Became good friends with the Boy Who Lived

"What do you want to do over there?" Draco asked curiously as soon as he returned to the cubicle, and threw a box of chocolate frogs to Aeris.

Aris narrated what happened while chewing a chocolate frog.

"A very special professor, isn't he?" Hermione chuckled. "Very good at discovering the potential of students and knowing what they are good at."

"I just listened to your words," Draco said teasingly, "Professor Slughorn was once the head of Slytherin. He taught my father before. My father seemed to be quite favored at that time. Now he is back and is still keen on weaving a network of relationships. Blaise Zabini? His mother used a curse to kill seven husbands and completed the original accumulation of assets..."

"Hearing what you said," Ron seemed a little enlightened, "it seems that those he invited were all descendants of prominent families! Cormac McLaggen, his uncle is a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic, and he has a good relationship with the current Minister of Magic: Rufus Scrimgeour..."

"Anyway," Hermione concluded, "I'm beginning to feel disappointed with our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor..."

Aris stroked Hermione's messy hair with his fingers and asked with a smile, "Why do you think he must be the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"The only thing we're missing is a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, right?" said Hermione. "Are there any other vacancies?"

Aris remained noncommittal and no one discussed the topic anymore because Harry became the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Ron, Neville and Draco began to enthusiastically discuss with Harry the selection of Quidditch players for the new semester; Aris and Hermione discussed in a low voice while reading the same book; Luna and Ginny also giggled and discussed the contents of The Quibbler magazine.

As night fell, the train slowly stopped and students began to push and shove to get off. When Aris came outside, he noticed that the defenses of Hogwarts Castle were at least a hundred times stronger than before the holiday.

The feeling of being kept at a distance, the magical fluctuations that were about to solidify into substance, and the unpleasant feeling of being under constant threat outside the castle, all made Aires feel that Hogwarts Castle was always ready for war.

The person who came to pick up the first-year students was not Hagrid, but a professor that Aeris was not very familiar with.

"Where's Hagrid again?" Harry asked puzzled.

"Probably to look after his brother: Grawp went..." Aeris guessed.

Riding in a Thestral carriage, with the sound of the wheels turning, we arrived at the castle's entrance gate, passed through the brightly lit foyer, and entered the spacious and bright auditorium.

Sitting at the long tables of their respective colleges, the students began to discuss interesting things about the summer vacation. Aris did not go with Harry and the others, but passed through the small door behind the guest of honor seats and sat at the last seat of the guest of honor seats.

Professor Dumbledore and the professors of various subjects were sitting in their respective seats. Even Professor Trelawney, who seldom attended the event, was sitting in a seat at the head guest table. However, Hagrid was the only one missing.

Professor McGonagall still presided over the sorting ceremony, and Mr. Hat's song still suggested that the houses put aside their prejudices, unite as one, and fight the enemy together...

The dinner was very sumptuous. If there was any difference from usual, it was that Aires had a glass of mead with unlimited refills at his hand. "This is the treatment of a professor!" Aires thought.

After the dessert was over, Professor Dumbledore stood up, still with his arms stretched out and still smiling kindly. Aeris noticed that there was a rough gold ring on Professor Dumbledore's left hand, and the ring was inlaid with something that looked like a black gem as a decoration.

"Welcome home, old students; welcome to join, new students," said Professor Dumbledore. "A brand new year of magical education awaits you. I am honored that my old colleague, Professor Horace Slughorn, has agreed to resume his old job. He is willing to return to Hogwarts and serve as your Potions professor again..."

Professor Slughorn stood up and nodded to the students. The students below began to whisper, as if they all suspected that they had heard it wrongly?

"Potions?"

"That Snape..."

............

"In the meantime, Professor Snape has kindly agreed to serve as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor..." Professor Dumbledore continued.

Professor Dumbledore's words were undoubtedly like throwing a few stones on the calm water. The students in the guest seats could not understand it. Aris heard Harry shouting from below: "No..."

Professor Snape waved lazily towards the Slytherin students, who were so excited that they almost jumped onto the dining table.

"Finally, Mr. Aris Grindelwald," Aris stood up, and Professor Dumbledore continued, "This young man is happy to follow the progress of the Gryffindor sixth-year students and become an assistant teacher in Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts..."