The train slowly pulled into the platform, and Lupin led the group off onto the station.
Draco had heard on the train that Harry had fainted and was preparing to bring Crabbe and Goyle over to humiliate him. But seeing them escorted by a professor, Draco made a disgusted "tch" sound and left with his two lackeys.
Everyone walked through the path toward the Thestral carriages, but a silver phoenix intercepted Aiden.
Aiden's beautiful heterochromatic eyes turned into a dead fish stare, and he turned to the others. "You go ahead and get in the carriage. I have some business to handle."
The others nodded and left by carriage.
Aiden merged into his Patronus and was led by the phoenix toward the castle.
Inside the castle, a classroom had been temporarily cleared out. Dumbledore stood inside, along with two unfamiliar men in official robes.
Seeing butterflies gathering in the classroom, Dumbledore spoke, "Aiden, you're here."
"So, Professor, what's the matter? Our Head of House still needs to organize the choir later," Aiden said, his figure materializing from the center of the butterfly swarm.
"These two are Hit Wizards from the Ministry of Magic, responsible for coordinating the affairs of Hogwarts' new 'guards'—the Dementors," Dumbledore introduced.
"Mm, and then?" Aiden heard the indignation in Dumbledore's tone and deliberately raised his nose, acting arrogant.
"Ahem, Mr. Prewett, do you realize how much trouble your actions have caused the Ministry of Magic?" the lead Hit Wizard immediately tried to put him on the defensive.
"Oh, I haven't yet learned your name, sir." Aiden conjured himself a plush sofa, sat down, and crossed his legs. He produced a thin stick and began picking at his nails with deliberate nonchalance.
"Richards Bennett. Please be serious. We're discussing the problem of you causing harm to Ministry employees," Richards said with righteous indignation, while Aiden acted completely indifferent.
"Mm, so what? Are you sure you want to consider that trash as your employees? Think about what kind of people were on that train." Aiden stood up, his heterochromatic dragon eyes penetrating Richards' heart—another greedy and rash fool.
"Use that brain of yours that's been licked by a troll. What if the savior Harry Potter had died? Or what if a whole trainload of the wizarding world's future had been lost?"
Dumbledore watched the show from the side, even taking out candy to pop in his mouth.
"At that time, you would be directly responsible. Do you think a political creature like Fudge would mourn for you?" Aiden showed a strange smile, like a mandrake dancing in the wind.
Richards was intimidated by Aiden's aura and stumbled to the ground, pointing at him with a trembling finger. "You... you..."
"Alright, Professor, there's no need to waste time on such people. If you still have doubts, I don't mind spending a whole night with you going through the Magical Decree to see which article states that Dementors are members of our wizarding community."
Aiden's words were cutting. Extremely xenophobic wizards would never consider dark creatures as compatriots under any circumstances. If Richards' statements were exploited by interested parties, the Ministry would probably face a vicious assault from conservatives.
Of course, at this moment, a certain dragon harboring ill intentions secretly brushed his monocle—recording finished.
"Well, Aiden, you go to the banquet first. I'll 'escort' these two gentlemen out," the old headmaster said, deciding to assert his authority.
Dumbledore took out his Elder Wand and waved it, using tremendous magical power to teleport the two men out of the castle.
In the Ravenclaw common room, Aiden looked at the clothes in front of him with visible distress.
"Professor Flitwick, do I really have to wear this?" Every cell in Aiden's body was resisting.
"Yes, you're the lead singer after all. You should at least dress conspicuously."
"But isn't this bright red wizard robe a bit too conspicuous?" Aiden tried to decline.
"No, red looks wonderful, and it really complements your delicate features," Professor Flitwick said with a wink.
After some mental preparation, Aiden reluctantly put on the wizard robe.
At the banquet, Professor Flitwick stood in front conducting. Four rows of young Ravenclaw wizards stood on the steps behind him.
Professor Flitwick had revised the school song, adding proper rhythm and harmony, finally making it no longer sound like wailing ghosts and howling wolves. It seemed Aiden wasn't the only one dissatisfied with Dumbledore letting everyone improvise freely.
Aiden's melodious voice echoed in the Great Hall, and using his abilities to complement his singing seemed to emanate a special, almost hypnotic charm.
"He sings that well?" Ron said, somewhat surprised.
"You didn't know?" Harry asked.
"Aiden has never sung at home," Ron replied.
"Well, you're really learning something new now," Hermione observed.
Soon, the song performance finished, and everyone applauded enthusiastically for the choir.
The choir dispersed, and Dumbledore walked to the high platform, beginning his new term address.
"New term, welcome back to Hogwarts. I must announce these messages before you're stuffed to the point of dizziness."
Dumbledore pressed his palm down, and the applause stopped.
"First, Professor R.J. Lupin has agreed to serve as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." He gestured backward, and Lupin stood up and bowed.
"Second, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher has decided to retire due to health issues, and replacing him is our gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid."
Professor McGonagall nudged Hagrid, and he immediately stood up, but knocked over the table in his enthusiasm. Enthusiastic applause rang out from the Gryffindor table.
Professor McGonagall looked at her former student, sighed, and pulled Hagrid back down.
"Finally, at the Ministry of Magic's request, Dementors will guard every entrance to Hogwarts until Sirius Black is captured. You should note that Dementors are evil creatures. They cannot distinguish between prey and obstacles in their way. No concealment can hide from them, including invisibility cloaks."
At this point, Dumbledore looked specifically at Harry.
"Therefore, I warn you not to give them reason to harm you."
Dumbledore finished his speech, and Professor Flitwick came up to host the Sorting Ceremony.
This was already the third year of Sorting, and there were no new young wizards that Aiden recognized. The only thing worth noting was that Astoria was also sorted into Slytherin. This year, Slytherin unusually had three Greengrass siblings.
After the Sorting was complete, Dumbledore clapped his hands, and various delicious foods began appearing on the dining tables.
"Oh, Aiden, I heard you used the Patronus Charm on the train," Edmund said, coming over and putting his arm around Aiden's shoulder.
"I heard it was even a dragon-shaped Patronus. Let us see it," Ethan chimed in.
"We haven't even started eating yet, and you two are already full?" Aiden rolled his eyes. "Casting a Patronus here—do you want to cause a huge commotion?"
"By the way, Aiden, there's something I want to ask you. I've been feeling lately like there's someone I've forgotten. Do you have this feeling?" Edmund inquired.
"Me too," Ethan raised his hand to indicate agreement.
"No," Aiden said, not looking at either of them, just focusing intently on eating his food.
"Tch, no fun," the two muttered.
The banquet ended in the pleasant atmosphere of the three friends, though the lingering question of forgotten memories hung in the air like an unspoken mystery.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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