The annual start of the school year arrived as scheduled, and Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was densely packed with students and parents who had come to see them off.
The noisy sounds rose and fell, interweaving into a lively scene.
"A nostalgic scene." A few years ago, Wes was also one of those many students.
Now, as a Professor, he boarded the Hogwarts Express, and this scene made him feel emotional.
Wes calmly boarded the train, then walked into the single compartment specially prepared for Professors.
The moment the door closed, it was as if an invisible barrier instantly blocked all outside noise.
Presumably, some soundproofing magic must have been applied to this door to achieve such an effect.
Wes nodded with satisfaction, then quickly took out his paper and focused on studying, his pen occasionally writing something in his notebook, his expression concentrated and absorbed.
"Whoosh, whoosh," as the locomotive's chimney spewed out rolling steam, the train slowly started, carrying students full of anticipation and longing towards Hogwarts.
Just as Wes was completely immersed in his studies, a rapid knock on the door suddenly sounded.
Wes frowned slightly, raised his head with displeasure, and said helplessly, "Please come in."
The door was gently pushed open, and two children, a boy and a girl, stood timidly at the door.
The boy cowered behind the girl; when he saw that it was an adult in front of him, his body trembled even more violently, and his head was buried deep in his chest, as if he wanted to hide himself.
The girl obviously hadn't expected to meet an adult on this train, which was almost entirely filled with students, and moreover, in a private compartment.
"Sir, have you seen a toad? Neville's toad is missing."
Neville cautiously tugged at her sleeve and said carefully, "This gentleman should be a Professor at Hogwarts; we should be more polite."
"I'm sorry, sir." The sharp-eyed Hermione immediately spotted the paper on the table and instantly became excited. "Sir, are you researching magic? That's wonderful! I've never seen real magic research before. Can I…"
Hermione's mouth was like a machine gun, one question after another bursting out, and in her excitement, she completely forgot the original purpose of her visit.
Wes felt his head swell and began to ache slightly, and he had no choice but to interrupt Hermione: "Excuse me, Miss Granger, I don't know your identities yet."
"My name is Hermione Granger, and he is Neville Longbottom. We are both first-year new students at Hogwarts."
Hermione faced the adult's inquiry without any shyness, introducing them generously.
"Miss Granger, I haven't seen a toad. And, as you can see, I am busy. Could you please close the door? Thank you."
After Wes finished speaking, he no longer looked at the two of them and refocused his attention on the paper in his hand.
"I'm sorry, sir, for disturbing you."
Before Hermione could continue speaking, Neville displayed an agility completely unsuited to his build, quickly pulling Hermione out of the compartment and not forgetting to close the door.
Hermione pouted, her face full of anger and grievance: "What? How can such a cold person become a Professor?"
After speaking, she stomped away with her short legs in a huff, while Neville silently followed closely behind her.
Without the interference of the two, Wes remained engrossed in his studies, undistracted, until the train smoothly pulled into the station.
After getting off the train, Wes walked briskly and quickly arrived at Hogwarts.
He arrived at his office on the seventh floor; the room was simply furnished but meticulously tidy.
Wes opened the box, and Jandy crawled out.
"I have already discussed it with Headmaster Dumbledore. During my tenure, you can move freely within Hogwarts, but you must remember not to disturb other Professors and students."
"As you command, Master."
Wes put on a brand new robe and stood in front of the mirror, carefully examining himself up and down.
"I have to go to the opening ceremony. You can tidy up here."
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was grand and magnificent, with soaring ceilings that seemed to reach the boundless starry sky.
The ceiling was skillfully enchanted to simulate the vast night sky, with twinkling stars like countless brilliant jewels embedded within, shining brightly.
Four large rectangular tables were neatly arranged, each seating students from one of the four houses.
On the walls around the hall hung large portraits of past Principals, their lifelike expressions seemingly silently observing everything happening below.
The floor was meticulously paved with smooth, mirror-like marble, clearly reflecting people's figures like a giant mirror.
The banners of the four great houses were hung in each of the four corners of the hall: red Gryffindor, green Slytherin, blue Ravenclaw, and yellow Hufflepuff, the banners gently swaying in the breeze, gracefully displaying the glory of their respective houses.
Hundreds of candles elegantly floated in the air, emitting warm and soft light, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as day.
Students, dressed in their respective house robes, sat distinctly at the four long tables, their faces beaming with excited and expectant smiles.
Wes's arrival instantly drew everyone's attention.
"Who is he?"
"Idiot, he must be a new Professor. Can't you see he's sitting with the other Professors?"
"So young, so handsome!"
A group of young Witches chattered, commenting on Wes, their eyes filled with admiration.
Flitwick excitedly stood on his tiptoes, trying to give Wes a big hug, but he was too short, and Wes had to bend down slightly to accommodate his actions.
"Long time no see, Dean."
Flitwick smiled broadly, affectionately patting Wes's arm: "Oh, my most prized student returning to Hogwarts as a Professor, how does it feel?"
"It's simply wonderful," Wes's eyes sparkled with excitement: "After graduating, I've constantly thought about returning here, Dean."
"I doubt you will be a competent Professor, Mr. Erwin." Snape's unique and peculiar drawl drifted over.
"Don't listen to Snape's nonsense; you'll be a competent Professor." Flitwick smiled as he pulled Wes, enthusiastically introducing him to the other Professors.
In fact, he didn't need to introduce him; all the Professors had a deep memory of Wes, their diligent student.
The Professors all welcomed Wes, genuinely pleased that this excellent graduate could return.
Wes also saw the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class teacher for the new semester—Quirinus Quirrell.
Professor Quirrell wore a purple turban, from which emanated a strange smell that made people instinctively keep their distance from him.
However, at this moment, he was tightly entangled with Snape, talking incessantly.
Just then, the main doors opened, and the first-year new students walked in, forming a neat, orderly line.
The Sorting Hat on the chair in the middle of the Great Hall suddenly began to sing exuberantly.
However, its unique voice was truly difficult to appreciate.
The annual Sorting Ceremony thus began.
Besides seeing the amusing awkwardness of the new students due to nervousness, everyone's attention this year was entirely focused on the Boy Who Lived.
When the Sorting Hat, after some deliberation, finally announced that Harry Potter belonged to Gryffindor, the students of Gryffindor House erupted in a deafening cheer, so fervent that it seemed to threaten to blow the roof off the Castle.
Professor McGonagall's face was adorned with a brilliant smile, and even the usually stern Dumbledore showed a satisfied smile.
Snape's expression, however, darkened a few shades.
But these matters had little to do with Wes.
Under Dumbledore's direction, everyone sang the Hogwarts school song to their favorite tune, a scene that could only be described as a sonic assault; Wes only wished he could immediately use a spell to plug his ears.
Afterward, Dumbledore spoke solemnly about some important matters to note for the new semester and formally introduced the two new Professors to the students, then announced that everyone could begin their enjoyable meal.
After the opening ceremony ended, Wes quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
He actually didn't like environments that were too crowded or too noisy.
Fortunately, the course he taught was quite unpopular, and not many students chose it, which made him feel a slight sense of relief.