The most awkward person there was probably... Ron.
Since he'd generously given up the prefect position during the selection process, his place at the table was now rather awkward.
Firstly, he wasn't a prefect. Secondly, his grades weren't outstanding. Thirdly, his family was poor. Although the political climate at the Ministry had changed, and Dumbledore's status had risen dramatically due to Voldemort's return, which in turn had improved the standing of the Order of the Phoenix's members.
Naturally, that included the Weasley family.
But there was an awkward problem.
Mr Weasley's position wasn't particularly high-ranking, and... when Mr Weasley had been at school, Slughorn himself had often neglected him, which meant their relationship had always remained lukewarm.
After saying all that, to put it bluntly...
There wasn't much to gain from the Weasley family.
This was especially obvious in Ron's case. He watched as Slughorn chatted enthusiastically with everyone except him.
Yes, everyone except him.
"Professor, I don't really like him," Ron quietly said as he unconsciously moved to the seat next to Kasenhis.
But just how quiet could he really be?
It was a small dining table, and Slughorn happened to be sitting directly opposite Kasenhis, so he undoubtedly heard it.
However, Slughorn paid no attention to Ron's whisper. His expression didn't even change.
"Mhm. In this respect, I don't like him either. If he's chosen to build relationships with you all, then he ought to respect you. Not summon you here and then leave you sitting around ignored," Kasenhis replied quietly.
"Professor, why did he invite me? Was I on your list too?" Ron asked.
"Obviously. In my opinion, you'll probably turn out quite successful in the future, so I put your name down," Kasenhis replied awkwardly.
"Oh. That's unfortunate," Ron said with a miserable expression.
"Indeed. Unfortunate... Why didn't Dumbledore make Grindelwald handle this miserable assignment?" Kasenhis wore the same miserable expression.
...
The two of them remained awkwardly seated in that carriage for the entire day. It wasn't until night had fallen that the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into Hogsmeade Station.
After standing up, Kasenhis stretched vigorously before following the crowd off the train.
As soon as he stepped onto the platform, he was about to head towards Hogwarts when he heard Slughorn calling from behind him, asking him to wait.
Turning around, he saw Slughorn hurrying towards him, slightly out of breath.
"With Aurors stationed every few steps around here, you're still scared?" Kasenhis asked in surprise.
"Now that we've arrived at Hogwarts, of course I'm no longer afraid. But with these old bones of mine, making me ride one of those Thestral carriages is simply too much strain on the body," Slughorn replied helplessly.
"So? Ah, forget it. I'll just Ender Teleport you there."
Kasenhis sighed. The Ender field enveloped Slughorn, and in the next instant, the two of them were standing in the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
"Kasenhis, you're back. Horace, it's been a long time."
Professor McGonagall, who was directing the preparations in the Great Hall, turned around when she heard the sound of Kasenhis' Ender Teleport. Upon seeing Slughorn hitching a ride back, she greeted him.
"It's been a long time, Minerva. Is there anything I can help with?" Slughorn asked.
"There certainly is. Please submit a lesson plan and your requirements for admission to the N.E.W.T. classes as soon as possible. The students will begin applying for their advanced courses tomorrow morning, so this is extremely urgent," Professor McGonagall said.
"Oh, the same requirements as before will do. No need to change anything," Slughorn replied.
"That's good. I must say, your standards for the advanced classes are much more lenient than Severus'. That will allow many more students to pursue the careers they actually want."
As he listened to Professor McGonagall, Slughorn subtly raised an eyebrow at Kasenhis, his expression clearly saying: "See? I do have some redeeming qualities."
"On behalf of all those ambitious students whose abilities don't quite measure up, thank you. And no, that was absolutely not sarcasm."
Kasenhis gave Slughorn a thumbs-up.
"Thank you for your approval," Slughorn replied with a smile.
"Mhm."
Kasenhis couldn't help letting out a small burp as he headed towards the staff table.
Soon, the older students also arrived in the Great Hall by Thestral carriage and took their seats, along with the professors.
This year, the staff table had grown by another section, because there was a new position.
Grindelwald's position.
Officially, he was serving as the school's security guard.
Of course, "security guard" sounded far too ordinary, so Dumbledore, being his usual flamboyant self, had given the role a much more magical-sounding title.
Chief Warden of Wards.
It sounded impressively grand.
No one knew what sort of inspiration had struck Dumbledore to come up with it.
Meanwhile, the students at the house tables found themselves torn between curiosity about the retired elderly wizard returning to teach, hoping this new professor would be gentler than Snape, and fear of Snape becoming the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
Professor Grindelwald's reputation had sounded terrifying enough, but when he actually taught, he had at least spoken calmly and politely, without indulging in the beloved tradition of verbal abuse.
But once Snape started teaching...
The students didn't even need to think with their brains to imagine the sort of insults Snape would hurl during lessons.
For example...
"Well, well. Look who it is. Our brilliant magical prodigy, who somehow managed to launch a feather into a cauldron while attempting a Levitation Charm. Your remarkable precision in spellcasting truly deserves an Order of Merlin. After all, who besides you could possibly turn Incendio into a defective firework? You should consider yourself fortunate that your wand hasn't revolted and abandoned you altogether. Frankly, it suffers more in your hands than it would locked away in a Gringotts vault."
"Rather than wasting the school's wands and potion ingredients, perhaps you should become a Seer. After all, your predictions might well be more accurate than your spellcasting. What? Is that flushed expression an attempt to argue? Save your breath. If you spent the time you waste preparing rebuttals copying The Standard Book of Spells, your magical ability might improve from 'laughable' to 'barely acceptable'. Honestly, I've taught trolls with more aptitude than you."
Ah...
Defence Against the Dark Arts...
The bright future we cannot see, and the winding road we can never finish walking...
Every student silently cried out the same lament in their heart.
___
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