"You can sit here," Astoria Greengrass said coolly.
She stood, stepped aside to make room for Jon, then walked a few paces and sat beside her sister, Daphne Greengrass.
Several Slytherin students came over next, each shaking Jon's hand in turn. Besides Crabbe and Goyle, there was another Slytherin prefect, Pansy Parkinson, and a fifth-year student named Blaise Zabini.
Jon forced himself to turn his attention away from Astoria long enough to return each handshake. Only after they had all left did he glance quietly at Astoria's retreating figure before finally sitting down.
"Well?" Draco Malfoy leaned around Crabbe, who sat between them, and patted Jon on the shoulder. "Charming girl, isn't she? You might have a shot—her boyfriend passed away two months ago."
"Oh…" Jon gave a wry smile.
Before he could reply, a ghost drifted silently past them. Malfoy immediately pulled his hand back and pressed himself closer to the table, careful not to touch it.
It was a frightening apparition—hollow eyes, a gaunt face, and a robe stained with silvery blood.
Its empty gaze stared straight ahead as it floated to the far end of the Slytherin table, where it came to a halt, its eyes turning toward the neighboring Ravenclaw table.
Malfoy let out a quiet breath of relief.
"That's the Bloody Baron," he whispered to Jon. "He's Slytherin's house ghost... a strange one. Best not to provoke him."
Judging by the uneasy look on Malfoy's face, he clearly spoke from experience.
Jon studied the Bloody Baron with interest for a few moments before looking away.
...
On the dais, the Sorting Ceremony had just ended.
The last first-year, Rose Zeller, had been sorted into Hufflepuff. Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and strode briskly out of the Great Hall.
Then Professor Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet.
"Welcome to our new students!" Dumbledore called out in his rich, booming voice, clapping his hands with a broad smile. "And welcome back to our returning students as well! There'll be plenty of time for speeches later—but not now. For the moment, enjoy the feast!"
A cascade of food appeared out of thin air. In an instant, the long tables were heaped with roast beef, pies, loaves of bread, jars of jam, and goblets of pumpkin juice.
Dumbledore seated himself neatly, brushing his long beard aside so it wouldn't fall over his plate. He spread a thick layer of jam on a piece of bread and ate it happily.
Jon began his dinner as well, though he quickly noticed the meal wasn't nearly as grand as the feast from the previous year. Apparently, the Hogwarts house-elves couldn't sustain that level of abundance every time.
He picked up a rib, tasted it to make sure it wasn't sweet, then began chewing.
To his left, Vincent Crabbe and, two seats away, Gregory Goyle were each clutching four chicken legs and devouring them with gusto.
Malfoy shot his two "henchmen" a look of disgust, carefully positioning himself squarely in the center to keep some distance from both.
Jon pretended to glance casually to his right. The older Slytherin students—fourth and fifth years—were seated there, and he recognized quite a few faces. Aside from Malfoy's trio, there were Sean Avery, Madeline Yaxley, and others.
All second-generation Death Eaters' kids. Honestly, their parents must be fearless—serving Voldemort and still sending their children to Dumbledore's school. Don't they worry he might just take them all hostage one day?
Jon chewed absentmindedly, observing his new Slytherin classmates while his thoughts wandered.
...
More than half an hour passed before most of the students were done eating. Even Crabbe and Goyle were now rubbing their round stomachs contentedly.
The Great Hall grew noisier, but then Professor Dumbledore stood once more.
He lifted a hand, and the chatter faded instantly. Every face turned toward the Headmaster—though many looked drowsy after the heavy meal.
"Well then," Dumbledore said cheerfully, "as we digest yet another sumptuous feast, I ask everyone for a moment of quiet while I, as always, share a few notices for the new term."
He continued, "First-years should be aware that the Forbidden Forest on the grounds is strictly off-limits to all students..."
"This is something our older students would do well to remember, too." As he said this, Dumbledore's gaze drifted casually toward the Gryffindor table.
A wave of laughter rippled through the Gryffindors.
"Additionally," Dumbledore went on, "Mr. Filch, our caretaker—who tells me this is his four hundred and twenty-sixth reminder—has asked me to emphasize once again: no magic in the corridors between classes."
"There are also a few minor changes among the staff this year," Dumbledore continued. "First, Professor Alastor Moody will remain as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. For the first time in many years, we have a Defense professor staying for a second consecutive year!"
A soft wave of laughter spread through the hall.
And indeed, Dumbledore wasn't wrong—before Mad-Eye Moody, every Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had only lasted a single term for one reason or another: Lupin, Lockhart, Quirrell... the list went on.
Dumbledore raised his hand again for quiet.
"Additionally, Professor Rubeus Hagrid will be returning in a few months due to certain special circumstances," he said. "In the meantime, please welcome Professor Dolores Umbridge, who will temporarily serve as Hogwarts' Care of Magical Creatures instructor."
A polite but tepid round of applause echoed through the hall, accompanied by murmurs of curiosity. Many were whispering about the appointment—after all, even without Hagrid, there was still substitute teacher Professor Grubbly-Plank, and Professor Kettleburn, who had only recently retired.
Then the short, plump witch with grayish-brown hair, a large pink bow, and the distinct appearance of a pink toad rose from her seat.
Her face shone with a sugary smile—clearly delighted by her new position.