The Party Was in Chaos

Half an hour later, the feast was nearly over, and the main dishes on the tables had been replaced with all kinds of desserts.

Kyle chose a serving of maple pudding.

Bill and Charlie had both highly recommended it, saying that aside from Hogwarts, it was hard to find anywhere that made it so authentically.

Kyle tried a bite and found that it really was delicious. It was just the right amount of sweet, light and refreshing, with a perfectly balanced hint of tartness that made it the ideal dessert after a meal.

Once everyone had finished eating, the remaining desserts vanished, and the tables were restored to their clean, spotless state.

Dumbledore stood up, and the Great Hall fell silent once more.

"Now that everyone's eaten their fill, I have a few things to say before you return to your dormitories."

"First-years, please note that students are forbidden from entering the wooded area on the school grounds."

"One more thing..." Dumbledore paused, then continued, "Professor McGonagall also asked me to remind you not to use practical joke products in class or in any public area. Anyone who does will face severe punishment."

As soon as he finished speaking, nearly half the people in the Great Hall instinctively looked toward Fred and George of Gryffindor.

The twins didn't seem at all fazed. They stood up and bowed repeatedly to everyone around them, looking so pleased with themselves that you'd think Dumbledore had just praised them.

Nearby, Professor McGonagall looked furious, her lips pressed even more tightly together.

Judging by her expression, the twins would almost certainly be serving detention—and for quite a while.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, remained composed. "Quidditch tryouts will be held during the second week of term. Anyone in second year or above who wishes to join their House team should contact Madam Hooch."

So it really had to be second-years...

Since he'd known this was coming, Kyle wasn't disappointed.

Besides, although Dumbledore had put it that way, it didn't mean first-years were absolutely forbidden from trying out for Quidditch.

First-years were excluded simply to be fair to Muggle-born students. They'd never encountered Quidditch before, so choosing team members at this point would put them at an unfair disadvantage.

After a year, they'd be more or less familiar with the Wizarding World, making it the right time to hold tryouts.

Of course, if someone showed real promise, the Heads of House wouldn't mind using a little privilege—just as they would for Harry Potter a year later.

So Kyle planned to visit Professor Sprout in a couple of days and see if he could persuade her to let him try out alongside the second-years.

A whole year without flying would be torture.

"Quiet..."

Dumbledore had to raise his voice to settle the young witches and wizards below, who were all buzzing with excitement about Quidditch.

"Finally, I'm pleased to introduce our new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Dumbledore turned slightly and gestured toward the High Table.

"Professor Oren, why don't you say hello?"

Beside Snape, an unremarkable-looking middle-aged wizard stood up and waved to everyone with a smile.

A few scattered, half-hearted claps sounded across the Great Hall. The first-years were the only ones applauding with much enthusiasm; students in the other years weren't particularly interested.

He was just another one-year professor. What was there to get excited about? He'd be replaced next year anyway. They might as well humor him for Dumbledore's sake.

Professor Oren didn't seem to mind. He appeared to have expected this, and after greeting everyone, he sat back down.

Perhaps out of disappointment or embarrassment, he moved his chair a little too abruptly. He lurched sideways, and his elbow landed squarely in Snape's lower back.

"Urgh!"

Snape sucked in a sharp breath and gripped the arms of his chair, barely managing to keep himself from crying out.

"I'm terribly sorry, Severus. Are you all right? Should you go and see Madam Pomfrey?" Oren asked with concern.

"I don't believe we're familiar enough to address each other by our first names, Professor Oren.

"Besides, I'm not so fragile that one little bump would send me to the Hospital Wing. There's no need to trouble yourself."

Snape shifted his chair farther away. Disgust flickered in his eyes, as if he'd just spotted a Flobberworm squeezed dry of its slime and left with no medicinal value whatsoever.

Professor Oren looked a little awkward. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more.

But by then, Dumbledore had finished talking about Hogsmeade Village and begun directing the young witches and wizards to sing the school song.

A long golden ribbon floated overhead, and soon the Great Hall was filled with a jumble of different tunes.

Hogwarts,

Hogwarts,

Hogwarts,

Hogwarts,

Please teach us all you know,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees.

A perfectly good school song had somehow turned into a complete musical train wreck, with everyone singing to a different tune.

The most popular choices were The Glorious Hippogriff and Symphony of Fate. Most of the young witches and wizards had gone with one of those.

As for Kyle, he sang to the tune of The Broad Road to Heaven.

Everyone had chosen something different, but the ones having the most fun were undoubtedly the Weasley Twins.

Fred and George linked arms and sang the school song to the tune of Flight of the Bumblebee, dancing merrily as they went.

Their antics drew plenty of attention, and the cheerful Gryffindors soon joined in of their own accord, turning the school song into a full-blown free-for-all.

Still, there was no denying that they looked like they were having a wonderful time. Even Dumbledore on the High Table couldn't resist joining in for a few steps.

When the song ended, Fred and George received the loudest applause of the evening.

"How lovely. This is what a school song is for." Dumbledore adjusted his slightly crooked wizard's hat and smiled. "It's time for bed now, so off you go to your dormitories."

Once the feast was over, everyone surged toward the Great Hall's doors.

The Prefects sprang into action, doing their best to gather the first-years from their respective Houses.

"First-years, over here!"

"Don't push! Let the first-years go first—let the first-years through!"

"Hurry up, first-years. We need to get moving."

"Is everyone here? Stay with me and don't fall behind."