The Great Hall was filled with the buzz of conversation, as students gathered, eagerly chatting about what they had seen and heard on the Hogwarts Express.
"Oh my goodness, as soon as that thing came in, I felt deathly cold!" Ernie Macmillan, a third-year Hufflepuff boy, said, waving his arms dramatically, a slight tremor in his voice. "It felt like my bones were freezing!"
"You're right, me too!" the girl opposite him, Hannah Abbott, quickly agreed, still looking a bit shaken.
"I was sitting in the corner of the compartment, and that monster just walked past outside, but the air inside the compartment seemed to freeze. I've never felt so uncomfortable, it felt like all my happiness was sucked away!"
"Those are Dementors, the guards of Azkaban," an older student explained to the younger students around him. "They specialize in absorbing happiness and bringing despair."
Hearing this, Ernie Macmillan looked towards the Gryffindor table. "Looking at it that way, Harry Potter is quite impressive, daring to confront such a terrifying creature."
As soon as he said this, it immediately drew agreement from many Little Wizards.
"What's strange about that? You know Potter defeated You-Know-Who when he was a baby; he's the legendary Savior."
"Potter is truly amazing. That unknown spell tore apart the Hogwarts Express, and Professor Lupin couldn't even fix it."
"When I first heard it, I thought it was a rumor, but I didn't expect it to be all true. The cracks on the wall can't be faked."
Listening to everyone's discussion, Malfoy at the Slytherin table looked at Harry with a complicated expression.
Damn it!
Potter had outdone him again.
When the Dementor got on the train, he didn't dare to move at all.
Who would have thought that Potter would be so fierce, directly confronting the Dementor.
Although he fainted in the end, the cracks on the carriage were a medal for Potter's courage.
He had originally thought that after a summer of hard work, he would be able to defeat this guy, Potter.
Unexpectedly, he actually knew such a powerful spell. Now it seems he still needs to practice more.
Snape sat at the Professor's table, listening to the students' discussions, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.
Is the Minister of Magic a pig's brain, to let Dementors board the Hogwarts Express?
This smelly Werewolves, Lupin, was still somewhat useful. He drove away the Dementors at the crucial moment and saved Harry.
It's just that Harry didn't suffer any substantial harm, otherwise, he would also learn from Dumbledore and send a Howler to Fudge.
Looking at Snape, who looked like he didn't want to be approached, the Little Wizards silently swallowed a mouthful of saliva and whispered to their companions beside them.
"Who said Professor Snape was leaving? Isn't he sitting properly at the Professor's table?"
"But that Wizard who claimed to be the Potions Professor is also sitting properly at the Professor's table right now."
"Not just the Potions Professor, I also saw the new Charms and Transfiguration Professors."
"You scared me to death. When I saw the new Transfiguration Professor, I thought Professor McGonagall was leaving."
"What on earth is going on? Why are there so many new Professors at the Professor's table?"
"I don't know, but the school has a big move. Look, that old man sitting with Dumbledore is the legendary Newt Scamander."
"Wow, this is like an idol coming into reality."
"Professor Lupin is also good. Should we go ask him for an autograph now?"
Amidst the students' discussions, Hagrid led the first-year students into the Great Hall.
As the Sorting Ceremony ended, Dumbledore slowly stood up and walked to the center of the high platform. His gaze swept across every student in the hall, a slight smile on his lips.
He raised his hands and gently pressed them down, signaling the students to quiet down.
The Great Hall gradually became quiet, and even the slightest whisper disappeared.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts," Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Before we enjoy the sumptuous feast, I have a few things to announce."
"Firstly," Dumbledore's expression slightly darkened, "presumably many of you have already seen the Azkaban guards, the Dementors, on the Hogwarts Express."
"They have been sent by the Ministry of Magic to perform their duties and will be stationed at the various entrances of the school this year."
As soon as this was said, a low murmur immediately arose throughout the Great Hall.
The students involuntarily looked around, especially those who had witnessed the Dementors firsthand on the train, their faces still showing a trace of fear.
"Quiet," Dumbledore's voice was extremely serious. "I must emphasize that while they are here, no student is allowed to leave the school without permission. No trickery can deceive them."
"Dementors are very dangerous creatures; they cannot distinguish between good and evil, they can only sense your emotions and soul."
"Therefore, I strongly advise all students, no matter what happens, do not attempt to provoke them, and do not give them the opportunity to harm you."
Many students couldn't help but shrink their shoulders, looking down at their plates, as if unwilling to recall the oppressive feeling the Dementors had brought them.
Harry was no exception; he couldn't help but feel a tightening in his stomach, that suffocating chill still lingering in his mind.
Dumbledore sensed the tense atmosphere among the students in the Great Hall, and then changed the subject, revealing a relaxed smile.
"Now for some pleasant news. Our Professor team this year also has some new changes."
"Many new Professors have joined our teaching staff, and I believe many students have already had contact with them."
"Firstly," Dumbledore said, "we are very honored to have invited Newt Scamander, the Wizarding World's renowned magizoologist."
"He will serve as the Professor for Care of Magical Creatures, responsible for teaching the fifth, sixth, and seventh years."
When Newt Scamander's name was announced, the atmosphere in the Great Hall instantly became incredibly lively.
Newt Scamander's legendary stories were known in almost every Wizard family, and his book 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' was an essential textbook for every student.
The students applauded excitedly, especially the Hufflepuff students, who enthusiastically welcomed their old schoolmate back to Hogwarts.
Dumbledore let the lively atmosphere in the Great Hall subside slightly, then continued to announce.
"Rubeus Hagrid will share the teaching duties for Care of Magical Creatures Class with Professor Scamander. He will be responsible for teaching the third and fourth years."
Cheers erupted throughout the Great Hall again, especially from the Gryffindor students.
Hagrid suddenly stood up, waving excitedly to everyone around. He stood up so quickly and forcefully that he almost overturned the Professor's table.
Dumbledore raised his hand once again, signaling the students to quiet down. "The Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor - Remus Lupin, I believe many of you know him."
Of course, they knew him; he was a television star.
Basically, everyone had seen the TV series starring Lupin.
Except for a few Little Wizards who showed expressions of difficulty, everyone stood up and cheered for Lupin.
Listening to everyone's cheers, a weight was lifted from Lupin's heart. He had always been worried that the Little Wizards would dislike him for his Werewolves identity.
Then, Dumbledore introduced the new Professors one by one.
Whether on the train or on the platform, the performance of these new Professors had already won the favor of the Little Wizards.
The Little Wizards did not stingy their applause, enthusiastically welcoming each new Professor.
...