When Harry stepped out of the station, he keenly noticed that the scene was somewhat different from the previous year.
The once dark platform was now illuminated by streetlights, and signs were right in front of the train exits. First-year students were to turn left, and second-year students and above were to turn right. Hagrid no longer needed to hold up his lantern and call out to the young wizards.
Lorne stood in the center. "Students, in order to extend the service area of Hogwarts and for the safety and convenience of students, the school has set up a shuttle bus stop. First-year students, please go to the left; second-year students and above, please go to the right. You can leave immediately without waiting."
The students immediately cheered; they were cold and hungry and really didn't want to wait outside Hogwarts.
Lorne saw Harry's pale face and Professor Lupin walking out behind him, and waved to him in respect.
At this year's opening banquet, members of the Toad Poetry Club performed the opening song as usual. The students, now seated in the bright and warm Great Hall, finally felt alive again, and even had patience while waiting for their food.
The Sorting Hat still works once a year, but this year its speech was much faster, and the students all said that Dumbledore had wound it up.
After the proceedings concluded, Dumbledore stood up. "Before you enjoy your meal and become sleepy, there are a few things that need to be clarified."
"First, there will be several extra guards at the school this year. They are Dementor from Azkaban. They will not listen to explanations or pleas for mercy, so do not contact them, and do not wander off. Nothing can hide from them—not even the Invisibility Cloak."
"Secondly, we have two new teachers joining our faculty this semester. They are Professor Lupin, who will fill the vacancy for Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, and Professor Rubeus Professor Hagrid, who will take over from Professor Kettleburn to teach Care of Magical Creatures."
Amid the students' applause, the two men stood up and bowed in greeting. However, Hagrid was so large that he knocked over the cups on the table while bowing.
"Third, there are some new changes to this year's school opening ceremony. Let's have our General Affairs Office Director Lorne Myles, explain them to you."
Lorne stood up and nodded to all the students. His role had changed quickly; if it were still a speech on the day of the sale, he would probably have already started waving.
"In light of what happened last year, Hogwarts has made the following adjustments."
Lorne had already memorized all of this. He looked at the tables of the four houses and said in a deep voice, "First, the control of prohibited items contaminated with Dark Magic. This year, luggage will not be delivered directly to your dormitories. Professionals will inspect the luggage. If any student believes their luggage is safe and does not wish to be inspected, they can apply to me after the meal. However, if anyone is found to be carrying prohibited items, Hogwarts will punish them severely, including three days of tutoring."
"Secondly, the registration and control of dangerous Magical Creatures. Apart from cats, owls, and toads as permitted by Hogwarts, any other pets must be centrally managed and observed, and can only be allowed into the school after confirming that they pose no danger."
"Thirdly," Lorne suddenly smiled, " Hogwarts will not be holding any classes for the next three days. Everyone can relax and unwind. The school has prepared a social party, a forum for exchanging strange and wonderful spells, and a forum for new Wizarding World positions. Club applications and recruitment will also take place during the first three days. Those interested in forming or joining a club can come to the lawn in front of the Black Lake to participate."
The audience immediately erupted in discussion.
In fact, the process of establishing a club at Hogwarts has always been very complicated. First, a faculty or staff member is required to take on the responsibility of guidance and supervision. An application document must also be submitted to Headmaster Dumbledore, specifying the purpose, the estimated number of participants, the frequency of meetings, and the signature of the supervising professor.
Now that Director Lorne says that club applications and recruitment will all take place within these three days, it means that Professor Dumbledore will definitely be reviewing documents every day.
"I think we could start a club," Harry said to Hermione and Ron beside him.
"What club?" Harry's voice was overheard by Draco behind him, who immediately retorted sarcastically, " The Dementor Protection Club, Scarhead. Surely no one loves Dementor more than you, you're so excited you're practically Stupefy."
"Shut up, Malfoy!" Ron, always ready to stand up for his friends, stood up and yelled, then slunk back down after realizing everyone was watching him.
" George and Fred said that when the Dementor came, Malfoy was so scared that he hid in their carriage, and his pants seemed to be all wet," Ron whispered to Harry, recounting Draco's embarrassing moment.
"We've joined the Detective Club," Hermione eagerly, wanting to know the rules. "I wonder how many clubs one person can join, or how many clubs one can organize?"
"How about we start a Magic Mobile Phone Club?" Harry had a sudden inspiration. "I'm pretty good at Wizard Legend, Street Wizard Fighter, and Suitcase Beasts."
Draco successfully eavesdropped once again. He hated that this idea wasn't his own, but that didn't stop him from competing with Harry for the presidency.
"What achievements have you made?" Draco chuckled. "Your Wizard Legend is no better than mine, and your Street Wizard Fighter skills don't even seem as high as mine. I'm the Founders of the Slytherin combo style, the Suitcase Beasts —I'll soon be the world's number one Knarl. What qualifications do you have to be the club president?"
Harry retorted, "Want a one-on-one duel? Any game is fine with me, you name it!"
Hermione nudged Ron beside her. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Ron, engrossed in munching on his chicken leg, said, " The Magic Mobile Phone is currently irrelevant to me since I'm empty-handed. I can't even watch them fight one-on-one—if you gave me a Magic Mobile Phone with the money you spent on Crookshanks, I'd definitely give you back twenty Galleon, and Scabbers would let you keep it for a year."
"Your rat?" Hermione said sympathetically. "It's about to be put into centralized control."
"Oh, poor Scabbers," Ron said, pulling Scabbers out of his pocket again. He touched the bald patches on Scabbers ' skin and said with concern, "The control center doesn't know what dangerous magical animals it might encounter; it's bound to be bullied."
"No, they won't," Hermione reassured her. " Director Lorne will put them in their respective cages and keep an eye on them for a while before returning them to you."
"Do you know what kind of magical creatures are there besides Scabbers?" Ron said indignantly. "Lee Jordan has tarantulas, Slytherin has corn snakes, Fire Crab, rabbits and stuff. My Scabbers is the smallest one there."
Meanwhile, Harry and Draco were still arguing, neither willing to back down, and they even seemed poised to pick up their phones and start a private game with friends immediately.
"Come on, let me give you a piece of my mind!"
"Dude, do you even have the ability?"