A Look Toward a New Era

"Look over there."

Ron straightened his Quidditch Captain badge, then nudged Harry's arm.

"Over there? What about it?"

Harry followed the direction Ron pointed, then sucked in a sharp breath.

Taylor stood out clearly in the middle of the staff table, right beside the four Heads of House, with Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall next to him!

"He just sat over there?"

The sixth-year term had not even begun, the Sorting Ceremony had not even taken place, and he had simply gone over to sit there?

Then who was going to lead the students through the Sorting Ceremony?

And what was with those reporters holding Dream Orbs beside them? And what was with the faintly glowing mushrooms above the Hogwarts Great Hall?

"Keep quiet."

Harry heard a familiar voice. Then Taylor, whom he had just been watching, strode over and lowered his voice. "Prefects, pay attention and maintain order. Although the Sorting Ceremony will not be broadcast as usual, the Headmaster's speech later will be recorded in dreams."

"Yes, I'll keep an eye on it."

Harry replied quietly, then watched Taylor circle over to the other prefects and give them careful instructions.

His sharp eyes noticed that Taylor was not wearing the badge symbolizing the male Student Council President.

Strange. Aren't they recording a dream as a memento? Why is there one less thing on his dress robes?

Harry quietly told Ron beside him about his discovery—the advantage of being Quidditch Captain was that he could stand closer to the front.

"He doesn't care about medals anyway. It's not like you haven't seen his medal armor."

Ron looked utterly unconcerned.

"That's true. He had a whole pile of badges. Even Sirius didn't have that many."

Harry spoke softly as he watched Taylor expertly direct the students, pulling out the first-years