Three announcements in a row instantly lifted the mood, which had been somewhat subdued after Dumbledore's earlier speech about Voldemort.
The girls at the school, in particular, were now brimming with delight at such juicy gossip.
But Dumbledore had not finished speaking.
"Oh, yes, Professor Lupin spoke with me over the holidays, and we agreed that it is still very necessary for students at school to master the practical application of spells. You all need to learn ways to protect yourselves even when faced with more complex situations.
"So, the previously closed Duelling Club will reopen this year, still on Friday evenings. Well, Professor Lupin will be in charge. As for the other professors and staff, they are welcome to join in whenever they have time."
Another cheer went up at this announcement. Clearly, the young wizards were still very fond of the Duelling Club. The first- and second-year students who had missed out could not help asking their older schoolmates how the Duelling Club worked.
After the older students' animated explanations, every one of them was bursting with anticipation too.
As usual, the first-year students were led back to the Common Room ahead of everyone else by the prefects. They had come over by boat, and although the boats actually moved on their own, the journey had still taken quite a bit out of them.
Besides, they were still children, after all. They loved to play and had plenty of energy, but they tired quickly too.
The fifth-year prefects led the young wizards back to their respective Common Rooms, while Harry, Ron, and the others slipped over to the staff passage and intercepted Cedric and Yi Qianqian, who were chatting and laughing as they prepared to leave.
"Well, well, Professor Diggory, how could you not tell us such big