"His Majesty Garfield Pando Godzilla Pendragon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the High Claw Corporation."
My God. Muggle-born students all knew just how massive the High Claw Corporation was.
It owned several streets in New York City. It was the largest shareholder of Stark Industries.
It controlled over 50 percent of the US military supply and over 30 percent of the global military presence.
The High Claw Corporation was currently involved in shipbuilding, machinery manufacturing, light industry, consumer goods, petrochemicals, and a whole host of other industries you could name.
It was the world's largest conglomerate. The owner of the High Claw Corporation was shrouded in mystery.
The board members were unknown, known only to a few agents. Now they had met a director of the High Claw Corporation, and a king at that.
Unbelievable. However, the wizarding world's friends were also shocked.
They knew the High Claw Corporation's power was unbelievable. It had a strategic partnership with the US Ministry of Magic.
The High Claw Corporation's financial strength in the wizarding world was immense. The Dark Council of Europe and the local forces in the US had all been utterly defeated.
And the Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald had even begun to address Garfield as his mentor.
Without immense power and vast knowledge, how could one gain the approval of the Dark Lord?
Professor Dumbledore was so prestigious.
Listening to his classmates reminisce about the information they possessed regarding Garfield, Tom Riddle was dumbfounded.
Only now did he understand why he felt that sense of loss on the train, like he had missed out on a fortune.
He was truly stupid.
He had missed one opportunity, and it seemed he had missed another one with the Sorting Hat.
It appeared he would never have the chance to study with Garfield alone again.
Tom Riddle was unwilling to give up. He decided to find some time to try.
As for saving face, that did not matter. Armando Dippet called for quiet.
"Quiet." The discussion subsided.
Armando Dippet continued, "Due to His Majesty Pendragon's busy schedule, this opportunity was secured for you by Professor Dumbledore many years ago."
"I hope you will all study diligently during this teaching period and seize this opportunity, children."
After Armando Dippet finished his introduction, Garfield squatted on the table and cast a loud voice spell on himself.
He addressed all the Hogwarts students present.
"Children, it is an honor to have the opportunity to live with you young wizards. I, who have been busy, can finally have some peace and quiet for a while."
"However, I have not taught many students, and I have not educated many people. But my teaching is very strict, so do not cry later."
The students laughed. After all, they were still children.
They had no idea how Grindelwald had come out of Garfield's hands.
Garfield said, "Alright, let us hand over the speaking power to Headmaster Dippet."
Armando Dippet announced, "The dinner begins." A thunderous applause erupted.
After the welcoming ceremony, the once empty table was instantly filled with all sorts of delicious food under the magic of the house elves.
This signified the official start of the dinner.
In front of Garfield was a roast chicken, a steak, bread, sweets, chicken legs, and a whole bunch of other miscellaneous items.
As a combination of an orange tabby and a Flerken, dealing with these things was actually quite easy.
He used magic to control his knife and fork and began to eat.
The children, exhausted and hungry after a long train journey, were instantly captivated by the delicious food.
They happily ate the various delicacies before them. For a moment, only the sounds of cutlery clattering and chewing filled the air.
After a hearty, voracious meal, the main course was quickly devoured. Then came dessert.
Only after that did the students have time to chat. Most of the freshmen huddled together introducing their families, while the older students discussed Garfield.
"Brothers, this is the most exciting news I have ever heard in my life. High Claw Corporation."
"That's right, the powerful High Claw Corporation. At first, I just thought it was an ordinary Muggle company, but now I know how strong it is."
"Yeah, I only heard that High Claw Corporation had entered Diagon Alley. It practically bought up the entire street with its massive funds and invested in other magical worlds."
"I really did not expect our school to be able to invite a High Claw Corporation director."
"Not the school, but our Professor Dumbledore. Actually, Professor Dumbledore is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs."
"Maybe that is how they met."
"I have to say, Professor Dumbledore is really impressive."
"Did you not hear the headmaster say that Professor Dumbledore worked hard for several years to get this opportunity for us?" One of the top students pulled out his moral education book, pointed to the contents, and looked bewildered.
"The other person seems very powerful, but why is he teaching us this? Shouldn't he be teaching us magic? And why is he in cat form?"
"Maybe it is just an Animagus. Mystery and power are great, but I still feel a bit strange having him teach us so called moral education."
"Could it be to give the other professors some face?"
"Maybe." The students speculated, but most of their thoughts focused on the course and Garfield's strength.
The consensus was that Garfield was indeed very strong, but teaching this course was a bit odd.
Meanwhile, young Voldemort was increasingly regretful.
He felt as if he had missed not just a billion or two, but the opportunity to rule the world.
Good heavens, what have you been doing, Tom Riddle?
You failed the test of such a powerful being twice. He was in a daze all the way back to his dormitory, and he was listless the next day.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
After the banquet, Garfield was invited by Armando Dippet to the headmaster's office for tea and a chat, along with Dumbledore.
It was not that Armando Dippet did not want to talk to Garfield alone.
He had never met Garfield before, and he did not want to say anything wrong.
Garfield, of course, did not remember the way to the headmaster's office from the novels.
Dumbledore and Armando Dippet led the way. However, he remembered the two distinctive statues at the entrance.
The three reached the door. Armando Dippet, holding the Sorting Hat, said the password to the statue.
"Open school." The door opened.
Armando Dippet gestured to Garfield. "Your Majesty Pendragon, please." Garfield replied, "Headmaster, do not be so formal. Just call me Garfield."
Entering the headmaster's office, the private room was not spacious. A campfire was burning in the fireplace, making the room warm.
Portraits of past headmasters hung on the walls. They curiously observed Garfield.