New Professor

That evening, Hufflepuff's common room naturally hosted another celebration.

The table was piled high with cookies and cakes, along with jugs of Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer.

This time, however, few people paid attention to the delicious snacks. Everyone was gathered around a table, carefully examining the three red stones placed on it.

"What exactly is this thing?"

"I don't know." Kyle shook his head. "Bagman said there are clues to Second Task hidden inside, but he didn't say how to use it; we'll have to figure it out ourselves."

"Could we roast them over a fire?" Mikel suggested. "Burning off the outer shell will reveal the clues."

"No." Hannah Abbott immediately shook her head. "What if we burn the real clues? It's too risky. I think it's better to use the Revealing Charm."

"I'll give it a try." Cedric took out his wand and tapped the stone hard.

"Reveal your true form!"

However, the stone remained unchanged.

"Looks like the Revealing Charm isn't working," he sighed.

"It's alright, it's only the first day," Kanna said to Kyle. "You have three months; you'll definitely find a clue."

Kyle smiled but didn't say anything.

In fact, Kyle wasn't that concerned about whether he could find out clues about the Second Task in advance.

It's best if you know, but it's okay if you don't... they'll tell you on the day of the competition anyway.

After Kyle collected the stones from the table, everyone remembered the cookies and cakes they had neglected for a long time.

The problems of the Second Task were put aside, and everyone began to celebrate Kyle's good results, and the atmosphere in the lounge quickly became lively.

When Kyle finally returned to the dorm with Ryan and Mikel, it was already around two or three in the morning. Fortunately, this time those guys didn't force him to drink Butterbeer.

Mikel and Ryan seemed to have inexhaustible energy; even though it was late, they showed no signs of going to sleep.

Mikel found a wooden stick and fixed it to the door to act as Broomstick. He and Ryan took turns going up to it and imitating the difficult grabbing move that Kyle used in the last level.

Kyle lay in bed watching, and when Ryan fell off the stick, he and Mikel burst into laughter.

I must say, it's actually quite interesting from this angle.

After the excitement subsided, Hogwarts entered December.

The weather is getting colder and colder, with strong winds and sleet almost every day. The once bustling Black Lake is now deserted, with only Durmstrang's large ship still moored in the middle of the lake, rocking and swaying with the strong winds.

"It must be freezing cold in there," Mikel said.

They had just finished their Care of Magical Creatures and were on their way back to the castle, but most of them had flushed faces and were walking unsteadily.

This is because Hagrid has been feeding those Abraxan Single Malt Whisky every day recently, which has resulted in a strong smell of whisky constantly wafting through the paddock.

It was fine before, but now when the wind blows, the smell of alcohol wafts into the classroom, and the strong liquor makes most students feel uncomfortable.

"I think there must be magic on that ship," Ryan said, rubbing his face. "Otherwise, it would be unbearable to stay in the lake on such a cold day."

"That's about right," Mikel said. "And I've heard Durmstrang is much colder than Hogwarts, and their uniforms even include fur cloaks."

After being blown by the damp, cold wind from the Black Lake all the way back to the castle, the dizziness they had felt earlier had disappeared.

Kyle put the book back in the dorm room, just as Cedric walked in.

"Kyle, I was just saying I was going to come find you."

"What's wrong?"

"That's right," Cedric said. "The Head Boy just came to me and said that Dumbledore requires us all to have dinner in the Great Hall tonight... I've already notified the other years, you're the only ones missing."

"Are we all going to the Great Hall for dinner?" Kyle asked, puzzled. "Has something happened?"

"I don't know either," Cedric shrugged. "Probably the principal has something to announce."

"Okay." Kyle nodded.

When it was time for dinner, Dumbledore arrived as expected. He looked very happy and kept talking to Professor Moody next to him.

"What do you think he's going to say?" Kanna asked curiously. "Will it be the Second Task?"

"I don't think so," Kyle thought for a moment and said, "If it were related to the Triwizard Tournament, all three principals should be here."

Only two headmasters came to the Great Hall for dinner: Dumbledore and Olympe Maxime. As for Karkaroff... he hadn't been to the Great Hall since the end of the First Task.

Dinner time ended quickly.

After the food on the plate disappeared, Dumbledore stood up.

Everyone looked at him.

"You must be wondering why I asked everyone to have dinner in the Great Hall."

Dumbledore looked around and said with a smile, "That's because I have something to announce. Alright, come in."

He stretched out his hand and pointed to the side door of the Great Hall.

A person is walking into the Great Hall from there.

"Oh!"

"My God, he is..."

A gasp rippled through the Great Hall Gryffindor table, Harry even stood up in excitement.

"Yes, I'm sure many of you have seen him in the newspapers," Dumbledore said with a smile. "But I still need to introduce you to... Sirius Black."

A round of applause rang out in the Great Hall.

"Quiet, quiet, I think it's too early for you to cheer..." Dumbledore stretched out his hand. "I am honored to announce that, from this day forward, Sirius Black will become our new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts!"

After a brief silence, thunderous applause and enthusiastic cheers erupted.

"Professor, what about Professor Moody...?" someone asked loudly.

Although Sirius Black was very good, Professor Moody was no less so, and many people enjoyed his classes.

"Don't worry about that, everyone. Professor Moody will remain here," Dumbledore explained. "But to be honest, he's complained to me many times about how I shouldn't have a retired old man in charge of seven years of classes."

So Professor Black came and readily agreed to lighten Professor Moody's load by taking over the Defence Against the Dark Arts for the first through fourth years.

Another round of applause followed.

"Oh, why!" Mikel said, exasperated. "Why can't fifth graders take his class?"

"Professor Moody is no slouch either," Cedric said.

"I know." Mikel shook his head. "I mean, it's Sirius Black, this year's Legend. Aren't you curious?"

"Hmm... well, I'm curious too," Cedric said, "But what can I do? He's only in charge of the lower grades."

"I'm so envious..."

As they were talking, Kyle glanced to the left of the classroom seating area, where Snape was.

Snape showed no intention of clapping; he simply held a fork and stared intently at Sirius, who was waving to the crowd.

Because of the excessive force, the fork was even deformed from being squeezed.

His expression was extremely grim, just as Professor Dumbledore had said earlier that he had to drink some of the Potions brewed by Mikel.