The din in the Great Hall died down within seconds.
The students' expressions fell into a rare uniformity—shock, confusion, and unease.
Everyone at the professors' table instantly sensed that something was wrong.
As their gazes crossed, they quickly found the culprit—Professor Babbling.
The Ancient Runes scholar was calmly putting away her wand, her expression composed and utterly unapologetic.
—During the debate about the "Chosen One," she had quietly cast Sonorus,
allowing every student in the Great Hall to hear the argument among the teachers.
Several professors' expressions turned subtle.
Some frowned, some sighed, and some secretly felt relieved.
Only Babbling wore an enigmatic smile—she had always believed that the value of education lay in "shocking" people.
A murmur of discussion erupted among the students below.
The Weasley twins exchanged a glance and burst out laughing at the same time.
"Father really was hit right on the nose." Fred lowered his voice. "That line about 'treating Muggles like rare curiosities' really sounds like something he'd do."
George nodded lightly, his expression mingling embarrassment with agreement.
Ron's face flushed bright red, and he lowered his head, afraid to look up.
Percy, meanwhile, had already pulled out a quill and was rapidly recording something on parchment—a letter he was preparing to send home.
On the other side, Draco Malfoy wore a mocking expression.
"Someone finally said what needed to be said." The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "Potter is just an ordinary little wizard, not some Chosen One."
The description of Lily Potter's sacrifice displeased him—but he did not mind if it diminished Harry's halo.
In the middle of the crowd, Harry said nothing.
It was not because he felt ashamed, nor because he was angry.
In truth, he had never really thought himself special.
Only now did he finally understand the truth of that night in full.
So his mother had died to protect him.
It was not fate that had chosen him, but the hand of an ordinary woman reaching out in the darkness.
"Perhaps that professor was right."
"Mother was the true savior of this world."
Ian's voice echoed in his mind, while an indescribable pain stirred in his heart.
Elsewhere, Hermione Granger sat quietly.
Her usually bright eyes were now clouded by complicated thoughts.
The instant she listened to that debate, the halo surrounding the Wizarding World seemed to shatter.
In her eyes, Hogwarts had once been a symbol of dreams and miracles. Now, however, it resembled a mirror, reflecting the grayness of human nature.
The clever girl understood reality in an instant.
—This was not a fairy tale, but a real society.
There were classes, bloodlines, and prejudice here as well.
Being born a Muggle meant starting from a lower point and facing a higher threshold.
If one wanted to be seen, one had to work three or even four times as hard.
Several Muggle-born students nearby also grew solemn.
It was not the first time they had sensed inequality, but they had never imagined that such prejudice had penetrated so deeply into the bone.
Someone whispered, "I thought it was only like this at school... Maybe things will be better after graduation."
Another shook their head. "Perhaps the entire Wizarding World is the same."
The fantasies in their hearts shattered, leaving only calmness and clarity.
Just then, Dumbledore rose to his feet.
His silver beard swayed gently with the motion, and he spoke in a mild tone. "Children, there is no need to let unrelated matters trouble you.
The world is not made only of shadows. There is light as well.
Many people are working hard to make the Wizarding World a better place.
Every one of you has the chance to become part of that light—the future is decided by your choices."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a soothing power.
At that moment, the hearts of many students gradually settled.
The headmaster cleared his throat and adopted a lighter tone. "Now, a few small matters before the start of term.
First, the third-floor corridor is off-limits; second, casting spells in the corridors is forbidden;
Lastly, please do not enter the Forbidden Forest without permission. It is not safe for young wizards."
The subject shifted gently, and the atmosphere regained some of its liveliness.
"Next," Dumbledore said with a smile, raising a hand to signal everyone's attention, "allow me to introduce a new colleague.
This year's Alchemy course will be taught by—Professor Ian Alvin Bones."
Applause rang out.
Under everyone's gaze, Ian rose to his feet, his expression peaceful.
He had not said a word, yet his eyes possessed a strength of their own.
A soft exclamation broke the silence among the students. "Is that Ian?"
Hermione was so excited that she nearly stood up.
"Of course it is! He's one of the wizards I admire most!"
Harry and Ron both turned to look.
"You know him?" Harry asked.
"Of course! He's one of the most outstanding young wizards of the twentieth century."
Hermione spoke at lightning speed, her voice almost filled with adoration.
"He was once a Ravenclaw prefect and Head Boy, won the Barnabas Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spellcasting, and represented Britain at the Wizard Council Youth Delegation.
"At the international Alchemy conference in Cairo, he won the gold medal for his paper on 'the mutual transformation of magical elements.' He was also the champion of the Potions competition—
"The youngest Grand Wizard and Alchemy Master!"
Ron was stunned.
"You remember all that...?"
"I read a book called The Greatest Wizards of the Twentieth Century. He and Dumbledore were both in it."
Harry nodded thoughtfully, but Ron frowned.
"But my father said that the Bones family studied dark magic.
"They believed dark magic wasn't the source of fear, but the key to understanding.
"That family even wanted to organize wizards to study the Unforgivable Curses together and search for ways to counter them."
"Studying something doesn't mean falling into depravity." Hermione retorted, "If we could break the curses, wouldn't that be a form of redemption?"
Ron shook his head, his expression resolute. "Dark magic corrupts the soul. That kind of power—it shouldn't be touched at all."
Harry, sitting beside them, asked in a low voice, "What are the Unforgivable Curses?"
Hermione immediately answered, "The Cruciatus Curse, the Imperius Curse, and the Killing Curse.
"That Dark wizard whose name you know used them frequently during the war, causing countless deaths.
"Harry, the lightning-shaped scar on your forehead was caused by the Killing Curse."
Ron seized the opportunity to add, "That's why researching it is practically courting death."
Neville Longbottom, sitting nearby, suddenly cut in. "Don't say that. Professor Ian is a good person."
The three of them looked at him simultaneously.
Neville's voice trembled slightly, but it was earnest. "Grandmother once told me that the Bones family saved many people during the First Wizarding War.
"If not for them, my family might have long since..."
Before he could finish, applause rose from the dining table once more.
Dumbledore smiled and gestured for Ian to speak.
Everyone fell silent.
The Alchemy professor slowly walked toward the front of the hall.
The light shimmered across his golden robes.
"It is an honor to return here."
"Hogwarts will always be my true home."
It was only a short sentence, yet it moved many people.
As his gaze swept across the students, Ian saw those green eyes—
Harry Potter was watching him quietly.
Their gazes met briefly, then parted.
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