Chapter 99
After Tom Riddle falsely accused Hagrid, the Ministry of Magic confiscated his wand and expelled him from Hogwarts, preventing him from continuing his studies.
As a result, Hagrid could not pursue his education and remained as the Hogwarts gamekeeper under Dumbledore's guidance, who showed him kindness and prevented him from being imprisoned.
All the carriages carrying the older students sped toward Hogwarts, landing in the grounds behind the castle.
Meanwhile, the younger students, from first to third year, boarded the familiar small wooden boats to sail across the lake toward the school.
Hagrid cast a quick glance at the boats to ensure that all the younger students were aboard.
"Alright, now that everyone is on board, let's head to the school!" Hagrid exclaimed.
He mounted his favorite creature, Buckbeak. Hagrid's joy was evident—not simply because he was riding Buckbeak, but because his innocence had been restored after the false accusation, and he had regained his wand from the Ministry.
Even more importantly, he was now appointed as a new professor at Hogwarts, tasked with teaching about magical creatures.
Buckbeak soared into the star-studded night sky, the full moon reflecting brilliantly on the small lake below.
But this time, a menacing and ominous presence made the younger students uneasy as they approached the castle. The feeling of dread came from a large group of Dementors surrounding Hogwarts.
Moments later, the second and final group of younger students reached the castle, where Professor McGonagall awaited them at the main entrance.
The third-year students entered first, sharing small conversations and enjoying a lively atmosphere.
Ron and Harry walked together toward the feast hall for the start-of-year banquet, chatting along the way.
"Harry, do you feel what I feel right now?" Ron asked, glancing around and upward, as if searching for something.
"You're right," Harry replied. "It's that same feeling I had on the train—the suffocating cold, that chill. Where is it coming from?"
Harry turned to see Neville, his face drenched in sweat as if he had seen a ghost.
Harry and Ron realized that what they felt was real, not a product of imagination.
Neville, however, regained his composure with Hermione's reassurance.
Finally, all the students, both old and new, settled into their assigned seats.
Some of the new students appeared nervous, having never encountered such phenomena before. Even though they had not been immersed in the magical world for long like the older students, they felt the same shiver that Harry, Ron, and Neville had experienced.
Professor McGonagall appeared at the banquet table, holding a large parchment in her hand.
As she called each student's name, the named student's tension visibly increased.
"Sirato Galor!"
The student Sirato Galor rose calmly from his seat and walked toward the chair beside Professor McGonagall.
She placed the Sorting Hat gently on his head. The student's appearance suggested he came from a noble pure-blood family. He was strikingly handsome with blond hair, reminiscent of Draco Malfoy, but his eyes were red.
The Sorting Hat wasted no time. Within seconds, it announced the house Sirato would join:
"Slytherin!"
To be contined ...