School Opening

The train continued forward, and the fields outside the window turned into hills, and then slowly into small mountains.

Occasionally, you can see herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely on the grassland.

Anne leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside, and suddenly asked, "What do you think the Welcome Party will be like this year?"

"Welcome Party?" Pabbie blinked. "Isn't it the same every year? Eating, chatting, listening to the Headmaster speak—of course, Dumbledore isn't like Headmaster Black; his speeches aren't long and tedious."

"I think this year will be different," Anne said. "Voldemort is dead this year, it's all over, and the Headmaster will definitely say something."

Cassandra closed the book and thought for a moment.

"Harry will probably be mentioned."

All eyes turned to Harry, Harry was eating cookies like a hamster, and they were all taken aback by his stares.

Why are you looking at me?

"You're the main character," Pabbie said with a smile, "The one who defeated Voldemort eight times."

Harry reluctantly swallowed the biscuit in his mouth.

"I didn't do it on purpose—"

"Not on purpose?" Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "You didn't mean to crush Voldemort?"

Harry opened his mouth, but was speechless.

Anne and Pabbie burst into laughter.

As evening approached, the train began to slow down.

A familiar view appeared outside the window, along with the castle that was faintly visible in the distance.

It's Hogwarts.

"We're almost there," Anne said, leaning against the window, her voice full of anticipation.

Pabbie joined them, and the two squeezed together to look outside.

Cassandra put away her book and straightened her clothes. Harry helped Anne and Pabbie remove the notes that had stuck to their faces from playing cards and then fixed their hair.

The train slowly pulled into Hogsmeade Station, and Hagrid's tall figure stood out on the platform. He was holding a lamp and greeting the first-year students.

"First-year students! This way! Follow me!"

"Oh, Harry, are you alright?" He waved to Harry again, just like he did in first year.

"That's great, Hagrid!" Harry smiled and waved at him.

Everyone got off the bus and followed the flow of people out of the station.

A cool night breeze blew, and Hogwarts Castle was brightly lit in the distance.

"Shall we take a carriage back?" Anne asked.

"Okay." Harry nodded. "Let's go."

They found an empty Thestral carriage and got in.

The carriage slowly started moving and headed towards the castle. The wheels rolled over the cobblestones, making a clattering sound.

Anne leaned on Harry's shoulder, Pabbie on the other side, Cassandra sat opposite, looking out at the castle.

"So beautiful," she whispered.

Harry looked in the direction of her self-illumination and saw a castle that appeared especially mysterious under the cover of night.

"Yes," he nodded in agreement, "It is indeed beautiful."

The carriage stopped at the gate. Everyone got off and followed the crowd into the castle.

Inside the Great Hall, four long tables were already set up, and countless candles floated in the air, illuminating the entire hall.

Above the dome is a night sky that has been enchanted, with stars slowly turning.

The students gradually took their seats, whispering among themselves and chatting about their holidays.

Harry and the others walked toward the Gryffindor Long Table, where Ron and Hermione were already there, chatting with Neville; Ginny was also there, with several of her friends sitting beside her.

"This way!" Ron waved.

They went over and sat down next to Ron. Anne sat next to Harry, while Pabbie and Cassandra took their seats in the staff area.

"Did you have fun on the way?" Hermione asked.

"I'm happy," Anne said. "I played cards all afternoon."

"Who won?" Hermione asked.

"We won it all, and we lost it all," Pabbie said. "It's just sticking notes on people anyway."

Neville laughed. "That sounds interesting."

As they spoke, people began to take their seats in the Teachers' Table.

Professor McGonagall sat next to the Headmaster — Dumbledore hadn't arrived yet, and was supposed to be a little late. Her expression was as serious as ever, but there was a hint of gentleness in her eyes.

Professor Flitwick was talking to Professor Sprout beside her, both of them smiling.

Professor Snape remained seated, his face as sinister as ever.

