Chapter 491: Speech
Chapter 491: Speech (Additional Chapter for Yulan Yuehe)
After dinner, it was time for the Headmaster's customary speech, and Dumbledore's authority was immediately evident: not a single student in the Great Hall dared to make a sound.
The Headmaster began with the usual announcements about the term's schedule, such as reminding students of Filch's request that no joke items from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes be brought to school this year. Of course, everyone in the hall knew this rule would be largely ignored.
Next, he addressed the Quidditch arrangements. Students interested in joining their house Quidditch team needed to sign up with their Head of House. Additionally, with Lee Jordan's graduation, the school needed to find a new Quidditch match commentator, and those interested could also sign up with their Head of House.
Finally, it was time to introduce the new professor. "I also want to introduce our new staff member... Professor Horace Slughorn, the former Head of Slytherin... I am pleased to announce that he has agreed to return and take up the position of Potions Master." As Dumbledore spoke, Slughorn stood up, his bald head gleaming in the candlelight, and his large belly, clad in a vest, cast a broad shadow on the table.
"Potions?" The word echoed through the Great Hall, and everyone seemed to doubt their ears. Hermione frowned at Liam, "Harry mentioned in his letter that Dumbledore was bringing Slughorn back to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Why is he teaching Potions?"
Before Liam could respond, Dumbledore raised his voice to be heard over the murmurs: "At the same time, Professor Snape will be taking over as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
The Slytherins erupted into enthusiastic applause, while the other house tables buzzed with murmurs. The news seemed almost unbelievable, especially to Harry, whose loud "No" was clearly heard even over the din of the Great Hall.
Liam and the others who were close to Harry looked at him, and Harry realized there must have been a misunderstanding. He struggled to recall when Dumbledore had mentioned this to him, but the more he thought about it, the less he could remember Dumbledore specifying which subject Slughorn would teach. Instead, he remembered Slughorn telling him about his mother Lily's exceptional skill in Potions.
"You know, the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts isn't exactly a coveted role", Liam said to Hermione, also trying to ease the tension for Harry. "From what I know, Slughorn is a man who enjoys comfort and fears risk. He wouldn't have the courage to take on that position, especially since he has always been a Potions Master."
"Well, there is one good thing about this", Harry said through gritted teeth. "Snape won't last a year." "What do you mean by that?" Ron asked.
"The job is cursed. No one has lasted more than a year... Quirrell even lost his life. Personally, I hope another incident happens..."
"Harry, please don't say that", Liam said gently. "Enough people have died this holiday. Shedding more innocent blood is not a good thing." Hermione nodded in agreement after hearing this.
"Snape is innocent?" Harry didn't agree with Liam's point, but Ron, being more rational, said, "I think by the end of the year, Snape will likely go back to teaching Potions. Slughorn probably won't want to stay here long-term, just like Mad-Eye Moody."
Harry had to admit that Ron was right. When he and Dumbledore went to see Slughorn, they learned that the Death Eaters were still trying to find him during the summer vacation. He felt that he was too old to have the energy to deal with this. Returning to the school was partly to expand his social circle, and partly because he found it safe enough here, avoiding the constant need to flee from place to place.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, seemingly unaware of the shock his announcement had caused. He didn't say anything more about the teaching positions but waited a few seconds to ensure everyone was completely quiet before continuing. "Everyone in this Great Hall knows that Voldemort and his followers have once again begun to wreak havoc, and their power is growing stronger every day..."
The Slytherin table was deathly silent, especially Crabbe and Goyle, who no longer strutted as arrogantly as usual. The loss of their family's breadwinners had marginalized them completely, leaving them to follow Malfoy's lead. Malfoy, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought, his mind elsewhere.
"I must emphasize that the current situation is extremely dangerous. Every one of us at Hogwarts must be extremely cautious to ensure our safety. The castle's magical defenses have been thoroughly reinforced and updated, but every student and teacher must remain vigilant at all times. Therefore, I urge you to strictly follow every safety regulation and to immediately report any unusual or suspicious activity to the staff. I trust that you will all behave responsibly for the sake of your own and others' safety." Dumbledore's blue eyes scanned over all the students before his face broke into a smile.
"Very well, your beds are waiting for you, as warm and comfortable as you expect. I know your top priority now is to rest well and prepare for tomorrow's classes. So, let us say 'good night.' Sleep well!"
As usual, the benches were pushed back with a screech, and hundreds of students began to file out of the Great Hall, heading toward their dormitories. Liam and Hermione went to fulfill their Prefect duties, looking after the first-year students. Hermione, as usual, stood at the front of the line, introducing the basics of the castle to the freshmen, while Liam silently followed at the back, making sure no one fell behind and releasing his senses to probe the magical castle.
As Dumbledore had said, the castle's magical defenses had indeed been strengthened over the summer. Even a wizard who knew the rules would find it difficult to breach the castle's defenses. However, these defenses were static. What truly made the castle impregnable was Dumbledore, another wizard who understood the rules, sitting in the castle.
Liam was certain that as long as a wizard who understood the rules was operating the castle, no wizard of the same caliber could force their way in.
This was why Hogwarts was the safest place in the British wizarding world—because Dumbledore was here to protect the castle. This also made Liam feel that his decision to stop Dumbledore from recklessly destroying Voldemort's ring Horcrux was entirely correct. As long as Professor Dumbledore could hold his ground against Voldemort, he had the confidence to gradually drain the last drop of blood from those Pureblood families and cast them into the dustbin of history.
After returning to the Common Room, everyone, exhausted from a day on the train, exchanged brief pleasantries before quickly heading to bed. Liam, however, went to the Radiant World to prepare a gift for any Death Eaters who might attempt to infiltrate the castle.
(End of Chapter)
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