The Prelude to War Had Begun
As the senior students who came through the main gate of Hogwarts took their seats at the long tables in their respective houses, they soon noticed that the professors on the high platform in the Great Hall mostly looked very solemn.
Headmaster Dippet sat in the chair in the middle of the platform with a stern face and his brows furrowed tightly, making the young wizards below the stage nervous and dampening the joyful atmosphere of the start of the school year.
Professor Birley, standing next to Headmaster Dippet, wore an even more heartbroken expression than when the play's performance went terribly wrong last Christmas!
Xiwen's heart tightened, wondering if the professors had found out about his intrusion into the Department of Mysteries to obtain time energy.
But that doesn't make sense. This matter should be handled by the Ministry of Magic itself; the professors shouldn't be looking so upset...
As Professor Kettleburn led the new students in from the Entrance Courtyard, the Sorting Ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
Just as Professor Merrythought was organizing the freshmen into their respective colleges as usual, Xiwen suddenly noticed that the seat next to Professor Birley was still empty.
That's the position of Headmaster of Gryffindor.
' Dumbledore isn't here again. Could Grindelwald be up to something big today?' Xiwen frowned, wondering to himself.
Suddenly, he remembered the date—September 1, 1939!
This special date is not only the opening day of Hogwarts in history, but also a significant date for another major event!
Could it be that the great war in the Muggle World is also related to the Wizarding World in this world?
Xiwen's doubts were soon answered.
After the Sorting Ceremony officially concluded, Headmaster Dippet stood up and delivered an unprecedentedly long and solemn speech.
"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts. This will be your home for the next seven years. Let 'Hogwarts get along well and make progress together. I hope you will all bring honor to the school..."
With a forced smile, Headmaster Dippet finished his general welcoming remarks.
Then, his expression turned completely serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Before the official start of the semester, I have to tell you all some unfortunate news—"
"The England Ministry of Magic has confirmed that early this morning, Grindelwald led members of the Pure-blood Party and thoroughly turned German Ministry of Magic staff in an attack on the Poland Wizarding World. As of 4 PM today, the Polish Ministry of Magic has completely fallen! Only some civilian organizations are resisting their invasion, but with little effect!"
"At the same time, Grindelwald also persuaded the Muggle army of the Germany to simultaneously instigate a war in the Muggle World. All of this tells us that the great war between the Wizarding World and the Muggle World has officially begun..."
"... Some new students might wonder why there's a vacant professorship. That's because Albus Dumbledore, the Head of Gryffindor, has urgently traveled to Poland to provide support, but according to his report, the situation is not optimistic..."
"... In order to prepare for the great war that will inevitably engulf all of Europe and even the world, I hereby announce the suspension of all entertainment activities at Hogwarts, including plays and Quidditch!"
The previous news had already shocked the students, but the headmaster's decision to suspend recreational activities caused an uproar among them. Many Quidditch and drama enthusiasts stood up and prepared to protest to the headmaster. Abraxas was one of them.
"I've only been a substitute for a year, and I haven't even played a proper game yet! Why can't we play Quidditch?!" he shouted. "No way! I'm going to tell my dad and have the Board of Governors fire this principal!"
"I remember that the Board of Governors needs a majority of its members to sign a consent form to decide on the appointment or removal of the principal," Xiwen said softly, tugging at Abu's school robe.
"My dad will definitely find a way to get the other School Governor to agree!" he said indignantly.
Amidst the cacophony of voices, Headmaster Dippet took out his wand, pointed it to his throat, cast a Sonorus, and then solemnly proclaimed:
"Silence!"
The young wizards were stunned by his voice, and the Great Hall fell silent for a moment.
Taking advantage of the brief silence, Headmaster Dippet continued with his amplified voice, using the Sonorus, and then announced another decision.
"To enhance Hogwarts students' self-defense capabilities in the upcoming war, starting this term, the time for watching Quidditch and other recreational activities will be replaced by a new course— Dueling Class!"
"Dueling Class will be held in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and all students must participate. This course will be taught in rotation by the heads of the five main subjects, with the aim of increasing your practical experience, improving your ability to cope with crises, and thus increasing all of your chances of survival in the upcoming war!"
That's about all I wanted to say. Now you can start eating.
After Headmaster Dippet finished speaking, he hurriedly left the Great Hall, leaving the many young wizards below the stage looking at each other in bewilderment...
"Abu, aren't you going to fire Headmaster Dippet?" Mobley asked, his mouth full of pudding.
"Hmph, if it weren't for the new Dueling Class, I would have definitely gotten my dad to kick him out!" Abu sneered and replied to Mobley.
"So, can Dueling Class replace Quidditch in your heart?" Xiwen asked, puzzled.
As soon as he asked the question, Xiwen knew he had made a mistake.
Abu and Mobley both stared at him in shock, seemingly never expecting him to ask such a question. Mobley even stopped chewing the pudding in his mouth.
"Please, that's Dueling Class!" Mobley exclaimed. "Dueling is the most sacred activity for wizards since ancient times!"
Mobley was furious and spat all the pudding crumbs in his mouth at Xiwen, who was so startled that he Xiwen raised his hand and cast a small Winds of Watoomb to blow the pudding back onto his face.
"Xiwen, are you really a member of Pure-blood families?" Abu asked excitedly. "Which Pure-blood didn't grow up amidst the duels of powerful wizards? Which Pure-blood doesn't dream of a sacred and solemn duel with their nemesis?!"
Looking at the excited Abu and the excited Mobley with pudding-covered faces, Xiwen felt completely out of place...
'I've clearly been in quite a few duels, but I don't feel like they're anything special...' Xiwen silently recalled the people who had challenged him to duels and who had written letters criticizing him, pondering where things went wrong.
Just then, Professor Merrythought, looking worried, stepped down from the Great Hall platform and went to the Slytherin table, heading straight for Xiwen. Her arrival immediately calmed Abu and Mobley, who had been in high spirits, and they began to eat their meal like well-behaved students.
Professor Merrythought, who had been looking worried, couldn't help but chuckle when she saw Mobley's face covered in pudding crumbs, and her mood seemed to improve considerably.
"Rozier, come to my office after you finish eating," she said, forcing back a smile as she turned to Xiwen.