Chapter 120: The High Table Can’t Seat So Many People
In the evening, Hermione, dressed in a black wizard robe, stepped out of the Express Train, walked along the platform signs for a bit, and there were dozens of Thestral carriages waiting, visible only as carriages.
Hermione only heard sporadic hoofbeats, saw no shadows of any mounts, thought of her two little partners, took a slight breath, pulled open the curtain and sat in the carriage, merging into the stream of carriages returning to school in the deep night.
In the distant deep blue sky, scattered starlight dotted the horizon, two of which flashed by like the headlights of a Ford Anglia car, racing through the fields in the air over the Scottish Highlands.
……
The magical dome was a midsummer night starry sky, colorful candles floated in the air of the Great Hall, metal cutlery was laid out on the dining table, champagne bubbles burst in the glass cups, releasing a slightly sweet wine aroma.
The professors were seated early, Dumbledore wore gold and red formal robes, his silver-white long beard tied with silver thread, his half-moon glasses gleaming in the candlelight, a gentle smile on his face.
More eye-catching than him was the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Gilderoy Lockhart in blue and gold formal robes embroidered with silver thread patterns, paired with an impeccable perfect smile, his white teeth even reflecting the candlelight, shining brightly.
Lockhart sat next to the Headmaster, holding a goblet reservedly, swirling it slowly for a while, then sipping and slightly frowning: “The glass cup wasn’t chilled with ice beforehand, the temperature isn’t right.”
“Oh, after the banquet I’ll remind the kitchen to pay attention next time.” Dumbledore humbly accepted the advice.
“Actually this is already very good, it’s just that my tongue is too picky and sensitive, I once tasted in the Marne Valley in France…”
Lockhart spoke humble words, but his expression clearly said otherwise, he probably thought sitting here he attracted the full attention of the room like Dumbledore, shining brightly.
Pretending to casually glance over the professors at the nearby table, his peripheral vision was firmly locked on Melvin, that young professor wearing a light blue casual suit, shirt without a tie, relaxed and casual like at home.
He was speaking softly to Professor Flitwick, handsome in appearance but ordinary in clothing.
Lockhart secretly admired his wise decision, yesterday afternoon he was strolling in Diagon Alley, happened to flip through a newspaper from a year ago in Flourish and Blotts, saw the cover photo published there, noticed his outfit was very striking, so he dug out this formal wear from when he was awarded the Merlin’s Order.
Outshining the elective professor in dress, outshining the old headmaster in youth and handsomeness, upon careful thought, Lockhart even felt the strength gap between him and Dumbledore had narrowed, with the popularity from his bestselling books, perhaps he was even more popular than Dumbledore.
Lockhart felt a bit lightheaded after a few sips of champagne.
“…”
Melvin sat next to Professor Flitwick, of course noticing his frequent appraising glances, fully aware of his intentions, as early as during the most popular time of the projection mirror, this colleague had publicly announced in the newspaper his willingness to provide memories to showcase adventure experiences.
“Professor Levent!”
Lockhart, victorious in his private comparison, raised his glass and walked over: “I know you’re a foreign professor, may not be very familiar with me, let me introduce myself, I am the bestselling writer in the British Wizarding World, Merlin Medal Recipient, honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League, legendary adventurer, traveler, guardian of remote villages, intimate friend of dominant witches, perfect smile, and now adding one more: Hogwarts professor.”
“Very pleased to meet you, Professor Lockhart.”
Melvin listened to his self-introduction, thought of something, struggled to hold back the urge to laugh out loud.
Only after clinking glasses and watching him return to his seat did he turn his head to Professor Flitwick and say: “I think the high table can’t seat so many people.”
“Haha…”
Several nearby elective professors couldn’t help but chuckle softly, at the same table were also Professor Babbling, Professor Victor and Professor Kettleburn, after laughing they looked at Professor Flitwick with subtle and odd expressions.
Actually this was the exclusive seating for elective professors, Professor Flitwick as Dean should sit further up front, but that spot was taken by Lockhart.
This legendary adventurer frequently attended various banquets, clearly treating Hogwarts’ opening feast as such an occasion, determined to position himself at the eye of the venue’s storm, becoming the brightest star attracting all guests’ gazes.
