Upon arriving at Hogwarts, the students beyond their first year were transported to the castle in carriages pulled by thestrals. Before long, they found themselves back in the Great Hall—the very place they had parted ways just two months ago.
Soon, the Sorting Ceremony for the first-years would begin.
Cho stood up from the Ravenclaw table and made her way toward the professors' table, approaching the short professor seated there. "Excuse me, Professor Flitwick?"
"What is it, Miss Chang?"
Professor Flitwick, the tiny Charms professor, turned to her with an inquisitive smile. Just moments ago, he had been enthusiastically showing Professor Sprout his treasures from his summer in Egypt—a striking blue-and-gold pharaoh's staff and a peculiar mask carved to resemble the long, solemn face of a Sphinx.
"Professor Flitwick, I just wanted to ask if something happened to Nolan. I didn't see him at the Slytherin table."
"Nolan Von Draugr?" Flitwick's small face lit up with a delighted grin. "I haven't even had the chance to congratulate him yet for his achievements this summer! When Minerva told me about his success, I was absolutely thrilled!"
Cho blinked in surprise. "His achievements?"
"You'll find out soon enough, my dear." Flitwick hopped down from his chair—only to realize that, in doing so, he had made himself even shorter.
Professor Sprout chuckled fondly. "Filius, dear, I think you might want to stay on the chair."
"Oh! Thank you, Pomona!" Flitwick didn't seem the least bit offended by her amusement. Instead, he laughed at himself as he climbed back up. "People always envy my intellect, but no one ever considers what I sacrifice to support such a magnificent brain. Just look—legs only twelve inches long!"
Now standing on his chair, Flitwick scanned the Slytherin table from above. Sure enough, Nolan was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh dear, this is unfortunate," Flitwick murmured. "Perhaps our little prince has been delayed for some reason. I'd hate for him to miss the Start-of-Term Feast—that would be a loss for everyone, wouldn't it? I imagine plenty of first-years were hoping to catch a glimpse of him… Hmm, perhaps we should inform Professor Snape."
Flitwick turned to look for Snape—only to find that he wasn't at the table either.
"Severus?" Professor McGonagall, who was preparing for the Sorting Ceremony, paused before glancing at the staff table herself. "Ah, he's off chasing after Potter and Weasley. Merlin help me—I do wish they'd behave for once, so I wouldn't have to suffer such embarrassment in front of Professor Snape."
Unfortunately for McGonagall, her wish was unlikely to come true.
…
Hermione had been distracted all evening. She barely reacted, even when Ginny Weasley was Sorted into Gryffindor.
She only snapped out of her daze when she heard Ginny sigh beside her. "What a shame…"
Hermione turned to her. "What's wrong, Ginny?"
"Oh, it's my friend, Luna. She was Sorted into Ravenclaw." Ginny pouted as she looked toward the table draped in blue. "I thought she'd end up in Gryffindor with me. She's always had a strange kind of courage, you know? She can say anything she wants to any adult, no matter how intimidating they are."
"Maybe that's not real courage, Ginny," Hermione said stiffly. "Don't worry, though. Just because you're in different houses doesn't mean you can't be friends."
"Really?" Ginny asked skeptically, wearing an expression far too wise for her age. "I'm not so sure."
"Why not?"
Ginny answered matter-of-factly, "Friendship is built through conversation, isn't it?"
Hermione hesitated. "…I suppose you might have a point."
At that moment, Professor McGonagall called the next name. "Astoria Greengrass."
A petite girl with platinum blonde hair quickly placed the Sorting Hat on her head. Almost instantly, the hat announced:
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table erupted into cheers. It was clear that this was another well-received addition to their house.
Many of the older students, upon seeing Astoria, were immediately reminded of Eve Stock when she had arrived two years ago. They carried the same air about them—like noble little princesses.
However, Eve Stock was different now. She had become cold and distant, like an ice sculpture.
No one disliked a beautiful young girl, and Slytherins were no exception. The older students eagerly made room for Astoria, seating her beside a prominent fifth-year prefect.
And yet, the moment she sat down, the little girl, in her sweet, childish voice, asked:
"Can I meet Nolan Von Draugr? I heard he's the best in Slytherin!"
Nearby, Hermione nearly choked on her pumpkin juice.
At that moment, she could almost hear the sound of many Slytherin seniors' hearts shattering into pieces.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ginny asked curiously.
Hermione coughed into her sleeve. "N-Nothing, nothing at all."
…
By the time the Sorting Ceremony ended, both the "Harry Trio" and the "Nolan Trio" were still nowhere to be seen.
Nevertheless, Dumbledore began the feast, first going over the school rules.
—Hagrid, as a result of last year's dragon egg incident, had received some form of punishment. Dumbledore mentioned that his privileges had been restricted.
However, after listening for a while, Hermione was left completely confused as to what exactly had changed.
It seemed that Hagrid could still keep his giant pet bees, still walk his absurd Blast-Ended Skrewts by the Black Lake, and still tend to his ever-growing pumpkin patch with his boarhound, Fang.
Hermione suspected that Dumbledore had fought tooth and nail to shield Hagrid from any real consequences.
Next, it was time to introduce the new professor.
The moment Gilderoy Lockhart stood up, the Great Hall exploded into deafening cheers—mostly from the female students.
Ordinarily, Hermione would have been among them.
But tonight, the ever-diligent Gryffindor had other things on her mind.
"Ahem, ahem! If I may have everyone's attention!"
Professor Lockhart's voice rang out, brimming with its usual confidence and flamboyant theatrics.
"I, Gilderoy Lockhart—internationally renowned wizard and author, recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award! I am certain that most of you already own copies of my books. And perhaps, upon reading them carefully, you have marveled—Ah! What an extraordinary and thrilling life the great Gilderoy Lockhart must have led!
"But my dear students, let me assure you—what you have read so far is merely a fraction of my incredible journey—"
Lockhart's dramatic monologue was abruptly interrupted as the heavy doors of the Great Hall creaked open.
With a loud screech, the attention of the entire hall shifted toward the entrance.
Two figures stepped inside—one with jet-black hair, the other with striking silver.
A noticeable hush fell over the hall. Then, all at once, the hearts of many students—especially the girls—began pounding wildly.
Among them, no heart raced more fiercely than Cho Chang's.
Nolan… he looks taller than he did two months ago, she thought breathlessly. And his hair—did he trim it? It looks neater… but I like it. It suits him.
Nolan Von Draugr strode forward, hand in hand with Eve Stock. He cast a casual glance at the dumbfounded Lockhart, tilting his head slightly as if amused by the interruption.
"It seems my Hogwarts Express was delayed…" he remarked with an easygoing smile. His gaze swept across the grand feast laid out before them. "There's still some food left, I hope?"
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