Chapter 519: The New Professor
Chapter 519: The New Professor
That evening, the Hufflepuff Common Room was naturally filled with celebrations once again.
The table was piled high with cookies and cakes, along with pitchers of pumpkin juice and butterbeer.
However, few people paid attention to these delicious snacks. Everyone gathered around a table, carefully examining the three red stones placed on it.
"What exactly are these things?"
"I don't know," Kyle shook his head. "Bagman said that the clues to the second task are hidden within, but he didn't mention how to use them. We have to figure it out ourselves."
"Maybe we should roast them over a fire," Mikael suggested. "Burn off the outer shell, and the clues will be revealed."
"No way," Hannah Abbott immediately shook her head. "What if we damage the real clues? It's too risky. I think using a Revealing Charm is better."
"I'll give it a try." Cedric took out his wand and tapped the stones.
"Reveal yourself!"
However, the stones showed no signs of change.
"Looks like the Revealing Charm won't work," he sighed.
"It's okay, it's only the first day," Cona reassured Kyle. "You still have three months. You'll definitely find the clues."
Kyle smiled but didn't speak.
In fact, Kyle wasn't overly concerned about knowing the clues to the second task in advance.
Knowing them would be great, but it's not a big deal if he didn't... After all, they would tell them on the day of the competition anyway.
After Kyle put away the stones on the table, everyone finally remembered the cookies and cakes they had neglected.
The question of the second task was put aside, and everyone began to celebrate Kyle's excellent performance. The atmosphere in the common room quickly became lively.
...
When Kyle finally returned to the dormitory with Ryan and Mikael, it was already around 2 or 3 in the morning. Fortunately, those people didn't force butterbeer on him this time.
Mikael and Ryan seemed to have boundless energy, even at this late hour, they showed no signs of wanting to sleep.
Mikael found a wooden stick and fixed it to the door, pretending it was a flying broomstick. He and Ryan took turns approaching it, imitating the difficult grabbing maneuver Kyle had used in the final task.
Kyle lay on the bed and watched. When Ryan fell from the stick, he and Mikael burst into laughter.
From this angle, it was quite interesting.
...
After the festivities, Hogwarts entered December.
The weather grew colder, with almost daily gales and sleet. The once bustling Black Lake now had few visitors, except for Durmstrang's large ship, which remained in the lake's center, rocking and swaying in the strong winds.
"It must be freezing in there," Mikael said.
They had just finished their Care of Magical Creatures class and were on their way back to the castle, but most of them had red faces and unsteady footsteps.
This was because Hagrid had been feeding the Thestrals pure malt whisky every day, filling the enclosure with a strong alcohol scent.
It was fine before, but now, with the wind blowing, the alcohol scent reached the classroom, and the strong liquor made most students feel uncomfortable.
"I think there must be magic inside that ship," Ryan said, rubbing his face. "Otherwise, it would be unbearable to stay in the lake in such cold weather."
"Probably," Mikael agreed. "And I've heard that Durmstrang is much colder than Hogwarts. Their school uniform even includes fur cloaks."
After being blown by the damp cold wind from the Black Lake, by the time they returned to the castle, the dizzy feeling had dissipated.
Kyle put his books away in the dormitory, and just then, Cedric entered.
"Kyle, I was just about to look for you."
"What's up?
"That's right," Cedric said. "The Head Boy just found me and said that Dumbledore wants us all to have dinner in the Great Hall... I've already notified the other grades, just missing you guys."
"Dinner in the Great Hall?" Kyle asked in confusion. "Is something happening?"
"I don't know either," Cedric shrugged. "Probably the Headmaster has something to announce."
"Alright," Kyle nodded.
When it was time for dinner, Dumbledore was indeed there, and he looked very happy, constantly talking to Moody beside him.
"What do you think he's going to say?" Cona asked curiously. "Is it the second project?"
"Probably not," Kyle thought for a moment and said, "If it's related to the Triwizard Tournament, all three Headmasters should be here."
Only two Headmasters came to the Great Hall for dinner, Dumbledore and Maxime. As for Karkaroff... since the end of the first project, he hadn't been to the Great Hall.
Soon, dinner time was over.
After the food on the plates disappeared, Dumbledore stood up.
Everyone looked at him.
"You must be very curious why I asked everyone to have dinner in the Great Hall."
Dumbledore looked around and said with a smile, "That's because I have something to announce. Okay, come in."
He stretched out his hand and pointed to the side door of the Great Hall.
A person was entering from there.
"Oh!"
"Wow, he is..."
The Great Hall suddenly echoed with exclamations. At the Gryffindor table, Harry even stood up in excitement.
"That's right, I believe many of you have seen him in the newspaper," Dumbledore said with a smile. "But I still need to introduce him to everyone... Sirius Black."
The Great Hall erupted in applause.
"Quiet, quiet, I think it's too early for you to cheer now..." Dumbledore stretched out his hand, "I am honored to announce that from today onwards, Sirius Black, will become our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor!"
After a brief silence, thunderous applause and enthusiastic cheers followed.
"Professor, what about Professor Moody?" someone asked loudly.
Although Sirius Black was good, Professor Moody was also excellent, and many people liked his class.
"Don't worry about this," Kyle explained. "But to be honest, he has complained to me many times, blaming me for letting a retired old man teach seven grades.
So Professor Black has agreed to lighten his burden and will teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for grades one to four."
Another round of applause followed.
"Oh, why!" Mikael complained, "Why can't fifth-graders take his class?"
"Professor Moody is also good," Cedric said.
"I know," Mikael shook his head. "I mean, it's Sirius Black, this year's legend. Aren't you curious?"
"Well... okay, I'm curious too," Cedric said. "But there's nothing we can do; he's only in charge of lower-grade classes."
"So envious..."
As they spoke, Kyle looked to the side of the staff table, where Snape was sitting.
Snape didn't clap at all. He just held a fork and stared at Sirius Black, who was waving to the crowd.
Because he was gripping it so tightly, the fork even became deformed.
His expression was at its worst, as if Professor Dumbledore had just said that he had to drink some of Mikael's potion.
(End of Chapter)
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