The 1993 Start-of-Term Feast

Although both the Hospital Wing and the school doctor's office were Madam Pomfrey's property, they were two separate rooms, one large and one small.

Madam Pomfrey hardly ever used her office. She spent most of her time in the Hospital Wing, busy looking after the little wizard who had lost his ear, the little wizard who had broken his arms and legs after jumping down the stairs... or hiding behind the medicine cabinet, mixing those strangely smelling potions.

Just as Loren and Dumbledore passed by the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey, who had just finished examining Harry, returned.

Madam Pomfrey opened the door to the Hospital Wing, smiled and nodded at them, "Hurry up, Headmaster, Minerva and Miss Granger's conversation is almost over."

Dumbledore smiled gently and said, "And don't forget the time, Poppy. Don't be late for the Sorting Ceremony."

Madam Pomfrey nodded in agreement, then decisively closed the door to the Hospital Wing.

Dumbledore was taken aback.

Loren smiled slightly, feeling that Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall had grown closer, and their attitudes toward the headmaster had become similar.

Without stopping, the two continued walking forward.

The smell of medicine emanating from the Hospital Wing reminded Loren of Wolfsbane Potion. He asked in a low voice, "Headmaster, does Professor Lupin need treatment for his Werewolf Disease? I can lend you the Sorcerer's Stone."

The Sorcerer's Stone, combined with the Human Transformation Spell, worked very well for Grandpa Bates. The ritual had a good prognosis with no adverse reactions and no signs of relapse over the years.

Although this treatment method cannot be widely adopted, it should be fine to grant it a special teaching position, which can be considered a medical Fawley at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled, then shook his head and said, "Not for now."

"Why?" Loren asked curiously. "The Sorcerer's Stone ritual is far better than the Wolfsbane Potion; it can almost allow Professor Lupin to live a normal life."

Professor McGonagall's office was just ahead. Dumbledore stopped at the top of the stairs, gazing intently into the dimly lit corridor. "During the summer holidays, I mentioned the cure for Werewolf Disease to Remus, and even planned to borrow the Sorcerer's Stone from you during the holidays..."

Loren stopped in his tracks. "And then?"

"We were almost at an agreement," Dumbledore sighed softly. "Then, a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Magic defected. Through an investigation of that official's family, the Ministry of Magic discovered that the direct cause of his defection was Werewolf Disease."

"What does this have to do with Professor Lupin?"

"The implementation of the Anti-Werewolf Law made some Werewolf who wanted to live normal lives while hiding their identities uneasy. Under political and life pressures, many of them turned to Fenrir Greyback."

Miss Beetle told me in her letter that the Werewolf tribes in United States were also making deals with Voldemort ... Remus felt he should retain his Werewolf identity; perhaps it would come in handy.

When Dumbledore spoke these words, his expression was neither happy nor sad. Only in the pauses between sentences could Loren detect some emotional fluctuations.

"Many years ago, Remus's father, Mr. Lupin, revealed Fenrir Greyback's Werewolf identity to the Ministry of Magic. But the Ministry of Magic did not heed his advice and released Greyback. On the eve of Remus's fifth birthday, Fenrir Greyback broke into his home, leaving him with lasting pain..."

Dumbledore, "Fighting Voldemort and Greyback is what he wants to do, and living a normal life is also what he desires."

"So, Principal..." Loren looked at him, "What are you thinking?"

This old principal was very humane in some ways, but somewhat indifferent in others, so people often felt that he was shrewd and calculating.

Perhaps it was a flaw he picked up while interacting with the first Dark Lord, but powerful figures always tend to be somewhat ruthless in their methods.

"Well... I respect his choice. If Remus can infiltrate the Werewolf, he will be of great use." Dumbledore's gaze remained fixed on the silent staircase, unmoving.

In his nearly 100-year life, Dumbledore had witnessed far too many dilemmas beyond his control. He certainly knew that using the Wolfsbane Potion to preserve Lupin's Werewolf identity was the best option, just as he could have released the Basilisk without hesitation last year by taking proper safety precautions.

But after that naive little Witch bluntly pointed out what he had overlooked—the feelings of Creevey and Finley —certain emotions worn down over the long course of their lives resurfaced. When Dumbledore made similar choices again, he was more cautious.

"Severus might assign you the task of brewing the Wolfsbane Potion," Dumbledore winked playfully at Loren. "Perhaps you can brew it to taste better, Remus."

