#337 - Chapter 337 Homecoming and Opening Dinner

On the Hogwarts Express, Harry was holding an extra-thick magic book, reading it while taking notes with a quick-quotes quill.

Hermione was also reciting her History of Magic textbook, hoping to take the mock test for the course in advance to reduce her study pressure this year.

Ron was a little bored by himself. He took out the Krum action figure he had just bought, but got tired of playing with it after a while.

"You two are enough. School hasn't even started yet, there's no need to be so tired. Come on, let's chat together."

Ron complained softly, "Harry, what book are you reading, looking so worried? Tell us about it, maybe Hermione can help you."

Harry raised his eyes from the book, answering distractedly, "I'm studying Occlumency, but the content is really obscure and difficult to understand, making it a bit hard to read."

Occlumency?

Hermione put down her History of Magic textbook and asked in confusion, "I read about it in a book. It's a very advanced magic, what are you learning it for?"

"It's mainly related to my scar." Harry thought for a moment, realizing he hadn't told his two friends about the scar.

So he sat up straight and told Ron and Hermione about the pain in his scar and the dreams he had about Voldemort.

"Professor Swan said that Occlumency can effectively resist Voldemort invading my mind, so he will officially teach me this magic after school starts."

"I was thinking of studying it in advance, so it would be easier to learn later."

"That's so cool, mate," Ron said excitedly, "You can actually see what the Dark Lord sees."

"Could you discuss it with Professor Swan and have him think of a way not to completely block your connection with the Dark Lord, so you can monitor the Dark Lord unilaterally?"

"Ron!" Hermione raised her eyebrows and lightly tapped him with the textbook in her hand, "This is not a joke. That's the Dark Lord, we can't give him any chance."

"Don't forget, someone released the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup, which means his followers are active again."

"Alright, alright," Ron said, dodging Hermione's book, "I was just joking, trying to lighten the mood."

"I don't know who released the Dark Mark. Dad said the Ministry of Magic still doesn't have any news."

As he spoke, the snack trolley passed by their compartment. Harry put away his magic book and got up to go outside the compartment.

After a while, he returned to the compartment with a pile of snacks, put them on the small table, and waved to Hermione and Ron, signaling them to choose whatever they wanted.

Ron tore open a box of Chocolate Frogs without any politeness: "Harry, why don't you invite Cho Chang to come in and have some snacks? Do you need me to call her over?"

"Cough, cough," Harry coughed lightly, his face flushed, "Why call Cho Chang? We're not familiar with her."

"Oh—" Ron said in a drawn-out voice, "Your eyes are always on her, I thought you wanted to be friends with her."

"I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!" Harry waved his hands repeatedly, denying it seriously.

"Hurry up and eat your chocolate, so much food can't shut your mouth."

Ron bit off the Chocolate Frog's head in one bite, muttering indistinctly, "That might fool your mates, but don't fool yourself."

Looking at Harry's face, which was as red as a red apple, Hermione couldn't help but shake her head, while silently mourning for her little sister Ginny in her heart.

Amidst the noise, the sky gradually darkened, and outside the window, the wind and rain were mixed, and the raindrops beat on the train windows like countless small drumbeats, which seemed particularly clear in the carriage.

Slowly, the Hogwarts Express began to slow down and finally stopped steadily at Hogsmeade Station.

The door opened, and a cold wind immediately rushed in, carrying the wet and cold breath of rain.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood at the door, squinting their eyes and looking outside.

The wind was mixed with violent raindrops, hitting their faces, causing them to shrink their necks involuntarily.

Harry took out his wand, skillfully cast the Impervius Charm on his clothes, and then, holding an umbrella conjured with Transfiguration, stepped into the rain.

Ron muttered in a low voice, "The first-year little wizards are going to suffer, having to cross the Black Lake in such a big storm."

Although the feeling of rushing in the rain was not good, the students' enthusiasm was not blown away by the wind and rain.

What's more, when passing through the Great Hall door, everyone had already had all the moisture and coldness on their bodies blown away by the professors' Warming Charms.

The students sat down at their respective tables in an orderly manner under the leadership of the prefects, and the floating ghosts greeted them warmly, welcoming them back to school to start a new semester.

"There are no new faces on the professors' table. Could it be that there is no Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year?"

"Or is it..." Ron guessed excitedly, "Is one of the professors here the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year?"

"It would be great if Professor Swan taught this course."

As soon as he finished speaking, he attracted Harry's sidelong glance.

Good heavens, do you have a grudge against Professor Swan, actually wanting him to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Forget it, Ron," Harry chuckled, "Professor Swan said that he would definitely not touch Defense Against the Dark Arts until the curse is removed."

"Then who will it be? Could it be Professor Snape?"

"Ron, enough..."

While they were talking, Professor McGonagall had already led the first-year students into the Great Hall and began the Sorting Ceremony.

Among them, a little one named Dennis Creevey was so excited that he ran to the Gryffindor table wearing the Sorting Hat, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

What a great attitude!

I was so nervous when I was sorted.

Looking at the little one talking to Colin, Harry showed a knowing smile, but he soon couldn't laugh anymore.

Because Colin was loudly proclaiming that his brother being sorted into Gryffindor was entirely the result of the savior Harry Potter's inner prayers.

"Hey, Harry," Ron chuckled, "Congratulations, you have another fanatical fan."

"Stop talking nonsense, Ron, the headmaster has announced that the feast has officially begun."

In an instant, the plates on the long table were filled with rich food.

Seeing this, Ron picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth: "It's finally this time, I'm starving."

Just then, Nearly Headless Nick emerged from under the long table: "Good evening, everyone!"

"You are especially lucky today, because Peeves almost ruined the banquet."

Hearing that the banquet was almost ruined, Ron swallowed the food in his mouth and asked curiously, "What did Peeves do again?"

"What else can you expect Peeves to do but wreak havoc?" Nick shook his head, but his head was not very stable and almost shook his head off.

"He made a mess of the kitchen, throwing pots and pans everywhere, and flooded the entire kitchen, destroying all the prepared ingredients."

"The house-elves were in chaos, and it took them a lot of effort to not delay today's banquet."

"That's terrible," Ron said thankfully, "Fortunately, the house-elves are reliable, otherwise we would have gone hungry tonight."

Clang...

The fork in Hermione's hand fell into the plate, and she looked up at Nearly Headless Nick, shouting in shock.

"Hogwarts has house-elves too?"

"This food is all made by house-elves?"