After passing through the gates, the carriages sped across the grounds before finally coming to a creaking halt in front of the castle.
Following the flow of students, Lewis, Ciri, Luna, and Ginny headed toward the entrance.
A commotion could be heard up ahead.
It sounded like Harry and Malfoy had gotten into another argument.
Ginny hesitated for a moment, looking back and forth between Lewis and Harry.
Only after noticing that Ron was involved too did she hurry over.
"She used to admire Harry Potter a lot," Luna's dreamy, sing-song voice drifted into Lewis's ear. "I didn't realize she admired you too."
Before Lewis could answer, Ciri immediately joined in.
"Well, look at that. Our great heartthrob really does have a talent for attracting little girls."
"That's not exactly something I can control," Lewis replied with a helpless smile.
Though inwardly, he was admittedly a little pleased.
He had barely done anything, yet even the original story's famously love-struck Ginny was already wavering.
His charm truly was impressive.
Just then, Malfoy's smug voice carried over from the crowd ahead.
"You fainted too, didn't you, Weasley?"
"Those scary Dementors got to you as well, didn't they?"
Lewis ignored the whole thing.
Hermione could handle Malfoy perfectly well.
Sure enough, by the time he arrived, Malfoy was standing there with his own robes stuffed into his mouth, looking thoroughly ridiculous.
The argument ended there.
A small pre-term skirmish.
Nothing more.
Soon afterward, everyone entered the Great Hall.
Harry and Ron were absent, having been summoned away by Professor McGonagall.
As always, thousands of floating candles illuminated the enchanted ceiling.
Their warm light spread throughout the hall.
Yet unlike previous years, the students weren't chatting excitedly.
The atmosphere felt unusually subdued.
Which wasn't surprising.
First they'd been ambushed on the train.
Then they'd practically been charged an entrance fee at the school gates.
The Dementors had made everyone miserable.
To make matters worse, dozens of Dementors still hovered outside the Great Hall.
Through the enchanted ceiling, students could clearly see them drifting among the clouds.
Watching.
Waiting.
Like predators staring down at a feast.
Many students looked as though they feared the creatures might swoop down at any moment.
No one felt particularly festive.
The Sorting Ceremony proceeded in near silence.
There was barely any applause.
Even the first-years were too nervous to make noise.
When the Sorting finally concluded, it was time for Dumbledore's annual speech.
Looking out over the gloomy students, even Dumbledore sighed.
The Dementors had gone too far.
He clapped his hands lightly.
A flash of scarlet appeared behind him.
A beautiful crimson bird emerged and began circling the Great Hall.
Its song filled the air.
Warm.
Comforting.
Magical.
The moment the students heard it, they felt warmth returning to their hearts.
The lingering chill left behind by the Dementors slowly faded away.
"A phoenix," Hermione explained from the Gryffindor table.
"Phoenix song is magical. It's said to inspire courage in the pure-hearted and awaken fear in those with guilty consciences."
"Welcome back to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said once the students had visibly relaxed.
"I have several important announcements to make."
"First, as many of you already know, Hogwarts is currently hosting several Dementors from Azkaban."
"They have been sent by the Ministry of Magic to assist in an official operation."
A wave of discontent immediately spread through the hall.
Students began grumbling.
Some openly complained.
Several looked ready to burst into tears.
Others started talking about filing formal complaints against the Ministry.
And honestly?
Their anger was understandable.
Imagine leaving home.
Boarding a train.
Settling in comfortably for the journey.
Then suddenly getting robbed by Dementors.
What kind of nonsense was that?
No Dementors.
That was the good old days.
Dumbledore didn't interrupt the complaints.
The students needed to vent.
Besides, their dissatisfaction would give him additional leverage against the Ministry later.
Only after the noise died down did he continue.
"The Dementors did indeed behave improperly during their search."
"However," he said, smiling slightly, "I am proud that several Hogwarts students were able to resist them—and even drive them away."
No names were mentioned.
None were necessary.
Compared to everything else Lewis had accomplished recently, chasing away Dementors was practically a minor achievement.
Students throughout the hall immediately started looking around.
Trying to find him.
The Ravenclaw table sat noticeably straighter than usual.
Many of them looked as proud as if the achievement were their own.
"But—"
The hall quieted instantly.
"There is something important you must understand."
"Just because a few students succeeded does not mean the rest of you should attempt to provoke the Dementors."
"The Dementors are stationed at every entrance and exit around Hogwarts."
"As long as they remain here, no student is permitted to leave school grounds without authorization."
"Dementors cannot be fooled by tricks or disguises."
"Not even an Invisibility Cloak."
Lewis chuckled softly.
That warning was clearly aimed at Harry.
The reason was simple.
Dementors didn't perceive the world like humans did.
They couldn't truly see.
Instead, they sensed emotions and souls.
Living beings stood out to them more clearly than any thermal scanner could ever detect.
An Invisibility Cloak meant absolutely nothing to a creature that tracked emotions instead of bodies.
Compared to them, ordinary security guards checking IDs were practically amateurs.
"Dementors do not understand requests."
"They do not understand excuses."
"So I warn every student present."
"Do not give them any reason to harm you."
"I expect the prefects, as well as our newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure that no student comes into conflict with them."
Then Dumbledore's expression brightened.
"Now for some happier news."
"This year, we welcome two new professors."
"First, Professor Kettleburn has finally retired."
"Therefore, our new Care of Magical Creatures professor will be Rubeus Hagrid."
Thunderous applause erupted from the Gryffindor table.
Hagrid's face turned bright red.
He stared down at his enormous hands while a huge grin disappeared into his tangled beard.
"Our second appointment is Professor Lupin, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
The applause this time was much weaker.
After Quirrell.
After Lockhart.
Students had learned an important lesson.
Being a professor did not automatically mean being competent.
Or trustworthy.
Lupin's patched robes certainly weren't helping his image.
Compared to the elegantly dressed professors around him, he looked poor enough to beg for spare change.
Many students immediately questioned his abilities.
Only a handful of kind-hearted students—and those who had witnessed his performance aboard the train—offered genuine applause.
Then things became even worse.
Because Snape was glaring around the hall.
Not just glaring.
Murderously glaring.
He looked as though he were carefully memorizing every student who dared applaud Lupin.
The already weak applause became even weaker.
Most students simply lowered their heads.
Nobody found this surprising.
Everyone knew Snape had wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts position for years.
But Lewis understood the truth.
This wasn't about professional rivalry.
It was old hatred.
The kind carried over from school days.
"Now then!"
Dumbledore spread his arms.
"Let the feast begin!"
Instantly, golden plates and goblets filled themselves with food and drink.
The Great Hall exploded into life.
The feast had begun.
And with it—
Another year at Hogwarts officially started.
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