At Dumbledore's words, everyone who'd been in the train compartment instinctively glanced at Harry and Hermione. After all, it was Hermione who'd insisted they keep quiet about Harry's Patronus driving off the Dementor—no sense in drawing trouble to Harry or Professor Holmes.
Harry, for his part, looked up at the staff table, searching for Douglas. But Douglas Holmes was deep in quiet conversation with Professor Sprout, as if the whole affair had nothing to do with him at all.
Dumbledore pressed on:
"The Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the school. Let me be perfectly clear: while they are here, no one is to leave Hogwarts without permission.
No tricks, no clever disguises, not even an Invisibility Cloak will fool a Dementor."
At this, Harry locked eyes with Ron, feeling a prick of annoyance. Was the Headmaster calling him out? Did everyone really think he was that reckless?
Dumbledore's gaze swept the silent hall, his expression grave.
"Dementors do not understand excuses or pleas. I urge all of you—do not give them any reason to harm you.
And to those who can cast a Patronus Charm or a particularly strong Lumos—I ask that you work with the Prefects and our newly elected Head Boy and Head Girl. Protect your fellow students, but do not, under any circumstances, engage the Dementors in conflict..."
Across the hall, the Head Boy and Head Girl exchanged a meaningful look, then glanced at the students who'd performed so impressively on the Hogwarts Express.
Dumbledore's tone lightened.
"But let's move on to happier news.
First, please join me in welcoming Professor Holmes back to Hogwarts! He will continue as our Defence Against the Dark Arts professor..."
Douglas rose to his feet, waving cheerfully to the hall.
A wave of enthusiastic applause and cheers broke out—especially from the Hufflepuff table, where even Harry jumped up, beaming at Douglas. Over at Slytherin, Draco Malfoy frowned, but still managed a half-hearted clap.
None of the students seemed to realize just what a disaster it might be to have the Defence Against the Dark Arts post remain unchanged.
At the staff table, Snape looked particularly pleased with Dumbledore's announcement, sneering openly at Professor Lupin—his hatred and disgust plain for all to see.
Dumbledore raised a hand for silence.
"Last term's Magic Practice Study Hall and morning runs and reading sessions yielded excellent results. On Professor Holmes' advice, Hogwarts will now assign professional tutors to these supplementary courses. I'm delighted to announce that Professor Lupin has graciously agreed to take on this responsibility..."
A smattering of tepid applause echoed through the hall.
At the staff table, Snape shot Douglas a look that could curdle milk. In his mind, once Douglas took over Defence Against the Dark Arts, Lupin should've slunk away in disgrace. But thanks to Douglas's suggestion, Lupin was staying on—utterly unforgivable. Worse, if Douglas left Hogwarts mid-year, Lupin could step seamlessly into his post.
When Lupin raised his goblet and smiled in thanks, Snape was certain it was all meant to mock him.
After the half-hearted applause for Lupin faded, Dumbledore continued:
"As for our second new teacher, I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures instructor, has retired to spend more time visiting dragons at the reserves.
However, I am thrilled to announce that his successor is none other than Rubeus Hagrid.
Many of you will have seen the Daily Prophet reports over the summer—after fifty years of wrongful accusation, Hagrid has finally been cleared by the current Minister for Magic.
He has agreed to take on teaching in addition to his duties as Keeper of Keys and Grounds."
Harry had only learned about Hagrid's exoneration after moving in with Douglas. He'd sent Hagrid a belated gift that very day.
He, Ron, and Hermione were all stunned that Hagrid would become a professor—but that didn't stop them from joining the applause.
At the staff table, Hagrid was dabbing his eyes with a tablecloth, while the professors closest to him raised their glasses in a toast.
Finally, Dumbledore smiled and declared,
"Well, that's all the important news. Let the feast begin!"
In an instant, golden plates and goblets brimmed with food and drink appeared before everyone.
The hall, ravenous after the long journey, erupted into the joyful chaos of a Hogwarts feast.
At the staff table, Hagrid raised his glass and made his way over to Douglas.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
If not for Douglas, the Ministry might never have admitted their mistake.
Professor Lupin also came over, glass in hand, and the two exchanged a few quiet words about the Magic Practice Study Hall and morning runs.
Snape glowered at them both, his face cold and hard. In his mind, his former student was clearly being duped by Lupin's gentle façade. If not for his promise to Dumbledore, he'd have shouted Lupin's secret right then and there. But then he remembered—Dumbledore's order only applied while Lupin was Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Now, technically, he wasn't...
Snape turned to Dumbledore, only to find the Headmaster raising his glass and smiling serenely. Yet behind those half-moon spectacles, Snape could feel the warning in his gaze.
While the staff table maintained its veneer of harmony, chaos was brewing among the students. Someone finally remembered—the Defence Against the Dark Arts summer homework hadn't been done!
Nobody dared look toward the staff table. Instead, they whispered frantically, trying to figure out just how many people hadn't finished.
Especially last term's Defence Against the Dark Arts class representatives—apart from Hermione, none of them had done the homework. They'd been diligent in years past, but every summer, a new professor would arrive and never bother to check the previous term's assignments. Eventually, everyone decided it wasn't worth the trouble.
After asking around, it turned out only the Weasley family, Harry, and Hermione at the Gryffindor table had actually completed their Defence Against the Dark Arts homework.
Several friends began grumbling at Harry and the Weasleys—why hadn't they warned anyone that Professor Holmes would be coming back?
Before long, the students who'd done their homework found themselves suddenly popular, as others tried to curry favor and avoid Percy and Hermione altogether.
Elsewhere, at the Ravenclaw table, a dreamy-looking girl with golden hair replied matter-of-factly when asked,
"Of course I did the homework..."
That night, flocks of owls soared out from Hogwarts castle...
That night, all four House common rooms blazed with light...
Hermione and Percy, under pressure from the other Prefects and Defence Against the Dark Arts class reps, were forced to step up and coach everyone on how to finish their assignments.
The Weasley twins, who'd already completed their homework thanks to Percy's relentless supervision, retreated to their dormitory early, clutching a stack of last year's Defence Against the Dark Arts exam papers they'd traded for (Gryffindor versions only).
Inspired by "Seventh Year N.E.W.T.s, Fifth Year O.W.L.s", they began compiling answer sheets to sell to their desperate classmates.
After all, smoothing things over with Peeves had cost them a fair bit of pocket money—they'd have to earn it back somehow.
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