The Clamor of Departure

The clamor in the Great Hall died down within seconds.

The students' expressions showed a rare unanimity—shock, confusion, and unease.

Everyone at the professors' table immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Their eyes met, and they quickly found the culprit—Professor Babbling.

The Ancient Runes scholar casually put away her wand, her gaze steady and her expression entirely unapologetic.

—During that debate over the "savior," she had quietly cast Sonorus,

allowing every student in the Great Hall to hear the argument between the teachers.

Several professors' expressions turned subtle.

Some frowned, some sighed, and some secretly felt relieved.

Only Babbling wore an inscrutable smile—she had always believed that the value of education lay in "shock."

Low murmurs erupted among the students below.

The Weasley twins exchanged a glance and laughed at the same time.

"Father really got called out," Fred said in a low voice. "That bit about 'treating Muggles like exotic curiosities' sounds exactly like something he'd do."

George nodded lightly, looking both embarrassed and agreeable.

Ron's face flushed bright red, and he lowered his head, not daring to look up.

Percy had already pulled out a quill and was rapidly writing something on parchment—a letter he intended to send home.

On the other side, Draco Malfoy wore a mocking expression.

"Someone finally said the truth," he said with a slight curl of his lips. "Potter is only an ordinary young wizard, not some savior."

The description of Lily Potter's sacrifice displeased him—but if it weakened Harry's halo, he did not mind.

At the center of the crowd, Harry said nothing.

Not because he was ashamed, nor because he was angry.

In truth, he had never considered himself special.

Only now did he understand the truth of that night in full.

His mother had died to protect him.

It was not Fate that had chosen him, but the hand an ordinary woman had reached out in the darkness.

"Perhaps that professor was right."

"Mother was this world's true savior."

Lin An's voice echoed in his mind, and an indescribable pain rose in his heart.

Elsewhere, Hermione Granger sat quietly.

Her usually bright eyes were now clouded by complicated thoughts.

The moment she heard that debate, the halo around the Wizarding World seemed to shatter.

To her, Hogwarts had once symbolized dreams and miracles, but now it was like a mirror reflecting the grayness of human nature.

The clever girl understood reality at once.

—This was not a fairy tale, but a real society.

Here, too, there were classes, bloodlines, and prejudice.

Being Muggle-born meant starting lower and facing higher barriers.

To be noticed, one had to work three or even four times as hard.

The expressions of several Muggle-born students nearby also turned grave.

It was not the first time they had noticed inequality, but they had never imagined that such prejudice ran so deep.

One of them said quietly, "I thought it was only like this at school... that things would get better after graduation."

Another shook his head. "Maybe the entire Wizarding World is the same."

The fantasies in their hearts shattered, leaving only calm and clarity.

Just then, Dumbledore rose to his feet.

His silver beard swayed lightly with the movement as he said gently, "Children, there is no need to let unrelated matters trouble you.

The world does not contain only shadows. There is light as well.

Many people are working to make the Wizarding World a better place.

Each of you has the chance to become part of that light—your choices determine the future."

His voice was calm, yet it carried a soothing power.

At that moment, many students gradually settled down.

The headmaster cleared his throat and adopted a lighter tone. "Now, a few matters before the term begins.

First, the third-floor corridor is off limits. Second, casting spells in the corridors is forbidden.

Finally, do not enter the Forbidden Forest without permission. It is not a safe place for young wizards."

The subject shifted gently, and some life returned to the atmosphere.

"Next," Dumbledore said with a smile, raising a hand, "allow me to introduce a new colleague.

This school year's Alchemy classes will be taught by—Professor Lin An Alvin Bones."

Applause broke out.

Under everyone's gaze, Lin An stood, looking composed.

He did not say a word, yet there was power in his eyes.

A soft cry broke the silence among the students. "Is that Lin An?"

Hermione was so excited she nearly stood up.

"Of course it is! He's one of the wizards I admire most!"

Harry and Ron both turned to look at her.

"You know him?" Harry asked.

"Of course! He's one of the most outstanding young wizards of the twentieth century."

Hermione spoke rapidly, her voice nearly reverent.

"He was Ravenclaw prefect and Head Boy, won the Barnabas Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spellcasting, represented Britain in the Wizard Council Youth Delegation,

won the gold medal at the International Alchemy Conference in Cairo with his paper, 'Mutual Conversion of Magical Elements,' and was also a Potions Competition champion—

the youngest senior wizard and Alchemy master!"

Ron froze.

"You remember... all that?"

"I read a book called The Greatest Wizards of the Twentieth Century. Both he and Dumbledore were in it."

Harry nodded thoughtfully, but Ron frowned.

"My father said the Bones family studies Dark Magic.

They believe Dark Magic is not the source of Fear, but the key to understanding.

That family even wanted to organize wizards to study the three Unforgivable Curses together and find ways to counter them."

"Research does not mean corruption," Hermione retorted. "If they can break curses, isn't that salvation?"

Ron shook his head, his expression firm. "Dark Magic corrupts the soul. That kind of power—it should never be touched."

Harry, sitting nearby, asked in a low voice, "What are the three Unforgivable Curses?"

Hermione immediately answered, "The Cruciatus Curse, the Imperius Curse, and the Killing Curse.

That Dark wizard whose name you know frequently used them during the war, causing countless deaths.

Harry, the lightning scar on your forehead came from the Killing Curse."

Ron added, "So researching it is practically asking for destruction."

Neville Longbottom, who was sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up. "Don't say that. Professor Lin An is a good person."

All three turned to look at him.

Neville's voice trembled slightly, but he sounded earnest. "Grandmother once told me that the Bones family saved many people during the First Wizarding War.

Without them, my family might have long since..."

Before he could finish, applause rang out across the dining table again.

Dumbledore smiled and gestured for Lin An to speak.

Everyone fell silent.

The Alchemy professor slowly walked toward the front.

Light flowed across his golden robes.

"It is an honor to return here."

"Hogwarts will always be my true home."

Though the words were brief, they moved many people.

His gaze swept over the students, and Lin An saw those green eyes—

Harry Potter was watching him quietly.

Their gazes met briefly, then separated.