#234 - Chapter 234 Idols Enter Reality
The Great Hall was filled with chattering voices, as students gathered, eagerly sharing their experiences on the Hogwarts Express.
“Goodness, as soon as that thing came in, I felt freezing cold!” Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff student in his third year, exclaimed, waving his arms dramatically, his voice trembling slightly, “It felt like my bones were about to freeze!”
“You’re right, me too!” Hannah Abbott, the girl opposite him, hastily agreed, her expression still somewhat shaken.
“I was sitting in the corner of a compartment, and the monster just passed by outside, but the air inside the compartment seemed to solidify. I’ve never felt so uncomfortable, it was like all the happiness was sucked away!”
“Those are Dementors, the guards of Azkaban,” a senior student explained to the younger students around him, “They specialize in absorbing happiness and bringing despair.”
Hearing this, Ernie Macmillan looked towards the Gryffindor table: “In that case, Harry Potter is quite impressive, daring to stand up against such a terrifying creature.”
As soon as these words were spoken, they were immediately echoed by many young wizards.
“What’s so strange about that? You have to remember that Potter defeated the Dark Lord as a baby, he is the legendary savior.”
“Potter is really amazing, that unknown spell tore the Hogwarts Express apart, even Professor Lupin couldn’t fix it.”
“When I first heard it, I thought it was a rumor, but it turned out to be all true, the cracks in the walls don’t lie.”
Listening to everyone's discussions, Malfoy at the Slytherin table looked at Harry with a complicated expression.
Damn it!
Potter has outdone me again.
When the Dementor boarded the train, I didn't dare to move.
Who would have thought that Potter would be so fierce, directly confronting the Dementor.
Although he fainted in the end, the cracks on the carriage are Potter's badge of courage.
I thought that after a summer of hard work, I would be able to defeat this Potter.
I didn't expect that he would wield such a powerful spell, now it seems that I still need to practice more.
Snape sat at the professor's table, listening to the students' discussions, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.
Is the Minister of Magic a pig brain? He actually allowed Dementors to board the Hogwarts Express.
That stinky werewolf Lupin is still a bit useful, driving away the Dementor at a critical moment and saving Harry.
It's a good thing that Harry wasn't substantially harmed, otherwise, I would have to learn from Dumbledore and send Fudge a Howler.
Looking at Snape, who looked like he would keep strangers away, the young wizards silently swallowed and whispered to their companions.
“Who said that Professor Snape quit? Isn’t he sitting properly at the professor's table?”
“But, that wizard who claims to be the Potions professor is also sitting nicely at the professor's table.”
“It’s not just the Potions professor, I also saw the new professors for Charms and Transfiguration.”
“It scared me to death, when I saw the new Transfiguration professor, I thought Professor McGonagall had quit.”
“What exactly is going on? Why are there so many new professors at the professor's table?”
“I don’t know, but the school has big plans, look, that old man sitting with Dumbledore is the legendary Newt Scamander.”
“Wow, this is like an idol walking into reality.”
“Professor Lupin is also good, should we go ask him for an autograph now?”
Amidst the students' discussions, Hagrid led the first-year students into the Great Hall.
As the Sorting Ceremony ended, Dumbledore slowly stood up and walked to the center of the high platform, his gaze passing over every student in the hall, a faint smile on his lips.
He raised his hands and gently pressed down, signaling the students to quiet down.
The Great Hall gradually quieted down, and even the slightest whispers disappeared.
“Welcome everyone back to Hogwarts,” Dumbledore cleared his throat, “Before we enjoy the sumptuous dinner, I have a few things to announce.”
“Firstly,” Dumbledore’s expression turned slightly serious, “I believe many of you have already seen the Dementors, the guards of Azkaban, on the Hogwarts Express.”
“They were sent by the Ministry of Magic to perform official duties, and this year they will be stationed at various entrances of the school.”
As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur immediately arose throughout the Great Hall.
The students couldn't help but look around, especially those who had witnessed the Dementors on the train, their faces still showing a trace of fear.
“Silence,” Dumbledore’s voice was extremely stern, “I must emphasize that while they are here, all students must not leave the school at will, no trickery can deceive them.”
“Dementors are very dangerous creatures, they cannot distinguish between good and evil, they only sense your emotions and soul.”
“Therefore, I strongly advise all students, no matter what happens, do not try to provoke them, and do not give them the opportunity to harm you.”
Many students couldn't help but shrink their shoulders, looking down at their plates, seemingly unwilling to recall the oppressive feeling that the Dementors had brought them.
Harry was no exception, he couldn't help but feel a little tight in his stomach, that suffocating chill still lingering in his mind.
Dumbledore noticed the tense atmosphere among the students in the Great Hall, and immediately changed the subject, revealing a relaxed smile.
“Now to share some pleasant news, our professor team has also undergone some new changes this year.”
“Many new professors have joined our teaching staff, and I believe many students have already met them.”
“Firstly,” Dumbledore said, “We are very honored to have invited Newt Scamander, the famous magizoologist of the wizarding world.”
“He will serve as the professor of Care of Magical Creatures, responsible for the teaching tasks of the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades.”
When Newt Scamander's name was announced, the atmosphere in the Great Hall instantly became extremely enthusiastic.
The legendary stories of Newt Scamander have been heard by almost every wizarding family, and his book 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' is a must-have textbook for every student.
The students applauded excitedly, with the Hufflepuff students being particularly excited, warmly welcoming their old alumnus back to Hogwarts.
Dumbledore allowed the lively atmosphere in the Great Hall to calm down slightly, and then continued to announce.
“Rubeus Hagrid will work with Professor Scamander to jointly undertake the teaching tasks of Care of Magical Creatures. He will be responsible for the teaching of the third and fourth grades.”
The entire Great Hall once again echoed with cheers, especially from the Gryffindor students.
Hagrid suddenly stood up, waving excitedly to the surroundings, he stood up too fast and too hard, almost overturning the professor's table.
Dumbledore once again raised his hand, signaling the students to quiet down: “The professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts—Remus Lupin, I believe many people know him.”
Of course, they know him, he is a TV star.
Basically, everyone has seen the TV series starring Lupin.
Except for a few young wizards who showed embarrassment on their faces, everyone stood up and cheered for Lupin.
Listening to the cheers of everyone, the stone in Lupin's heart fell to the ground, he had always been worried that the young wizards would dislike his werewolf identity.
Then, Dumbledore introduced the new professors one after another.
Whether on the train or at the platform, the performances of these new professors had already won the favor of the young wizards.
The young wizards did not skimp on their applause, warmly welcoming each new professor.
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