Hogwarts: I graduated before the system came

Now they get a ten-year employee for free, perfect!

Douglas looked at the time. The sorting ceremony should be taking place in the auditorium at this time.

He packed up simply, changed his clothes, and walked quickly towards the auditorium.

Chapter 179: Effortless Fireworks

The auditorium was very lively today. Even Peeves, who had set off five fiery fireworks in front of the castle gate ten minutes ago, was allowed by the ghosts to participate in the opening ceremony.

Although it was under the personal supervision of Slytherin's resident ghost, the Bloody Baron, it was also very happy.

The Filibuster fireworks were a gift given to Peeves by George and Fred when they first entered the school, to ease the tense relationship between the two sides last year.

When the students noticed that there was a professor they had never seen before sitting in the staff seat, they felt very complicated.

Some of them missed Professor Holmes from last year, but of course they only missed his various arrangements in practical classes.

On the other hand, they hope that the school will cancel the various examination systems of last year. Although they admit that this method has indeed effectively improved the grades of some people, the process is too painful.

Of course, quite a number of students were even more disappointed, because Lupin's clothes looked shabby, not to mention compared with Professor Holmes last year. Even compared with other professors who were wearing their best robes, Professor Lupin still looked ragged.

It was hard for them to imagine how high the magic level of such a person could be.

At the same time, everyone noticed that Professor Snape was staring at Professor Lupin at the other end of the staff seats.

Everyone knew that Snape had always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but he had never been able to do so.

However, the twitching expression on Snape's thin and withered face still surprised everyone, even last year... Only then did everyone remember that Professor Snape seemed to be absent from the faculty seat at the beginning of last year.

Harry, who always hated Snape, keenly noticed that the look in Snape's eyes when he looked at Professor Lupin was not anger, nor was it a mocking expression like he always had when he looked at his cousin.

It was a particularly familiar look of hatred. He was too familiar with this look because it was the same expression Snape had every time he looked at him, even if he was the class representative of Potions.

The words of the Sorting Hat this year were the same as last year, causing the whole audience to cheer.

Especially Harry and Ron, who missed the start-of-term banquet last year, shouted very hard at the Gryffindor table.

The new little wizards stood in the aisle, looking at the scene with a confused look on their faces, just like they did before. The scene was totally incompatible with the magical world they had imagined.

But the Sorting Hat added a sentence at the end:

"Let us always remember every Defense Against the Dark Arts professor..."

Ron whispered:

"Why do I feel like the Sorting Hat is saying that Professor Holmes is dead..."

Harry imagined his cousin, slumped over on the sofa, bored, watching the Muggle news, tickling Wangcai's belly, and ordering Padfoot to pick up his slippers...

He felt that he had to write more letters to his cousin this semester, on the one hand to report on the progress of his school tasks, and on the other hand to comfort him.

The sorting activities were carried out in an orderly manner. When a girl named Romilda Vane put on the sorting hat for a moment, the sorting hat shouted:

"Gryffindor!"

Romilda Vane lowered the Sorting Hat and walked towards Gryffindor.

But to his disappointment, Gryffindor did not burst into warm welcome applause as before, and even students from other colleges did not show any expression.

They all looked behind them.

She quickly turned around and saw a young and handsome wizard walking down the stairs of Gryffindor Hall.

After nearly a minute of silence, the audience suddenly broke into warm applause.

Especially at the Hufflepuff table, there were even a few little wizards throwing their hats up and cheering.

Snape, with a gloomy expression, smiled slightly and looked at Professor Lupin sarcastically.

But Professor Lupin gave him a warm smile in return, and Snape's expression immediately darkened again.

Compared to the students' cheers, the ghosts, except for the fat monk, the Hufflepuff's resident ghost, had a smile on their faces.

The other ghosts looked very surprised and ugly. They floated in the air and stared at the man.

Especially Peeves, who had just persuaded the Bloody Baron to allow him to perform a magic trick. Now Douglas appeared again and performed a magic trick. It was a good thing that he didn't disappear.

