Chapter 120: “Start of Term Feast”


    The train door swung open as lightning streaked across the sky, apanied by rolling thunder.


    Hermione shielded Crookshanks with her cloak while Matthew and Neville reluctantly pulled their cloaks over their heads as they trudged through the torrential rain.


    Rain fell in sheets, drenching them entirely and creating a dismal atmosphere.


    Out of the corner of his eye, Matthew spotted Professor Kettleburn, the Professor for Care for Magical Creatures, weing the iing first-year students.


    Traditionally, the first years had to cross theke to reach Hogwarts Castle.


    At that moment, Matthew couldnt help but feel grateful.


    On September 1stst year, the sky was sunny.


    Imagining crossing theke in todays weather was almost unbearable.


    Navigating with the crowd, the trio made their way slowly, eventually departing from the dimly lit tform.


    Beyond the tform exit, a series of carriages awaited.


    Though not pulled by horses but rather by Thestrals, though this detail wasnt visible to Matthew, Neville, and Hermione, they offered a wee refuge from the rain.


    They hurriedly boarded one of the carriages, feeling a sense of relief.


    Joining them was second-year Hufflepuff student Justin Finch-Fletchley, and as the door closed, the carriage set off.


    The procession of carriages moved along the path toward Hogwarts, each wheel creating sshes of water along the way.


    After about fifteen minutes, the carriage arrived at Hogwarts gates.


    Matthews gaze caught the massive winged boar sculptures nking the entrance on stone pirs


    These boar sculptures had been instrumental during Professor Grindelwalds duel with Morgana the ck Witch a few months prior.


    Pigs held a particr significance to Hogwarts.


    The very name Hogwarts is derived from the word warthog.


    Thus, a widely-circted wizarding tale recounted that Hogwarts location and name were chosen by Rowena Ravenw.


    ording to the tale, she dreamt of a warthog leading her to ake, the very cliff that would be the site of Hogwarts.


    A few more minutes and the carriage halted at the castle gate.


    Quickly disembarking, the trio ascended the grand marble staircase one after the other.


    The drenched students finally entered the Hogwarts auditorium.


    Due to a mid-journey inspection and the inclement weather upon arrival, the banquetmenced at least an hourter than usual.


    Despite the dy, the auditorium remained as magnificent as ever, adorned even morevishly for the weing feast.


    Hundreds of suspended candles cast a golden glow over tes and goblets.


    Wet students sat along the four long house tables, eagerly greeting one another.


    A fifth table at the front amodated the faculty members, each facing their respective students.


    Matthews gaze was drawn to the guest seating, where Professor Grindelwald sat.


    As was customary, Professor Grindelwald would only appear once the banquet began.


    However, due to the days unusual circumstances, with students arriving more than an hourte, he had arrived early this time.


    He appeared deep in thought with a grave expression, his head bowed.


    Seated beside Professor Grindelwald was Professor Rosier, the Headmistress.


    Her youthful visage held a smile as she engaged in conversation with another teacher.


    A teacher whose face was unfamiliar to Matthew.


    Indeed, it was the same face hed encountered on the train


    The stranger now upied the main guest seat, engaged in a cautious conversation with the Vice President.


    It seemed Matthews hunch was correct. The examination had been a mere mishap for Mr. Longbottom, while the stranger was genuinely a new teacher at Hogwarts.


    Such an audacious move, taking the Hogwarts Express and introducing oneself as a teacher, wouldve been beyond the realm of possibility for an Azkaban escapee.


    Matthew spected whether prolonged confinement had taken a toll on their sanity.


    However, he couldnt share his discovery with Hermione, who had already joined the Ravenw table.


    Matthew hurriedly found his ce at the Slytherin table.


    Above them, the ceiling disyed a dazzling sun instead of the usual stars and moon.


    The simted sunlight warmed his body and dried his damp clothes as he sat down, dispelling the chill.


    Wickfield! Agnes Lestranges voice reached him, and she walked over from the opposite side of the table, addressing him by name.


    Its been a while, Matthew greeted the elegant girl with a smile.


    Over the summer break Miss Lestrange hesitated momentarily before continuing hushedly, Did I see you at Flourish & Blotts Bookstore?


    Yes, I was temporarily employed there, Matthew responded, though he couldnt recall meeting Lestrange.


    Flourish & Blotts Bookstore encountered some issues and closed down, she continued.


    I wasnt affected by it, Matthew replied candidly, though he knew he had yed a role in those issues privately.


    Unless you have no invitations for next summer break, youre wee to visit me Agnes Lestrange offered briskly before departing, her long hair trailing behind her.


    Matthew remained, puzzled by herment. Am I really that unpopr? Why do they think no one would invite me


    Draco, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory soon arrived in the auditorium, taking their seats beside Matthew.


    The Slytherin boys were reunited after the summer break, and their eager conversation filled the air.


    You seem a bit down, Draco, Theodore observed, surprised.


    Dracos family faced some troubles over the summer, Vincent exined.


    Gregory added, Someone betrayed Dracos father, implicating him in some smuggling incident. It nearly consumed his entire summer.


    What a jerk! Matthew chimed in casually.