Thank You, Professor Severus

Dumbledore led "Lupin" toward the Great Hall.

"Headmaster, where should I put my luggage?"

He asked, and Dumbledore glanced at it before saying, "Oh, just leave it here. I'll have an elf bring it to you in a moment."

Hogwarts was home to many house-elves. One appeared abruptly and vanished just as suddenly. It was clear that their magic was not Apparition; like Dumbledore, the elves could "teleport" within these grounds. Yes, it was teleportation, not Apparition—they were no longer constrained by such rigid forms.

House-elves were natural masters of wandless, non-verbal magic.

Dewey showed no sign of anything unusual as his trunk vanished.

It was time for the professors to take their seats. Everyone arrived at the long table and sat down in order. Most of them recognized Lupin and nodded to him in greeting.

Lupin exchanged polite pleasantries with them. As the Sorting Hat began to sort the students, Dewey's gaze swept over the self-flying candles and down toward the students below.

He tried his best to clear his mind, for he had just been thinking about what would happen if he detonated a bomb right here.

Forty-five minutes left until he had to take the Polyjuice Potion.

Fortunately, because Snape loathed Lupin, he sat quite far away, a choice everyone understood.

Dewey didn't have to worry about Snape catching the scent of the potion in his hip flask.

There was an empty seat at the Gryffindor table. If Dewey wasn't mistaken, it belonged to Harry Potter; a child tortured by Dementors on the train always received some special consideration.

Harry was not like the trash dumped in Azkaban, managed by no one and cared for by no one.

Dewey withdrew his gaze and looked at the plate before him. He sensed someone watching him. He looked up and, at the Ravenclaw table, spotted the little girl with a wand tucked behind her ear.

The Sorting Hat continued to sing, and everyone was excited. Dewey smiled at the little girl.

Ron and Hermione, sitting at the Gryffindor table, witnessed this.

"Does the professor know a Ravenclaw student?"

Ron whispered. Hermione shook her head. "I don't know."

She also found it very strange, because she had seen clearly that ever since Professor Lupin sat down, Professor Snape's face had been grim and miserable. More importantly, she could tell that Snape's hatred exceeded even his limit of loathing for Neville.

Why was that?

Did they know each other before?

The clever girl speculated.

Finally, it was time to eat.

Dewey could barely wait.

Professors had to eat too, but at every opening feast, everyone was bursting with things to say to their classmates; who would bother looking up at the teachers' table?

Before the meal began, Dewey saw Harry Potter walk in. Dumbledore stood up, likely having cast "Sonorus" on himself.

Dewey naturally unscrewed his flask and took a sip.

Dumbledore had already reached the front of the teachers' table.

"Welcome," he said to the students. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts..."

He began by speaking about the Dementors.

Everyone knew the nature of Dementors. These dark creatures had no mercy and no morality. They feared Voldemort, but they did not fear Dumbledore.

Because Dumbledore had boundaries and morals.

"Therefore, no one is to attempt to trick the Dementors in any way, such as by wearing an Invisibility Cloak.

Dementors are incapable of forgiveness by nature.

So, do not give the Dementors any excuse to harm you.

I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure that no student has any conflict with the Dementors."

He spoke with great gravity. No one thought the Headmaster was joking; he was stating the facts with utmost seriousness. He surveyed the hall with a stern expression.

No one dared to be reckless at that moment.

Even the arrogant students of Slytherin dared not show disrespect to Dumbledore.

Even Malfoy didn't let out any strange noises.

Even the Weasley twins dared not play any pranks at such a time.

Dumbledore continued speaking.

The atmosphere lightened.

"Having addressed the bad news, it is time for some good news. First, I am pleased to announce two new professors joining our ranks.

The first is Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to join our school to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

As he finished, the hall erupted in applause. The sudden burst of enthusiasm was startling!

It was as if someone had set off a firecracker!

The loudest applause came from Gryffindor, and the twins were even cheering.

