Draco opened her mouth, her expression shifting from excitement to confusion, and then from confusion to a sense of resentment.
Draco's expression fell, and she slumped back into her chair, resting her chin on her crossed arms, muttering something under her breath, probably complaining about why the school rules even exist.
After the students' cheers subsided, Dumbledore continued, "Another matter. Recently, a visiting professor arrived at the school."
His tone was more serious than before, and he glanced around the Great Hall to make sure everyone was listening.
" Gori Slaed," he said, his voice steady, "will serve as the assistant professor for Dark Magic Defence Class Dark Magic Defence Class. "Professor Quirrell
Gori this moment, the professor stood up, politely bowed slightly to the students, and told them that he was the new professor.
When Herman heard the surname, he made a mental note of it: Gori Slaed. It sounded like the surname of some ancient wizarding family, which didn't seem out of place on a Vampire.
Dumbledore paused for a moment, then added, "Also, I should clarify one point. Professor Gori is a Vampire."
After those words were spoken, the entire Great Hall seemed to be Silencing Charm.
The students who had just been cheering for the reopening of Hogsmeade fell silent. Their smiles froze on their faces, their chopsticks hung in the air, and some even forgot to chew their food.
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, discussions erupted simultaneously from all the long tables.
" Vampire?"
"What did he say? Vampire professor?"
Are there Vampire at school?
"Is Dumbledore joking?"
"It's true! Look at that person on the platform, his face is so pale!"
Are we going to have to attend classes with Vampire?
At the Slytherin table, several students had already begun packing their bags, their movements hurried and rapid.
An older boy whispered to his friend, "I have to write to my father and ask him to come and take me home."
The person next to him nodded in agreement. "I'll write it too. My grandma said that Vampire suck blood and are just as dangerous as Werewolf."
Another Slytherin student shook his head. "I doubt anyone'll pick us up now, and it's not safe outside either. Have you read the Daily Prophet? There was another kidnapping yesterday, and yet another Pure-blood families has been invaded. Compared to Hogwarts with its Vampire, the parents probably think it's more dangerous outside."
Herman listened to the surrounding chatter and turned his attention to the podium.
He glanced at Professor McGonagall's face on the podium, and sure enough, it was terribly ashen, her lips pressed into a thin line, her knife and fork resting on the edge of the plate, her knuckles white.
She was clearly extremely dissatisfied with Dumbledore's decision, but there was nothing she could do; after all, Dumbledore was the headmaster and had the right to make such an arrangement.
Herman glanced at the Gori again.
The Vampire sat on the stage, his expression calm as if he were listening to a speech that had nothing to do with him, despite the horrified and murmuring gazes of the students in the Great Hall.
He even picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a small sip of the liquid inside. Herman didn't know what was in it, but he was certain it wasn't red wine.
Harry, sitting not far from Herman, glanced at the Gori on the platform, then looked away and continued eating the ham on her plate, her movements as steady as before.
Draco recovered from her earlier dejection and noticed the unusual atmosphere in the Great Hall. She glanced at the flustered students, then at the pale-faced new professor on the stage, her expression shifting from confusion to a subtle tension.
" Vampire as a professor," she muttered softly, a hint of uncertainty in her voice, "Has Dumbledore gone mad?"
Harry, on the other hand, was quite relaxed and casually remarked, "It's quite suitable. Next time, I can recommend Sirius for the professorship."
After the banquet, the students began to leave the Great Hall in twos and threes.
The sounds of chair legs scraping against the stone floor rose and fell, the empty plates on the long table were silently taken away by the House-elf, and the candlelight flickered gently under the dome, stretching and shortening the gradually thinning shadows of the people.
Herman remained seated.
His gaze passed over the House-elf clearing away the dishes and the sparse students leaving, landing on the podium.
One by one, the professors got up and left. Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick were the first to leave, walking side by side out of the side door, presumably to return to their respective offices.
Professor McGonagall stood up decisively, flicking the hem of her dark green robe, and walked away without looking back, her face still ashen.
Herman's gaze remained fixed on the Gori.
The Vampire sat next to Quirrell, relaxed, his hands resting on the table, occasionally picking up his wine glass to take a sip.
At this moment, Quirrell stood up.
He straightened the collar of his robe and said something to the Gori beside him, but his voice was too soft for Herman to hear.
Then Quirrell turned and walked toward the exit on the side of the stage, his pace unhurried, just like always.
But Gori immediately stood up.
His movements were only a beat slower than Quirrell's, like a child trying to leave with an adult.
As he rose from his chair, his gaze swept across half the Great Hall and landed on Herman.
His eyes gleamed with a dark light in the candlelight, and just as they had at the beginning of the banquet, the corners of his mouth curved into a very faint smile. Then he turned and followed Quirrell.
The two figures disappeared one after the other behind the side door, which closed with a dull thud.
Herman finally let out the breath he had been holding for so long.
"What, aren't you full? Aren't you leaving?"
Draco's voice came from the side, tinged with impatience.
She had already stood up, clutching the strap of her backpack, her golden ponytail swaying over her shoulder, and the expression on her face was one of eagerness, like someone who had just eaten and drunk their fill and wanted to rush back to their dorm to lie down.
Herman glanced at her, then at the few empty seats on the stage. Dumbledore was still sitting there talking to Professor Trelawney, but the seats in the Gori were empty.
"Let's go." He stood up and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
Just then, three figures strode over from the direction of the Gryffindor table.
Neville walked at the front, keeping his steps low, leaning slightly forward, and scanning his surroundings with his eyes.
Hugo followed half a step behind him, her glasses gleaming in the candlelight, also in a wary posture.
Ron walked at the very back, gripping the straps of her backpack with both hands, her pace slightly faster than the two in front of her, as if afraid of being left behind.