Sean unconsciously looked away and swallowed, groaning inwardly.
Professor Dumbledore had brought Snape back? He was a Death Eater, and he had even drugged the previous Potions professor!
In his frustration, Sean began to ponder Dumbledore's intentions again. He had already told him in detail what had happened that night. There was no way Dumbledore didn't know Snape's true identity, yet he was still willing to hire him. Did that mean Snape was another double agent?
Or perhaps... something more?
Troubled, Sean had no expectations for the feast at all. Would someone put something in his Pumpkin Juice?
After all, he had turned "Potter's Shampoo" into fireworks. Would Snape really let him off that easily?
Yeah, right?!
Just as Sean was feeling utterly miserable, Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet.
"Welcome back, students. First, allow me to wish you all a Merry Christmas, though these wishes may be a little late." He smiled at everyone, immediately drawing a round of applause.
Dumbledore raised both hands to signal for quiet, then continued, "At the Opening Ceremony, I mentioned that Hogwarts would be holding an Academic Exchange with Newmontgard during the term. And now, they have arrived at Hogwarts."
They had already arrived? Sean and Hermione exchanged puzzled looks.
There had been no strangers on the train, nor had they seen any wizards in different uniforms on their way to school. How had they gotten here?
Sean had been rather curious about Newmontgard's means of travel. He still vividly remembered Beauxbatons' flying carriage and Durmstrang's enormous diving ship.
The moment Dumbledore said this, the Great Hall erupted into noise.
Because of the competitive relationship between the two Schools of Magic, coupled with last year's Triwizard Cup, the vast majority of Hogwarts students were hostile toward Newmontgard.
Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were the most