Chapter 8: Banquet and Slytherin Dormitory
Could it be that... the reason why the Weasley twins became so skilled at alchemy later was because they learned it from Mr. Wallison Green this year?!
Lynn's expression shifted slightly.
In that case, could he also learn alchemy from this renowned French alchemist?
You know, the Philosopher's Stone that allowed Nicolas Flamel and his wife to extend their lives for over six centuries is an alchemical product!
Although Lynn had no interest in extending his lifespan, the power of alchemy itself fascinated him.
After all, while the Philosopher's Stone is alchemy, alchemy encompasses far more than just the Philosopher's Stone!
At this moment, Mr. Green, no, Professor Green, seemed to catch Lynn's gaze. He nodded slightly at Lynn and showed a kind smile.
Seeing this, Lynn couldn't help but glance at Professor Snape, with his sour, zombie-like expression next to Professor Green.
They are both rather gloomy men, why are their demeanors so different? Lynn pondered.
Soon, the Sorting Ceremony concluded.
Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster, stood up, looking at the new students with a beaming smile, stretching out his arms in welcome. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I'd like to say a few words. And they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
"Thank you!"
As Dumbledore's voice trailed off, the hall burst into applause and laughter.
No long-winded speeches!
Lynn was touched, reminiscing about his previous life's tedious high school graduation where the principal shook thousands of hands while handing out diplomas one by one, making Lynn wait over three hours...
At that moment, the empty plates in front of Lynn magically filled with food - roast beef, chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steak, boiled and roast potatoes, chips, Yorkshire puddings, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup and, oddly, a plate of mint humbugs.
Just as Lynn was about to start eating, the house ghosts suddenly emerged through the walls.
Beside the Slytherin table floated a terrifying ghost - blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and his robes stained with silver bloodstains. This was the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin ghost.
Good grief, was this still meant to be an appetizing meal?!
Lynn felt somewhat helpless. Trying to dine with that bloody specter looming was really off-putting.
Lynn tried his best to ignore the Bloody Baron and sampled the steak and baked potatoes, which were surprisingly delicious.
When the students had eaten their fill, the plates were magically replaced with desserts.
There were all sorts of ice creams, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate eclairs, jam doughnuts, spotted dick, strawberries, rice pudding, and more.
Lynn took two scoops of ice cream and tucked in.
Finally, the plates cleared themselves once more and the hall fell silent after the clamor of the feast.
"Ahem — now that we are all fed and watered, I have a few start-of-term notices. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is strictly forbidden to all students. A few older students would do well to remember that as well."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flickered momentarily towards the Weasley twins, who had clearly ventured into the Forbidden Forest many times their first year.
"Mr. Filch has also asked me to remind you that no magic is permitted in the corridors between classes. And finally, Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing should contact Madam Hooch."
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore announced jovially.
But Lynn noticed all the staff except Dumbledore suddenly looked rather frozen at this request.
Dumbledore gave a wave of his wand, and a long golden ribbon flew out, twisting into words - the Hogwarts school song lyrics.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!" said Dumbledore.
And with Dumbledore's lead, the hall dissolved into raucous song, with many first-years too shy to join in at first:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everyone bellowed out the lyrics to their own varying melodies, filling the hall with a din of chaos.
No wonder the staff looked so pained.
Among them, the Weasley twins sang to a slow funereal march while Lynn incorporated some bizarre rapping, making Dumbledore's eyes twinkle even more merrily.
"Ah, music," Dumbledore sighed with misty eyes as the last voices faded. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
The house prefects herded the new students towards their dormitories, the first-years following like a gaggle of baby ducklings behind a mother duck.
The Slytherin dormitories were located in the dungeons beneath the Black Lake. Lynn followed the throng down the steps and arrived at a stone wall concealing a hidden door.
"The password this week is 'Pureblood'!" the prefect reminded them, and the stone slid aside to reveal the Slytherin common room beyond.
The Slytherin common room had a dingy, underground feel with rough stone walls and ceilings from which greenish lamps hung on chains.
A vast glass window afforded a view into the green depths of the Black Lake itself, giving the impression of being inside an eerie aquarium.
Lynn followed the first years up to the dormitories. The Slytherin four-posters had green silk hangings and intricately carved headboards bearing the Slytherin serpent emblem.
(End of this chapter)