Chapter 764: Opening Feast
Chapter 764: Opening Feast
The swaying carriage soon came to a halt beside the stone steps of Oak Gate. Ivan stepped down and followed the crowd into the castle.
Harry, who was walking behind, kept glancing back, a look of worry on his face.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Ivan noticed Harry's unease and asked, puzzled.
"Did you see Hagrid? He usually comes to welcome the First-years", Harry said, sounding confused.
"His classes were terrible last year. Maybe too many complaints led Headmaster Dumbledore to fire him. I saw Professor Grubbly-Plank at the station; she’s probably here to take over", Luna speculated.
"That’s impossible!" Harry stared at Luna, firmly stating that Headmaster Dumbledore wouldn’t fire Hagrid. Besides, he thought Hagrid’s classes were pretty good, and everyone liked him.
"So, are you planning to raise a few more Blast-Ended Skrewts this term?" Luna asked lightly.
Harry's words caught in his throat. Thinking about the troubles they had last year with the Blast-Ended Skrewts and the times they were chased by a pack of them, his expression turned uncertain.
Hermione also looked worried. She was concerned that Hagrid might be in Azkaban for illegally breeding and modifying dangerous creatures.
As they discussed Hagrid’s absence, they walked through the entrance hall and into the Great Hall.
Hogwarts was brightly lit, with hundreds of candles floating in the air, casting a warm, star-like glow that illuminated the entire room.
Four long House tables filled the hall, and many of the early-arriving young wizards had already taken their seats.
The First-years stood neatly beside the magic podium, waiting for the Sorting. A few silver ghosts floated nearby, scaring the more timid First-years.
Ivan quickly scanned the Great Hall, then turned his gaze to the teachers' table. The golden high-backed chair in the center was empty; Dumbledore was not in his seat.
Next to that chair sat a witch in a pink cardigan. She had curly gray-brown hair, a short and plump figure, and a sickly sweet smile. She was chatting enthusiastically with Snape.
However, Snape clearly wasn’t interested in the conversation, his face stern and unresponsive.
The other professors also looked slightly uncomfortable when they saw the witch.
"Umbridge, she’s really here", Ivan murmured, narrowing his eyes.
Hermione followed Ivan’s gaze and noticed the detestable figure as well.
What surprised her even more was the person sitting at the far end of the professors' table, in Hagrid’s usual spot—Professor Grubbly-Plank.
Noticing this, Harry, Hermione, and Ron all drew in sharp breaths, worried about Hagrid’s situation.
"See? Just as I thought... He’s not cut out for teaching and has probably been fired", Luna said, nodding her head.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron glared at her angrily.
Ivan also thought Luna’s words were too blunt but didn’t say anything to stop her.
Technically, Luna wasn’t wrong, just a bit tactless.
Hagrid’s teaching skills were indeed poor, always bringing large, fearsome "cute" creatures to class and trying to make everyone love them.
As for Hagrid's whereabouts, Ivan believed he was likely following Dumbledore's orders, just like with the original Time and Space, to negotiate with the Giants.
After all, Hagrid wasn't Harry and didn't have the value to be targeted by Voldemort and the Death Eaters...
After stating her conclusion, Luna, seemingly oblivious to the outrage she had caused, calmly bid farewell to the group and walked alone towards the Ravenclaw table.
Ivan and the others hurriedly took their seats at the Gryffindor table.
Just as they settled down, the Sorting Hat, which had been sitting on a stool, suddenly came to life. It opened its mouth and began to sing in a deep, resonant voice.
"Long ago, when I was still a new hat, Hogwarts was yet to be built. The four noble founders, thought they would never part..."
The Sorting Hat's song, which usually had a humorous and light-hearted tone, now took on a profound and magnetic quality. It narrated the founders' experiences and warned the wizards present about the importance of unity and cooperation, urging them to set aside their house rivalries.
When the Sorting Hat's song ended, the Great Hall erupted into enthusiastic applause, though it was interspersed with some whispers.
Many were puzzled as to why Headmaster Dumbledore had not yet arrived for the Sorting.
Ivan kept a close eye on every movement of the professors at the teachers' table, hoping to glean some insight from their reactions. However, the professors seemed to have been informed in advance and showed no signs of confusion.
Only Umbridge's face betrayed her displeasure. She believed that the headmaster's absence from such an important occasion was a serious dereliction of duty, and she persistently questioned Professor Mcgonagall, who was sitting beside her.
Mcgonagall brushed off her questions with a few casual remarks and then took the stage to begin the Sorting Ceremony.
As Mcgonagall called out the names, the first-years nervously approached the magic podium, placed the hat on their heads, and waited anxiously for the Sorting Hat to make its decision.
Each time the hat made a choice, the hall erupted into cheers and applause.
When the last student had taken their seat, the doors of the Great Hall were pushed open with a loud creak, drawing everyone's attention. The noisy hall fell silent.
The next moment, Dumbledore, dressed in deep purple robes and a scarf, walked in through the door.
Ivan narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Dumbledore. According to his earlier speculations, Dumbledore should have been in a very poor state.
After all, it had been a full year since Dumbledore was injured by the Dark Magic from the Horcrux. Even if he hadn't died, he should still have been severely wounded, and his prolonged absence over the summer seemed to confirm this.
However, to Ivan's surprise, the reality was quite different. Dumbledore appeared to be in astonishingly good health, his steps steady and his presence even more commanding than before!
Ivan had felt Dumbledore's aura during their confrontation with Voldemort near the British village, and it was far weaker than what he was sensing now.
Back then, Dumbledore was like a setting sun, powerful yet fading. Now, he was like a midday sun, scorching and overwhelming...
How was this possible? Could Dumbledore have found a way to heal his injury over the summer?
Ivan was completely baffled. He scrutinized Dumbledore closely and noticed that the headmaster's right hand was still hidden in his sleeve, making it impossible to confirm his true condition.
Regardless, the fact that Dumbledore was alive and well provided some relief to Ivan.
(End of Chapter)
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