the others.

And in the seat that usually belonged to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was the most unlikable character in the entire original series - Dolores Pink Toad Umbridge.

At this time, the sorting ceremony began. The faces of the first-year students were pale under the candlelight. Several children in the team seemed to be trembling. It was normal for them to feel uneasy as they were being stared at by so many wizards and were about to decide which house they would be assigned to.

The whole school held their breath and waited. The slit next to the brim of the Sorting Hat opened like a mouth and started singing.

The song sung by the Sorting Hat this year is different from previous years. Usually, the Sorting Hat only describes the different qualities valued by the four Hogwarts houses and its own mission to sort students into houses. However, what is a bit strange this year is that the Sorting Hat actually gave students advice to unite.

This made many students feel a little uneasy.

On the Slytherin table.

Xie Ling lazily supported his chin, narrowed his eyes slightly, stared at the Sorting Hat that had just calmed down, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, as if he was thinking about something.

"That's weird." Daphne frowned, her eyes scrutinizing. "The Sorting Hat sings every year, but this time it specifically emphasizes 'unity'? What is it warning about?"

Astoria held her chin and said meaningfully, "I remember it issued a similar warning before. It should be out of some kind of premonition... Maybe, this year... the situation outside will change a lot."

Xie Ling raised the corner of his mouth slightly and chuckled, "It doesn't matter what it hints at. We have been prepared for a long time. In fact, our chance may be coming soon."

Daphne casually flipped her hair and smiled, "That also means this year is going to be fun."

At the Gryffindor table.

Ron wrinkled his nose, still chewing a piece of pie in his mouth: "This damn hat is making a fuss again. Can it predict the future?"

"Don't say that." Hermione retorted immediately, with a trace of worry on her face, "The Sorting Hat was made with the wisdom of the four founders. It knows Hogwarts better than anyone else. Since it specifically emphasizes unity, it means..."

"It means Hogwarts might be in trouble," Harry whispered, frowning and feeling vaguely uneasy.

Neville rubbed his hands nervously: "Do you think something bad is going to happen again?"

Ron said as he ate: "Don't think too much about it. It's just a hat. What does it know?"

Hermione didn't answer, but just bit her lip, as if wondering what the Sorting Hat's warning meant, while Harry unconsciously stroked the scar on his forehead. Although he was also feeling uneasy, he didn't agree with what the Sorting Hat said - there was no way he could unite with the Slytherin group.

……

As usual, Dumbledore put his speech after the dinner, which made the young wizards breathe a sigh of relief and start attacking the delicious food on the table.

Only after the little wizards had eaten and drunk their fill and put down their knives and forks did Dumbledore stand up again and begin to talk about the things to pay attention to during the school year.

For the senior students, these words were just the same old tune, and they were not much different every year. There were only some rules such as not entering the Forbidden Forest and not performing magic in the corridor. Only Filch's prohibited list would add a few new things every year, but no one would pay much attention to it.

"This year, we have a change in teaching staff - we are pleased to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was polite but not very enthusiastic applause in the Great Hall, and Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged slightly nervous glances.

Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place at -"

He suddenly stopped talking and looked at Professor Umbridge inquiringly. Since she was not much taller when she stood up than when she was sitting, no one understood why Dumbledore suddenly stopped talking for a moment. At this time, Professor Umbridge cleared her throat: "Ahem." Everyone realized that she had stood up and was about to speak.

Dumbledore showed only a moment of surprise, then he sat down alertly and looked intently at Professor Umbridge. There was a murmur among the students in the hall. This scene was really strange to watch, and the other teachers could not hide their surprise cleverly. Professor Sprout's eyebrows almost jumped into her floating hair, and Professor McGonagall pursed her lips tightly.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge said with a smirk, "thank you for such a warm welcome."

"The Ministry of Magic has always believed that educating young wizards is a very important matter. Some of the precious talents you are born with may be fruitless if they are not cultivated and exercised under careful and careful guidance. Unique to the wizarding world Ancient skills must be passed down from generation to generation or they will be lost. The precious treasury of magical knowledge accumulated by our ancestors must be protected, replenished and perfected by those who are fortunate enough to engage in the noble profession of education."

Umbridge's long and boring speech made Shalling drowsy.

The students were whispering, talking, and giggling, and the auditorium was noisy.

Draco was saying something to Pansy with a look of disdain on his face. Pansy kept nodding, seeming to agree with what he said. Daphne supported her cheek with one hand, as if she was about to fall asleep on the table at any moment.

The others were similar. At the Ravenclaw table, Zhang Qiu was chatting with her friends. When Xie Lin looked over, he met her gaze, but Zhang Qiu responded with a slightly shy smile. Luna, who was a few seats away from her, was reading "The Quibbler" as if no one was around.

At the Hufflepuff table, Ernie Macmillan was one of the few students still staring at Professor Umbridge, but his eyes were dull and lifeless. It was estimated that he was just pretending to listen carefully in order not to disappoint the brand new, shiny badge of the prefect on his chest.

However, the teachers listened very carefully. Hermione seemed to be concentrating on every word Umbridge said, but from her expression, she did not like what she heard.

It was not until she finished her speech and sat down that Dumbledore began to applaud, and the other teachers followed suit, but some of them only clapped once or twice before putting their hands down.

A dozen students also applauded. Sherillin recognized these students, most of their parents worked in the Ministry of Magic, but more students only listened to two or three sentences and then became distracted. They did not realize that the speech was over. Before they started to applaud, Dumbledore had already stood up.

