Chapter 157: Special Guests (Patreon)

Everyone passed through the oak doors and entered the spacious entrance hall.

However, as soon as they entered the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall approached them.

“Potter, Granger, come with me.”

The two were taken to Professor McGonagall’s office, while everyone else sat down at their respective House tables and waited for the first-years to arrive.

“Draco,” Weide said, patting him on the shoulder. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“You want to know why Potter fainted from fright, right?” Draco said with great interest. “A Dementor entered their compartment and attacked Potter.

“If that new professor hadn’t driven the Dementor away, he’d probably be lying in the hospital right now.”

“Then do you know why the Dementors appeared at Hogwarts?

“They’re supposed to be the guards of Azkaban, but I think I saw some Dementors stationed at the school when we arrived by carriage.”

“You don’t know?” Draco looked at Daphne in surprise. “Your father didn’t tell you?”

“He doesn’t tell me everything.”

“Fudge ordered the Dementors to guard Hogwarts to protect against Sirius Black, so he can’t sneak into the school and kill Potter.” Draco sneered. “What an overreaction. It’s as if one Harry Potter is more important than the entire population of Azkaban.”

Just then, the doors to the Great Hall opened.

Hagrid and Professor Flitwick led the first-year students inside.

Professor McGonagall had been temporarily called away, so Professor Flitwick would be conducting the Sorting Ceremony this time.

He placed the Sorting Hat and a three-legged stool on the platform. Once the Sorting Hat finished its song, he took out a roll of parchment and began calling out names.

Each student whose name was called would sit on the stool and put on the Sorting Hat. The Hat would then announce the House that suited them best, while the older students of the four Houses applauded and cheered for the arrival of fresh blood.

As expected, Astoria was sorted into Slytherin.

Daphne was overjoyed and immediately pulled her younger sister over to sit beside her.

Just as the Sorting Ceremony was nearing its end, Professor McGonagall hurried back into the Great Hall with Harry and Hermione.

She strode over to the empty seat at the staff table and sat down, while Harry and Hermione quietly made their way toward the Gryffindor table.

Dumbledore rose to his feet.

The entire Great Hall immediately fell silent.

“A new school year has begun. Welcome back to Hogwarts.

“Before everyone eats themselves into a food coma, I have a few things to say.”

“The Dementors, a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and a new Care of Magical Creatures professor.”

Weide calmly predicted, “Those should be the main things.”

“First, I’m pleased to announce that Professor Remus Lupin has agreed to join us as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

“Good luck, Professor.”

Lupin stood up and gave the students a reserved smile and a polite nod.

Scattered applause filled the Great Hall.

After Quirrell and Lockhart had already exhausted everyone’s trust in Defence Against the Dark Arts professors, it was difficult for the students to give Lupin much respect before seeing what he was capable of.

The first-years were considerably more enthusiastic, as were several Gryffindors who had witnessed him driving away the Dementor on the train.

“I bet he’ll be packing his bags and leaving before the year is over,” Draco sneered.

“A wizard who can drive away a Dementor can’t be completely useless,” Daphne said.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Just look at the robes he’s wearing. Patch upon patch.

“He obviously isn’t doing very well in the wizarding world. If he were truly capable, he wouldn’t even be unable to afford a decent set of clothes.”

“I admit, you have a point.”

Weide nodded before changing his tone.

“But I don’t quite agree with your conclusion.

“I think he does have some ability. As for why he isn’t doing well... there could be other reasons.”

Once the applause died down, Dumbledore continued.

“I regret to inform you that our Care of Magical Creatures professor, Professor Kettleburn, retired at the end of last term due to the loss of several limbs.

“Fortunately, I am delighted to announce that his replacement will be none other than our very own Rubeus Hagrid.”

Another round of applause erupted, with Gryffindor particularly enthusiastic.

Compared to the unknown Remus Lupin, everyone was quite familiar with Hagrid, the half-giant.

Prompted by Professor McGonagall, Hagrid stood up.

His face had turned bright red, and his expression was mostly hidden beneath his thick beard, but it was obvious how happy he was. There were even tears glistening in his eyes.

“We should’ve known,” Ron said, pounding the table. “Who else would make us buy a book that bites?”

“Yeah, wonderful.”

Weide applauded with a weary expression.

“We’re doomed. Hagrid is our Care of Magical Creatures professor...”

Hearing that, Ron turned around unhappily, while Harry and Hermione also looked at Weide in confusion.

“What are you looking at?” Draco said irritably. “I certainly don’t think that oversized oaf is qualified to be a professor.”

“Haha!”

Weide gave an awkward laugh.

“Don’t misunderstand me. I have a lot of respect for Hagrid.

“He’s a good man, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a good professor.”

“Why do you say that?” Hermione asked.

“The employees at Flourish and Blotts had never even seen Hagrid, but they could tell from our textbook, The Monster Book of Monsters, that the new Care of Magical Creatures professor must be a wild man.”

“Hagrid isn’t wild!” Harry glared at him angrily.

“I know he isn’t. But...”

Weide paused and began counting on his fingers.

“Three-headed dogs, dragons, Thestrals, Hippogriffs, and plenty of other creatures I don’t even know about.

“Think about Hagrid’s personality. He likes powerful, wild, or ferocious magical creatures. I’m genuinely worried he’ll introduce us to an Acromantula in class one day.”

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances.

For a moment, none of them knew what to say.

If Weide hadn’t brought it up, they genuinely wouldn’t have thought of it.

They needed to find a way to warn Hagrid.

They absolutely couldn’t let him bring some monster into the classroom. Otherwise, he might not remain a professor for very long.

“Finally, at the Ministry of Magic’s request, I have one more unsettling piece of news.”

Dumbledore’s voice became low, his anger barely restrained.

“Hogwarts will be receiving a number of special guests—Dementors from Azkaban—until Sirius Black is captured.”

“The Dementors will guard every entrance to the school. Although the Ministry has assured us that their presence will not interfere with our daily activities, I must remind you that Dementors are among the most evil creatures in existence.

“They cannot distinguish between those they are hunting and those who simply happen to stand in their way.

“Therefore, I warn every one of you: do not give them the opportunity to harm you.”

The Great Hall fell completely silent.

Not a single student dared make a sound.

But the solemn atmosphere was effortlessly shattered by Dumbledore’s next words.

“All right, that’s all the important business. Let us feast!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the long tables in the Great Hall suddenly filled with food and drinks.

Professors and students alike began eating to their hearts’ content, enjoying a sumptuous feast amid laughter and cheerful conversation.