Upon hearing Neville's warning, all the young wizards present had a nervous expression at the same time, unwilling to continue plundering the food that still appeared, they took the undeployed dinner napkins and rushed out.
"Alright, Draco, don't show yourself like that. Not everything was taught by Hermione."
In Dumbledore's eyes, a boy with lightning-shaped black glasses on his head patted Draco Malfoy on the back with a pair of black-framed glasses, took his arm, and left.
"There is still stewed fish soup and grilled fish from the tree farm side. You may have to wait for a new round if you come back late. Even with Hermione and Mr. Haig, you may not be able to control the situation for long."
At that, Harry Potter poked his head from behind Draco Malfoy and nodded embarrassedly to Dumbledore, "Headmaster Dumbledore, thank you for your understanding, we'll go first."
Then, the first-year students who filled the auditorium quickly left the place as if they were receding tide.
Leaving only a messy table and scattered utensils that reminded Professor Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey of what had happened there.
Creaking.
The wooden door on the right side of the hallway opened gently. At that moment, the figure of the last first-year student had just disappeared behind the door leading to the auditorium outside the castle.
Finally, they surpassed the remaining six grades, and the third-year students who won the first place in the school today looked relaxed. They were talking and laughing as they walked slowly from the castle to the first floor. They all seemed euphoric. The word "like" may be inappropriate here.
However, in summary, for these children, it is undoubtedly something to be proud of to be able to defeat the young wizards who are older than themselves.
Even the usually stern face of Severus Snape looked much softer, exhaling a slight kind of extraordinarily happy look, this pleasant mood continued until they saw as if the auditorium had been thrashed by hundreds of orangutans.
"Professor Dumbledore, what is happening? If I remember correctly, our third grade should be first."
As he waited for the students behind to revive, Professor Snape, walking at the front, squinted, and his original soft expression turned cold, and with a cold voice, he asked.
"Don't worry, let the students sit down. The first-year kids took some food from here and went for a picnic outside the castle. Rest assured, there are plenty of ingredients in the kitchen. Don't worry."
Dumbledore smiled gently, drew out his wand, and waved it gently, the messy dining table quickly returned to cleanliness, and the incomplete and disordered tableware originally left by the first-year students was reorganized.
As the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, mobilizing tableware and simple decorating the atmosphere of the auditorium was truly a simple task for Dumbledore. That's why he showed so much interest and engaged in conversation with Draco Malfoy.
"First years? Perhaps after the term starts, I'll need to teach them some proper wizard etiquette."
Snape raised his eyebrows indifferently, looked at the restored table, then quickly glanced at the students behind him. He snorted, "What are you doing, hurry up and find a seat and behave yourself."
"Well, then, congratulations to all who won the first place in the school, please enjoy the food."
Dumbledore smiled and clapped his hands, indicating to everyone to look at the dinner plate.
One second, two seconds... five seconds, ten seconds.
Nothing appears.
Applause, applause.
"Perhaps, there's still some basic setup going on, and everyone please patiently wait for a few minutes." In the face of the students' and Snape's inquisitive gaze, Dumbledore's face hardened, and he awkwardly clapped again.
Click!
At the next moment, there was a crisp sound like a firecracker exploding in the middle of the hall.
A frightened house-elf appeared before everyone, with two large bat-like ears trembling in fear, his nervously twisted hands on his napkin, shouting loudly.
"Not good! Mr. Dumbledore! The big thing isn't good!"
"The seventh-grade students used the transfiguration spell, the levitation spell and various strange spells to take away the bacon, cooked food, and drinks prepared in the kitchen. So much so that... the ingredients that the students from the next groups can eat are only bread and water! What do you say!"
Snape jumped up, his face particularly ugly. He turned his head without hesitation and looked at the headmaster beside him, "Professor Dumbledore, you must take this seriously! It cannot be tolerated! As a professor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I suggest..."
"Hmm..."
Before he could finish speaking, Professor Dumbledore, who was standing in the middle of the faculty seat, suddenly shook his body, murmured weakly, furrowed his brow tightly, and clutched his chest with his right hand. A flash of confusion and pain mixed in his face.
"Professor Dumbledore, what's wrong with you?!" Snape shuddered, holding back his words and nervously looking at the elderly man.
"Professor Dumbledore! Is there something wrong with your body?" Madame Pomfrey also nervously looked at the elderly man.
"Don't worry, it's just the old problems these days. I'm used to it..." Dumbledore wearily waved his hand, showing a tired smile.
On that day, Albus Dumbledore finally understood one thing: that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would no longer be familiar with tranquility, perhaps it could never return to it.
.....
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