Things That Had Not Changed

The train slowed down and finally came to a stop.

Albert scooped up Tom, who was full and dozing, put him back in the cage, and then rushed toward the car door with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan.

They descended to a dark and small platform. Although it hadn't rained on their way to Hogwarts, the chill of the night still made Albert tighten his robes.

In the darkness, a lamp flickered above the students' heads, and a familiar voice drifted from afar. Hagrid was calling to the first-year students; it was his task to lead them Crossing the Lake.

"Let's go!" Fred called to everyone to follow the crowd.

The four of them moved slowly with the flow of people, crossed the dark platform, and walked a short distance further, where hundreds of Thestral Carriage were waiting for them.

Albert chose an empty carriage, and after the four of them got in, the carriage followed the long procession toward Hogwarts Castle.

On the way, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were talking about Harry Potter again. Albert didn't want to join in, so he leaned against the window and looked at the brightly lit castle in the distance.

The carriage finally stopped at the foot of the stone steps in front of the oak gate. Albert got off the carriage, climbed the steps, and was about to enter the castle when he saw Professor McGonagall calling him from beside the oak gate.

"Mr. Anderson."

George and the others, who were chatting with Fred, stopped and looked over curiously.

Professor McGonagall called out to Katrina, gesturing for the two of them to come with her.

She led the two into a room next to the Great Hall, closed the wooden door, and after making sure no one was eavesdropping, she took out two timers from her pocket and handed them to the two men.

"This is Time-Turner. Wear it around your neck, and each rotation represents one hour," Professor McGonagall warned. "If you go more than five times, that is, going back five hours at once, it will have a bad effect on your body."

"I've come here time and time again, and I know how to use it." Albert nodded to indicate that he knew.

Katrina, who was standing next to him, glanced at Albert and nodded in agreement, indicating that she understood.

"Very good." Before leaving, Professor McGonagall reminded him again, "Don't let anyone else know, and don't use it for anything other than studying."

"We promise," Albert and Katrina said in unison.

"Alright, you all go to the banquet, I'm going to welcome the new students." Professor McGonagall said this and strode away.

Albert put the Time-Turner into his leather bag and walked towards the Great Hall with Katrina.

Fred, George, and Lee Jordan had already reserved a seat for him in the front row. At this time, the front row was in high demand, as everyone wanted to get a close look at the legendary Harry Potter.

"That must be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor." Albert's gaze fell on the head seat, next to Snape, where a young man with a ridiculous scarf wrapped around his head stood, his face appearing slightly pale from nervousness.

"Professor Quirrell," Percy said without hesitation, quoting the information he had just received from the Nearly Headless Nick.

"They don't seem nearly as reliable as the previous two Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor," Albert said softly. "By the way, have they found Professor Smith yet?"

"Unfortunately, no." Percy had clearly forgotten about Professor Smith from last year. "The whole of Britain has been searched, but we still haven't found him."

"Everyone says he might have been murdered," Lee Jordan muttered to himself.

"Being Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor is really risky. I hope he can leave smoothly too," Albert remarked, though his words betrayed his true feelings. Upon seeing Professor Quirrell with his ridiculously large scarf wrapped around his head, Albert guessed that Voldemort must have possessed the back of his head.

Did Dumbledore really not notice?

That's hard to say! If he hadn't known something beforehand, he probably wouldn't have noticed it himself, and would have just thought it was ridiculous that the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor had a scarf wrapped around his head.

However, the fact that Harry Potter, Voldemort, and Dumbledore actually attended a banquet together is strangely amusing.

"It's not as serious as you say. Although no Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor has been able to teach for more than a year in recent years, many professors haven't had any serious accidents," Percy reassured him.

"There's no denying that this course is a bit weird," Albert muttered under his breath. "I think if Professor Quirrell hadn't resigned beforehand, he would probably have gotten into trouble."

"Stop cursing him." Fred covered his face with his hands.

"I think if Professor Quirrell really gets into trouble, it's probably because of what you just said," George couldn't help but complain.

"Shut up, Professor Quirrell's position as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor isn't easy either." Lee Jordan felt that Professor Quirrell was probably doomed in the end.

The Great Hall suddenly fell silent as everyone looked toward the new students who had just entered, trying to spot the Great Hall Potter.

Albert was found, and with the information, it was easy to find him. He was right next to the red-haired Weasley, and the slightly thin, black-haired boy with glasses was Harry Potter.

The whispers in the Great Hall began to stop, and soon there was complete silence.

Then, the Sorting Hat in front of the freshmen began to sing:

You may not think I'm pretty, but please don't judge a book by its cover.

Because I am a thinking magic hat! It's another new song, and this time, after singing, the Sorting Hat even bowed to each of the four dining tables.

Albert felt his face twitch and raised his hand to clap along with the others.

After the applause subsided, Professor McGonagall began calling roll. The first girl was a blonde named Hannah Abbott, who was assigned to Hufflepuff.

As for the little girl who helped Neville find the toad, she was indeed Hermione Granger, and unsurprisingly, she was sorted into Gryffindor.

"I thought she'd be assigned to Ravenclaw," Lee Jordan muttered under his breath.

"The boy who lost the toad was also sorted into Gryffindor." George turned to look at Albert, realizing he really shouldn't compete with Albert in predictions.

"I thought he'd be in Hufflepuff," Fred said, turning to Albert. "How did you know he'd go to Gryffindor?"

"Just a guess."

As Professor McGonagall called out Malfoy's name, Fred said with a look of disgust, "That guy will definitely be sorted into Slytherin."

Sure enough, the moment Malfoy's head touched the Sorting Hat, it called out "Slytherin."

"You know him?" Albert asked, knowing the answer already.

"The Malfoy family kids, those are really annoying. They've always looked down on Muggle- born wizards. Actually, I'd like to know what he has to offer you in return." George suddenly laughed maliciously. "I think you have every right to despise him."

Albert glanced at Malfoy, who was being welcomed by the Slytherin students, and muttered, "A spoiled brat."

"I like that assessment," Fred said, giving a thumbs up.

"Harry Potter!"

When Professor McGonagall called out the name, a buzzing murmur suddenly filled the Great Hall.

"Is she calling Harry Potter?"

Is it Harry Potter?

The restaurant was packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of Harry Potter Potter, with many craning their necks. Some students even stood up and peered in that direction.

This scene gave Albert a sense of déjà vu, like a fan chasing after a celebrity.

A moment later, the Sorting Hat called out Gryffindor.

The loudest cheers and applause immediately erupted from the long table in Gryffindor.

Percy, who was sitting in the front row, stood up and shook hands with Harry, exuding a leader's air.

"Look, in Gryffindor," Albert said softly.

Neither Fred nor George heard him; they were shouting, "We have Potter! We have Potter!"

However, Albert did notice that Lee Jordan's lip movements were "really accurate".

He looked back at the High Table, his gaze landing on Dumbledore, who was slightly raising his glass, seemingly satisfied that his savior hadn't gone astray.