"First, please allow me to formally introduce Professor Horace Slughorn—"
At the staff table, Professor Breen directed the young wizards' attention to a bald, plump old man with a genial smile seated on Snape's other side.
"This is this year's unlucky sod. Oh, at his age, he doesn't look like he can take much rough handling, does he?"
Like many others, George Weasley eagerly examined the old wizard as he rose from his seat and bowed to everyone.
Harry knew what Fred was implying, but he gave no reaction at all.
"Professor Slughorn will teach Potions Class for fifth through seventh years this year. He is a highly experienced professor and formerly served as Head of Slytherin House. I believe he will get along well with all of you, and—"
Before Professor Breen could finish, discussion erupted throughout the Great Hall below.
Almost everyone stared at Snape at the staff table in disbelief.
"That old man's teaching us Potions?"
George looked at the expressionless Snape in surprise and confusion.
"Then what's Snape going to do? We probably can't optimistically expect him to have been sacked, can we? He's on such good terms with Professor Breen."
Hermione shot George a fierce glare and gestured for him to be quiet.
"Oh, already telling people what to do, are you?"
George saw Hermione's warning, but he merely grinned dismissively.
"As for Professor Snape—"
Professor Breen's voice rang out again from the front of the hall.
"He will be teaching Potions to first through fourth years."
Professor Breen's explanation left many people looking puzzled.
"I thought he was here to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts—"
Cheers immediately rose from the Gryffindor table, undoubtedly from the fifth- through seventh-year students.
Fred turned around, intending to discuss this welcome news with Harry and the others,