Harry stood, tapping himself lightly with his wand to transform his clothes into his Hogwarts robes.
With another wave, the ropes binding Lupin slithered back into the suitcase.
"Shall we meet in Dumbledore's office tonight?" Harry offered.
Lupin shook his head. "Dumbledore will catch Black."
Harry raised his wand.
"Black doesn't have the cunning for that," Lupin continued firmly, shaking his head again. "He doesn't have the wits to stay hidden or act as a spy."
"I believe him."
Ron stifled a laugh.
Even Hermione's expression turned peculiar.
"Then how about your office tonight?" Harry hesitated for a moment, gripping the vibrating amulet tightly and taking a deep breath before extending the invitation again.
Lupin nodded. "I'll be waiting for you."
After a moment's thought, Lupin pulled his wand from his robes and tossed it to Harry.
Harry, caught off guard, nearly fumbled it.
"Harry, I know I have no right to say this," Lupin began hesitantly, his words labored, "I haven't seen you even once all these years…"
"But trust me, I have no intention of ever harming you—unless…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But Harry understood what he meant—it would only happen under circumstances beyond Lupin's control.
Harry pocketed the wand. "I appreciate your trust in me, but I can't completely trust you just yet."
"See you tonight."
They disembarked from the train and boarded the carriages.
The rain poured down heavily, but the Thestrals pulling the carriages moved steadily, flying low and slow through the night.
"Harry, what exactly is Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked, frowning. "Is he dangerous?"
"If he doesn't want to say, it's not my place to reveal it," Harry replied, shaking his head.
Hermione looked like she wanted to press further.
Harry cut her off. "But he should be reliable."
"Dumbledore knows what he is, my parents knew too. They spent seven years at Hogwarts with him and became his best friends."
"If he wasn't reliable…" Harry's tone hardened. "Then I'd have already convinced Dumbledore to assign him a different role besides teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Ron smirked. "In that case, I really hope he isn't reliable."
The carriage soon arrived at the main gate.
Harry's expression darkened.
By the Flying Boar statues stood two Dementors. They floated near the carriages, hovering greedily and restlessly.
"The Ministry really is stupid," Hermione growled through gritted teeth. "It seems only brainless fools can secure top positions there."
"After two chaotic years, turning Hogwarts into Azkaban almost feels… inevitable," Harry said with a bitter laugh and a sarcastic shrug.
Entering the Great Hall, the icy chill brought by the Dementors melted away under the warmth inside.
Students who hadn't seen each other all summer chatted noisily.
Many of them wore Gryffindor pendants, about the size of a palm, hanging proudly from their necks.
Even a few Slytherins could be spotted wearing them.
The sorting ceremony proceeded as usual.
Once the last student was sorted, the Sorting Hat impatiently called out, "Harry, come and get me."
Harry walked over, drawing his bone sword as he went.
"Wait, what are you doing?" the Sorting Hat asked nervously.
Harry picked up the hat and sheathed the sword inside.
"It's just a sword," Harry replied.
"It's longer than Gryffindor's!" the hat protested, sounding disgruntled. "I think it's poking my stomach!"
"You're a hat. You have a stomach?" Harry flicked the brim.
"It's a metaphor! I told you that back in first year," the hat replied indignantly. "By the way, why do you have another sword? Are you afraid you can't pass Gryffindor's trials with just one?"
"I need two swords," Harry said matter-of-factly. "Some situations call for something other than the Gryffindor sword."
Crookshanks curiously padded over, pawing at the Sorting Hat.
A talking hat was a novel sight for him.
"Oh no, why is there a cat here?" the Sorting Hat yelped, its voice trembling.
"My pet. Are you scared of cats?" Hermione asked, making no effort to stop Crookshanks.
The hat nodded its pointed tip. "Once there was a headmistress who kept a cat. You know how curious cats are…"
Before it could finish, Crookshanks extended his claws and scratched at the hat.
Protected by magic, the hat remained undamaged. The ginger cat, enjoying the texture, enthusiastically began scratching with both paws.
"I knew it! I knew this would happen!" the hat wailed in frustration. "Harry, do me a favor and get it off me, will you?"
Crookshanks let out a defiant meow.
"He's part Kneazle! A Kneazle!" the hat cried louder. "Oh no, that kind of creature!"
At the staff table, Dumbledore rose, his expression serious.
"My dear students, it's wonderful to see you all again after the summer," he began.
"But this year will be different."
Ron muttered under his breath, "More different than the last two years?"
He couldn't imagine anything more extraordinary than Voldemort's return.
"There are a few things I must address, one of them being extremely important. I hope you'll all take it to heart," Dumbledore continued, clearing his throat and speaking with added weight.
"As you may have noticed, Azkaban Dementors have been stationed at Hogwarts, assigned here by the Ministry of Magic to carry out official duties. Some of you may already know this, as they inspected the Hogwarts Express earlier today—albeit unpleasantly."
Fred interrupted loudly, "No, that silver lion made it quite enjoyable!"
The younger Gryffindors laughed and cheered.
They all knew who had summoned the lion. Even if they hadn't seen it themselves, they'd heard the stories—it was Harry Potter's Patronus.
Dumbledore's stern expression softened into a faint smile. He raised his hand to quiet the room.
"Indeed, I quite liked that Patronus as well," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
"However, for those of you who have not yet mastered the Patronus Charm, Dementors remain extremely dangerous."
He paused, his tone growing serious once more.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the school, including certain hidden and lesser-known passages that some students may believe to be secret."
"While they remain here, you are not to leave the grounds without permission. Dementors are highly perceptive; no spell, potion, or disguise can fool them."
"I urge all prefects and our newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl to ensure the safety of your fellow students."
Percy puffed out his chest, proudly displaying his shiny badge.
Dumbledore then waved his wand, sending a gentle magic throughout the hall that filled each student with warmth and lifted their spirits.
"Now, let's move on to lighter matters," he said, his tone brightening.
"First, let me introduce two new professors."
"This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor: Professor Lupin!"
Lupin, looking even more haggard after being stunned earlier, stood up to a sparse round of applause—mostly from the first-years.
Every older Hogwarts student had long since given up hope of finding a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
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Powerstones?
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