"The mechanism of action of the Wolfsbane Potion is this: the harder it is to drink, the better the effect. The more painful it is to drink, the less pain there will be on the Full Moon Night." Loren kicked the wall lightly with his boots out of boredom.

"Potions Master, what a fascinating subject..."

A few minutes later, Hermione emerged, beaming with joy. She clutched something in front of her chest and skipped over to Loren: "You'd never guess what the Time-Turner does! It's amazing!"

He opened his palm, revealing a Winky Golden Hourglass, even the sand inside was golden and emitted a faint glow.

Before Loren could get a good look, he was interrupted by Professor McGonagall, who came out from behind.

"Ahem!" Professor McGonagall coughed twice, emphasizing her words, "Miss Granger, remember what we agreed on."

"I understand, Professor. I'll keep it a secret," Hermione replied somewhat dejectedly, feeling a little annoyed that she had so much to share but was left Witch.

Loren found it amusing and whispered in her ear, "Let's talk again when we get back."

"Um!"

"We can start considering taking back the Time-Turner." Professor McGonagall looked at the old headmaster with a serious expression. "Miss Granger is very reliable, but unfortunately she has a good friend named Loren."

Dumbledore chuckled to himself.

The Great Hall was a sea of pointed black hats, with students seated around every long academy table. Although the Enchanted Ceiling was covered in dark clouds, obscuring the starry sky, thousands of candles floating above the Great Hall bathed every student in their light, making each face Winky.

"The meat is cut into pieces and boiled until cooked, and the swamp python takes its meat;"

With the fangs of a jackal and the scales of a giant dragon, the ancient wizard has a ferocious appearance.

Undeterred by hardship or trouble, the boiling foam in the cauldron has already become a surging tide;

..."

The Frog Choir members, holding toads in their hands, sang for the new school year at Hogwarts. Professor Flitwick stood in the center of the Great Hall, his back to the audience and facing the choir, completely absorbed in the beautiful music, freely waving his baton.

"Oh!" Hermione said softly, "We missed the Sorting Ceremony."

Dumbledore smiled and said, "But we made it to the chorus."

"... the eyes of a salamander, the toes of a frog, the fur of a bat, the teeth of a dog;

The viper's tongue is like a fork, the earthworm's thorn, the lizard's feet, and the owl's wings.

"If you are not afraid of hard work and trouble, then evil people will surely come."

As the last long note ended, the short, white-haired wizard Flitwick turned around and bowed gracefully to the young wizards. The choir members walked briskly off the stage, greeted by the praise and teasing of their friends.

Dumbledore up to the stage with agility, standing behind the podium and spreading his arms like an owl spreading its wings. His nimble movements made him appear vigorous and youthful. "Welcome, welcome to another school year at Hogwarts! I have a few words to say before everyone gets too dazed from this delicious meal..."

Taking advantage of the young wizards' cheers, Loren and Hermione hunched over and ran quickly back to the Gryffindor table.

George is teasing Neville about when he'll get to sing on stage, while Fred is playfully tugging at Trevor with his finger.

Upon seeing Loren and Hermione, George excitedly reached out to stop Loren: "Look, which young couple is late and even missed the Sorting Ceremony!"

Hermione's face flushed red, Loren ignored his teasing and put his pointed hat on.

Angelina used her fork to push George's hand away and leaned closer, asking curiously, "I heard you came with the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor— "

Before he could finish speaking, Dumbledore raised his voice from the stage. "Please welcome the new Professor Lupin, who has gladly agreed to fill the vacancy and teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts course."

He gestured to the side, indicating that everyone should look at Lupin: "Good luck, Professor!"

Lupin stood up, smiled at the young wizards, and bowed slightly. Compared to the other teachers, who wore expensive, well-fitting robes, Lupin's patched clothes looked rather tattered.

Loren noticed Professor Snape at the other end of the faculty table, a mocking smile on his face, his gaze cold as he looked at Lupin. Anger, hatred, sarcasm, ridicule... it was rare to see Snape display such a rich array of emotions.

It seems a new version of the Wolfsbane Potion is coming out soon... Loren silently prayed for Professor Lupin.

The principal's speech on the stage continued, "... In order to take care of his amputated limbs, Professor Kettleburn has retired... Fortunately, I am pleased to announce that the person who will fill his position is none other than our Rubeus Hagrid!"

