The train door swung open as lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by rolling thunder.
Hermione shielded Crookshanks with her cloak while Matthew and Neville reluctantly pulled their cloaks over their heads as they trudged through the torrential rain.
Rain fell in sheets, drenching them entirely and creating a dismal atmosphere.
Out of the corner of his eye, Matthew spotted Professor Kettleburn, the Professor for Care for Magical Creatures, welcoming the incoming first-year students.
Traditionally, the first years had to cross the lake to reach Hogwarts Castle.
At that mont, Matthew couldnt help but feel grateful.
On September 1st last year, the sky was sunny.
Imagining crossing the lake in todays weather was almost unbearable.
Navigating with the crowd, the trio made their way slowly, eventually departing from the dimly lit platform.
Beyond the platform exit, a series of carriages awaited.
Though not pulled by horses but rather by Thestrals, though this detail wasnt visible to Matthew, Neville, and Hermione, they offered a welco refuge from the rain.
They hurriedly boarded one of the carriages, feeling a sense of relief.
Joining them was second-year Hufflepuff student Justin Finch-Fletchley, and as the door closed, the carriage set off.
The procession of carriages moved along the path toward Hogwarts, each wheel creating splashes of water along the way.
After about fifteen minutes, the carriage arrived at Hogwarts gates.
Matthews gaze caught the massive winged boar sculptures flanking the entrance on stone pillars
These boar sculptures had been instruntal during Professor Grindelwalds duel with Morgana the Black Witch a few months prior.
Pigs held a particular significance to Hogwarts.
The very na Hogwarts is derived from the word warthog.
Thus, a widely-circulated wizarding tale recounted that Hogwarts location and na were chosen by Rowena Ravenclaw.
According to the tale, she dreamt of a warthog leading her to a lake, the very cliff that would beco the site of Hogwarts.
A few more minutes and the carriage halted at the castle gate.
Quickly disembarking, the trio ascended the grand marble staircase one after the other.
The drenched students finally entered the Hogwarts auditorium.
Due to a mid-journey inspection and the inclent weather upon arrival, the banquet comnced at least an hour later than usual.
Despite the delay, the auditorium remained as magnificent as ever, adorned even more lavishly for the welcoming feast.
Hundreds of suspended candles cast a golden glow over plates and goblets.
Wet students sat along the four long house tables, eagerly greeting one another.
A fifth table at the front accommodated the faculty mbers, each facing their respective students.
Matthews gaze was drawn to the guest seating, where Professor Grindelwald sat.
As was customary, Professor Grindelwald would only appear once the banquet began.
However, due to the days unusual circumstances, with students arriving more than an hour late, he had arrived early this ti.
He appeared deep in thought with a grave expression, his head bowed.
Seated beside Professor Grindelwald was Professor Rosier, the Headmistress.
Her youthful visage held a smile as she engaged in conversation with another teacher.
A teacher whose face was unfamiliar to Matthew.
Indeed, it was the sa face hed encountered on the train
The stranger now occupied the main guest seat, engaged in a cautious conversation with the Vice President.
It seed Matthews hunch was correct. The examination had been a re mishap for Mr. Longbottom, while the stranger was genuinely a new teacher at Hogwarts.
Such an audacious move, taking the Hogwarts Express and introducing oneself as a teacher, wouldve been beyond the realm of possibility for an Azkaban escapee.
Matthew speculated whether prolonged confinent had taken a toll on their sanity.
However, he couldnt share his discovery with Hermione, who had already joined the Ravenclaw table.
Matthew hurriedly found his place at the Slytherin table.
Above them, the ceiling displayed a dazzling sun instead of the usual stars and moon.
The simulated sunlight ward his body and dried his damp clothes as he sat down, dispelling the chill.
Wickfield! Agnes Lestranges voice reached him, and she walked over from the opposite side of the table, addressing him by na.
Its been a while, Matthew greeted the elegant girl with a smile.
Over the sumr break Miss Lestrange hesitated montarily before continuing hushedly, Did I see you at Flourish & Blotts Bookstore?
Yes, I was temporarily employed there, Matthew responded, though he couldnt recall eting Lestrange.
Flourish & Blotts Bookstore encountered so issues and closed down, she continued.
I wasnt affected by it, Matthew replied candidly, though he knew he had played a role in those issues privately.
Unless you have no invitations for next sumr break, youre welco to visit Agnes Lestrange offered briskly before departing, her long hair trailing behind her.
Matthew remained, puzzled by her comnt. Am I really that unpopular? Why do they think no one would invite
Draco, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory soon arrived in the auditorium, taking their seats beside Matthew.
The Slytherin boys were reunited after the sumr break, and their eager conversation filled the air.
You seem a bit down, Draco, Theodore observed, surprised.
Dracos family faced so troubles over the sumr, Vincent explained.
Gregory added, Soone betrayed Dracos father, implicating him in so smuggling incident. It nearly consud his entire sumr.
What a jerk! Matthew chid in casually.
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