"Mr. Creevey! It's sorting time! Don't do anything that will get you points deducted by the professors!"
Seeing Hermione, who looked exactly like the Gryffindor lion on the banner, Colin gulped.
He lowered his head and chose to keep his mouth shut.
Harry discreetly gave Hermione a thumbs up, and Ron gave her two.
Hermione smiled sheepishly. She just felt that someone had to play the bad guy; otherwise, would we still be watching the sorting?
Soon, it was Ginny's turn.
"Ginny Weasley!"
Ginny hopped up front, and as the hat touched her hair, it exclaimed, "Another Weasley! Gryffindor!"
The twins and Percy warmly welcomed their sister, and Ron did the same, inviting her to sit beside him.
Before long, the sorting ceremony was over.
Dumbledore gave the same speech as last year, saying just a few words before officially announcing the feast.
This was a fine tradition of Dumbledore's own; if it were Principal Black, he wouldn't stop for at least an hour.
Harry looked up at the staff table and noticed Professor Snape also watching him.
Upon feeling the gaze, Professor Snape snorted and turned to look elsewhere.
Harry didn't think much of it, merely shrugged, and turned his attention to Gilderoy Lockhart.
Lockhart, as flamboyant as ever, wore a set of luxurious lavender robes that hardly brought to mind that he was a Ravenclaw.
Noticing Harry's gaze, Lockhart winked at him.
Harry nearly lost his lunch because of the wink.
After learning about "The Mystery of Dumbledore" from Mr. Leme, Harry always felt something was off about this senior alumnus.
But he didn't think Dumbledore brought Lockhart in because of aesthetics since... well, Lockhart was the type women liked, especially older women.
(If one had to compare, think Jin Dong)
Turning his head, Harry realized Hermione was staring, hands clasped, utterly enamored by Lockhart.
"She really has no taste, doesn't she?" Ron said under his breath, making sure Hermione couldn't hear him.
Of course, Hermione didn't notice Ron's comment; she was completely lost in Lockhart's "stunning good looks."
"Oh well, eating is more important," Ron said, grabbing a chicken leg in each hand. "Better have some chicken."
Seeing his good friend still holding two chicken legs as usual, Harry felt hungry too.
"Let's eat," he said.
After the main meal, it was dessert time, and once the desserts were finished, Professor Dumbledore stood up again.
At the same time, the hall returned to silence.
"Ah, now that everyone is full and satisfied, I have a few more words to say—at the beginning of the term, I want to remind everyone of a few things," Professor Dumbledore said loudly. "First-year students, please note that the forest on the campus is off-limits to students—of course, some of our older students should also remember this."
It was the same thing as last year. Harry knew it was directed at the Weasley brothers.
But seeing the two of them completely unfazed, whispering as if plotting how to explore the Forbidden Forest this year, was apparent.
Professor Dumbledore continued, "Also, I'd like to remind everyone that no magic is to be performed in the corridors—this is per the request of our caretaker, Mr. Fitch."
"I know," Ron muttered. "That's Fitch's rule, not the school's—"
The surrounding students snickered, not at Ron, but at Fitch.
"Quidditch tryouts will take place in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in joining the house team, please contact Mrs. Hooqi."
Professor Dumbledore said this while glancing at Harry.
"Furthermore, I must mention that as Professor Quirrell had to leave for undisclosed reasons last year, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this term, who is... Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."
Finally, at Dumbledore's introduction, the hall erupted with screams and cheers—all from female students, with those from Ravenclaw being the loudest.
After all, Ravenclaw had the most girls.
Lockhart stood up and flashed his trademark smile, his teeth dazzlingly bright, seemingly enhanced with some special whitening potion.
"An honor to be at Hogwarts, to teach you all Defense Against the Dark Arts," Lockhart said with a smile, "and I'm also honored to share the fun from my travels and adventures with you, as well as the small spells I used during them—I hope my adventure knowledge enriches your brains."
The hall erupted in cheers again, even louder than before.
Thankfully, the Hogwarts students were polite and didn't boo.
Professor Dumbledore exchanged a few words with Lockhart, then loudly announced, "Alright, it's time to rest now—class prefects, take the new students back to their dormitories!"
"Gryffindor students, follow me—" Percy stood up, leading everyone out first.
The Gryffindor common room was in the tower, still guarded by the Lady Pang, although the password had changed this semester.
"Password," the Lady Pang asked with dignity.
"Nectar-eating Bird," Percy replied.
With that, the portrait of the Lady Pang swayed and moved forward, revealing a round hole in the wall.