“What an outstanding Ravenclaw graduate, right? Professor Flitwick, Dean of Ravenclaw?”
Hearing Professor Babbling’s teasing, Professor Flitwick shamefully lowered his head, seeing his own house’s graduate acting this way, even with the thick skin from goblin bloodline, he still felt hot and flushed.
Though his titles and experiences sounded impressive, just a little contact, a few chats, and you’d know under his flashy skin was stuffed with straw, obsessed with showing off, actually lacking any real talent.
Thinking of having to work with this wizard for at least a year, Professor Flitwick only felt a dark road ahead.
Listening to the elective professors rubbing salt in Professor Flitwick’s wounds, Melvin wore a pleased smile, soon feeling Professor Flitwick’s resentful gaze, he lightly coughed twice, and chatted with Professor Sprout about snakewood cultivation.
“Melvin, I must say, this snakewood from Ilvermorny is different from other plants.”
“Sounds like trouble?”
“Those branches are full of vitality, but to make them take root and sprout requires unique magic power induction, I still can’t figure out this magic power.” Professor Sprout was very regretful, rare magical plants right in front of her yet unable to cultivate them.
Unique magic power…
Melvin’s heart stirred slightly, guessing this magic power would ultimately fall on Salazar Slytherin, this legendary wizard dead nearly a millennium, could only seek information from his heir Riddle senior.
Tonight go back and continue writing the diary.
These matters couldn’t be explained to professors, Melvin could only say: “Take it slow.”
Professor Sprout sighed, nodded.
A commotion came from the foyer.
Disordered footsteps, buzzing chatter, as students surged into the Great Hall together. After two months apart, those familiar faces had subtle yet obvious changes, less childishness, more freckles and pimples.
Professor McGonagall’s hair tightly bound in a small bun, went to the foyer to greet the first-year students, lead them to the antechamber to wait patiently, went fine but returned midway to place the Sorting Hat with a darkened face, lips tightly pressed, movements somewhat rough.
She muttered under her breath: “How dare they… how dare they!”
“Simply unbelievable!”
“…”
Students near the front rows dared not make a sound, afraid to touch the deputy headmaster’s bad luck.
At the high table, professors looked at each other, unclear what happened, Professor Flitwick was about to ask when he suddenly heard Snape let out a cold laugh.
He wore a mocking expression, unhurriedly took out the latest Prophet evening newspaper, passed it to others to circulate.
The front-page headline in bold black: 「Ford Anglia flies, Muggles greatly astonished!」
Melvin secretly admired in his heart, the Daily Prophet lived up to being the most authoritative wizard newspaper, reporters and photographers very professional, Harry and Ron’s flying car hadn’t reached school yet, the newspaper was already printed and delivered.
「Two Muggles in London are certain they saw an old car fly over the post office building… At noon in Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Belisle while hanging laundry… Mr. Angus Fleeter of Peebles reported to police… a total of six or seven Muggles.」
Lockhart finished the newspaper, slapped it on the table, laughed heartily: “Ha! What show-offs!”
“I’d say this is nothing, I thought of such things in my youth too, aren’t students all like that?” He winked playfully, “Even our Harry Potter is no exception, once they read my adventure stories, they’ll understand what’s right!”
“…”
Though his chatter was extremely annoying, this matter indeed wasn’t too serious.
Though a Secrecy Law violation leak, no casualties, no major damage, only spread in a small area, considering the perpetrators were two second year students, impossible to send them to prison.
The Whomping Willow was in for bad luck, Melvin silently mourned in his heart.
Right, and Arthur.
If the Ministry pursued parents for responsibility, the nature of the matter might change, as staff of the Office for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts, privately keeping a Muggle car and illegally modifying it… at least fined three months’ salary.
The newspaper circulated around the high table, the Sorting Hat up front was ready, a few minutes later Professor McGonagall led the first-year students into the Great Hall.
They looked young and tender, some nervous, some eager, eyes widening and darting at the sound of the Sorting Hat’s song.
“Edgar Shackel!” Professor McGonagall called out in order from the parchment list.
“Slytherin!” The Sorting Hat decided in just five seconds.
“Godwin Randell.”
“Slytherin!”