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge. Your speech was very inspiring." He bowed to her. "Well, as I said just now, the selection of the Quidditch team will be held on Friday of this week. Students who are interested in joining the college team should contact their respective deans."

"Also, I have something important to announce—"

For a moment, the atmosphere in the entire hall stagnated slightly, and the students held their breath and pricked up their ears to listen. "This October, Hogwarts will launch an exchange student program with ten other famous magic schools." Dumbledore paused, and sure enough, the hall immediately exploded.

"Other magic schools?"

"Besides Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, what else?"

"Great! Can we go to other schools too?"

There was a lot of discussion, and even some people in Slytherin showed interest. Dumbledore raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet, and continued with a smile:
"This exchange student program will involve ten magic schools including Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. All students in the fifth grade and above can apply. There are only two places available. I hope that interested students will sign up. However -" Dumbledore pushed his glasses and said with a bit of mischievous humor, "travel and living expenses are to be borne by the students themselves."

The entire auditorium was instantly filled with discussions, and many people excitedly whispered to each other, talking about the school they most wanted to go to.

"That's great! I wonder which schools are there?" Several Ravenclaw girls discussed excitedly.

Hermione's eyes flickered, and she was obviously thinking about the academic value of it, while Harry looked at her hesitantly: "Hermione, will you sign up?"

Hermione frowned slightly and whispered, "If it's Beauxbatons or Ilvermony, the academic resources should be quite rich...but if I leave Hogwarts for a whole semester, I have to think about it."

Ron, however, grumbled with a frown, "Pay for the trip yourself? I only saved up less than five Sickles for Merlin's socks..."

"It seems you have no choice but to stay in Hogwarts." Hermione glanced at him and ruthlessly shattered his fantasy.

At the Slytherin table, Draco was also thinking, but soon shook his head. Pansy noticed his expression and asked, "You're not going?"

"I have more important things to do." Draco said coldly, "The Quidditch season is about to begin. As the captain, I can't abandon the team at this time."

"Indeed." Pansy nodded, obviously having no objection to the decision.

On the other side, Blaise Sabini was extremely excited. He smiled and murmured, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."

"What chance?" asked Nott.

Blaise smiled meaningfully, glanced at the little witches in the hall, and sighed softly: "All the outstanding witches in Hogwarts have been snatched away by that fellow Sherin, and we can't find a suitable female companion at all. I don't want to spend my seven years of study at Hogwarts alone, so I'm going to find a girlfriend in another magic school."

Nott was stunned for a moment, then rolled his eyes: "Are you so sure that you would be more popular in another school?"

"At least it's more hopeful than living under Sherin's shadow." Blaise shrugged and continued with anticipation, "Just think about it, Beauxbatons, Ilvermony, Kodostorize... maybe there's a group of charming witches waiting for me in one of these schools."

At the same time, Dumbledore continued, "Please make a decision as soon as possible if you are interested in registering. The registration deadline is September 15th, and the students who finally get a place will officially set off on October 1st."

He paused slightly, glanced at the audience, and added in a gentle tone: "At the same time, exchange students from other schools will also arrive at Hogwarts on the same day. I hope that everyone can warmly welcome them and let them feel the warmth of Hogwarts."

As soon as these words were spoken, heated discussions broke out again in the auditorium.

"What kind of student do you think it will be?"

"I hope it's not a quiet guy like Krum."

"Will there be students from the African Wagadou School of Magic? I heard that their witchcraft and spell systems are completely different!"

All kinds of speculation spread in the auditorium, and the atmosphere became lively because of this sudden news. Many students have begun to look forward to the arrival of future exchange students.

……

There was a sound of tables, chairs and benches colliding all around, and it was obvious that Dumbledore had announced the dismissal of all teachers and students in the school.

The students of Hogwarts stood up one after another and walked towards their respective lounges in twos and threes. The hall was still echoing with whispers, and many people were discussing the dinner that had just ended and Umbridge's long and strange speech.

At the Slytherin table, Shaylin, Daphne, and Astoria were no exception.

"It's unprecedentedly boring." Daphne was the first to speak, her tone full of disgust. As she walked, she frowned and recalled, "I've never seen a professor talk so much nonsense at the opening ceremony. 'Let's reach a consensus based on understanding'? Who would believe her?"

"Yes, and the tone of her voice... makes me feel uncomfortable." Astoria said softly, frowning slightly, "On the surface, she seems to be emphasizing tradition and progress, but in fact, every word she says is full of official tone."

Xie Lin slowly adjusted the robe draped over his shoulders and spoke in an unhurried tone: "This is not nonsense. She is just 'gently' declaring that she has taken over some of the power of Hogwarts. Think carefully, how many times did she use the words 'higher wisdom of the wizarding world', 'proper guidance', and 'education reform' in her speech?"

Daphne was stunned for a moment, recalling those deliberate and exaggerated words in Umbridge's speech, and couldn't help but sneer: "So, she wants to interfere with the teaching of Hogwarts?"

"More than just interfering," Xie Lin's lips curled up slightly, his eyes dark and unclear, "I bet she will completely control it."

Astoria took a breath softly, "So what will she do?"

"It's very simple..." Xie Lin answered nonchalantly with a slightly cold look in his eyes, "She modified the curriculum, suppressed professors who didn't conform to her philosophy, and even formulated a bunch of cumbersome regulations... I'm afraid Hogwarts will not be peaceful in the future."

Daphne snorted, her tone disdainful: "If she really dares to touch us, she is not someone she can mess with."

Hearing this, Xie Lin smiled lightly, his eyes deep: "Maybe. But this game has just begun."