Before leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Vid and Hermione both hung the Time Turner around their necks and tucked it into their robes to avoid being seen.
The two walked side by side in the empty corridor, too excited to say a word. As they walked, Hermione jumped twice on the spot.
"Time!"
Hermione said excitedly, "Vid, this is a Time Turner! It's so cool! No wonder I asked Percy before how to complete twelve courses smoothly, he said he couldn't tell me, but I'd find out in time."
"Hmm."
Vid felt the outline of the Time Turner through his clothes, contemplating, "I wonder who discovered that the power of time could be tamed."
"Even though I'm a wizard, I still think—maybe it was a god?"
Hermione pondered, "I've never read about any time-related spell in books."
Vid said, "Professor Morry once lent me a book that mentioned the Time Turner itself doesn't have unique functions; it's a magic called the Time Reversal Spell that allows people to travel through time."
Hermione was immediately interested, "The Time Reversal Spell?"
"Unfortunately, this spell hasn't been passed down, and it's uncertain if it truly exists."
Vid shook his head, not letting his thoughts wander further, and instead said, "However...don't you think 'Reparo' also seems like a spell to reverse time?"
Hermione pondered.
While speaking, the two unconsciously slowed their pace, and when Professor McGonagall rushed over from her office, she found them standing foolishly at the entrance of the hall.
"What are you two doing standing here?"
Professor McGonagall's voice sounded from behind.
Hermione was startled, nearly jumping up. Vid turned around and said, "We thought we would enter after the sorting ceremony was over, Professor."
Professor McGonagall gave a approving smile, then said, "At this time, the sorting ceremony should be over, come with me!"
The witch pushed open the hall's door, numerous students turned to look in their direction.
Professor McGonagall calmly walked towards the teachers' table, while Vid and Hermione returned to their respective houses.
"What did Professor McGonagall want you for?" Ron asked curiously.
"Um...just the schedule for the new semester, you know I chose twelve courses."
Hermione said vaguely.
At the front of the Gryffindor long table, Percy turned around and smiled at Hermione, the two exchanged a knowing smile.
Michael deliberately sat at the end of the Ravenclaw long table, leaving a convenient spot for Vid to enter and exit.
However, when Vid returned, Michael was busy showing off a leaf umbrella to some pretty girls, so he didn't have time to talk to Vid, but he managed to sneak him a glance.
Vid looked towards the teachers' table in front—those sitting there hadn't changed much since the end of last term, especially Professor Abigail still sat beside Snape with a faintly smiling expression, while Professor Snape's face was sullen as ever.
A large figure sat near the edge of the long table—Hagrid dressed much more decently than usual, not like a wild man, though his hair and beard were still messy.
Dumbledore stood up to speak.
"Welcome!" he said happily, "Welcome to Hogwarts! I hope our new year will continue to be exciting and colorful!"
The students burst into laughter, the Weasley Brothers shouted aloud, "Professor! Are there any challenges in September? What beasts will we defeat?!"
"Oh, our old friends in the Forbidden Forest may not like getting beaten up, but once I met a mutated carnivorous slug in the forest that swallowed my partner Sean in one bite. When we pulled poor Sean out, he was covered in..."
"Ahem!" Professor McGonagall suddenly coughed twice.
Dumbledore's reminiscing voice paused immediately, and after two seconds he said:
"Let's end the appetite-affecting topics here! This year, we're pleased to have another outstanding member join our faculty—"
"Rubeus Hagrid!"
Hagrid's face turned red with happiness, quickly stood up and waved to everyone, causing the crowd's gaze to follow.
Dumbledore said with a smile, "Professor Kettleburn of Care of Magical Creatures has retired to spend more time with his remaining mischievous creatures. Hagrid will fill his vacancy, serving as Care of Magical Creatures professor in addition to his role as gamekeeper!"
A few seconds later, warm applause erupted from the Gryffindor long table. After a while, applause from other houses hesitantly followed.
Hagrid showed a nervous smile, stood awkwardly for a moment before sitting down at Professor McGonagall's reminder.
Even when seated, he was still taller than Professor McGonagall beside him, not to mention Professor Flitwick on the other side — this professor with Goblin blood seemed like a little doll next to Hagrid.
"Dumbledore's getting crazier!" Draco Malfoy sneered, "He's actually hired a servant as our professor! I wish I was at Durmstrang now!"
The surrounding Slytherins echoed him.
Since Draco Malfoy accidentally almost killed Crabbe last semester, the surrounding students initially feared him, distancing themselves actively.
After some time, they gathered around him again, their attitude more respectful than before.
Previously, they only appeased Malfoy due to the Malfoy Family's wealth; now it's because of Malfoy himself.
"I also chose Care of Magical Creatures."
Michael's face was faintly pale, he asked, "Vid, I know you're on good terms with him...so, this... this Professor Hagrid, aside from being tall, he shouldn't be rough with students, right?"
Speaking, he glanced at Professor Abigail at the teachers' table, evidently feeling uneasy.
Vid was amused, "When you participated in the maze challenge, Hagrid acted as a judge many times, you should know he has a good temper."
"A gamekeeper's good temper doesn't equate to a professor's good temper."
Michael said seriously, "And your clapping seemed perfunctory...if you're really happy he's our professor, you wouldn't be like that."
Vid smiled helplessly, saying, "Hagrid loves fire dragons."
Michael was puzzled, "Who doesn't like fire dragons?—as long as they don't attack me."
"Even if a fire dragon attacked Hagrid, he'd still find these little creatures cute and charming—that's the difference between you." Vid said.