Now that Ron remembered, it was Professor Grubbly-Plank who took the new first-year student across the lake instead of Hagrid. Immediately, both Ron and Hermione looked at each other and understood that Hagrid was not there and was not going to be the teacher of Care of Magical Creatures lessons.
A few seconds later, the large door of the entrance hall opened.
Professor McGonagall was at the front, leading the newcomers inside the hall. She was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard's hat.
This was the Sorting Hat, the main artefact for each new year.
The buzz of talk in the Great Hall faded away. The first years lined up in front of the staff table facing the rest of the students, and Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them and then stood back.
One by one, they were called in front, and the Sorting Hat gave them their corresponding House.
Slowly, the long line of first years thinned. Finally, the last student was sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and marched them away as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet.
"To our newcomers," said Dumbledore, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old ones... welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"
There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate.
The next instant, food appeared out of nowhere, filling the five long tables with pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, and sauces, and flagons of pumpkin juice.
Normally, Ron would dig in as soon as the food appeared on the table, but since the arrest of Harry, Ron had lost his appetite.
On top of that, there was something he saw that was irritating him. As if Hermione had read his mind, she said, "How can Dumbledore smile like that and act as if everything is fine when who knows what those dementors are doing to Harry at Azkaban?" There was this anger in Hermione's voice that Ron had heard very few times.
Ron just remained silent as he forced a piece of bread into his mouth.
When all the students had finished eating, and the noise level in the Hall was starting to creep upwards again, Dumbledore got to his feet once more.
Talking ceased immediately as all turned to face the Headmaster.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore.
"First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students, and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too.
Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened
to Mr. Filch's office door.
We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Dumbledore continued, "Now to address the subject on everyone's mind. Harry..."
He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge said, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as proficient at hiding their surprise.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge said, "for those kind words of welcome."
Her voice was high-pitched, breathy, and a little girlish as she continued, "But I believe I should address the issue at hand, considering it involves the Ministry of Magic."
She gave another little throat-clearing cough, "hem, hem," and continued.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."
Umbridge paused, her gaze sweeping over the assembled students with a self-satisfied smirk playing on her lips. "However," she continued, her voice dripping with faux concern, "it saddens me to say that every once in a while, a particular individual rises, thinking that they are the center of the wizarding world."
A murmur rippled through the Great Hall, and Ron felt a chill run down his spine. He exchanged a worried glance with Hermione, who was listening intently.
Umbridge's eyes narrowed slightly as she continued, her tone turning more authoritative. "These individuals, driven by delusions of grandeur, seek to undermine the established order and disrupt the harmony of our society. They believe themselves above the law, above authority, and above reproach."
Ron's fists clenched under the table as he struggled to maintain his composure. He knew that whatever the woman, Umbridge, was going to say, it was sure going to be a bad talk about Harry.
"It saddens us that a student who has been regarded as a hero has committed such an unforgivable act. Harry Potter took matters into his own hands by murdering his Muggle family." With that, the hall felt like a grand silence.