The Start-of-Term Feast

The annual start-of-term season arrived as scheduled, and Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was packed with students and parents seeing them off.

The noise rose and fell in waves, weaving together into an exceptionally lively scene.

"What a nostalgic sight." A few years ago, Wes had been one of the many students here as well.

Now, however, he was boarding the Hogwarts Express as a professor. The scene before him could not help but fill him with emotion.

Wes boarded the train at an unhurried pace, then entered a private compartment prepared specifically for professors.

The moment the door closed, it was as though an invisible barrier instantly shut out every sound from outside.

There must have been some kind of soundproofing charm placed on the door for it to have such an effect.

Wes nodded in satisfaction, then quickly took out his paper and began studying it with complete focus. His pen occasionally scribbled notes in his notebook, his expression intent and absorbed.

"Whoo! Whoo!" Steam billowed from the locomotive's chimney as the train slowly began to move, carrying a carriage full of students brimming with hope and anticipation toward Hogwarts.

Just as Wes had completely immersed himself in his studies, a rapid knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Wes frowned slightly and looked up with clear displeasure. "Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, revealing a boy and a girl standing timidly outside.

The boy cowered behind the girl. When he saw that there was an adult inside, his body shook even more violently. He buried his head deeply against his chest, as though he wanted to hide himself away.

The girl had clearly not expected to encounter an adult on a train that was almost entirely filled with students, much less one sitting alone in a private compartment.

"Sir, have you seen a toad? Neville's toad is missing."

Neville cautiously tugged at her sleeve and said softly, "This gentleman is probably a Hogwarts professor. We should be more polite."

"I'm sorry, sir." Sharp-eyed Hermione spotted the paper on the desk at once and immediately grew excited. "Sir, are you researching magic? That's wonderful! I've never seen real magical research before. Could I—"

Hermione's mouth fired off questions like a machine gun, one after another. In her excitement, she had completely forgotten why they had come in the first place.

Wes felt his head begin to throb. With a headache coming on, he had no choice but to interrupt Hermione. "Sorry, miss, but I don't even know who you are."

"My name is Hermione Granger, and he's Neville Longbottom. We're both first-year students at Hogwarts."

Hermione showed no trace of nervousness when faced with an adult's question and introduced them openly.

"Miss Granger, I haven't seen a toad. And as you can see, I'm busy. Could I trouble you to close the door? Thank you."

After saying that, Wes no longer looked at them and returned his attention to the paper in his hands.

"Sorry, sir. We disturbed you."

Before Hermione could continue speaking, Neville displayed an agility wholly mismatched with his build. He swiftly dragged Hermione out of the compartment and did not forget to reach back and close the door.

Hermione pouted, her face full of anger and grievance. "What's with him? How can someone so cold become a professor?"

With that, she turned and stomped off on her short legs, while Neville silently followed close behind.

With no further interruption from the two of them, Wes kept his head down and studied without distraction until the train came smoothly to a stop.

After getting off the train, Wes walked briskly and soon arrived at Hogwarts.

He went to his office on the seventh floor. The room was simply furnished, but it had been kept very neat and tidy.

Wes opened his trunk, and Jandi crawled out from inside.

"I've already discussed it with Headmaster Dumbledore. During my time here, you may move freely around Hogwarts, but remember: do not interfere with the other professors or students."

"As you command, Master."

Wes put on a brand-new robe and stood before the mirror, carefully inspecting himself from head to toe.

"I need to attend the start-of-term feast. Clean this place up."

The Hogwarts Great Hall was magnificent and grand, its lofty ceiling seeming to stretch all the way to the boundless stars.

The ceiling had been cleverly enchanted to resemble the vast night sky. Countless stars twinkled within it like brilliant jewels set into the heavens.

Four enormous long tables stood neatly arranged, each occupied by students from one of the four Houses.

Large portraits of past headmasters hung on the walls around the hall. Their lifelike expressions made it seem as though they were silently watching everything happening below.

The floor was carefully laid with marble polished smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting everyone's figures like one vast looking glass.

The banners of the four Houses hung from the four corners of the hall: red for Gryffindor, green for Slytherin, blue for Ravenclaw, and yellow for Hufflepuff. They fluttered gently in the breeze, vividly displaying the glory of their respective Houses.

Hundreds upon hundreds of candles floated elegantly in the air, giving off a warm, gentle glow that illuminated the entire hall as brightly as day.

The students wore robes in their House colors and sat at the four long tables, each face lit up with excited, expectant smiles.

Wes's arrival immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Who's that?"

"Idiot, he must be a new professor. Can't you see he's sitting with the professors?"

"He's so young—and so handsome!"

A group of young witches chattered as they appraised Wes, their eyes full of admiration.

Flitwick excitedly rose onto his tiptoes and tried his best to give Wes a big hug. Unfortunately, he was simply too short, so Wes had to bend down slightly to accommodate him.

"Long time no see, Head of House."

With a broad smile, Flitwick warmly patted Wes on the arm. "Oh, my finest student has returned to Hogwarts as a professor. How does it feel?"

"It's absolutely wonderful." Wes's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Ever since graduating, I've wanted to come back here every moment of every day, Head of House."

"I doubt whether you can become a qualified professor, Mr. Erwin." Snape's distinctive, peculiar drawl drifted over.

"Don't listen to Snape's nonsense. You'll be a qualified professor." Flitwick smiled as he took Wes along and enthusiastically introduced him to the other professors.

In truth, there was no need for introductions. Every professor remembered Wes, that diligent student, very clearly.

The professors all welcomed Wes. They were sincerely delighted that such an outstanding graduate had returned.

Wes also met the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the term—Quirinus Quirrell.

Professor Quirrell wore a purple turban that gave off a strange smell, making people instinctively want to keep their distance from him.

At the moment, however, he was clinging tightly to Snape and continuously saying something.

Then the great doors opened, and the first-years filed in in an orderly line.

The Sorting Hat on the chair in the center of the hall suddenly began singing in high spirits.

Its distinctive voice, however, was truly difficult to appreciate.

The annual Sorting Ceremony had begun.

Aside from watching the amusing ways the new students embarrassed themselves from nerves, everyone's attention this year was focused on the boy who had survived.

After the Sorting Hat considered for a while and finally announced that Harry Potter belonged to Gryffindor, the Gryffindor students erupted in deafening cheers, so enthusiastic that they seemed ready to blow the roof off the castle.

Professor McGonagall wore a dazzling smile, and even the ever-serious Dumbledore showed a satisfied expression.

Snape's face, on the other hand, darkened further.

But none of that had much to do with Wes.

Under Dumbledore's direction, everyone sang the Hogwarts school song to whatever tune they liked. The scene was an absolute assault on the ears, and Wes wished he could immediately use a spell to plug them.

Afterward, Dumbledore solemnly explained several matters requiring attention in the new term, formally introduced the two new professors to the students, and then announced that everyone could begin enjoying their meal.

Once the start-of-term feast ended, Wes quietly let out a sigh of relief.

He did not actually like overly crowded, noisy environments.

Fortunately, the subject he taught was quite obscure, and there were not many students taking it as an elective. That gave him a small measure of comfort.

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