Chapter 23

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When the last student, Blaise Zabini, was assigned to Slytherin, Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, took the Sorting Hat, and returned to her seat on Dumbledore's right. The little wizards all looked at the headmaster expectantly, waiting for his signal to start the feast.

Dumbledore stood up with a smile on his face and opened his arms. Nothing seemed to make him happier than being surrounded by students. "Welcome!" he said loudly. "Welcome everyone to Hogwarts for the new school year. I want to say a few words before the banquet! ..." 

"Thank you all!"

Dumbledore sat down again, and everyone applauded and cheered. Diagonally across from Wayne, a Hufflepuff looked confused. 

"What do those words mean, Headmaster?"

"Are you a Ravenclaw?" another student asked.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Of course, I'm a Hufflepuff," the first student replied.

"Then why do you care about this? Hurry up and eat your food!"

The originally empty dinner plates were now filled with food: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steaks, mashed potatoes, French fries, puddings, various vegetables, gravy sauces, and even mint candies. It was a rich spread, especially for Britain, which is often seen as lacking in culinary variety.

Wayne ate quite well. He wasn't picky about food. As long as the ingredients were of good quality, basic dishes like steak and lamb chops would taste fine. He also saw Ronald eating a chicken drumstick at the long Gryffindor table, eager for another bite.

Wayne felt he should have been assigned to Hufflepuff, which seemed like a paradise for food lovers. In other houses, people chatted while eating, but in Hufflepuff, it was all about the food. Cedric only managed to say a few words to Wayne at first, but by the end, his cheeks were stuffed, and he still didn't forget to pass Wayne a large chicken drumstick.

It was touching.

At the staff table, Snape was chatting with Quirrell, who had a scarf wrapped around his head, making him look like an Arab. Professor McGonagall was also listening to Professor Sprout, who looked a little unhappy.

"Lawrence, can you get me two Yorkshire puddings?" a student asked from a distance.

"Just call me Wayne, Hannah," Wayne replied, giving her the pudding.

The little girl smiled sweetly, flicked her braid, and then immersed herself in eating again. A milky-white ghost sat nearby, introducing and recommending dishes that he thought were good. Everyone called him the Fat Friar.

Wayne found it a bit strange. A wizard who was hunted by the Holy See in the Middle Ages had become a monk. This feeling was really hard to describe.

The banquet lasted for nearly an hour, and at the end, a bunch of desserts were served. Wayne was grateful for this. Desserts in England were like eating icing sugar, and he didn't want to risk getting diabetes at a young age.

Finally, the pudding disappeared, and Dumbledore stood up. The Great Hall became calm again. The little wizards were waiting for the headmaster's final words.

But just as Dumbledore was about to speak, Professor McGonagall suddenly said, "Please wait, Albus. Before you say anything, I have something I need to address."

Dumbledore was startled for a moment. This had never happened before. However, he quickly smiled gently and let McGonagall speak first.

Although Dumbledore was the principal, at certain times, when McGonagall became stern, even he had to tread lightly. Dumbledore is officially the headmaster, but Professor McGonagall is actually responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school.

"George, Fred, you two will be in confinement starting tomorrow. You will report to Filch at eight o'clock every night. You will wipe all the trophies in the trophy room three times. You will be released from confinement when you finish wiping them."

The twins, who were still telling jokes to make the girls happy, were stunned for a moment, then stood up quickly.

"Why, Professor McGonagall!"

The eyes of the twins were full of confusion and grievance. They were full of bad intentions, but they hadn't put them into practice yet when they arrived at school. Is early punishment popular now?

"Ask me!" McGonagall glared at the two of them sternly. "Who asked you to scare the little wizards and describe the sorting ceremony so horribly!"

Sprout also smiled and spoke. She was a chubby lady who looked very gentle.

"Cedric, you should go help too."

Now, both the twins and Cedric looked at Wayne. The case was solved. Wayne lowered his head shyly, as if he was embarrassed.

"Yes, Professor." The three of them responded dejectedly, and Cedric gritted his teeth and whispered, "You tricked us on purpose!"

Wayne remained calm and said, "Don't talk nonsense. I'm a young wizard who just entered school, and I don't understand anything."

"Too bad, you should be sorted into Slytherin." Cedric raised his middle finger.

The twins looked at each other and laughed silently. Even though they were tricked by Wayne, they found it more interesting. What should they do? This is much more fun than their stupid brother Ronald!

"Okay," Dumbledore spoke, still smiling, "I feel relieved to see you are still so energetic."

"However, I still want to raise a few things to note. Attention first-year students, no students are allowed to enter the forested area on the school grounds. Our old classmates should also remember this."

His bright eyes glanced at the twins, but they were busy planning how to get back at Wayne and didn't notice at all. It was just a wink thrown to a blind man.

"Also, Mr. Filch asked me to remind everyone not to perform magic in the corridors between classes. Quidditch review will also be held in the second week of this semester. Students who are interested in participating in the varsity team can contact Ms. Hooch."

"Finally, I must tell everyone that anyone who does not want to encounter an accident and die in pain should not enter the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor."

Wayne curled his lips disdainfully. Isn't it true that there are three hundred taels of silver in this place? Lao Deng's words are simply saying that he buried all his treasures and glory in the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor. Go find it! The little lions are already gearing up now.

"Now, before everyone goes to bed, let's sing the school song!" Dumbledore said loudly.

All teachers and students stood up, and Wayne also stood up. At the same time, the system in his mind sent out a prompt.

[Congratulations to the host....]