"Still here?"
Professor McGonagall hurried down from the staff table.
Today, the professor was still wearing a dark green robe with a Scottish tartan shirt underneath.
Seeing Professor McGonagall arrive, the young wizards all fearfully took a step back and shrank their necks.
"Professor."
Sean said.
He was one of the rare young wizards who was not afraid of Professor McGonagall.
"The speech, Mr. Green. Don't forget."
Professor McGonagall swept her eyes over Michael and the others, then spoke seriously to the young wizards.
Starting from third year, she rarely called Sean by his full name anymore. Whenever she did, it meant something important was about to happen.
After she left, many young wizard heads immediately sprouted around Sean.
"What speech? Sean, are you inheriting the position of Headmaster?"
Michael exaggeratedly waggled his eyebrows.
"If you use your wooden brain to think even slightly, you'll understand that a wizard can only start working after graduating."
Anthony said calmly.
"There are exceptions to everything, and as it happens, the wizard in front of you is the exception among exceptions."
Michael raised his eyebrows, not convinced at all.
"But what about Headmaster Dumbledore? If there's an inheritance ceremony, why isn't the Headmaster here?"
Terry asked in a very low voice.
"Maybe he retired early. Oh, honestly, even at his own retirement ceremony, he refuses to show his face—"
Michael shrugged, clearly joking.
Anthony ignored him entirely, while Terry still looked regretful.
He was a loyal supporter of Headmaster Dumbledore.
"I'm only helping Headmaster Dumbledore announce some things."
Sean said gently, cutting off their ridiculous guesses.
"Ha! I knew it! So it really is an inheritance ceremony, right? This used to be the Headmaster's job!"
Michael shrieked strangely and put an arm around Sean.
"Oh, who could have thought it? I once had a Headmaster as a friend. The youngest Headmaster in the history of the wizarding world—"
The final feast before leaving school began.
The young wizards could freely mess around with their friends, recalling everything they had gained and lost over the past year.
Some of the young wizards looked clearly dim and dispirited. Needless to say, they were victims of the recent unrest in the wizarding world.
Fortunately, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was lively enough to pull them out of their sorrow.
Hannah was one of them.
She was lost in thought when Professor McGonagall suddenly stood up from the staff table, interrupting her thoughts.
The Great Hall had already been a little quieter than usual for a leaving feast, and now it became utterly silent.
Then her eyes widened as she saw Professor McGonagall walk up to the staff platform together with a young wizard.
"Quiet."
Professor McGonagall said, looking out at everyone. Her gaze fell on the young wizard beside her.
"Another year,"
Sean stood in Headmaster Dumbledore's usual place. In front of him was the phoenix-shaped microphone Dumbledore often used.
"has ended."
Sean looked over the young wizards, taking in the surprise on every face.
Some people had even forgotten they were still eating. Cheese slowly dripped from the corners of their mouths.
This was an especially unusual perspective. When everyone's gaze rested on you, it was hard not to feel that a heavy responsibility had been placed upon you.
On the platform,
Snape coldly stared at every wizard, as if trying to discover something from their expressions.
Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall mostly had their eyes on the young wizard. Seeing his calm and composed face, they could not help but smile knowingly.
Hagrid laughed loudly and carelessly, even waving to Harry, Justin, and the others.
"Today, Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to inform everyone of some news."
Sean said. In his mind, he recalled Headmaster Dumbledore's message:
First, you must tell the children that our world has changed slightly—
"The wizarding world is not very peaceful right now. Although the Ministry of Magic does not want us to tell you this, some students' parents may be shocked by our choice. This may be because they cannot believe a terrible truth, or because they believe we should not tell you such things, since you are still young.
"However, we believe that telling the truth is always better than lying. If we try to describe the casualties among wizards in the magical world as accidents, or blame them on their own carelessness, that would be an insult to who they were."
Sean said.
The young wizards below had already closed their open mouths. After hearing these words, they ignored the fact that the one standing at the staff table was a young wizard.
They listened with complete focus. Even if there was fear in their hearts, even if the Scottish weather outside had just changed and thunder cracked uneasily, they listened.
"But first, we must solemnly announce that we have lost some very good people. They should have had beautiful lives."
A picture suddenly dropped down from the staff platform. It showed the recent casualties in the wizarding world, including some of the young wizards' family members.
Sean saw tears in Hannah's eyes. He also saw the dim eyes of a second-year student, Eris Kent.
Sean understood Dumbledore's intention a little.
When he stood in this place and looked at the expressions of wizards suffering because of evil, he could never compromise with Dark Magic.
Perhaps this was Headmaster Dumbledore's final warning to him before he studied Dark Magic in depth.
Sean took a deep breath so he could continue speaking.
He was not good at this to begin with, and Headmaster Dumbledore had not given him many more prompts.
In other words, everything he said was his own thoughts.
"I believe—sometimes I hope we are mistaken—but inevitably, I believe we are all about to face dark and difficult times.
"In this hall, some among us have already been directly harmed by the cruelty of dark forces. Many families have been torn apart.
"And these dark forces we know are rising again. Of course, we must emphasize that Hogwarts is absolutely safe. But after leaving Hogwarts, we hope everyone can remain vigilant."
Sean said.
At that moment, every face in the Great Hall was turned toward Sean. Every face carried shock and fear—
"But please take some heart, because Headmaster Dumbledore is still here."
Sean said slowly.
He heard Hagrid whispering.
"I knew he was going to come back," Hagrid said to Professor McGonagall and the others. "We always knew he was out there, waiting for the right time. This had to happen. Now that it has, we've got to face reality. We'll fight, and we can stop him from gaining power and ruling everything. That's Dumbledore's plan. Dumbledore—he's a great man. As long as he's there, I'm not too worried."
