"Got it." Harry fumbled with the fries in front of him, trying to mix the ketchup evenly. "Your mail was delivered to the Dursley family and then forwarded to France—I'm sorry I can't tell you the specific location of the Leme family, after all, it's a place protected by the Sword of Loyalty Spell."
"I understand," Hermione said with a smile. "Did Sister Vivi like my gift?"
"She liked it quite a bit. You know, she's quite keen on Muggle things." Harry speared a fry, stuffing his mouth full, enjoying the indulgent way of eating.
January 10th is a Sunday, and today is also the last day of the Christmas holiday.
The next day is the official start of term at Hogwarts.
In the evening, as per tradition, Hogwarts students gather in the hall for dinner.
But this opening banquet seemed somewhat different from previous ones.
This time, the hall was no longer decorated with Gryffindor, last year's House Cup champion, but rather separated clearly into the four houses.
The ceiling still showcased an elaborate night sky, adorned with colorful and beautiful nebulas, which were quite captivating.
The students sat in their seats eagerly discussing the replacements among the faculty, whispering to each other.
Among them, there's someone everyone recognized. His name is Newt Scamander, the author of "Where to Find Magical Creatures."
Beside Newt sat an elegantly dignified elderly lady, though she seemed not too fond of Mr. Scamander.
Vivi sat beside Harry, and next to her was Hermione, her eyes filled with adoring stars.
"Sister Vivi, which house do you think you'll be sorted into?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Why don't you take a guess?" Vivi asked with a smile.
"I bet you're definitely Gryffindor," Ron said confidently. "After all, you're so close to Harry..."
Before he could finish, Hermione pinched him secretly.
That silly boy, saying such things as if forcing someone into Gryffindor.
"I think perhaps Slytherin?" Vivi chuckled lightly. "After all, I reckon I embody some traits of the serpent house, don't you think, Harry?"
"Possibly." Harry scratched his neck. "Actually, I've always thought you should be Ravenclaw, considering how much you love reading."
"I don't read to chase knowledge, Harry, I won't be a Ravenclaw," Vivi said with a smile.
"Then what else can reading do besides pursuing knowledge?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
Vivi leaned close to Hermione's ear and whispered, "Also power."
Before the banquet began, Professor McGonagall picked up a fork and tapped it on a glass with a ding ding ding sound.
The students who were still whispering quickly closed their mouths, ready to listen to the Headmaster's speech.
"It's always sad how short the Christmas holidays are; it seems they vanish in the cold wind before fully enjoying the beauty they bring."
Professor Dumbledore said with a hearty laugh, "I think everyone has seen, that we have two new appointments in our faculty."
"The first is a replacement for last year's Gilderoy Lockhart, taking up the post of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts is Professor Vida Rozier."
With these words, an astonished cry erupted in the hall immediately.
One might say, last year's teaching by "Professor Lockhart" gained countless followers at Hogwarts, with most of the students growing fond of this talented bestselling author.
"Why replace Professor Lockhart!" A student below had already voiced dissatisfaction loudly, gaining widespread agreement.
"Okay, quiet," Professor Dumbledore said. "I need to clarify that the person who taught us Defense Against the Dark Arts last year was actually this Lady Rozier."
The hall stretched into a long sound, emitting a "huh?"
"I'm very sorry to tell everyone, Gilderoy Lockhart, he was a charlatan, repeatedly prying adventurous anecdotes from victims and then using the Forgetfulness Spell, shamelessly plagiarizing their feats."
"It was this respectable old lady..." Dumbledore glanced at the composed Vida when mentioning this, "she used Polyjuice Potion to transform into Lockhart's appearance, thereby infiltrating the first line to gather evidence of Lockhart's crimes, ultimately bringing the perpetrator to justice... here, I'd like to ask everyone to applaud for the admirable Lady Rozier!"
The students below immediately burst into applause, shouting joyfully.
So last year's "Professor Lockhart" was actually someone else using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate, and this professor will continue teaching our Defense Against the Dark Arts class this term?
Then there's nothing to be unwilling about, it's agreeable.
After everyone finished applauding, Professor Dumbledore spoke again: "In recent years, the professor of Protecting Magical Creatures has decided to retire, to have more time to care for his remaining limbs."
"Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that taking over his position is none other than our excellent Hufflepuff student—Newt Scamander!"
Saying this, Dumbledore turned around, pointing at Newt.
Newt stood up, bowing his head repeatedly, seemingly eager to sit down.
Cheers erupted among the student seats, especially the Hufflepuff students, some even standing on their desks to celebrate for Professor Scamander.
No other reason but that Professor Scamander is a proud Hufflepuff alumnus.
Once the applause subsided, Dumbledore raised his hand to signal for quiet.
"Additionally, two teaching assistants will join our lectures, and one of them everyone knows, it's none other than our groundskeeper—Rubeus Hagrid!"
Hagrid clapped dazedly until Professor McGonagall nudged his arm.
He then returned to consciousness, but his body was so large that upon standing, he nearly knocked over the table.
Professor McGonagall sighed, feeling a tad regretful for having this giant stand.
Harry stood up, cheering loudly for Hagrid, encouraging his fellow Gryffindors to join in clapping.
At Harry's beckoning, Miss Fari and some Slytherins started clapping for Hagrid as well.
Once the applause died down, Dumbledore spoke again: "Aside from faculty replacements, I have another announcement... In our new semester, the sixth grade will welcome a transfer student—of course, we will still sort her into a house. I believe it's the first time many of you will see a 'newcomer' of this age being sorted at Hogwarts?"
Everyone was amused by this cold joke.
"Alright then, let's continue having Professor McGonagall sort—oh no, sort for our newcomer." Dumbledore cheekily blinked, taking a seat.
Everyone eagerly turned to Professor McGonagall, eager to see who exactly this new transfer student was.
Some who've attended seven years at Hogwarts may never have seen a transfer student.
Professor McGonagall stood up, picking up the pointed hat and walking over to the chair upfront.
She placed the hat on the chair and called out loudly: "Vilatia Grindelwald!"
Vida Rozier on the guest seat sat up straight, ready to see what kind of exceptional witch her sister was.
The silence in the hall persisted until it suddenly erupted into a hum.
"Grindelwald? Is it that Grindelwald I'm thinking of?"
"Oh my goodness, Grindelwald... isn't that person in Nimongard? Does he have descendants?"
"Merlin, the descendants of the Grindelwald family actually came to study at Hogwarts? How did Dumbledore allow it..."
(Seeking monthly votes)
(The remaining 8,000 words will be continued during the day. I'm too sleepy, shouldn't have taken that pack of cold medicine 0.0)