"Mr. Augustus, I look forward to your guidance in the days to come," Sol said, his sea-blue eyes shining with excitement, the candlelight reflecting off his handsome face.
"Your talent is commendable. If the opportunity arises, I could teach you some lightning-based spells," Augustus replied with a slight smile and a nod.
Sol glanced at Augustus in confusion, about to respond, when Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat twice at the staff table. Gradually, the hall grew quiet.
"Welcome!" Professor Dumbledore said, the candlelight making his beard shimmer. "Welcome to a new school year at Hogwarts! I have a few words for you, and one matter in particular is quite serious. I think it's best to address it before this feast leaves you too dazed."
Clearing his throat, Dumbledore continued, "You must have realized, after the search of the Hogwarts Express, that our school will be hosting several Dementors from Azkaban. They are here on official Ministry of Magic business."
The Ministry's orders? Augustus realized this meant the Dementors were here under official command. However, not having followed recent news, he was unsure of the task they had been given.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore went on, "and during their stay here, I must make it absolutely clear: no one is to leave the school grounds without permission. The Dementors cannot be tricked by charm or disguise—not even an Invisibility Cloak." He added this last part with a stony expression. Harry and Ron exchanged a glance. "Dementors do not understand requests or excuses. So I warn each of you: do not give them any reason to harm you. Prefects, as well as Slytherin's shadow prefects, must ensure no student comes into conflict with the Dementors."
"What are Dementors doing at the school? Dumbledore must be mad to let those wretched creatures in," Malfoy muttered under his breath, scowling.
"Don't you know?" Lilian said with a serious expression. "Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. The Dementors are here to capture him."
"Oh? Sirius Black? Why would they come to Hogwarts for him? That's strange," Malfoy said, puzzled.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's because of Harry," Augustus interjected. "It's said Sirius was once Harry's godfather, but he later joined Voldemort. During that incident, he killed Peter Pettigrew. If he's escaped now, it's likely to finish Voldemort's work and kill Harry. That would explain why the Dementors are here."
"Exactly," Lilian agreed with a nod. "Sirius's main target is probably Harry. For Harry's safety, Dumbledore had no choice but to compromise with the Ministry and allow the Dementors to station here."
"Even so, Dumbledore shouldn't have agreed to let these creatures in. I can't stand Dementors. With so many skilled professors, why fear Sirius Black? It's absurd," Loki scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
"On a brighter note," Dumbledore continued, "this year, I am delighted to welcome two new teachers to our staff."
"The first is Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to take over Defense Against the Dark Arts."
There was scattered, lukewarm applause. Only those who had shared the train carriage with him clapped enthusiastically—Harry among them. Sitting among the well-dressed staff, Professor Lupin looked distinctly shabby.
"Ah, yet another sacrificial lamb for the cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts position," Loki murmured mockingly, a smirk on his face.
"My parents mentioned that Lupin should be quite competent," Lilian remarked. "Dumbledore must have chosen him after much deliberation, so don't judge him by appearances."
"If I'm right, Professor Lupin attended school with Harry's parents. It will be interesting to see how that affects things," Augustus noted.
"Indeed," Sol confirmed. "Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Harry's father James Potter were inseparable in their youth."
"Which means Harry's going to be basking in the limelight," Malfoy said with a scowl. "With his father's old friend teaching, Lupin's bound to favor him in Defense Against the Dark Arts. It'll be unbearable for the rest of us."
"Look at Professor Snape," Loki suddenly whispered, gesturing toward the staff table.
Everyone turned. The Potions Master, Professor Snape, was glaring at Lupin with a twisted expression of malice.
"Snape must have been in the same year as Harry's father and his friends," Sol observed. "Their animosity likely dates back to their school days."
"You seem remarkably well-informed about these things," Loki remarked with a wry smile.
Sol shot Loki a sidelong glance but said nothing.
"As for our second new teacher," Dumbledore resumed once the applause for Lupin had died down, "I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn, who taught Care of Magical Creatures, retired last year to spend more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to announce that Rubeus Hagrid has agreed to take over the position alongside his duties as Keeper of the Keys and Grounds."
"So it's Hagrid who assigned that absurdly amusing textbook, The Monster Book of Monsters. Figures," Augustus muttered, rubbing his temples in exasperation as he glanced at the beaming Hagrid on the staff table.
The night at Hogwarts was as deep and brilliant as an ocean of stars, the sky breathtakingly beautiful.
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