"Regarding our second new teacher,"
Dumbledore waited until the applause for welcoming Professor Lupin died down before continuing—
"I'm sorry to tell you that our Magical Creatures class teacher, Professor Kettleburn, retired at the end of last term to enjoy more time with his old arms and legs. However, I am delighted to announce that replacing him won't be anyone else but Rubeus Hagrid, who agreed to take on this teaching position alongside his duties as Gamekeeper."
This time, the applause was noticeably less, with only Gryffindor and the Hufflepuff long table giving a robust response while the other two houses barely clapped and stopped soon after—yes, everyone remembered that new textbook that bites.
Unsurprisingly, some doubted the teaching capabilities of the half-giant.
But Gryffindor's warm welcome made Hagrid's face turn red and his eyes tearful, visibly wiping his eyes with the tablecloth.
"Next, our final professor—"
Then, Dumbledore's voice rose again, he swayed slightly and looked behind him, "Like Professor Kettleburn, our Muggle Studies teacher, Professor Charity Burbage, also chose to take a break; she plans to live in the Muggle world for some time—and during this time, Professor Graves will assume the position."
Everyone's eyes turned to the corner of the professors' table, to a rather inconspicuous balding old man.
"Hi—"
The old man wasn't shy, waving to the young wizards.
"He looks even older than the talking old man."
A voice from the Hufflepuff long table belonged to Astoria, who expressed her opinion, which won unanimous agreement.
Did they really get a Black Wizard into the school?
Looking at the balding Old Man who raised his brows at him, William instinctively furrowed his brows—but he immediately noticed someone else still glaring at Lupin with gritted teeth, and he relaxed, thinking that since even former Death Eaters could be brought in as deans, perhaps a Black Wizard was no big deal.
"Alright, that's about it for the important stuff."
The replacement of the Muggle Studies professor didn't draw much attention, and Dumbledore loudly said, "Let's feast!" As his words fell, plates and goblets were abruptly filled with food and drink, and Kabuda, sitting on the plate, was buried by a mountain of bread.
"Hmm..."
Out of sight, out of mind, William cast a Gravity Magic spell on the bread and began leisurely adding chili to his noodles—to improve his meals, he had previously arranged for Dobby to infiltrate the kitchen to send him some Chinese dishes.
The banquet ended, and only after solving the last pumpkin pie did Dumbledore finally announce that everyone could go to sleep.
The hall instantly became lively, and as the new prefect, Cedric stood up; he needed to lead the new wizards to Hufflepuff's common room and explain how to enter—it couldn't be sloppy, as no one wants to be drenched in vinegar at the entrance.
Students crowded and left the hall's main doors, and just as William was about to leave, he unsurprisingly heard someone calling his name from behind.
…
"...Not with me."
"Did I even ask?"
Seeing William's expression of 'no matter how you ask, this is my answer,' Dumbledore sighed helplessly, "Actually, I didn't come to find you for that reason. Maybe if you catch a couple more, Fudge might painfully send these bastards back to Azkaban—"
The old man apparently didn't like those disgusting creatures wandering around his turf.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, William perked up, understanding the implication...
"Ahem, but don't actually do that—we still need to give the Ministry of Magic some face, one is manageable, as it trespassed on the train, I can suppress it, but if losses within Hogwarts are too great, I can't explain..."
Noting William's expression, Dumbledore understood his intentions and quickly poured cold water over them.
After all, he was merely venting, but seeing William's expression suggested he truly considered a night raid on the Hogwarts gates tonight...
"Tsk, alright."
William grimaced slightly, not insisting, and asked, "So, why did you call me here?"
"Oh, two matters—"
Talking business, Dumbledore got serious in tone, "First, I'm not sure how much you know about the fugitive, Sirius Black—"
"Uh, Lupin mentioned him, said that Death Eater was an undercover in your organization and infiltrated deeply, he's from the Black Clan... Oh, right, aren't you going to ask the portrait in your office? Maybe that old rogue knows where his disgraceful descendant is hiding?"
Indeed, William had learned that Sirius Black was none other than Phineas's great-great-grandson.
"I indeed asked, but Phineas doesn't know, Sirius hasn't returned to the Black family home."
Dumbledore shook his head, showing that it wasn't simple.
"Maybe he's not being honest."
William rubbed his chin, beginning to suspect the old man with malicious intent, indicating that he knew a way to torture a portrait into spilling the truth.
"Portraits of former headmasters strive to assist me; it's a rule everyone follows, Phineas has no reason to lie."
Dumbledore shook his head, trying to dispel William's intention of persecuting a century-old portrait.
"That's not certain, that old man values bloodline more than life—"
William pursed his lips, expressing that human hearts are separated by skin, let alone a portrait.
"—Therefore, Sirius Black is a notorious criminal, and his intentions are quite clear..." Seeing the conversation had completely gone off-topic, Dumbledore had to steer it back forcefully.
"It's Harry."
William nodded, now only he and Dumbledore were left in the hall...oh, and that bald Old Man.
"Indeed, so I hope you'll protect him—I noticed you two seem to have a good relationship?"
Dumbledore nodded, revealing his intent.
"Pretty much, he followed me last term to learn duel techniques—and some theoretical knowledge, actually the course is about done, but he's experiencing some...uh, peculiar phenomena, or say, aftereffects?"
"What do you mean?"
"Probably due to Little Tom being a Soul Artifact itself, the twisted product from the soul's tear can't be reasoned with, so..."
"...Is it severe?"
"Not really, just some aftereffects, I'll research it and update you later..."
William shook his head, denying Dumbledore's assumption, and at this point, the Old Man, who had been waiting nearby, joined the conversation, "So, what kind of aftereffects? What did you do to him?"
"…Who are you anyway?"
William raised his brows, clearly not fond of this self-assured old man since Innsbruck.
"Oh, right, Professor Graves said he wants you to attend his Muggle Studies advanced class, and I agreed for you."
Here, it was Dumbledore who explained to William.
"?"
Hearing this, William was left with a giant question mark, glaring at the two elders who added a course for him without permission, "So...why?"
"Because I'm fascinated by you—"
"Uh, thanks for the invite, but I have no intention of coming out for a long time."