He quickly took out the last of the Filiba fireworks, threw it toward the door of the auditorium, and shouted:

"The Ghost Killer is back! Run!"

While everyone's attention was drawn to the fireworks, Peeves skillfully passed through the nearest wall and disappeared into the auditorium.

The ghosts were stunned for a moment, then they pushed and shoved each other to squeeze into the wall closest to them.

Soon, the only ghosts left in the venue were the resident ghosts of the four major colleges, who floated on the long tables of their own colleges, looking at Douglas with dissatisfaction.

This scene frightened the freshmen. Some of them even looked terrified when they heard the word "killer". If they had not been grabbed by the quick-eyed and quick-handed students nearby, they might have run out of the auditorium.

Douglas glanced in the direction where Peeves disappeared, then greeted Dumbledore and his colleagues with a smile.

"Sorry, I was delayed for a while because of some things, but luckily I made it in time!"

Professor McGonagall smiled, then turned to the students below and said seriously:

"Quiet! The Sorting Ceremony continues! Next..."

The sorting ceremony ended quickly.

Dumbledore stood up with a smile on his face. The candlelight shone brightly on his beard, giving him an energetic look.

"Welcome! Welcome back to Hogwarts everyone!

I have a few things to tell you all, one of which is so important that I thought it best to get it out of the way before you get all confused while enjoying your delicious meal...”

Dumbledore glanced around, and when he saw everyone's eyes were focused on him, he cleared his throat and continued:

"Our school is currently experiencing some Dementors from Azkaban. They are sent by the Ministry of Magic to perform official duties. I'm sure you already know this because they searched the Hogwarts Express...

Of course, some students don't need to worry. I have already explained what happened on the express train to the Ministry of Magic.

After all, there's nothing wrong with casting a glowing spell in the dark, and of course there are a few great Patronus Charms... Well, I personally think that in that situation, it is very necessary to take some measures to avoid conflict between the two parties, so you don't have to worry about it.

Of course, Hogwarts will also investigate the disappearance of a Dementor mentioned by the Ministry of Magic. I hope that students who know the truth will report it to the dean of their college in a timely manner..."

Chapter 180 Homework

Hearing this, everyone in the compartment looked at Harry and Hermione, because Hermione had told everyone that they must not tell anyone else about Harry's warding card catching the Dementor, so as not to cause trouble for Harry and Professor Holmes.

Harry looked at Douglas who was sitting in the staff seat.

But at this time, Douglas was whispering something to Professor Sprout beside him, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.

Dumbledore continued:

"Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the school, and I must make it clear that no one is allowed to leave the school without permission while they are present.

No tricks, no guile, no disguise can fool a Dementor—not even an Invisibility Cloak."

When Harry heard this, he looked at Ron. He even felt that the headmaster was deliberately pointing at him. Was he so unreliable in their eyes?

Dumbledore paused again, looking around the Great Hall with a very serious expression. No one moved or made a sound. Then he continued:

"It is the nature of Dementors to not understand excuses or pleas for mercy, so I remind everyone here not to give them any reason to hurt you.

Of course, I also have to remind those students who are proficient in the Patronus Charm and some luminous charms that I hope you can cooperate with the prefects and our newly elected male and female student union presidents to protect other students while avoiding conflicts with Dementors...”

The male and female student union presidents looked at each other from a distance, and then looked at the students who performed well on the express train.

Dumbledore then smiled and said:

"Let's change the subject to something more cheerful.

First of all, let us welcome Professor Holmes back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he will continue to serve as Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts..."

Douglas stood up and waved to everyone with a smile.

The students below applauded and cheered enthusiastically. Except for the Hufflepuff students, Harry also stood up and looked at Douglas excitedly.

At the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy frowned, but still clapped along.

Until this point, the students had not yet realized what a disaster it would be for them if the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor did not change.

Snape, sitting in the staff seat, seemed very satisfied with Dumbledore's arrangement. He sneered at Professor Lupin across the crowd, not hiding his hatred and disgust at all.

