Chapter 231: School Begins
Chapter 231: School Begins
"To be honest, if Dumbledore hadn't invited me, I wouldn't have come. But there are indeed some matters that require my presence here."
Mad-Eye Moody gruffly said.
He and Sherlock walked into the Great Hall, where it was now lunchtime. Although the students hadn't arrived yet, the house-elves had already prepared lunch for the professors who had returned to the castle.
Of course, not all professors chose to have lunch in the Great Hall. For instance, Snape, the old recluse, hadn't shown up.
Sherlock and Mad-Eye Moody sat down at the long table, and a few professors who were somewhat familiar with Sherlock greeted him. Once the food appeared on the table, Sherlock glanced around and asked curiously,
"Professor Viktor hasn't returned to the castle yet?"
Sybill Trelawney, the professor of arithmetic divination, a witch with a somewhat rigid personality but a profound expertise in mathematics, was on good terms with Sherlock. They often discussed Muggle mathematics in the common room.
Kettleburn, the Muggle Studies professor, who usually had the best relationship with Viktor, regretfully said,
"She submitted her resignation to Dumbledore at the end of the last semester. She said she was tired of always staying in the castle and wanted to go out and see the world. Actually, I know she fell in love with a traveler, and they are now traveling the world together."
Astronomy Professor Sinistra, a dark-skinned witch, sighed and said,
"She had told me that 12 was her love number. She must have met her true love during the Christmas holiday last year."
Soon, they were discussing topics like "the stars, constellations, and love months." Sherlock had no interest in these subjects and did not join in the conversation. He and Viktor were only casual acquaintances, so he didn't feel particularly sorry or regretful about her departure, especially since she was pursuing love.
However, this did remind Sherlock of Mad-Eye Moody's current role at Hogwarts.
"Senior Mad-Eye Moody, did you come to the castle to take over Professor Viktor's position in arithmetic divination?"
Sherlock asked this question hesitantly because Mad-Eye Moody didn't seem like the type to teach such a complex magical course. He would be more suited to teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Mad-Eye Moody waved his hand and shook his head, saying,
"I never took arithmancy in school. The mere sight of numbers gives me a headache. If Dumbledore had asked me to take over that position, I would have refused no matter what he said. He told me that he has created a new position for me, called 'castle warden,' specifically for the tournament this year."
Sherlock quickly understood what the position of castle warden entailed.
Castle warden = Hogwarts security.
Dumbledore had specifically invited Mad-Eye Moody to ensure the safety of the castle during the Triwizard Tournament.
Just this information alone made Sherlock sense something different. It was clear that Dumbledore knew something.
By the afternoon, the weather outside the castle had turned gloomy, and soon raindrops began to fall, splattering against the weathered stone walls.
Sherlock stood by the window in his office, holding a cup of black tea, watching the rain gradually intensify outside. His mind wasn't on anything else; it was on Silke, who might have already arrived at her new workplace.
The little girl had kept her new job a secret all summer, never telling him what she had found.
Sherlock wasn't overly concerned about her safety, considering her past as a Silencer and her overall strength, which far surpassed that of most Wizards in the Wizarding World.
What worried him more was her personality. Sherlock feared she might struggle to make friends and end up becoming increasingly isolated.
However, when it came to social matters, there was little he could do to help, so he could only worry in silence.
After finishing his cup of tea, he sat down to continue preparing his lesson plans for the new term. Regardless of what he had experienced, his role as a professor was his primary responsibility.
He kept busy until the evening, then estimated the time and headed out of his office toward the Great Hall.
As he arrived at the Great Hall, a group of thoroughly drenched young wizards were just sprinting inside from the castle gates.
The rain was heavy, and these students, who were in their second year or above, were thoroughly soaked. The older students immediately used spells to dry their wet clothes upon entering.
Many of the students noticed Sherlock, and several sixth-year students, who had just started the new term, excitedly gathered around him, expressing their gratitude.
"My parents were over the moon when I unexpectedly received an E on my Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. They told almost all our relatives about it during the summer and even bought me a new robe."
"Mack has already graduated, but he specifically asked me to thank you at the start of the term. He got accepted into the Auror Office and is currently undergoing pre-employment Auror training. He said he would come back to the castle to thank you personally once his training is over."
"My mother insisted I thank you, Professor Forrest. I was only expected to get an E in Defence Against the Dark Arts, but I received an O. She believes it's all thanks to you."
The last student to speak was Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff House. Sherlock had a good impression of him, considering him the most talented student among the older years.
"Still, you should thank your own efforts. However, don't get complacent in your sixth year just because there are no major exams. You'll need to prepare for the N.E.W.T.s over the next two years."
The students all nodded in agreement, their successful O.W.L.s boosting their morale.
Harry and his friends also saw Sherlock as they entered, but he was already surrounded by the older students. They had intended to ask about the Quidditch World Cup Final, but after trying to push through the crowd for a while, they gave up and headed to the Great Hall.
Once the students were seated in the Great Hall, the first-year students, who had crossed the lake, filed in, forming a neat line. They looked more like drowned rats, and one particularly excited little boy was clearly drenched after falling into the lake, wrapped in Hagrid's mole-skin coat.
The Great Hall buzzed with chatter as students shared stories of their summer adventures, and the professors engaged in casual conversation.
Sherlock was discussing the recent changes at the Auror Office with Mad-Eye Moody when he suddenly sensed someone sit next to him. The familiar presence made him pause, and he turned abruptly.
The girl who used to need his help to smile now stood there with a bright, sunny grin, waving at him gently.
(End of Chapter)
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