Chapter 144

Thankfully Thomas was, soon after leaving the room, told by his head of the house that he was free to leave for the Great Hall since there was nothing to discuss about what happened on the train right now.

By the time Thomas reached the Great Hall, most of the first years were already seated at their new houses making Thomas curse his luck for missing the sorting ceremony. Not wanting to miss eating something good tonight, Thomas quickly made his way towards the Ravenclaw table before sitting on the empty spot between James and Adam.

The moment James, Adam and Michael saw their friend coming back, all three boys let out a sigh they didn't knew were holding, before James assaulted Thomas with questions of what all that about.

"Tommy boy what was that about? Did McGonagall punish you or something?"

Hearing their friend questions, Thomas, alongside Adam and Michael rolled their eyes as Thomas sit down.

"Professor McGonagall asked me about what happened on the train, then Professor Lupin and Professor Flitwick came, then Madam Pomfrey to check me. Long story short, McGonagall is most likely disappointed, but on a brighter note, we might finally have a decent D.A.D.A. professor this year."

Michael was about to inquire more about Lupin when the headmaster stood up to speak, making the boys stop talking for now.

Professor Dumbledore, though very old, always gave an impression of great energy. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and an extremely crooked nose. He was often described as the greatest wizard of the age, but for Thomas that title might not actually be true. Then again, he hadn't seen the old man fight yet nor teach, however that didn't meant Dumbledore was just an old man with a title.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore said, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I know that all of you are excited for the feast to start, but I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast."

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

Despite speaking in a neutral tone, Thomas could feel the lack of acceptance for this decision from the headmaster, but it seems he didn't have a choice. Knowing the Ministry… Thomas feared that once they get a hold on what he did on the train, he would be force to explain himself to Madam Bones, something that Thomas was in no way looking forward to.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, making Thomas and all of his friends look right at Harry who was looking back at them worried that his secret had been found out by the headmaster. "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors."

Yet something didn't sit well with Thomas as the headmaster seem to avoid mentioning the attack, but that could be easily explained, after all what good would it do for the students to know that a third year had been attacked by a dementor for no apparent reason.

"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

However, compared to the other two professors… one who had been a puppet and the to her who had been a fraud… Lupin did seem like a genuine good professor, one that at least knew what he was doing.

To Thomas's surprise, Snape, the Potions master, was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. While it was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, but even Thomas who knew the man better than most student, who was shocked to see the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. No this was not some simple hate, not, it was beyond anger: It was loathing. But thinking hard about this, Thomas didn't feel like Snape was angry for not getting the job, no, it was more like he was angry to be near Lupin for some reason. The two men were of the same age, that much even he could notice… but other than that…

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

Upon hearing what the headmaster said, all of the tables, minus the Slytherin cheered out loud for Hagrid, after all the half giant was one of the most loved people in school after someone had, by mistake, leaked out information about just how brave Hagrid was facing all manners of creatures and actually taming some of them. Besides no one would say no to a more friendly professor.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink. Not being one to shy away from good food, Thomas quickly reach out and filled his plate to the point that some of his house mates started joking around that he had a dragon stomach.

It was a delicious feast as the hall echoed with talk, laughter, and the clatter of knives and forks. Thomas and his friends, however, were eager for it to finish so that they could talk to Hagrid. While for Tracey and Daphne this might came as a surprise, Thomas, Harry, Ron, Michael, Adam, James and Hermione knew how much being made a teacher would mean to him. Sadly, for Hagrid this was until now, only a dream that as much as it pains Thomas to say it, would have never happened, after all Hagrid wasn't a fully qualified wizard thanks to a certain noseless bastard that made so Hagrid could be expelled from Hogwarts in his third year for a crime he had not committed. It had been Thomas who had cleared Hagrid's name last year, something that the half-giant was grateful.

At long last, when the last morsels of pumpkin tart had melted from the golden platters, Dumbledore gave the word that it was time for them all to go to bed, and they got their chance.

"Finally, we can talk with Hagrid. "James muttered as he and Tracey slowed down their pace to remain at the back of the group.

Leaving these two to their things, Thomas and others approached a happy Hagrid. Being the one in the lead, Hermione was the first one to reach the professor's table. "Congratulations, Hagrid!"

Hagrid beamed at the group of students who had gathered around him, Giving Hermione a smile in response for her praise, Hagrid then reached out and ruffled Thomas's hair, making him grin. "Yeh're a good lad, Thomas, yeh are. Yeh did me a great favor last year, clearin' me name an' all. I owe yeh a lot, I do."

Thomas shook his head modestly. "It was nothing, Hagrid. You deserved it. You're the best teacher we could have for Care of Magical Creatures."

"Well, I don' know about that, but I'll do me best, I will. I've got some amazin' creatures lined up for yeh this year, yeh'll see. Some of 'em are a bit tricky, mind yeh, but nothin' yeh can't handle with a bit of care an' respect."

Hermione's eyes widened when she heard Hagrid and if not for her rival holding her down, she would have run to get a notebook to write down everything Hagrid was going to say. "What kind of creatures, Hagrid? Can you give us a hint?"

Hagrid winked and leaned closer to them, lowering his voice. "Well, I don' want ter spoil the surprise, but let's just say yeh'll need yer gloves an' yer earmuffs for the first lesson."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Gloves and earmuffs? Are they cold or loud?"

Hagrid smiled mysteriously, not wanting to give them too many clues. "Both, Harry, both. An' a lot more. But don' yeh worry, they're harmless if yeh know how ter handle 'em. An' I'll teach yeh, I will. Yeh'll love 'em, I'm sure of it."

Michael looked a bit skeptical, but also intrigued after all who wouldn't love to get to work with such creatures? "Are they dangerous, Hagrid? Do they have any special powers or abilities?"

"Oh, yes, Michael, they do. They're very rare an' very valuable. They've got some of the most powerful magic in the world, they have. An' they're very loyal an' friendly, once yeh get ter know 'em."

Hagrid stopped for a moment before grabbing some of the butterbear that the professors were allowed to drink in moderation, only for him to start talking about something else once he finished his entire glass.

"All down ter you nine," Hagrid said, wiping his shining face on his napkin as he looked up at them. "Can' believe it … great man, Dumbledore …came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough… It's what I always wanted to do…"

He was interrupted by a stern voice behind him. "Hagrid, I think it's time for you to retire to your hut. It's getting late, and these students need to get to their dormitories."

Slightly surprised, Hagrid turned only to see Professor McGonagall standing there, her lips pursed and her eyes sending daggers at him. He quickly stood up and bowed his head. "Oh, yes, Professor, of course. Sorry, I got carried away. I'll be goin' now." Hagrid then turned towards Thomas and the others. "Good night, then. See yeh later for yer first lesson. Yeh won't regret it, I promise yeh."

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