Thanks to Hermione's behind-the-scenes maneuvering, everyone's welcome for this new unlucky sod—er, rather, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—was particularly enthusiastic.
Lupin sat at the staff table looking rather shabby compared to the other professors. He clearly hadn't expected such a warm reception and nodded awkwardly toward the students.
The atmosphere was wonderfully lively—everyone seemed genuinely delighted to welcome their new Defense professor.
Everyone except one person.
Glenn noticed that Snape's expression was beginning to slip beyond his control. A vicious look Glenn had never witnessed before twisted the man's features into something utterly distorted.
"They must share some history," Glenn mused, then dismissed the matter.
Judging by Snape's expression—as if he'd gladly murder Lupin on the spot—even if the new Defense professor truly had something sinister about him, Snape would undoubtedly be the first to discover it and neutralize him. Possibly execute him on the spot.
Or perhaps confine him secretly, break his limbs to eliminate his mobility, feed him only the bare minimum to sustain basic biological functions, and periodically harvest bits of his body to brew Polyjuice Potion. Then Snape could assume his identity and personally teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
After all, Snape had coveted that position for ages. If Lupin truly was his enemy, Snape would probably relish taking over his role while letting the real Lupin bear Voldemort's curse. Then, once the term ended, he'd find some remote location to ensure Lupin could never speak again. If anyone asked, he'd simply claim dark magic or a curse had caused his disappearance.
"I get the distinct feeling you're contemplating something rather terrifying," Hermione said, tapping Glenn lightly on the head. She could have sworn she'd seen dark aura emanating from him moments before.
"Your imagination," Glenn replied placidly.
"Is that so? Then I won't pry." The girl looked puzzled, but since Glenn insisted, she supposed she must have been mistaken. She gently stroked the spot she'd tapped, as if soothing his hair.
Glenn remained silent.
"Were my imaginings truly that frightening?" he wondered internally.
"Probably not," he concluded, shaking his head.
"As for our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued once the thunderous applause finally subsided, "I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures instructor, retired at year's end to spend more time with his remaining... spirited companions."
"However, I'm delighted to announce that none other than Rubeus Hagrid will fill this vacancy. Hagrid has graciously agreed to assume teaching duties alongside his role as Keeper of Keys and Grounds."
The Great Hall fell into several seconds of stunned silence, then exploded with enthusiastic cheers.
Finally, they understood why Hagrid was seated at the staff table.
Hermione actually cast a charm to amplify her applause, yet even so, her small hands turned bright red from clapping with such fervor.
Glenn wasn't idle either, bringing his hands together in vigorous applause.
At the opposite end—on Gryffindor's symmetrical counterpart—another section erupted with particularly intense clapping.
That was Draco, applauding until his face flushed crimson.
Directly across from him, a pair of brilliant green eyes glared back with equal determination.
Harry Potter. For some inexplicable reason, the two had turned applause into a competition, though Harry's side clearly held the advantage with Ron joining the fray.
Little Dragon was absolutely livid.
At the staff table, Hagrid's face was scarlet as he bashfully scratched his head with one massive hand. Through his wild tangle of beard, his enormous grin was unmistakable.
The gentle giant was positively beaming.
Led by these "Hagrid superfans," the applause sustained both its intensity and duration far beyond normal, forcing Dumbledore to intervene and restore order.
"Sniff, sniff..."
Hermione spotted Hagrid discreetly dabbing his eyes with the tablecloth. She simply smiled tenderly without comment.
Seeing her dear friend receive such praise and recognition filled Hermione with genuine joy.
Perhaps due to that fifty-year-old miscarriage of justice, Hagrid still harbored self-doubt and retained a somewhat timid nature. Hermione was constantly seeking ways to help Hagrid "grow"—to gradually emerge from the shadows of his past.
"Speaking of which, we played a part in clearing Hagrid's name too," Hermione whispered near Glenn's ear.
"You have every right to feel proud of that," Glenn replied softly.
"Hehe, naturally!" Hermione beamed, flashing him a triumphant thumbs-up.
"Though I never imagined that after resolving that fifty-year-old catastrophe last year, this would be what brings me the greatest happiness."
"It shows you value your friends' feelings above all else."
"Mm, my Glenn really knows what to say~"
"Hermione truly is kind-hearted."
"Uh, even if you keep flattering me, I'm not giving you any rewards, you know?"
"That last statement wasn't flattery—merely my personal subjective assessment of your sentiments."
"That's still a compliment, you dummy!"
Hermione couldn't bear it anymore. Her boyfriend's unconscious sweet words were making her face burn. Cheeks flushed with embarrassed indignation, she gave Glenn a gentle punch.
"Eww~"
"Urp."
On Hermione's other side, Parvati and Lavender shifted away with exaggerated disgust, while Ginny across from them watched the pair's interaction with obvious envy.
"Seriously, you two..." Hermione extended her hand.
"Stop, stop, okay, enough!" Parvati raised her own hand, pinching Hermione's fingers between thumb and forefinger to push them back, eyes twinkling with mirth.
"Don't mind us at all~"
"How could I possibly not mind?!" the girl cried in a suppressed wail.
Then she spun around abruptly, cheeks puffed with indignation as she fixed Glenn with wide, staring eyes.
Stare~
"What's wrong? I don't think I said anything inappropriate," Glenn replied, genuinely perplexed.
Thump.
Hermione dropped her head toward the Gryffindor table... straight into Glenn's waiting palm.
"What's the matter?" Glenn remained thoroughly confused. Seeing Hermione suddenly lunge toward the table had startled even the usually unflappable Glenn, causing him to instantly extend his hand and catch her head securely.
"Ooooh~"
Scattered, suppressed sounds of teasing drifted from various directions—part envy, part jealousy, and part the wordless resentment of being force-fed romantic fluff before dinner.
While this pair didn't typically engage in exaggerated public displays, somehow they always managed to unconsciously scatter completely unexpected doses of sweetness around them!
"Fine, just let me stay down here and cool off for a moment," Hermione mumbled.
"If I can't see anything, then nothing else matters."
Hermione's face had turned completely crimson. Clever as she was, she'd chosen to become a little ostrich for the time being.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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