The Great Hall was silent, and many of the young wizards were intimidated by Dumbledore's stern expression, which was only revealed when there was an emergency.
Dumbledore's brows relaxed, perhaps noticing the harshness in his tone, and he smiled vaguely before continuing.
"All right, that's all I have to say. Let's change the subject to something more pleasant. There are two new professors joining us this school year!"
"First, it was Professor Lupin, who readily agreed to fill the vacancy in Defence Against the Dark Arts class." Dumbledore stepped aside and gestured for everyone to look at the teachers' table, leading the applause.
Lupin nodded to the crowd, wanting to say that he was not as happy about his "dangerous" position as Dumbledore had suggested.
There was a smattering of applause, and the young wizards looked at Lupin appraisingly.
After all, in contrast to the other well-dressed professors, Lupin's shabby appearance was hard to believe.
Dumbledore waited for the young wizards to accept the news before continuing.
"As for our second new professor, Rubeus Hagrid!"
Hagrid stood up and knocked the table in front of him several inches away.
Hagrid's cheeks turned red when he noticed everyone looking at him. He placed his large, rough hands on the table and then raised them again, as if they were inappropriate to be placed anywhere.
Dumbledore then added.
"As your old Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn, retired at the end of the previous term, I have hired Rubeus Hagrid to take over, and he has agreed to accept the position, in addition to his duties as gamekeeper!"
Many of the young wizards stared at Hagrid in disbelief, and even Harry and Ron were surprised, although they did not stop themselves from applauding.
Yvonne was also applauding, as she was well aware that the attack on the Chamber of Secrets had cleared Hagrid of suspicion, thus allowing him to take on the position of Professor.
As it happened, Professor Kettleburn retired at the end of term, leading Ivan to wonder if Dumbledore was behind this…
After listening to Dumbledore's ramblings, it was time for dinner.
The white-bearded headmaster waved his wand and tapped it lightly. In the next moment, golden plates filled with delicacies were placed on the long tables of the four academies, and various drinks were placed in the empty wine glasses…
The young wizards, who had been waiting for some time, dug in, discussing the two new professors and the Dementors' purpose at Hogwarts.
When dinner was over, the prefects led the new students to their lounges, while the third year students stayed behind. Professor McGonagall handed out a list to everyone.
When Ivan took it, he found that it was a third year timetable,
In addition to the main courses of the school year, there were several additional courses in which one could choose whether to attend or not, such as Divination, Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies, etc…
Before she left, Professor McGonagall told everyone to think about it tonight. They only had one night to decide, because she was going to collect all the class schedules in the morning!
"Looks like we're going to be busy again this year," Ron grumbled as he stared at the timetable.
For Ron, who did not do very well, a few extra classes meant he would have to suffer more during the end of term.
Harry agreed, and together they worked out which lessons would be easier.
First of all, Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class was a given, and given their relationship with him, getting high marks for it was not an issue.
The remaining classes were more difficult, with Harry preferring Muggle Studies, as he had grown up in the Muggle world, and Ron wanting a Divination class…
They discussed the matter for a while, then turned to Ivan for his opinion. To their surprise, Ivan was already ticking off the items on his timetable.
"Ivan, you've made your choice already?" Ron asked in surprise.
"Choose? Why don't you just tick all the boxes? Professor McGonagall didn't say you can't choose all of them," Ivan said casually, shaking his head.
Harry and Ron glanced at Ivan's class schedule and hesitated.
Professor McGonagall suggested two or three classes per person, not all, but surely no one would do that?
They both gave Ivan strange looks, thinking he was the only one in the entire year who would do such a thing.
As they were thinking this, Hermione spoke up behind them.
"Ivan's absolutely right! It never hurts to take one more class!"
Harry and Ron turned to see Hermione checking the class schedule, and it seemed that she, like Ivan, was going to take all of them.
They had nothing to say to that, and in their shame, they wondered if they should have taken more courses as well, but the thought only crossed their minds for a moment before it was pushed away.
School life is so good, how can we only think about studying?
What a killjoy!
"By the way, with all the classes you've chosen, surely there are times when classes clash? What will you do then?" Harry asked curiously.
Hermione was stunned for a moment, then realised the problem and was about to speak when Ivan spoke.
"I think the professors will find a solution!"
"Yes, or Professor McGonagall would have warned us!" Hermione nodded, glancing discreetly at Ivan, pleased that he was thinking the same thing.
Harry and Ron looked at the two of them helplessly and then looked down at the class schedule. In the end, although they did not choose all of them like Ivan, they gritted their teeth and chose three electives.
After making the difficult course choices, Ivan and the others, who were already exhausted, returned to the dormitory together. After washing up in a hurry, they fell asleep the moment they touched the bed.
Ivan lay in bed thinking about the Time-Turner he was about to get his hands on,
It seemed that Professor McGonagall was the one who applied for Hermione's place in the original timeline, and she wondered if Professor McGonagall would do the same for her…
If not, he would have to ask Lupin to vouch for him…