In the Great Hall, Aiden ate with his usual enthusiasm.
Edmund beside him jokingly passed him a plate of chicken legs and fries. In just three seconds, the entire plate was clean.
"You don't even spit out the bones!" Ethan's eyes widened.
"Eat first. If battle breaks out, you won't have extra time for meals."
A certain dragon had developed some bad habits from experiencing too many strange eras.
When the three still wanted to chat, the Slytherin table and Gryffindor table erupted in argument.
Draco had successfully petrified Harry on the train and broken his nose and was now loudly mocking him.
Harry wasn't backing down, retorting about Draco's father.
The two almost started fighting right at the banquet.
Fortunately, Dumbledore just stepped onto the podium, dissolving this conflict.
Dumbledore wore purple-gold robes, his expression grave.
"I'm delighted to gather with you at Hogwarts once again, and as always, welcome new students joining us. For the opening banquet, first we welcome a new professor, Horace Slughorn."
Dumbledore raised his blackened right hand, pointing toward Horace behind him.
The young wizards below applauded along.
"Next, announcing professorial position adjustments. Professor Horace will serve as Potions professor, and Professor Snape will assume the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
As soon as this news came out, the applause instantly stopped, leaving only Slytherin students applauding for their two heads of house.
"Of course, Mr. Filch asked me to remind you not to purchase products from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. And Quidditch team recruitment and commentator recruitment will be held this Wednesday."
Speaking, Dumbledore leaned his hand on the podium, showing signs of physical exhaustion.
Draco, hidden in the crowd, slowly lowered his head. The ring on his finger flashed with light.
Inside the ring's gemstone seemed to hide a small mirror fragment. He pointed the gemstone at Dumbledore.
"Finally, let's talk about this school year. Each of you was searched when entering the school. I think you also know why. Once there was a young person who, like you, sat here, attended classes here, rested in the dormitories. She seemed no different from other students, and her name was Tom Marvolo Riddle."
As Dumbledore spoke this name, an enormous aura enveloped the entire hall.
In the distant Deep Realm, power was continuously projected onto the earth through this name.
Aiden's eyes slightly closed. The amber and deep blue became incomparably bright.
The phantom of a giant dragon holding a clock in one claw entered Hogwarts. The castle rose from the collective unconscious sea.
The castle gates opened. Silvery-white chains flew out, seizing all the power projected from the sixth layer of the Deep Realm.
The gates closed. The castle slowly sank.
The young wizards who had just felt slightly cold were instantly filled with a sense of security.
Dumbledore glanced at Aiden and continued his speech.
"To this day, her other name may be more widely known. This is why I stand here tonight. I want to remind you that every day, every moment, dark forces lurk around us. Please don't become tools for their use. That's all I have to say. Return to your dormitories."
Dumbledore waved his hand, announcing the banquet's end.
Other young wizards all stood up. Only Harry and Draco were two or three beats late, sitting dazed in their chairs.
Aiden followed his two roommates rushing toward the tower. Along the way, the three chatted off and on.
"So, which professors' advanced courses did you sign up for?" Ethan asked.
The three Ravenclaws naturally couldn't have insufficient grades.
"About the same as third-year course selection," Edmund said, shrugging.
Then both turned their gazes toward the fellow walking at the back, holding a book and sporting horns.
"To be honest, I didn't take the Runes O.W.L., but I received an invitation anyway. Now I'm somewhat conflicted about whether to go."
Aiden closed his book and spread his hands to them.
"Tch." Facing someone's bragging, Edmund and Ethan both raised their middle fingers at him.
The next day in the Great Hall, sixth-year wizards handed their advanced course selections to their heads of house.
Neville tremblingly handed his course selection to Professor McGonagall.
"Why only three subjects, Mr. Longbottom?" Professor McGonagall frowned.
"Professor, I wanted to choose Transfiguration, but my grades aren't enough," Neville said, lowering his head.
"My suggestion is you can choose Charms class and pester Aiden to guide you in practicing Transfiguration."
Professor McGonagall was slightly mischievous. In her eyes, this student she'd known from half a century ago would definitely return to Hogwarts eventually.
(Aiden: Achoo~)
"But my grandmother said learning Charms is seeking convenience, which is very lazy and shameful," Neville said, still lacking confidence.
"Nonsense. She couldn't choose it because she failed her Charms exam back then."
Professor McGonagall didn't care at all about exposing someone's past in front of their grandson.
"And isn't your Herbology excellent? Keep going down this path, Mr. Longbottom."
Professor McGonagall gave him an encouraging smile.
Having guided another student onto the right path, the refreshed Professor McGonagall walked out the door holding scrolls.
Then she saw two idle students leaning against the wall with silly grins.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, come here a moment," Professor McGonagall said, decisively calling them over.
"Professor, we don't have class this morning," Harry said. He'd been grinning moments ago but was now very quiet.
"I know, but do you two remember your career plan to become Aurors?" Professor McGonagall guided them.
"But I don't have Outstanding in Potions."
Enormous guilt enveloped Harry. After all, last year Professor McGonagall had stood up to Umbridge for him, and he'd failed the exam.
Ron nodded beside him.
At this moment, a young man with dragon horns walked past. Professor McGonagall's hand shot out quickly, grabbing the dragon horn.
"You did that on purpose," a pair of lifeless heterochromatic eyes said, turning to look at Professor McGonagall.
"Ahem, good texture. No... Mr. Prewett, please take these two gentlemen to the Potions classroom. I believe with two celebrities' support, Horace will make an exception for Ron."
Professor McGonagall understood this old colleague of hers very well and also knew how to handle him.
Arranging the two students with a smile, Professor McGonagall handed the Quidditch player registration list to this year's Gryffindor Quidditch team captain—Harry Potter.
Then she turned and left with satisfaction.