"Professor Lupin is the best!"

George or Fred shouted loudly, while Dewey looked at them with a calm expression, as if he weren't the one who had sent them to the hospital.

It must be said that the efficiency of the magical hospital is high; within a few days, the Weasley family was back on their feet.

The Expecto Patronum that Dewey cast on the train was no longer limited to protecting a single compartment. Under his full, furious exertion, the silver light flooded the entire carriage, driving away all the Dementors. When the young wizards learned that this feat had been performed by the new "Professor Lupin," they were ecstatic.

Glory, animals, light defeating darkness—who doesn't love a story like that?

Gryffindor was cheering, Hufflepuff was applauding, and the Ravenclaw students were being quite gracious; only Slytherin remained as calm as ever.

Dewey's gaze drifted lightly toward Malfoy, quite unintentionally. Draco Malfoy inexplicably recalled what had happened that afternoon, thinking of the wand pressed against his waist.

He suddenly swallowed hard, subconsciously raised his hand, and began to clap.

Crabbe and Goyle looked at him as if he had gone mad.

Dewey offered Malfoy a faint smile.

Seeing the students so jubilant, even Dumbledore was taken aback. Since when did Lupin have such a rapport with the students?

Was he still that reticent child?

Was he really this popular?

Witnessing this scene, Snape felt his lungs were about to explode with rage, especially when he saw Malfoy clapping; his murderous intent was palpable! Malfoy also sensed his Head of House's gaze and lowered his hand, looking somewhat dazed.

Snape's complexion had been poor to begin with, but now he was severely provoked. Watching the welcomed Lupin, he longed to whip out his wand and cast "Sectumsempra" at Lupin's face, piercing hundreds of bloody holes into his body!

"Look at Snape's face."

At the student table, Hermione couldn't help but say to Harry. Harry was also startled; he had never seen Snape this angry. If eyes could cast magic, Professor Lupin would have died a thousand, ten thousand times over.

His face had turned a leaden gray.

Even at the teacher's table, the other professors sensed something was wrong. They felt an inexplicable atmosphere descend upon them. If Professor Flitwick hadn't spent these years devoted to teaching and cultivating his temperament, he might have drawn his wand immediately to cast a "Protego" in preparation for a duel.

Dewey also sensed Snape's malice, but he showed no reaction. According to Lupin's guilt toward Snape, this was how he should act.

Lower his head and pretend not to see.

Guilt, yes, guilt.

Dewey told himself.

Fortunately, everyone soon turned their attention to another matter, as Dumbledore had a second appointment to announce.

The second appointment was, naturally, Hagrid. The old Care of Magical Creatures professor, Kettleburn, had retired, and Hagrid would take over as the new professor.

An uproar broke out below.

This was far more shocking than Lupin serving as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!

After the announcement, the meal began. Dewey quickly finished the food in front of him, especially the tender steak, of which he ate several pieces. During this process, Snape used his knife and fork with such force that it sounded as if he were trying to carve through his own plate, producing a harsh, grating noise.

The banquet ended, and the students departed, followed by the professors. Professor McGonagall sat until the end. Seeing that everyone else had nearly left, and that both Lupin and Snape remained, she stood up and said to Dewey, "Very well, Professor Lupin, let me take you to your quarters."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall," Dewey said. But just then, Snape, who had been sitting with a gloomy face without a word, suddenly stood up.

"I'll do it, Professor McGonagall. I will take him to his quarters," he said.

"This?"

Professor McGonagall hesitated, a rare sight. Even the few professors who were about to leave paused in their tracks. Professor Flitwick even began to seriously consider which spell he should use to separate them if they started fighting.

But to everyone's surprise, "Professor Lupin" offered Professor Snape a smile.

"Of course, thank you, Severus."

Dewey nodded at him in a friendly manner, thanked Professor McGonagall for her kindness, and then followed Snape out.

The others watched their retreating backs, their eyes filled with concern.