There were also a few new faces—one of them must be a new professor.

"Why is Miss Malfoy sitting in the faculty section?" Ron asked, pointing to Cassandra in the Teachers' Table.

"The new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, huh?" Hermione said. "I've heard for a while that Cassandra wants to teach at Hogwarts. Veratia even messaged me about it yesterday."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Ron asked with some concern. "This position—"

"Nothing will happen this year," Harry said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall door opened again.

Everyone looked up.

Dumbledore walked in.

He wore a deep purple robe, and his silver beard Winky in the candlelight; his steps were slow, but each step carried an indescribable air of authority. His gaze swept over the four long tables, finally settling on the Gryffindor Long Table —and on Harry.

Those eyes were filled with satisfaction and pride.

Harry felt a warmth in his heart.

Dumbledore walked to the Teachers' Table, but did not sit down.

He turned around, faced all the students, and raised his hands.

The Great Hall fell silent instantly.

"Good evening, students." Dumbledore's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner.

"Good evening, Headmaster," everyone responded in unison.

Dumbledore nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room once more.

"I know you're all waiting for the Sorting Ceremony and the banquet. But before that, please allow this old man to say a few words."

"This year has been extraordinary for everyone. We've experienced a lot, lost a lot, and gained a lot. But most importantly—we made it through."

The Great Hall was completely silent.

"The reason we were able to survive, the reason we can stand here and enjoy this peaceful time, is because of one person."

All eyes turned back to the Gryffindor Long Table, and to Harry.

Dumbledore looked at Harry, his eyes filled with loving kindness.

"Harry Potter," he said, "That's a name you've all heard since you were little. You've heard his legends, his stories, how he faced the Dark Lord time and time again, and how he survived time and time again."

"But what you don't know is that not long ago, he faced Voldemort once again. And this time, he not only survived—he ended it all."

A gasp rippled through the Great Hall.

He found Voldemort's hideout in South America and faced Voldemort's most powerful form—the monster that had merged with the entire Andes Mountains. Alone, he stood in the cursed temple, facing an enemy who was virtually immortal.

Dumbledore's voice echoed through the hall.

"But he did not back down; he used his courage, his wisdom, his strength—and his loyalty to his friends—"

Love for family and for this world—to utterly crush that darkness.

He looked at Harry, his eyes filled with pride.

"Harry Potter is not only our the Savior, not only the nemesis of the Dark Lord, but also the greatest wizard of this era. He showed us through his actions that darkness will eventually pass and light will eventually come."

Dumbledore raised his hands.

Let's give Harry Potter a round of applause!

Thunderous applause erupted; everyone was clapping— Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin.

The professors were clapping, even Snape was clapping—though his expression remained indifferent, his hands were indeed moving.

Harry sat there, his face flushed red.

He didn't know what to say or do, so he could only sit there dumbly, accepting the overwhelming applause.

Anne clapped enthusiastically beside her, her eyes sparkling. Pabbie in the Faculty Table was also clapping, laughing heartily. Cassandra sat next to her, smiling gently—though the word didn't quite fit her, at least for this moment, her smile was gentle.

Ron slapped Harry on the shoulder hard. "Did you hear that? The greatest wizard! You!"

Hermione smiled and said, "Well deserved."

The applause gradually subsided.

Dumbledore spoke again.

"Of course, Harry didn't accomplish all this alone. He had a group of brave friends around him— Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and those who fought alongside him. It is because of them, because of you, and because of all of Hogwarts, that we have come this far."

"So today, let's not just applaud Harry, but applaud all of you. For everyone who persevered in the darkness, for everyone who didn't give up, for everyone who believes in the light."

Applause rang out again.

This time, Harry clapped along with everyone else.

He looked at the people around him— Ron, Hermione, Anne, and the classmates in the distance whose names he couldn't recall.

Everyone was clapping, everyone was laughing.

A warm feeling welled up inside him; this was everything he was willing to risk his life to protect.

