After the Banquet

After the opening feast, all the first-year students were led by the prefects of the four houses toward their respective common rooms.

Dumbledore returned to his headmaster's office, accompanied by the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall.

"Dumbledore, I would like to borrow your Pensieve!"

The moment she stepped into the headmaster's office, Professor McGonagall spoke with unconcealed urgency.

She walked over to Dumbledore's Pensieve, drew her wand, and pressed it gently against her temple.

A silver thread, as if drawn by some invisible force, drifted out from her temple and was deposited by Professor McGonagall into the Pensieve.

"Dumbledore, I think it would be best if you saw this for yourself."

Dumbledore did not refuse her request; he walked over and looked into the Pensieve, where he saw Wentworth's introduction of the four houses in front of the Great Hall.

"A very interesting introduction. Professor McGonagall, I believe you are overthinking this. I know what you are worried about, but Wentworth's speech lacks the inflammatory and... aggressive nature of Gellert."

Dumbledore remarked after viewing the contents of the Pensieve.

Professor McGonagall spoke with a hint of agitation:

"Dumbledore, I cannot believe you didn't hear anything in those words! It is clear that the child of the Grindelwald family knows Hogwarts incredibly well, which is the only reason he could describe the four houses so accurately."

"A child who has never been to Hogwarts before, yet understands it so thoroughly—what does that tell you? It means those people have been watching Hogwarts for years, watching you!"

"I truly don't understand why you agreed to let his child attend Hogwarts! We are responsible for every student here! Do you know where the Sorting Hat suggested he be placed? Azkaban!"

Facing Professor McGonagall's rare, stern questioning, Dumbledore did not show a hint of anger; instead, he replied with great patience:

"Professor McGonagall, you know that the Sorting Hat sometimes likes to make harmless jokes, doesn't it?"

Dumbledore turned his gaze toward the Sorting Hat resting nearby.

But this time, the Sorting Hat did not grant Dumbledore that courtesy, retorting mercilessly:

"Dumbledore, I think perhaps Azkaban really is a good fit for that lad. After all, it's not as if no one has traveled the path from Hogwarts to Azkaban before."

This time, it was Professor McGonagall who spoke up first:

"That is because they went astray after graduation! When they were in school, the vast majority of them were good students!"

Clearly, Professor McGonagall's love for her students was no less than Dumbledore's, and she retorted to the Sorting Hat without reservation.

Dumbledore continued:

"You are right, Professor McGonagall, they were mostly good students while at school. So, why can you not simply view Wentworth as an ordinary student?"

"Professor McGonagall, you know we cannot leave a child with magical talent out there without guidance. The threat of an Obscurus is always present."

But Professor McGonagall clearly could not accept Dumbledore's explanation.

"Dumbledore, your words cannot fool me. He could have gone to Durmstrang; that shouldn't have been difficult for him. I want to know your true intentions!"

Hearing this, Dumbledore turned around, looked at Professor McGonagall with deep, thoughtful eyes, and said slowly:

"Professor McGonagall, if I recall correctly, next year is when the Potter boy is due to attend Hogwarts, isn't it?"

Hearing Dumbledore's inquiry, Professor McGonagall was momentarily confused as to why the topic had shifted from the Grindelwald child to the Potter boy, but she answered nonetheless:

"If you are referring to the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, then yes, next year is indeed when he is scheduled to report to Hogwarts."

Dumbledore nodded, his tone heavy:

"According to the prophecy, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is also about to return!"

Hearing this, Professor McGonagall seemed to suddenly realize something, her mouth falling open in shock.

"You mean... Good heavens!"

Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore in disbelief, as if she no longer recognized the colleague and friend she had known for decades.

Facing her startled expression, Dumbledore's demeanor remained unchanged; instead, he said with earnest gravity:

"Wentworth and Harry Potter will become good friends. I am convinced of it."

"We are both old, Professor McGonagall. We need younger strength! Rather than turning them away, I would prefer they grow under our guidance!"

Wentworth naturally knew nothing of what was happening in the headmaster's office at that moment. Led by the prefect, the Hufflepuff first-years walked into their common room for the first time.

Compared to the other three houses, the advantage of Hufflepuff was immediately apparent.

Exit the Great Hall after the feast, go downstairs, turn a corner, and you're there!

The entrance to the Hufflepuff common room was a still-life painting near the kitchens. Inside, the room was draped in yellow hangings and furnished with soft armchairs.

A male prefect stepped forward and said:

"This is our Hufflepuff common room. The dormitories for all first-years have already been labeled with your names; you may find them yourselves."

"You are quite lucky; tomorrow happens to be the weekend with no classes. You can familiarize yourselves with the campus, but remember, there are places you must not go! For example, the Forbidden Forest!"

"If any of you didn't get enough to eat, turn left outside the door, and you will find our Hogwarts kitchens. The house-elves there will be very happy to serve you!"

"Alright, boys follow me this way, girls that way. I wish you all a good night!"

Wentworth followed the prefect, waved goodbye to Cedric, and agreed to have breakfast together the next morning.

Upon reaching his dormitory and meeting his roommates, Wentworth greeted them warmly and shared the snacks he had bought on the Hogwarts Express.

It must be said that Hufflepuff students are indeed friendly; after receiving a large haul of snacks from Wentworth, the other three had already unanimously chosen him as their leader.

While his roommates were busy devouring the snacks, Wentworth stepped out of his room, crossed the common room, and headed toward the Hogwarts basement.

He didn't need to search; not far from the Hufflepuff common room, Wentworth looked at the painting of a fruit bowl hanging on the wall and smiled.