Chapter 14: Opening Feast
Chapter 14: Opening Feast
Time ticked by, and the sky gradually darkened.
In the Great Hall, thousands of candles burned, casting a magnificent celestial scene on the ceiling. The tables and chairs were arranged neatly.
All the professors had gathered, including Dumbledore, with the exception of Hagrid, who had to fetch the first-year wizards and was temporarily absent.
Not far away, Professor Lockhart stood with Professor Flitwick and Headmaster Dumbledore. His self-praising voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, “Yes... it’s a simple matter, my badge is not fake, hahaha...”
Felix and Snape each stood in a corner, observing everything happening in the Great Hall.
Felix was deeply puzzled. Just a moment ago, he had hardly exerted any effort to get Professor Lockhart to open up, and the professor was even willing to share his adventure stories, as long as someone was there to play along.
But... the information he gained was minimal.
Was Lockhart wary of him? It didn’t seem like it. Was he an actor, using exaggerated words and self-praise to gather information?
Felix couldn't figure it out. There was also another professor who puzzled him.
Snape stood in another corner, a mocking smile on his face, though it was unclear who he was laughing at.
How did Professor Snape become like this?
He wasn’t this gloomy and sarcastic when Felix was a student. What happened during the three years in between?
Felix felt his usually sharp mind was struggling. He grew more cautious and then joined Professor Sprout's conversation, discussing magical plants.
“Felix, I must say, you didn’t put much effort into Herbology when you were a student.”
“Professor, I was distracted by other subjects; I was very busy.”
“I don’t believe that. You went to great lengths to ask me about dangerous plants, inquiring about their weaknesses...” Sprout remembered this vividly.
Ah, a dark past. He indeed wasn’t very interested in Herbology back then.
Could it provide strength?
No? Then there was no point in talking about it.
So, his Herbology grades were always average, hovering between A (Pass) and P (Poor). However, he was very adept at dealing with dangerous magical plants, even going to great lengths to find their weaknesses and figure out the most efficient ways to handle them.
He applied the same principle to Care of Magical Creatures.
He had to admit, he was a bit obsessed back then.
A commotion arose from a distance.
“The students are here!”
Professor Mcgonagall stood up and hurried away. The other professors, guided by Headmaster Dumbledore, took their seats. Felix particularly wanted to sit next to Professor Snape to observe the changes in him over the years, but Snape quickly avoided him.
Felix had to settle for his second choice and sat next to Lockhart.
Professor Flitwick seemed to be struggling with Lockhart's constant chatter. Seeing Felix approach, he eagerly gave up his seat to him.
Once seated, Felix skillfully steered the conversation, “Professor Lockhart, your description of vampires in ‘Travels with Trolls’ is fantastic, but I have a few small questions...”
This made Lockhart visibly uncomfortable. He tried to dodge the questions, always answering off-topic. Felix wisely stopped the conversation.
He’s been avoiding me...
The atmosphere became a bit awkward, but it was quickly interrupted when Professor Mcgonagall led the students into the Great Hall. The second to seventh-year wizards sat at the four long tables, divided by their houses.
However, Professor Mcgonagall looked troubled. She quickly approached Dumbledore and whispered something to him. Dumbledore’s face immediately turned serious. He said a few words to Mcgonagall, who nodded, and then called for Snape. The two of them left the Great Hall together.
What's going on? Felix was curious to get involved, but using magic to eavesdrop in this setting didn't seem appropriate.
On the other side, the newly enrolled young Wizards were brimming with excitement. They chattered incessantly, making the Great Hall unusually lively. The professors, being quite lenient, didn't step in to stop them. Headmaster Dumbledore's face broke into a warm smile as he watched, stroking his silver beard.
Felix also observed with interest. Many of the students were familiar to him, after all, he had only graduated three years ago. In other words, students in their fourth year and above had all crossed paths with him.
Slytherin House.
The tall and muscular Marcus Flint was loudly recounting his summer adventures, his voice clear even from three seats away. Just as he was getting into the swing of things, a companion tugged at his arm.
Marcus Flint, irritated, thought, "What now? Don't interrupt me while I'm showing off... Err, sharing interesting stories!"
When his companion tugged harder the second time, he finally turned around and saw the boy's face filled with fear, frantically gesturing toward the professors' table.
What's going on?
Is there a new professor? That's not unusual, right? Professors in certain subjects are often replaced annually.
Marcus Flint glanced at the professors' table, his eyes scanning for an unfamiliar face.
Hmm, a handsome male wizard. Is this their new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?
Not much to it...
Wait a minute!
Who did he see?!
Marcus Flint let out a short, sharp scream, as if bitten by a mouse. His expression turned to sheer terror, perfectly in sync with his companion's.
It's him!
What is he doing here?
His already not-very-bright mind became even more clouded.
As Marcus Flint's scream echoed, the other Slytherin students followed his gaze to the professors' table, then collectively drew in a sharp breath.
Almost instantly, half of the Slytherin table fell into a dead silence.
The remaining younger students, noticing the sudden silence of their older peers, stopped talking and stared at them in confusion.
Malfoy, observing this bizarre scene in his house, was puzzled. He couldn't help but tug at the sleeve of the senior next to him, "What's going on?"
"Shut up, keep it down!" the senior hissed, lowering his head to avoid the man's gaze and pretending to be fascinated by a silver plate.
Then he whispered, "Draco, keep your voice down. That man is back."
"Which man? Sir?" Malfoy was confused; it sounded like a noble's title.
The senior whispered a few words, "The Eight-Seven Duel Incident."
"Wow!" Malfoy also drew a deep breath, unable to resist a furtive glance at the young professor sitting at the professors' table.
It's him?
As the Slytherins fell abruptly silent, the other houses noticed their unusual behavior.
Hermione had already spotted Felix earlier, and her exceptional memory immediately recognized the peculiar guest she had encountered during the summer.
So he's a Wizard too? No wonder his requests were so strange!
I wonder which subject he'll be teaching?
This year, there were two unfamiliar faces. She already knew Lockhart, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, and had read all of his books.
His experiences are truly amazing!
The other professor looked young, probably not much older... Wait, why has everyone gone quiet?
Hermione surveyed the room. The Slytherin students were as quiet as quails, while the other three houses fell silent for a moment before erupting into even louder discussions. The Great Hall was in an uproar.
The older students were spreading some kind of insider knowledge, wearing expressions that said, "I have a big secret."
Initially, she was worried about Harry and Ron's safety, but since she had already informed Professor Mcgonagall, it should be fine.
Hermione subtly strained her neck to listen.
(End of Chapter)
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