"Hagrid! Hagrid!" the Twins shouted, leading the young wizards to burst into enthusiastic applause.

Hagrid, sitting in the faculty section, was so engrossed in his joy that he didn't quite realize what was happening. He clapped along with the others with a silly grin on his face.

Professor McGonagall, looking helpless, gave Hagrid an elbow to the arm. Only then did Hagrid belatedly realize what was happening and suddenly stand up, bumping into several cups and candlesticks in front of him. He then groggily gestured to the young wizards.

His face was flushed red, and his eyes were lowered as he looked at his large hands. Even though his face was covered with a messy, tangled black beard, Loren and the others could still sense the radiant smile hidden behind it.

George and Fred couldn't help but laugh:

"Oh! I'm suddenly looking forward to the Care of Magical Creatures."

"Yeah, we can definitely skip a lot of classes with Hagrid."

"We should have known!" Ron slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "Who else would ask us to prepare a book that bites?"

"Huh?" Seamus looked at him in confusion. "Didn't the shop assistant teach you how to appease the Monster Book of Monsters?"

Harry knew the inside story and, suppressing a laugh, explained to those around him, "Ron stayed up all night reading ' The Monsters Book of Monsters ' and fell asleep. The next day, he overslept and refused to wake up, so he didn't have time to soothe the Monster Book of Monsters. In the end, he was bitten by the Monster Book of Monsters and fell down the stairs. From then on, whenever he overslept, Mrs. Weasley would throw the Monster Book of Monsters on his bed."

"Pfft!"

Seamus, Neville, Dean, and the others around him burst out laughing. They probably realized it was inappropriate, and then lowered their heads, leaving only their shoulders trembling.

"Hahahaha!" Loren laughed out loud without any attempt to hide it, clutching his stomach and leaning against Hermione.

Ron blushed so much that even his freckles turned red, and he looked at Harry with a resentful expression.

Dumbledore continued, "Finally, there is something more serious: at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Dementor from Azkaban will be stationed at Hogwarts..."

The young wizards below the stage quieted down, having probably heard some news... the train's unusual stop on their way back to school during the day, the dazzling white light surging like waves, the Dementor guarding the Castle —all of this indicated something unusual.

Dumbledore eyes were unusually serious as his gaze swept over the faces of each young wizard. "Although I have been assured that their presence will not interfere with our daily studies, I must remind you that Dementor are ferocious creatures. They do not distinguish between those they hunt and those who stand in their way... Therefore, I must warn you all to stay away from them and not give the Dementor a reason to attack you."

"Professor!" Lee Jordan suddenly stood up. "What was that white light that blocked the Dementor on the train? Can you tell us?"

Harry's gaze immediately fell on Loren. Both were third-year students, but Loren had been defeated by the Dementor in a single encounter, while Loren had dealt with Dementor instantly.

The other young wizards, unaware of the spellcaster, mostly focused their attention on Lupin. Such a spell was definitely of professorial level; the only one on the train was the newly arrived Professor Lupin.

All the young wizards' eager eyes expressed the same expectation:

Professor, I want to learn how to fight Dementor!

Lupin stood before a group of young wizards, somewhat bewildered. He was unaware that the young wizards had formed a delightful misunderstanding, which had somehow made his teaching easier.

"The Patronus Charm is indeed effective against Dementor, but that falls under the scope of Defense Against the Dark Arts. As for how Professor Lupin will structure his teaching—"

Some of the young wizards who knew the Patronus Charm gave a brief introduction to those around them, which made the students even more eager, their eyes fixed on the headmaster on the podium.

Dumbledore drew out his words, building suspense, but didn't continue. He suddenly smiled mischievously, his tone becoming lighter, "Even in the darkest times, we can always create happy memories. So, let's begin the feast!"

The hearts that had been hanging high with anticipation were instantly shattered, leaving the young wizards utterly bewildered.

"Oh—no way?"

"Today is not April Fools' Day."

The complaints didn't last long; their attention was quickly drawn to the food and drinks that had suddenly appeared on the golden plates and in the goblets.

Piles of chicken legs, crispy baked pies, and brown beef and lamb chops—a dazzling array of colors tantalizes the eye. The sweet aroma of purple sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and other fruits, along with the savory fragrance of stewed meats and roasted chicken, makes one's mouth water uncontrollably.

The Great Hall echoed with laughter and the clinking of cutlery...