After half a month, Su Er returned to human form for the first time. To be honest, he actually felt a little unaccustomed to it. This was the first time he had maintained his animagus form for so long.
Kleis was somewhat surprised that Su Er had not attended the feast, but said little. Obeying orders came first in the house-elf code, and besides, Kleis had already explicitly declared allegiance to Su Er.
The food in the Hogwarts Kitchens was as delicious as ever.
Yet this year's welcoming feast seemed unusually long.
"Sorry for the wait." Just as Su Er was leaning against the soft sofa, growing drowsy, a pleasant female voice rang out.
"I had to lead the first-years this year, so I took a little longer. You'll never guess who this year's Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts is."
Hermione walked in through the doorway.
"Who is it?" Su Er knew what would happen this year, but still asked as though he did not.
"A woman called Umbridge." Hermione plopped down beside Su Er and sighed in comfort. "I keep feeling that we won't learn anything useful in Defence Against Dark Magic again this year."
No need to feel that way. That's exactly how it'll be... Su Er smiled.
"She stated outright at the feast that the Dark Lord's return was an irresponsible claim made by a senile old fool."
Hermione picked up the half-finished glass of Pumpkin Juice on the table that Su Er had been drinking and gulped it down in one go.
"So many people actually believed her, or rather, believed the reports in the Daily Prophet. Harry probably won't have an easy time of it for a while. I heard lots of people discussing it while I was taking the first-years back to