The Hogwarts Express finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station.
The night wind carried a fine drizzle, but the familiar platform and Hagrid's characteristic booming voice brought a sense of warmth.
"First-years! This way! Mind your steps!"
Hagrid's voice was exceptionally clear amid the clamor.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione dragged their luggage off the train, ready to look for the invisible Thestral carriages as they did every year, but their eyes were involuntarily drawn to the tall figure at the center of the platform.
"Is that… Hagrid?" Ron's mouth fell open, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.
It was indeed Hagrid, but he was completely unlike the Hagrid they remembered.
He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, and his posture seemed unusually straight.
Even more shocking, his perpetually bushy beard and hair, which usually resembled a tangled thicket, were now neatly combed, even gleaming faintly with hair oil.
His beard had been meticulously trimmed and braided into a thick but tidy plait that hung down his chest, while his hair was smoothly slicked back, revealing a broad but currently somewhat self-conscious forehead.
He was trying to straighten his back, attempting to look more "proper," but his clumsy tugging at his tie betrayed his discomfort.
A group of anxious first-years huddled at his feet like ducklings, looking up at their giant-like guide.
"Hagrid… he… what happened to him?" Hermione whispered in disbelief.
"He looks like…" Harry searched for the right word, "like he's about to attend a wedding…"
Just then, several empty carriages glided silently up before them.
The creatures pulling the carriages were clearly visible—skeletal, pitch-black, horse-like beings with enormous bat-like wings.
Their eyes were white, empty, and lifeless, exuding an aura of death.
Thestrals.
The trio looked at the creatures, visible only to those who had witnessed death, and a wave of solemnity washed over them.
They averted their gazes and silently boarded the same carriage.
Noctis landed on the carriage roof, quietly preening its feathers.
Its dark, bright eyes swept over the silent Thestrals, then turned toward Hagrid, who was leading the first-years through the rain in the distance, carrying a faint hint of curiosity.
The carriage rolled smoothly toward Hogwarts Castle, drawn by the Thestrals.
Rain pattered against the roof, and inside the carriage, silence reigned, as if the trio were still immersed in the shock of the Dementor and Hagrid's dramatic transformation.
...
In the Hogwarts Great Hall.
The four long tables were gradually filled with chattering students. Candlelight danced amid the glow of floating pumpkin lanterns, and the air was thick with the aroma of food and the excitement of returning to school.
Sagres sat at the teachers' table, his long fingers unconsciously tapping against the smooth surface before him.
He paid no attention to the noisy students below. His deep gaze seemed to pierce the dazzling starry sky of the Great Hall's ceiling as his thoughts drifted back to mid-August, to the grand awards ceremony at the Ministry of Magic.
Memories slowly surfaced: the opulent Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, crystal chandeliers casting brilliant reflections, well-dressed wizards raising their glasses and exchanging pleasantries, the air heavy with false compliments and undercurrents of power.
Flashbulbs flickered incessantly, all focused on the woman at the center of the hall, dressed in a magnificent gown, wearing a polite smile that could not quite conceal her nervousness—Hummingbird.
He watched as she received the Order of Merlin, First Class, symbolizing "Outstanding Contribution," from Umbridge, and listened as Minister of Magic Fudge praised her "loyalty" and "outstanding contributions to the wizarding world" in an exaggerated tone.
Sagres had been seated among the audience at the time, applauding without expression, a cold sneer flickering deep within his eyes.
Loyalty?
Indeed loyal.
He sneered inwardly.
But the object of that loyalty was questionable.
A carefully placed chess piece had finally been moved to a prominent position on the board.
Lockhart… your good days are numbered.
At the next Bronze Feather meeting, he would personally inform Hummingbird that the meticulously gathered evidence, enough to send Lockhart to an Azkaban cell, could begin to be made public.
The man had recently been promoting his new book. Although his appearance had aged, his influence had actually grown.
Let the downfall of this world-renowned author help Hummingbird—Mirabella Rawlson—ascend to the position of Dean of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Just as he was immersed in these cold calculations, a gust carrying the scent of earth and rain swept into the Great Hall through the main doors.
Sagres's thoughts were pulled back to reality.