Dumbledore finally sat down. Professor McGonagall stood up and began to preside over the Sorting Ceremony.

One by one, the freshmen stepped forward, put on their Sorting Hat, and were assigned to their respective colleges.

Each shout of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin was accompanied by cheers and applause.

Anne looked at the new students and suddenly smiled.

"I was the same way back then," she said softly. "So nervous, terrified of being assigned to Hufflepuff."

"Then you were sorted into Slytherin," Harry said. "Weren't you happy?"

"Hmm," Anne nodded, "But Sebastian kept nagging me about how ' Slytherin isn't so bad,' it was so annoying."

Harry chuckled, then whispered, "Make sure Pabbie doesn't hear what I just said, or she'll be furious."

Anne stuck out her tongue and smiled sweetly.

After the sorting Sorting Ceremony, Professor McGonagall stood up again.

"Before the dinner begins, I have an important announcement to make."

Everyone pricked up their ears.

"This year's Quidditch season will use new rules," Professor McGonagall said. "The Golden Snitch's score will be adjusted to 150 points, but the game won't end immediately after the Golden Snitch is caught; instead, it will go into overtime," lasting 30 minutes. If the team that catches the Golden Snitch maintains their lead within those 30 minutes, they win; if they are overtaken, the game continues."

An uproar erupted in the Great Hall.

"What kind of bizarre rule is this?" Ron's eyes widened.

"It's supposedly to make the game more exciting," Hermione said. "The International Quidditch Association approved it last year, and it's being piloted in major leagues this year."

Ron's expression was complex, a mixture of anticipation and worry.

Ginny's eyes lit up. "Interesting!"

Dumbledore then announced that the dinner was officially beginning.

Ron's eyes widened as the golden plate was suddenly piled high with food.

"Finally!" He grabbed a chicken leg, took a big bite, and then squinted his eyes in satisfaction. "Mypreci..."

Ous!

Hermione looked at him helplessly, but said nothing.

Harry picked up a knife and fork, Anne ate beside him, taking small bites and occasionally cutting off pieces to feed Harry.

After the dinner ended, Dumbledore stood up again.

He raised his wand and waved it gently. All the candles in the Great Hall went out, leaving only those floating in the air still glowing.

Everyone fell silent.

"Tonight, we have a special segment," said Dumbledore. "To celebrate this hard-won peace, and to celebrate the start of the new school term, I've prepared a little something."

He waved his wand again, and the starry sky above the dome began to change. The stars spun and flowed, finally converging into a huge image— Hogwarts Castle, Winky in the sunlight.

The scenes continue to change: Harry's first entrance into the Great Hall, the Sorting Hat hesitating on his head; Harry laughing and joking with Ron and Hermione; Harry flying through the air on a broomstick; Harry facing the Troll and Dementor...

The Great Hall was silent. Everyone watched the images, watching how the boy had triumphantly advanced, crushing everything in his path.

Especially the scene where Fire God Paves the Way and wipes out the Dementor, that's absolutely hilarious.

Finally, the scene freezes on a new setting— the Temple of the Sun, where Harry stands in the light, facing Voldemort as he dissipates.

Dumbledore's voice rang out.

"Darkness will eventually pass, and light will eventually arrive, and those who protect the light will always be those with love in their hearts."

The image gradually faded, the stars returned to the dome, the candles were lit again, and a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the Great Hall.

Harry sat there, his eyes welling up with tears, and he was also moved.

He never expected Dumbledore to prepare these things, nor did he expect his journey to be recorded in this way.

"You deserve it," Anne whispered beside her.

After the dinner, students from each college returned to their respective Common Room.

The common room was already quite full; the younger students were chatting around the fireplace, while the older students sat in the corner reading. As soon as Neville entered, he was pulled away by several friends, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione found a relatively quiet corner to sit down.

"Finally back." Ron leaned back on the sofa and let out a long sigh of relief.