"Moreover, the best-performing member of the championship team will receive a special pure gold medal in the trophy room." The whisper-like voice came again.
Trophy Room
Special
Pure gold medal?
Even Harry didn't realize that his face was turning red rapidly, and Ron was the same.
But this time it wasn't out of anger, it was excitement.
Having been confined in the trophy room multiple times, they were well aware that there was no gold medal there, only team honors.
A personal gold medal, this was the first time!
The discussions among the crowd were louder than ever.
"If we win, will we be recorded in school history?" Ron stood up again.
"Unless you can get the gold medal." Hermione pondered for a moment and said, "Your name should appear in school history."
She seemed a bit frustrated. "If I knew there would be such an event this year, I would have practiced my flying more beforehand."
The school library has a book, "Hogwarts: A History," which records various events from the school's inception to the present.
But due to the long history of over a thousand years, it's impossible to fit everything into a single book, so only relatively important events are selected.
For instance, the Philosopher's Stone in their first year, the Chamber of Secrets in the second year, and the Triwizard Tournament in the fourth year.
Especially the Triwizard Tournament, not only was it recorded in school history, but it occupied five whole lines, while even the new headmaster's inauguration only took up three.
Of course, they don't expect too much; even a single sentence or just a name would be a great honor.
"Let's do this!" Ron slapped the table, "I'm going to train every day this year, and nobody better stop me."
"Nobody's going to stop you." Ginny rolled her eyes across from him. Though she was excited too, seeing Ron's expression suddenly calmed her down.
She absolutely couldn't let it show; it looked too foolish.
"Quiet, quiet, you can discuss your plans in the dormitory, at least you won't be overheard there." Kael waved his hand, barely suppressing the discussions that almost lifted the ceiling.
"Now I have a few other things to announce. First-year students, note that the forest area on school grounds is off-limits to all students."
"Furthermore, the use of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products is prohibited on school grounds, and upperclassmen are not allowed to purchase them."
"Oh, I almost forgot." Kael slapped his forehead.
"Because your Professor Snape was unfortunately injured during the holidays, the Ministry of Magic has temporarily arranged for an experienced Auror to assist him in teaching you Defence Against the Dark Arts this year."
"Say hello to everyone, Professor Kingsley."
A wizard quickly stood up; it was Auror Kingsley.
Kael only found out about this after arriving at the school from Professor McGonagall.
"Snape got injured?"
At the Gryffindor table, Harry looked excitedly at the teachers' table, at the position he had always deliberately avoided.
Snape sat there silently.
Harry watched for a while; indeed, Snape looked paler than usual, and he appeared quite haggard.
"Haha, he deserves it!" Ron laughed, "I guessed it ages ago; after all, he was the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor last academic year."
"It's a pity he can still come to school."
"But this isn't bad either." Harry was happy too, "Kingsley is a skilled Auror; it would be great if he could teach us."
"Let's hope so."
After introducing the new professor, Kael thought for a moment, ensured nothing was missed, and then began to lead everyone in singing the school song.
This was a staple event at Hogwarts.
There was no fixed tune; everyone could choose their favorite.
Once everyone finished singing haphazardly, they each got up, ready to head back to their dormitories.
"I never expected this." Ron, leading a group of new Gryffindor students through the auditorium doors, couldn't help but say, "I thought this year's opening feast would be dull, but there were so many surprises, especially the individual Quidditch gold medal; there never was one before, right?"
"That's right." Harry walked beside him, equally excited.
Or rather, no Quidditch player wasn't excited; they all wanted the gold medal, to be the first to receive such an honor.
"So, are we competitors now?"
"Assuming we can win the championship." Harry shook his head.
"Indeed, so let's win the championship first." Ron said with great ambition. "It's a pity you can't use the Firebolt."
"It's for fairness." Hermione turned her head, "Using the same broom reveals whose skills are better."
"I know." Ron said, but his voice was a bit small.
Subconsciously, he glanced at Harry and quickly looked away.
While Hermione was speaking earlier, Ron felt he had just had a very vile thought.
He thought the rule was great.
Because if Harry could still use the Firebolt, then even if Gryffindor won, the gold medal would probably be his.
The advantage of the Firebolt was too great, almost obliterating every broom available on the market, certainly earning Harry many extra points.
Only now, with everyone using the same type of broom, did he have a chance.
Ron felt he shouldn't think this way; as Harry's best friend, he shouldn't think like this.
But the thought still came, entirely beyond his control, which made him even dare not look at Harry, using other things to divert his attention.