Hagrid's massive figure appeared in the doorway, leading the trembling first-years inside.
His suit looked somewhat out of place among the wizards in robes, but he tried to straighten his back, striving to maintain an air of dignity.
The first-years looked around curiously, and low laughter and whispers rippled through the Great Hall.
Then Professor Lupin entered as well.
His face was still sallow, showing the fatigue of travel, but his steps were fairly steady.
Lupin and Hagrid walked toward the teachers' table. Hagrid sat beside Professor McGonagall, while Lupin took an empty seat next to Sagres, giving him a slight nod as he did so.
Professor McGonagall left with Potter and Hermione, and the task of Sorting naturally fell to Professor Flitwick this time.
Sagres could tell that Flitwick had been looking forward to this for a long while.
The small professor rubbed his hands excitedly, used the Levitation Charm to place the Sorting Hat on the stool, and then the hat began to sing its annual composition, pushing the atmosphere in the Great Hall to a crescendo.
Professor Flitwick then stood on a chair and began reading out the long list of first-years.
After rounds of cheers, the long line of students gradually dispersed, merging into the four long tables.
Finally, Professor Dumbledore stood up.
He spread his arms and said in his booming yet gentle voice, "Welcome! Welcome back to Hogwarts for a new school year!"
Warm applause erupted.
Dumbledore waited for it to die down, his smile fading slightly as he grew serious. "Before the feast begins, I have a few announcements to make."
He surveyed the Great Hall, his gaze sweeping over every young face. "First, I regret to inform you that all entrances to Hogwarts Castle and its grounds are currently guarded by Dementors stationed by the Ministry of Magic."
A collective gasp of horror and uneasy murmurs instantly filled the hall.
Harry and Hermione, who had just returned from Professor McGonagall, turned pale at the news.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the school," Dumbledore continued, his voice clearly carrying over the murmurs. "During their stay, I must emphasize that no one is to leave the school without permission. You should understand that Dementors are not fooled by disguises or trickery—Invisibility Cloaks are no exception!"
As he spoke, his gaze, whether intentionally or not, swept toward the twins. "They do not understand pleas or excuses. Therefore, I warn each of you: do not give them any reason to harm you. I expect the Prefects, as well as the newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure that no student comes into conflict with the Dementors."
The Great Hall fell silent, as though the shadow of the Dementors had already descended upon it.
Dumbledore's tone softened slightly, and a faint smile returned to his face. "On a more pleasant note, I am delighted to welcome two new professors to our staff."
He turned toward the teachers' table.
"First," Dumbledore said with a trace of regret, "as Professor Lumina requires long-term recuperation at St. Mungo's due to a curse injury and is unable to continue her duties as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, her position will be temporarily filled by Professor Remus John Lupin."
He extended a hand toward Lupin, who was seated beside Sagres.
Professor Lupin rose somewhat awkwardly and gave the students a slight bow. Polite, but not particularly enthusiastic, applause filled the Great Hall.
Many eyes lingered on his worn robes and tired face.
Only Harry, Ron, and Hermione clapped with real enthusiasm. Professor Lupin was genuinely capable, and he had saved their lives on the train.
"Additionally," Dumbledore's voice carried a note of cheerful amusement, "Professor Kettleburn officially retired at the end of last term, and Rubeus Hagrid has kindly agreed to take on the post of Care of Magical Creatures professor, while retaining his duties as gamekeeper!"
He gestured toward Hagrid.
Hagrid shot to his feet, his enormous body nearly knocking over his chair. His weathered face flushed crimson, and his beard trembled with excitement.
He bowed clumsily in every direction, nearly knocking off Professor McGonagall's hat beside him.
The Great Hall erupted into far more enthusiastic applause and cheers than before, with the Gryffindor table practically boiling over.
Fred and George leapt to their feet, whistling loudly. Ron and Harry clapped until their hands turned red, and Hermione smiled brightly, genuinely happy for Hagrid.
Sagres's gaze calmly passed over the excited Hagrid and the weary Lupin, before settling once more on the empty plate in front of him.
His thoughts had perhaps already drifted to the upcoming Bronze Feather meeting, and to the next step of the plan to cast Lockhart into the abyss.
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