Professor McGonagall kept a serious face and said nothing.
Second, you must tell the children that we will have two new professors—
Once the whispers among the students died down, Sean recalled Headmaster Dumbledore's message again.
"However, to help everyone better survive this relatively difficult period, our teaching staff will be joined by two new professors.
"They will officially meet everyone when term begins,"
Sean continued,
"and at the same time, Hogwarts will add two new courses: Practical Defense Against the Dark Arts and Dark Arts."
The moment his words fell, the Great Hall exploded.
"How can Hogwarts allow—this isn't the same as Durmstrang, is it—"
Hermione's mouth fell open.
"This means the problem is even more serious than we imagined."
Justin's gaze was deep.
"Dark Arts class—"
Fred looked excited.
"Brilliant!"
George followed.
"If we can't learn it—"
Fred waggled his eyebrows.
"How are we supposed to defend against it?"
George grinned.
"Quiet!"
Professor McGonagall's voice rang through the hall.
This allowed Sean to continue.
"At the same time, Hogwarts will retain the Dueling Club and establish a Dark Arts Club. Students who wish to join the club may submit application forms when school begins."
After Sean finished, the matters Headmaster Dumbledore had entrusted to him were complete.
Two important announcements, though in truth they were one thing.
The wizarding world was going to change. The young wizards not only had to be alert to danger themselves, but also had to learn enough magic and develop a higher level of practical combat ability.
That would greatly reduce casualties.
Because after the Ministry of Magic began taking certain measures, Voldemort's forces would surely shift into underground activity.
Wizards who remained sufficiently vigilant would not easily fall into traps laid by evil forces.
After all, being prepared and being unprepared were two completely different things.
The Great Hall was silent for quite a while. Just as Sean was about to leave the platform, thunderous applause suddenly erupted, startling him.
He saw that everyone was clapping. Every pair of eyes carried a firm light.
Before, some of those eyes had been sorrowful, some panicked, some fearful.
Now, after the unknown had become known, after learning that Voldemort's forces were rising from the ashes, their fear was no longer so heavy.
"Green! Green!"
He heard someone shouting his name.
Fred and George shouted the loudest, even directing the rhythm of the Gryffindors' chanting.
"I admit, when he said those words, he really did seem like a Headmaster."
Hermione lowered her voice and said to Justin.
Justin smiled and said nothing.
That morning, when the Hogwarts Express left the station, everyone was talking about the unexpected news.
Many wizards held their magic hand mirrors, telling their families this shocking announcement.
The news that Hogwarts would allow the teaching of Dark Arts drew less attention than expected. After all, special times called for special measures.
As for Sean, he was also on the train.
He was going to make a trip to the farm. Although the Anywhere Door was a good choice, Professor McGonagall insisted that he spend more time with his friends.
She often worried that he was always alone.
On the train, Justin was buying snacks from the trolley witch, and Hermione was reading.
It was just like the first time they had boarded the train. But this time, the difference was that Sean had taken out a mirror that could see another place, and he was watching and listening intently.
"We're worried about the same thing."
In a dim room, Sirius said to a middle-aged wizard.
This middle-aged wizard frowned. His entire person looked like an old lion.
His tawny hair and thick eyebrows were streaked with gray, and behind his gold-rimmed glasses was a pair of sharp yellow eyes. Although one leg was slightly lame, he walked with a bold, sweeping stride that immediately made one feel he was sharp and tough.
"Brockdale Bridge did not collapse because it was old. That wind was not actually a hurricane. Those murders were also the work of his forces. And the werewolves and giants—they were not accidents."
"What are you trying to say?"
"The state we're in is called war. If possible, Scrimgeour, we hope you can take some measures."
"War?"
Rufus Scrimgeour repeated.
"And who exactly are you?"
"We—"
Sirius smiled.
"are people who will fight him to the end."
Scrimgeour stared into Sirius's eyes and confirmed that an intense flame burned within them.
And Sirius also looked at Scrimgeour, thinking of Mr. Green's instructions:
"Fudge has sided with us, but that doesn't mean he will take sufficient action. He values reputation above everything else. Before true disaster descends, he will not change the way he acts. But there is one person who is different—he may help us gain more control over Voldemort's traces—"
"Some of the followers of the one whose name cannot be spoken have gone back to him after hiding for a long time."
Sirius spoke faster and faster.
"Returned? You mean he's returned—he's still alive? I mean—"
Scrimgeour bit down hard on those words.
"Yes, alive,"
Sirius said.
"Alive, in a sense—I can't explain it clearly either—a person who cannot be killed still counts as alive, doesn't he? I don't understand exactly what's going on either. But in any case, he definitely has a body now. He can walk, speak, and kill. So for the purpose of what we're discussing, I think he is indeed alive."
Scrimgeour fell silent after hearing this.
"Last time, he used giants to create a large commotion. Right now, the people at the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Office are probably working overtime, aren't they? I heard you also sent several teams of Obliviators to alter the memories of all those Muggles who witnessed what happened. Most of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures staff have been sent to Somerset. They're searching everywhere there, but they haven't found the giants—what a disaster, isn't it?"
Sirius said methodically.
"Who else, besides him, could do this?"
In earlier days, Scrimgeour would have found these words hard to accept, but now he already knew many things.
"What do you want to do?"
he asked.
"You must take action. That is your responsibility as Head of the Auror Office. Of course, beyond that responsibility, I believe you should still be willing to shoulder something more."