The two youngsters were quietly interacting when Dumbledore rose to speak.
Time for the annual start-of-term address, though this year's speech would undoubtedly devote considerable attention to informing the students that the Ministry's reach had extended deep into Hogwarts.
"Welcome!"
Dumbledore cleared his throat. Under the glow of the floating candles overhead, his beard shimmered with golden light, while a mysterious smile graced his features.
"Welcome, everyone, to another year at Hogwarts! I know the journey was arduous—thank you all for your perseverance!"
"I have several matters to address, one of which is particularly grave. I believe it's best to discuss this before you're all rendered drowsy by this magnificent feast."
"Please give me your complete attention."
He paused, his voice taking on greater resonance as he continued.
"Some rather sinister individuals conducted a search of the Hogwarts Express. I'm certain you're all aware of this incident."
His gaze swept the hall, meeting each student's eyes in turn. When it fell upon Hermione, an extraordinary light flickered in Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes.
They narrowed slightly—unmistakably a smile of approval.
The expression vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, and Dumbledore silently shifted his attention elsewhere.
"So Dumbledore knows what transpired on the train," Glenn murmured, referring to Hermione's casting of the Patronus Charm to repel the Dementors.
"Oh, thank Merlin... I was terrified Professor Dumbledore would reprimand me for taking matters into my own hands," Hermione whispered, her tension finally dissolving. Her rigidly straight posture crumpled as relief flooded through her, and she nearly melted off her seat entirely.
Glenn reached out to steady her.
"That would never happen. Dumbledore is clearly incensed about the Ministry deploying Dementors, but his position makes direct intervention... complicated. Having someone else voice his displeasure is exactly what he'd want to see."
"So relax."
"Besides..."
Glenn continued, "He doesn't seem inclined to elaborate on your actions. The other students appear to have reached an understanding as well—they're content to let this matter fade into memory without spreading it beyond these walls."
"Mm... When you put it like that, I can understand Professor Dumbledore's approach. Though what happened afterward was inevitable, wasn't it?"
At this, Hermione suddenly looked rather smug, humming contentedly as she crossed her arms.
"I rallied my friends to coordinate everyone's stories. We quietly attributed the credit for protecting everyone to the new Professor Lupin. Judging by the response, everyone's more than willing to guard this secret. They might not grasp all the details, but they know something in that train corridor kept them safe."
"This way, not only does the incident remain classified, but everyone will also pay closer attention to our new Defense professor. If he exhibits any suspicious behavior, it'll be spotted immediately."
"Hehe~ Everyone's absolutely wonderful!"
Hermione giggled mischievously, and Glenn could practically see tiny devil horns sprouting from her head.
He found it utterly endearing.
Misdirection and secrecy, attention management and surveillance... A masterful strategy indeed.
Glenn nodded approvingly. He hadn't considered this angle—originally planning to slip into each House's dormitories under cover of darkness and perform subtle memory modifications on the students. But now it seemed...
Using his extrasensory perception to scan the hall, Glenn observed the students exchanging meaningful glances after Dumbledore's words, then turning their eyes toward Professor Lupin at the staff table, lips sealed tight.
Confirmed by eye contact—these are people ready to jointly monitor (crossed out) protect Professor Lupin's secret.
Following last year's Acromantula crisis, though the students might not have fully realized it, the bonds between Hogwarts students had strengthened immeasurably.
They were battle-tested comrades who'd faced life and death together!
Keeping a simple secret? Child's play!
Seeing the students' unified silence, Dumbledore was positively beaming inside.
Perfect. If no one spoke, the Ministry would remain ignorant about what truly occurred aboard the Hogwarts Express, sparing everyone considerable trouble.
Even if only Remus remained in the dark, at least he'd receive the students' kindness. A silver lining, indeed.
He cleared his throat and resumed.
"For the present time, our school will be hosting several Dementors from Azkaban. They are here executing Ministry business."
At this point, anyone with eyes could see Dumbledore's expression had grown considerably more grave.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the school grounds."
Dumbledore continued, "During their stay, I must make this absolutely clear: no one may leave the school without explicit permission."
"Dementors cannot be deceived by tricks or disguises—not even an Invisibility Cloak will fool them."
He added with chilling neutrality, "This is because Dementors are incapable of understanding pleas or excuses. Therefore... I warn each and every one of you: give them no pretext whatsoever to harm you. The damage Dementors inflict upon humans is irreversible—it strikes directly at the soul itself."
"I have no desire to see my students reduced to the hollow shells that populate Azkaban's cells."
The students immediately began conjuring horrific mental images, faces draining of color as tremors seized them.
Absolutely, under no circumstances, must they antagonize those Dementors.
That was their unanimous first thought.
Professor Lupin, who'd protected them on the train, was practically their savior!
We must shield him in return!
The young witches and wizards exchanged determined looks, their resolve to maintain the secret only intensifying.
Dumbledore.exe: Mission Accomplished
"I expect our prefects, along with our newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure no student comes into conflict with the Dementors."
Having concluded that point, Dumbledore moistened his throat, surveyed the students' expressions with satisfaction, then shifted to a considerably brighter tone.
"On a far more pleasant note, this year I'm delighted to welcome two new teachers to our faculty."
"First, Professor Lupin, who has graciously agreed to fill our Defense Against the Dark Arts vacancy."
The Great Hall's atmosphere grew even more hushed.
Bloody hell...
Oh, this is...
Professor Lupin is the new Defense professor?
That position's cursed, isn't it...
But out of courtesy, applause began—though it was hardly enthusiastic, scattered and hesitant—
—Like hell it was!
What's wrong with being a Defense professor?
The man stood up to Ministry pressure and protected us from Dementors!
The applause instantly became thunderous.
Lupin: confused Pikachu face
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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