“…”
When calling Colin Creevey, Professor McGonagall noticed two late figures at the Great Hall entrance, her face grew darker, glanced back at the high table. Before the Headmaster decided, Snape had already stood up proactively, leaving from the side door by the high table.
Several professors exchanged looks, shrugged helplessly.
Looks like Harry and Ron were in for it too.
Melvin silently prayed for them.
The small interlude didn’t interrupt the sorting ceremony, little wizards in front of the high table went up in order, nervously donned the Sorting Hat, then walked to the four house tables, professors watched the process with gentle smiles.
This was Melvin’s second time attending Hogwarts’ sorting ceremony, the process similar to classroom self-introductions, for those memorable first-year students, the sorting ceremony spread their names and houses quickly.
But there was only one name as resounding as Harry Potter’s.
Among ordinary students, the Twenty-Eight Families pure-blood surnames had the highest recognition, most sorted into Slytherin.
Then there was Rolf Scamander with his natural curls, grandson of Newt Scamander, sorted into Hufflepuff under the expectant gazes of Professor Sprout and Professor Kettleburn.
Others included Gryffindor’s Ginny Weasley, Ravenclaw’s Luna Lovegood, and a witch named Styrenos Ninia, exceptionally gifted, parents reportedly voodoo researchers.
“Welcome!”
Dumbledore stood up, beaming at the little wizards, “Welcome everyone back to Hogwarts, to start the new school year! I know some fans among you can’t wait, but I prefer introducing new professors after the feast.”
“Now, let the feast begin!”
Various foods appeared out of thin air on the dining tables, aromas wafting, metal knives and forks clinking crisply as they moved.
At the Gryffindor long table, several girls chatted about that celebrity while eating, their tones full of irrepressible excitement, steaks and roast chicken unable to stop their mouths.
“Did you see《magical me》?”
“Saw it saw it! I even went to the signing!”
“…”
Hermione sat absentmindedly on the bench, listening to their discussion, unconsciously looked at the professors on stage, then recalled her little partners taken away by Snape, her hands tightly gripped the cutlery, worriedly looking toward the door.
“I think《vacationing with a hag》 looks better!”
How could that book compare to traveling on a ship with vampires?
Hermione’s brows furrowed slightly, turned to join the discussion, words at her lips but thought of her little partners, turned to look at the door… eyes and neck turning back and forth several times, head soon dizzy, unable to turn.
As she closed her eyes to rest, Lavender poked her arm: “Hermione Hermione, who do you think is more powerful, Professor Lockhart or Professor Levent?”
Hermione paused, subconsciously looked at the two professors, brows tightly knit, involuntarily caught in dilemma.
She’d read all those autobiographical books, Professor Lockhart seemed a bit odd, mannerisms like a peacock fanning its tail, but his adventure experiences were thrilling, magic power strong.
While Professor Levent was younger, vastly knowledgeable, always profound unique insights on questions and phenomena, unknowingly guiding students to think, possessing both wizard and Muggle wisdom.
Hermione hesitated a moment, shook her head: “I don’t know…”
“We think it’s Professor Lockhart, he’s dealt with so many dark creatures, stronger!”
Hermione was a little contrarian, though unable to conclude herself, happy to refute others: “I don’t think so, Professor Levent could easily defeat a troll, and dark wizards! Remember last Halloween?”
“But—”
“No buts! That night in the Forbidden Forest, I personally saw Professor Levent rescue a unicorn from a dark wizard.”
Hermione’s head stopped spinning, faced her roommates, refuting every counterargument, occasionally sipping juice to moisten her throat, mind racing, expression focused.
She occasionally stuttered while thinking.
Had she forgotten something?
……
In the Potions professor’s underground office, Harry and Ron slumped in chairs, grumbling, bellies bloated stuffed with chicken ham sandwiches and pumpkin juice.
Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore had just come by to say a few words, probably since no house points yet at start of term, Gryffindor wasn’t deducted points.
But professors made them stay here, not allowed to attend the banquet.
Left behind a large plate of sandwiches, two silver cups, and a pitcher of iced pumpkin juice.
Since the sandwiches on the plate refilled automatically once eaten, the two felt this was the professors’ detention punishment for them.
