Chapter 23: Chaotic Dance

Half an hour later, the banquet was coming to an end, and the main dishes on the table had been replaced by a variety of desserts.

Kyle chose a maple pudding.

This kind of pudding was highly recommended by both Bill and Charlie, saying that except for Hogwarts, few places taste so authentic.

Kyle took a bite and found that it tasted really good. The sweetness was just right, and it was fragrant and delicious. There was a hint of sourness that was just right, making it a perfect dessert after a meal.

After everyone had finished eating, the remaining desserts were cleared away, and the table returned to a clean, tidy, and spotless appearance.

Dumbledore stood up, and the Great Hall returned to silence.

"Everyone has eaten now, but before you go back to your dormitory, I have a few more words to say."

"First years, please take note that no students are allowed to enter the forest area on the school grounds."

"Also..." Dumbledore paused for a moment and continued: "Professor McGonagall also asked me to remind everyone to not play any pranks in the classroom or any public area, otherwise you will be severely punished."

As soon as he finished speaking, nearly half of the students in the Great Hall subconsciously looked at Fred and George of Gryffindor.

The twins did not have any stage fright. They stood up and kept waving their hands to greet the people around them. They looked proud as if Dumbledore had just praised them.

Not far away, Professor McGonagall's face looked as bad as possible, and her lips pursed tighter.

Judging from her expression, the twins would most likely be grounded, and it would definitely be for a long time.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, looked normal and continued: "The Quidditch players' selection will be held in the second week of this semester. Students who are in second grade or above and are interested in joining the house team should contact Ms. Hooch."

Sure enough, only second grade and above could apply...

Kyle didn't feel disappointed as he already knew that this would be the result.

Moreover, although Dumbledore said so, it did not mean that first-year students could not participate in the Quidditch selection.

The reason for excluding the first grade was just to care for the young wizards of Muggle origin. They have never been exposed to Quidditch before. It would be too unfair for them to select team members at this time.

After one school year, they would be more or less familiar with the magic world, and this would be the right time for the selection.

Of course, if there were really good seedlings, the deans would not mind using a little privilege, just like Harry Potter a year later.

So Kyle planned to go to Professor Sprout to try his luck in the next two days to see if he could be selected together with the second-year students.

It would be torture if he wasn't allowed to fly for a year.

"Quiet..."

Dumbledore had to increase his voice to suppress the group of young wizards in the audience who were excited about Quidditch.

"Finally, I am honored to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

Dumbledore turned sideways and stretched his hand in the direction of the teacher's chair.

"Professor Oren, say a few words to everyone."

Next to Snape, a middle-aged wizard with an unattractive appearance stood up, smiled, and waved to everyone.

A few cold and sparse applause sounded in the Great Hall. Except for the first-year students who were more enthusiastic, the students in other grades were not very interested.

It's just a professor who gets replaced every year, so what's the point of being so enthusiastic? He's going to be replaced next year anyway, so they just have to deal with it for Dumbledore's sake.

Professor Oren didn't mind. He seemed to have already guessed that this would be the outcome. After greeting them, he sat back down again.

But whether it was because of disappointment or embarrassment, Professor Oren's movements were slightly larger when he moved his chair. His body tilted and his elbow hit Snape's waist.

"Hiss!"

Snape sucked in a breath and gripped the armrests of the chair with both hands, suppressing the cry. 

"I'm sorry Severus, are you alright? Do you need to go for a checkup to Madam Pomfrey's?" Oren asked with concern.

"I don't think we are close enough yet to call each other by name, Professor Oren.

Besides, I am not so weak that I'll have to go to the school hospital just because you touched me, so you don't have to worry about me."

Snape moved his chair to the side, with a look of disgust flashing in his eyes. It was as if he had seen a Flobberworm that had been squeezed out of its mucus and no longer had any medicinal value.

Professor Oren looked a little embarrassed. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.

But at this time, Dumbledore had already finished talking about Hogsmeade and began to direct the young wizards to sing the school song.

A long golden ribbon floated in the air, and the Great Hall was soon filled with a variety of different tunes.

Oren could only swallow what he wanted to say and sang with everyone in the way of a bard.

Hogwarts,

Hogwarts,

Hogwarts,

Hogwarts,

give us knowledge,

whether we are bald old men

or children who hurt their knees.

...

A good school song was suddenly sung by everyone into a large-scale concert, with all kinds of tunes.

The tunes that appeared the most were "The Splendid Hippogriff" and "Symphony of Destiny", which are the choices of most young wizards.

As for Kyle, he used "The Path to Heaven is Wide and Broad".

Everyone's choices were varied, but if anyone could sing the happiest, it would be the Weasley twins.

Fred and George held each other's arms, singing the school song to the tune of "Flight of the Bumblebee" and dancing cheerfully.

Their actions also attracted a lot of attention, and the cheerful Gryffindor students soon joined in spontaneously, turning the original school song into a chaotic dance.

But it had to be admitted that they looked very happy. Even Dumbledore on the stage couldn't hold back and danced a little.

After the school song ended, Fred and George received the warmest applause from the audience.

"It's so beautiful. This is the meaning of the school song." Dumbledore adjusted his slightly crooked wizard hat and said with a smile: "It's bedtime now. Let's go back to the dormitory."

…

After the party ended, everyone rushed towards the door of the Great Hall.

The prefects acted quickly and worked hard to bring the freshmen of their respective houses together.

"First-year students, come here."

"Don't push, let the freshmen go first, let the first-year students go first!"

"Hurry up, freshmen, we have to hurry."

"Is everyone here? Remember to follow me later and don't fall behind."

...

(End of chapter)