Freshman Banquet

"What purpose? Haven't you heard?"

Li Wei glanced at Snape, his expression odd.

"Heard what?"

Snape noticed Li Wei's expression and his thoughts paused for a moment—he suddenly realized that due to Li Wei's low profile, he hadn't updated himself on Li Wei's situation in a long time.

"I was invited by Dumbledore. If you don't know the reason, why don't you ask him yourself?"

Li Wei shook his head and left directly. Snape's attitude made it seem as if he had meticulously planned and forced his way into teaching at Hogwarts.

Although his thoughts had changed slightly now, it was not for Snape to comment on.

After that, Snape did not bother Li Wei again. He smoothly helped Filch finish decorating the Great Hall.

Before sunset, they had already prepared everything. Li Wei even used the Cleaning Charm to maintain the castle's armor, saving Filch a lot of trouble.

"Thank you. You're the new Professor Li Wei, right?"

Filch said his thanks awkwardly, then reminded him earnestly.

"You need to be careful of those troublemakers in the school, like the Weasley brothers. They might play pranks on you since you're a new professor."

"Thank you for the reminder, I will."

Li Wei nodded, not paying much attention to Filch's attitude.

While there was still some free time, he checked the progress of his two assistants. Before he knew it, it was dark.

"Let's stop here for now. Don't miss the Welcome Feast. The Sorting Ceremony at Hogwarts is quite interesting. You can go and watch—if you're interested, I'll ask Professor McGonagall if she can sort you privately as well."

Qiao Weili and Jiamer nodded and obediently followed behind Li Wei.

Upon entering the Great Hall, Jiamer let out a soft gasp subconsciously, and Qiao Weili also looked a bit stunned.

They quietly looked up at the ceiling of the Great Hall, where hundreds of candles were burning, the ceiling twinkled like starlight, and ghosts with a hazy silver glow drifted through them.

Li Wei turned his head and looked at their reactions, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt—had he neglected their other aspects of learning all these years?

Qiao Weili appeared very mature on the surface, but now it seemed more like he was imitating Li Wei's behavior, still a child at heart.

As for Jiamer, it was best not to mention it.

"Use the Disillusionment Charm and watch from behind. I'll come find you after it's over."

Li Wei bid them farewell and walked towards the long table representing the teachers to sit down.

Not long after, some noisy sounds came from outside the door, quickly growing louder, mixed with the excited shouts of children.

But soon, these sounds quieted down. The older students entered like quails, quickly taking their seats.

Then, Professor McGonagall, like a mother hen leading her chicks, led them into the hall.

As Professor McGonagall brought out a four-legged stool and placed the dirty Sorting Hat on it, a peculiar song suddenly began.

"You might think I'm not pretty, But don't judge me by my looks, If you can find a prettier hat than me, I'll eat myself"

The Sorting Hat's silly performance drew thunderous applause from the entire hall.

Li Wei propped his chin on one hand, watching as one young wizard after another put the Sorting Hat on their heads, anxiously awaiting their house.

Such a scene, full of youth and vitality, could make one smile with emotion just by observing it. It was indeed nostalgic.

While Li Wei was admiring the new students, many older students also turned their gaze to him.

"Cool, a new face! I bet that's our new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"He looks a bit too young, but he has a great aura. He looks like a star player on a Quidditch team. Is there someone like that?"

"Whoever it is—do you still have any expectations for this class? I've completely given up. No expectations, no disappointment. I advise you to do the same as me, embrace the new professor with the mindset that another year will be wasted."

After a year of being poisoned by Professor Quirrell, the students of Hogwarts had a general understanding of how absurd the subject of Defense Against the Dark Arts was at their school.

They had all wasted a year! No progress whatsoever! Every day, they just read some boring, absurd legends like those of vampires in class!

The older students had already completely given up hope and sought other avenues.

In fact, it hadn't been like this only in recent years; the educational problems at Hogwarts had been deeply rooted for a long time.

Even many officials at the Ministry of Magic couldn't cast a simple Shield Charm properly—although it was unpleasant, this was indeed an undeniable fact in the British wizarding world.

Objectively speaking, Voldemort's curse was truly powerful. Even Dumbledore couldn't break it? Or was it just a coincidence that had lasted for decades?

Li Wei noticed a group of students discussing him but paid no mind.

After the Sorting Ceremony ended, Li Wei approached Professor McGonagall, hoping to let his two assistants try the Sorting Hat, but was sternly refused.

"The Sorting Hat is one of Hogwarts' oldest and most sacred possessions. Its duty is to sort new students, not for people to 'experience' or 'test'.

I'm sorry, Li Wei, they are not Hogwarts students, and I will not let them use the Sorting Hat."

"Alright, I understand."

Li Wei nodded, preparing to leave, when he saw Snape, looking menacing, escorting a boy with a lightning scar on his forehead. Trailing behind them was a cowering red-haired boy.

"Professor McGonagall!"

Snape was about to speak when he noticed Li Wei standing nearby.

Visible disgust appeared on Snape's face. Before he could do anything, Li Wei immediately left.

Only after escorting the two assistants out of the Great Hall did he belatedly realize something.

Was that the protagonist Harry Potter and Ron Weasley just now?

It seemed the plot had indeed begun.

He turned to look at his two assistants.

"Sorry, it looks like the Sorting Hat isn't something I can just play with. I'll see if I have another chance later."

"It's just a boring ceremony, not worth your concern."

Jiamer directly expressed disdain for the Sorting Hat, its expression turning cold. Qiao Weili also smiled, advising Li Wei not to dwell on it.

After the door closed, Ron let out a long whistle.

"I thought we were in trouble," he said, grabbing a sandwich.

"Me too," Harry grabbed one as well.

The two had traveled to school by magical car, were witnessed by many Muggles, and had crashed into the Whomping Willow, causing quite a stir. They had thought they were going to be expelled.

But Professor McGonagall had forgiven them.

Since there was no punishment, the two quickly forgot how serious the matter was and began discussing other things.

Ron was already preparing to brag about the incident, and Harry felt a sense of pride—this was the adventurous spirit embedded in Gryffindor's very core.

And today, they had one more topic to add to their conversation.

"Harry, do you remember that cool guy standing next to Professor McGonagall just now? I have a feeling he's our new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."