Dumbledore held out his hand for silence, then continued:

"Last semester, the magic practice study room and morning jogging and reading sessions were very effective. At Professor Holmes's suggestion, Hogwarts will assign professional tutors to these two courses. I'm very glad that Professor Lupin has readily agreed to my request..."

There were a few cold, scattered applause in the auditorium.

In the staff seats, Snape looked at Douglas with murderous eyes.

Originally, he thought that after Douglas succeeded as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lupin would definitely leave Hogwarts in disgrace.

But because of Douglas's suggestion, the other party actually stayed in school, which is simply unforgivable.

This means that if Douglas leaves Hogwarts midway, Lupin can seamlessly take over as professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Especially when Lupin raised the cup in front of him with a smile on his face and thanked Douglas, Snape felt that the other party must be laughing at him.

When the scattered applause for Professor Lupin died down, Dumbledore continued:

"As for our second new teacher, I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired last semester in order to have more time to visit the dragons at the dragon farm.

However, I'm pleased to announce that his position will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid.

I think many of my classmates must have seen the report in the Daily Prophet during the summer vacation. Hagrid, who had been wrongly accused for fifty years, was finally cleared of his charges by the current Minister of Magic.

He also agreed to accept this teaching position in addition to his duties as gamekeeper.”

Harry only learned about Hagrid's exoneration after he moved into Douglas's house.

That same day he gave Hagrid a belated gift.

Harry and the other two were still surprised that Hagrid could become a professor at Hogwarts, but that didn't stop them from applauding with everyone else.

Hagrid, sitting in the staff seat, excitedly wiped his tears with the tablecloth. Several other professors who had a good relationship with Hagrid raised their glasses to congratulate him.

Finally, Dumbledore smiled and said:

"Okay, that's all the important stuff. Let's have the feast!"

Suddenly, golden plates and goblets filled with food and drink appeared in front of everyone.

The hungry crowd started eating quickly.

In the staff seats, Hagrid held up a glass of wine and walked up to Douglas.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

If it weren't for Douglas, he doubted the Ministry would ever admit its mistake.

Professor Lupin also walked towards Douglas with a glass of wine in hand. The two of them whispered to each other for a while about the magic practice study room and morning jogging and reading.

Snape stared at the two of them with a cold face.

In his opinion, his former student must have been deceived by Lupin's hypocritical appearance. If it were not for the agreement with Dumbledore, he would even want to point out loudly in the hall that Lupin was a werewolf.

Then he thought again, it seemed that Dumbledore only asked Lupin not to deliberately reveal his werewolf identity to the students during his tenure as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but now the other party was no longer the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor...

Thinking of this, he turned his head to look at Dumbledore, only to see Dumbledore smiling and raising his glass to gesture towards him. However, through the other's crescent eyes, Snape clearly felt the other's warning.

Just when the staff seats seemed peaceful.

The student leader's table was in an uproar, and someone finally remembered that the Defense Against the Dark Arts summer homework had not been done.

They didn't even dare to look at the faculty seats, asking each other how many people hadn't done it.

Especially the Defense Against the Dark Arts class representatives last semester, almost no one except Hermione did any Defense Against the Dark Arts homework.

They used to write their homework diligently, but every time they finished it and came to school, the new professor would not check their summer homework at all, which made them feel that it was meaningless to write the summer homework for this course or not.

Upon inquiry, I found out that only the Weasleys and Harry were at the Gryffindor table, and Hermione was doing her Defense Against the Dark Arts homework.

Many classmates who were on good terms with Harry began to blame the Weasley family for not telling them when they knew that Professor Holmes would continue to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Then the group began to carefully avoid Percy and Hermione and started to curry favor with the students who had done their homework.

Apart from them, there was only the dazed golden-haired witch at the Ravenclaw table who, when asked by others, said as a matter of course:

"Of course I did..."

That night, flocks of owls flew out of Hogwarts Castle...