After addressing the serious matters, Dumbledore's expression softened.
"Secondly, I am delighted to announce that we have two new Professors."
He gestured towards the staff table. "First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to take on the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor."
Scattered applause echoed through the Great Hall, mostly coming from Gryffindor.
Professor Lupin stood up and nodded to the students.
His face was still pale, and the patches on his Wizard robes were particularly noticeable in the candlelight; his appearance was indeed not very appealing.
Many students were whispering.
"He doesn't look very capable, far worse than Lockhart."
"Oh come on, what's the use of just being good-looking? Lockhart was nothing but a show-off anyway."
At this moment, Charlie stood up and joined in the applause.
In Charlie's opinion, Professor Lupin's strength was still unclear, but his performance on the train definitely showed him to be a competent and respectable Professor.
When Hufflepuff students saw Charlie start clapping, they also began to applaud, and the applause spread from the Hufflepuff table, leading to thunderous applause throughout the Great Hall.
Professor Lupin was a little flustered for a moment; he had never experienced such a popular scene and looked at Charlie with some gratitude.
Charlie gave him a slight nod.
At this moment, Charlie felt a cold gaze. He turned his head and saw Snape staring at him with narrowed eyes.
Charlie was puzzled, "I didn't provoke him, did I? Did he find out about the doodles I drew of him in my textbook?"
Dumbledore continued:
"Additionally, our gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, has agreed to be the Professor for Care of Magical Creatures Class."
"The previous Professor, Professor Kettleburn, retired last semester."
Applause once again filled the Great Hall. Hagrid stood up, so excited he almost knocked over his chair, his face flushed red as he continuously waved to the students.
Only those who knew him understood how difficult this was; Hagrid had carried a huge burden due to the Chamber of Secrets incident.
It was only because the Chamber of Secrets incident recurred last year that the injustice against Hagrid was cleared, otherwise, he would not have been able to become a Hogwarts Professor.
A few cheers came from Gryffindor, clearly, Hagrid was popular among the students.
Charlie suddenly understood; no wonder this semester's Care of Magical Creatures Class textbook was so strange. If Hagrid requested it, it made perfect sense.
Dumbledore waited for the applause to die down, then raised his hands to signal for quiet.
"Finally, the school has added a new rule."
His gaze swept across the Great Hall, finally resting on the Hufflepuff table.
"No swords, no swords!"
He repeated it twice, his tone serious: "This school does not support flying with swords. Last semester, three students broke their legs because of flying swords."
A burst of laughter erupted in the Great Hall.
As Dumbledore spoke, he looked towards Charlie, the instigator.
Charlie's expression was normal, "What does that have to do with me? I didn't bring a flying sword."
Finally, Dumbledore raised both hands, his voice booming:
"Alright, that's all for the important matters. Now, let the feast begin!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all sorts of food appeared out of thin air on the long tables. Roast chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, meat pies, and various vegetable salads and bread rolls. Goblets were filled with pumpkin juice and butterbeer.
The rich aroma of meat and the abundant juices stimulated everyone's appetite.
After the feast, Charlie and the others returned to their dormitory.
The Hufflepuff common room was still the same: round tables, sofas, a fireplace, and several portraits hanging on the walls.
Charlie walked through the common room and pushed open the door to the boys' dormitory.
His trunk had already been placed by his bed. He walked over, bent down, and opened the box.
A dark little thing was squatting in the corner of the box, its back to him, looking withdrawn.
Charlie reached out and poked its back.
"Still angry?"
The figure turned around, its black bean eyes full of displeasure; it was Judy.
Judy spat at Charlie, then turned back around, presenting its backside to him.
Charlie squatted down and tried to persuade it:
"Don't be angry. It's just that I brought you out of the box. What's so good about lying on gold, eating and drinking all day?"
Upon hearing this, Judy bristled with anger.
It stood up, pointed its claws at Charlie, and squeaked incessantly, every single hair seeming to curse him.
Charlie found its appearance somewhat amusing.
He pulled a piece of pumpkin cake from his pocket and dangled it in front of Judy.
"Alright, alright, all that gold is safely in the box. When we go back for the holidays, not a single bit will be missing. Here's this cake for you. You must be hungry from not eating."
Judy stared at the pumpkin cake for a few seconds, eventually unable to resist its rumbling stomach. It extended a claw, took the cake, and started gnawing on it, still pouting.
The next morning, Ernie and Justin knocked on Charlie's bed curtains.
"Charlie, wake up!" Ernie's voice was urgent.
"First Divination Class this morning, at the top of the North Tower. It's a long way, so we need to leave early."
Justin also urged from the side: "We heard from the older students that Professor Trelawney's place is hard to find. One senior got lost for half an hour before finding the classroom."
Charlie lay in bed, his eyes still closed, merely extending one hand and waving it at the two of them.
Ernie and Justin exchanged glances, instantly understanding.
"Alright then." Ernie sighed.
"We'll go to the Great Hall first. Don't oversleep yourself."
The two left the dormitory after speaking, their footsteps gradually fading.
Charlie rolled over and continued to sleep. Monday morning's bed was always so tempting, making one completely unwilling to leave.
After an unknown amount of time, a rich aroma wafted into his nose.
Snap.
With a soft sound, the House-elf Billy Apparated to the bedside, holding a silver platter with pan-fried lamb chops.
The gravy glistened invitingly under the light, accompanied by golden roasted potatoes and a small dish of mint sauce.
"Billy has prepared a delicious breakfast for Young Wizard," Billy said proudly.
Charlie opened his eyes, glanced at the plate, and immediately sat up.
"Thank you, Billy."
These words made Billy incredibly excited.
"Charlie praised Billy! Charlie is truly the greatest Wizard!"
Watching Billy's excitement, Charlie couldn't help but marvel at how amazing Wizards were, having turned House-elves into nuclear-powered donkeys, consuming only a word of praise per hundred miles.
He pulled out his wand and cast a cleaning charm on himself.
A refreshing sensation swept from his head to his entire body; his hair was neat, the oiliness on his face was gone, and even the air in his mouth became fresh.
Charlie took the silver platter, forked a piece of lamb chop, and took a bite.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, the meat was delicious, and with the mint sauce, it was absolutely divine.
After breakfast, Charlie raised his wand.
"Apparition!"
A sensation of squeezing came, and the next second, he had appeared in the narrow corridor at the top of the North Tower.
The corridor was narrow, with several portraits hanging on the walls, all the figures in the paintings dozing off.
A strong, sweet, cloying scent of incense hung in the air, making one want to sneeze.
As soon as Charlie stood firm, a panting sound came from behind him.
"Finally… here…"
Ernie leaned against the wall, his face flushed, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Justin was even worse; he squatted directly on the ground, gasping for air, his school robes soaked with sweat.
The two looked up and saw Charlie standing at the end of the corridor, looking completely at ease.
Ernie was stunned.
Justin was also dumbfounded.
"No way…" Ernie pointed at Charlie, unable to speak coherently.
"We got up so early, climbed so many floors, put in so much effort to get up here, how are you ahead of us?"
Charlie gave a charming smile: "If you're weak, practice more!"
This made Ernie and Justin roll their eyes in exasperation.
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