Dumbledore cleared his throat and explained why the Dementors were on the Hogwarts train.
"As you all know, after they searched the Hogwarts Express,our school is currently hosting several Dementors from Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
Dumbledore glanced over the crowd and saw the sarcastic grin on Damon's face. Even though he knew he wasn't mocking him, Dumbledore still felt a little uncomfortable.
He had thought Caliban Mortos was a radical who needed to be worried about, and Fudge was a moderate, but now this moderate was going crazy.
Such dangerous creatures were used to guard the school in order to hunt down criminals.
"They are stationed at all entrances to the school grounds," Dumbledore continued. "During their stay, I must make it clear that no one is allowed to leave the school without permission.
Dementors should not be deceived by tricks or disguises—not even by the invisibility cloak." He added expressionlessly, "Dementors have no natural understanding of requests or excuses. Therefore, I warn each of you: do not give them any excuse to harm you.
I count on the Wardens, and our new Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure that no student comes into conflict with a Dementor."
Percy, who was sitting only a few seats away from Harry, puffed out his chest again and glanced around impressively.
"On a more pleasant note," Dumbledore continued, "I am pleased to welcome three new teachers to our team this year.
The first is Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to fill the vacant Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
There was a scattered, less enthusiastic burst of applause in the auditorium, interspersed with whispered inquiries, "Three new teachers? Why so many?" But as Damon stood up, the applause soon filled the auditorium like a thunderstorm. The first-year students stared at the scene in amazement, and began to ask who the person standing up was.
Lupin glanced at Damon gratefully amid the thunderous applause. He didn't really care what the students thought, after all, it was just a first impression. But Master White's support touched him deeply, and he felt more at ease. With Master White's cooperation, his teaching duties should be no problem.
"I know him—the Dueling Prince—if there's one person in Hogwarts that you absolutely must not mess with, it's him! My parents told me before we left that even if I can't build a good relationship with him, I must never anger him."
"The Dueling Prince? Where is his family from? Are there nobles in the wizarding world?" "
It's a respectful title - judging from your expression, you seem to be a little bit unconvinced. It's okay, you'll see him take action one day. Remember to hold your chin when the time comes, otherwise I'm afraid it will dislocate."
"Look at Snape, his expression is so ugly." Ron whispered to Harry, with a hint of gloating.
Harry subconsciously looked over, and the expression on Snape's thin, grayish-yellow face could only be described as distorted. "I wish Professor Lupin good luck, Snape will definitely find a chance to embarrass him."
Dumbledore listened to the thunderous applause from the audience, looked at the young man who caused such a commotion, and his mood, which was ruined by Fudge, improved a lot.
"As for the second teacher we appointed, well, I regret to tell you that our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn, retired at the end of last school year so that he could spend more time with his remaining limbs.
"However, I'm pleased to say that it's none other than Rubeus Hagrid who will fill his shoes. Hagrid has agreed to teach the class in addition to his role as gamekeeper."
Needless to say, the room erupted in applause.
Damon knew Hagrid's presence in this class would cause a lot of trouble, but it didn't matter. With him around, nothing could go wrong. Danger aside, the magical creatures Hagrid brought with him were still quite entertaining.
Ron looked at the laughing Hagrid with a worried expression.
"Hagrid asked Harry and me to find a copy of 'The Monster Book of Monsters.' You know, that book bites!"
"You mean, he'll mess up in class?"
Hermione's eyes widened, seeing Hagrid already wiping tears with emotion.
Then, Dumbledore dropped a bombshell.
"The last professor, and one I personally respect deeply, is the only known creator of the Philosopher's Stone and a former duelist." Dumbledore's words piqued everyone's interest. Some had already noticed an unfamiliar, rather thin, white-haired wizard in the classroom.
"Let us welcome the new alchemy professor, Professor Nicolas Flamel!"
Boom!!!
Without even waiting for Damon to applaud, every student who knew what Nicolas Flamel meant stood up and clapped their hands. They were grateful for the two previous 'previews'; otherwise, they might have been so stunned that they would have forgotten to show respect to this esteemed alchemist!
Nicolas Flamel walked to the center of the classroom. Dumbledore placed a light, hollow hand on his shoulder. The legendary old man waved gently to the crowd, his gaze fixed on Damon White, who had also risen.
This was precisely why he had come to teach at such an advanced age—he had agreed with Dumbledore that he would only teach for a year.
A year would be enough time for him to give Master White a solid foundation in alchemy; the rest would be up to him.
"Well, I think that's all that's important," Dumbledore said. "Let's eat."
The golden plates and goblets before everyone were suddenly filled with food and drink.
Damon eagerly picked up his knife and fork, even casting a digestive spell on himself beforehand. The Michelin-starred chef he hired only cooked bite-sized bird shit. He hadn't had anything good all summer, and now he was ready to feast.
Harry and the other two looked worried. They just wanted to finish their meal quickly so they could talk to Hagrid and explain what being a teacher meant. Even Nicolas Flamel's appointment as Alchemy Professor was temporarily forgotten.
But when they found Hagrid, he burst into tears again after a few words, and Professor McGonagall quickly dismissed them, preventing them from having a proper conversation.
"Password?"
"Here, here!" Percy called from the back of the group. "The new password is 'Lucky Star!'"
Neville's expression tightened, telling himself to remember the password before the new semester began! He couldn't let himself get locked out for forgetting the password again!
As they climbed the spiral staircase and reached the familiar five-bed dormitory, everyone felt the same thought: they were finally home.
Damon lay in bed, thinking about how two school years had already flown by so quickly, and a rare touch of melancholy hit him.
Happiness is plentiful, but it's also fleeting.
It felt like two years had already passed without him even realizing it.
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(End of this chapter)