Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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Half an hour later, the banquet was almost over, and the main dishes on the table were replaced by various desserts.
Kyle chose a maple pudding.
This kind of pudding was highly recommended by Bill and Charlie, saying that apart from Hogwarts, it is rare to find such authentic taste anywhere else.
Kyle took a bite and found that it tasted really good, with the right sweetness, fresh and delicious fragrance, and a touch of just the right sourness was the finishing touch. It was perfect as a dessert after the meal.
After everyone had finished eating, the remaining desserts were cleared away, and the table became clean, tidy and spotless again.
Dumbledore stood up, and the hall returned to silence.
"Everyone's had their fill, I hope. But before you return to your dormitories, I have a few words to say."
"First-year students, please note that the wooded area on the school grounds is off-limits to all students."
"Also..." Dumbledore paused, then continued, "Professor McGonagall also reminded you not to use any magical props in class or in any public areas. Failure to do so will result in severe punishment."
As soon as he finished speaking, nearly half the hall instinctively turned their attention to Fred and George, the Gryffindors.
The twins, unfazed by the stage fright, stood up and began to bow to the others, their expression smug, as if Dumbledore were praising them.
Not far away, Professor McGonagall's face was as grim as it could be, her lips pursed even tighter.
From her expression, it was clear that the twins were likely to be in detention, and it would definitely be for a long time.
Dumbledore remained calm and continued, "Quidditch player selection will take place in the second week of this semester. Students in their second year and above who are interested in joining the house team should contact Ms. Hodge."
Sure enough, second years were still the only ones eligible...
Since he'd known this would happen, Kyle wasn't disappointed.
Besides, even though Dumbledore had said that, it didn't mean first years were completely ineligible for Quidditch tryouts.
First years were excluded simply to accommodate young Muggle-born wizards, who had never played Quidditch before. Choosing players now would be unfair to them.
After a year, they'd be more familiar with the wizarding world, making it the perfect time for the selection.
Of course, if there were truly promising prospects, the House Heads wouldn't mind exercising a little extra privilege, just like they did with Harry Potter a year later.
So Kyle planned to go to Professor Sprout in a couple of days to try his luck and see if he could try out with the second years.
Being barred from flying for a year would be incredibly grueling.
"Quiet..."
Dumbledore had to raise his voice to silence the group of young wizards in the audience, excited about Quidditch.
"Finally, I have the honor of introducing our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Dumbledore leaned over and extended his hand toward the faculty.
"Professor Oren, please say hello to everyone."
Next to Snape, a plain-looking middle-aged wizard stood up and waved to the crowd with a smile.
A few cold, scattered applause echoed in the auditorium. Aside from the enthusiastic first-year students, the other grades were less enthusiastic.
It was just a one-year professor, so why was there so much enthusiasm? He would be replaced next year anyway. Just a perfunctory gesture was enough for Dumbledore's sake.
Professor Oren didn't seem to mind, as if he had already anticipated this outcome. After greeting them, he returned to his seat.
Whether out of disappointment or embarrassment, Professor Oren moved his chair a little too much, tilting his body and rubbing his elbow squarely against Snape's waist.
"Hiss!"
Snape gasped, clutching the chair's armrests tightly to suppress a cry.
"I'm sorry, Severus. Are you alright? Do you need to see Madam Pomfrey?" Oren asked with concern.
"I suppose we're not familiar enough to call each other by name, Professor Oren.
Besides, I'm not so fragile that a mere touch would land me in the hospital wing, so please don't bother."
Snape slid his chair aside, a flicker of disgust in his eyes, as if he had seen a philoprogenitor worm, its slime squeezed clean and rendered useless.
Professor Oren looked embarrassed and opened his mouth, as if about to say something more.
But by then, Dumbledore had finished his lecture on Hogsmeade and was leading the young wizards in the school song.
A long golden ribbon floated overhead, and soon the hall was filled with a variety of tunes.
Oren swallowed his words and joined everyone in singing, a bard's chant.
Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
or young with scabby knees.
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A perfectly good school song was transformed into a concert-like spectacle, with all sorts of tunes being used.
The most popular were "Glorious Hippogriff" and "Symphony of Fate," the choices of most young wizards.
Kyle, on the other hand, chose "The Road to Heaven is Broad and Wide."
The choices were varied, but if anyone sang the most joyfully, it was definitely the Weasley twins.
Fred and George, arm in arm, sang the school song to the tune of "Flight of the Bumblebee" and danced joyfully.
Their gesture attracted considerable attention, and the cheerful Gryffindor students quickly joined in, transforming the song into a frenzy of dancing.
But it had to be admitted that they looked genuinely happy; even Dumbledore on the stage couldn't resist joining in a short dance.
After the school song ended, Fred and George received the warmest applause from the audience.
"How beautiful! This is the purpose of the school song." Dumbledore adjusted his slightly tilted wizard hat and said with a smile, "It's time for bed now. Let's go back to the dormitories."
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The party ended, and everyone rushed to the door of the auditorium.
The prefects quickly took action, trying to gather the first-years of their respective houses together.
"First-year students, come over here."
"Don't crowd. Let the first years go first. Let the first-year students go first!"
"Hurry up, first years, we have to hurry."
"Is everyone here? Remember to follow me later and don't fall behind."
[End of the chapter]