It had taken Harry all summer to convince himself to accept it, and he still hadn't told Ron. Telling him would do no good; it would only make the summer harder for Ron, who had trained under Strange too.
Just look: after Dumbledore's announcement, how many people in the Great Hall could be happy?
Lupin was well liked. Even in Slytherin, plenty of students enjoyed his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.
After all, he might have been the most easygoing professor of them all. Even Professor Sprout could be quite stern at times as Head of House.
And it wasn't just his temperament. His lessons were excellent, too. Students who had lived through the Quirrell and Lockhart years appreciated Lupin all the more.
When they hadn't seen Lupin at the professors' table earlier, they'd found it a little odd, but no one had worried too much. He'd held the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor post for three years now.
Yet Lupin really had quit, and Snape was replacing him.
The mood in the Great Hall turned icy. Some bewildered first-year students asked the older students what was going on.
Dumbledore looked around the hall, then turned and winked at Snape. Snape merely gave a dark smile and said nothing.
Dumbledore continued, "That covers the changes to the teaching staff.
"Also, because Voldemort has grown powerful again and he and the Death Eaters have been stirring up trouble, the Ministry of Magic has sent some excellent Aurors to guard Hogwarts.
"They will be stationed around the outskirts of Hogwarts and in Hogsmeade, ready to protect you at any time.
"I must also remind you once again of the school rules...
"Finally, please return to your dormitories. Your warm beds are waiting, and your priority is to get a good