Early the next morning, the storm outside the window had subsided.
The castle grounds still bore the dampness of the downpour.
Matthew noticed a dark cloud hovering above the enchanted ceiling as he entered the Great Hall.
Matthew! A voice called his na.
Prefect Gemma trotted over, handing a piece of parchnt to Matthew.
She said, This is the second-year curriculum. I didnt catch you last night.
Apologies, after the school banquet ended yesterday, I headed straight back to the dormitory to rest, Matthew explained swiftly.
Indeed, after returning to the Slytherin common room last night, he had promptly stretched out on the plush bed he hadnt seen in over two months.
However, sleep had eluded him for a while as he pondered the identity of the new Transfiguration Professor.
Prefect Gemma didnt seem particularly concerned. No worries How was your sumr? I heard you were alone in Diagon Alley?
Not too shabby, Matthew replied.
Its always beneficial to imrse oneself in the magical world, Gemma murmured.
Gemma Farley, a sixth-year student, and a responsible prefect, was well-liked by the younger students.
Matthew had taken a liking to her when he first joined Hogwarts in his first year.
After exchanging a few words, several senior students called her over.
Prefect Gemma waved to Matthew before departing.
At breakfast, while spreading jam on bread slices, Matthew glanced toward the head table.
As expected, the central spot remained vacant. Professor Grindelwald was nowhere in sight.
For so unknown reason, the headmaster seldom stayed at the schoolalways preoccupied.
Matthew had beco accustod to it.
anwhile, several unfamiliar faces caught Matthews attention at the head table.
Around five or six strangers including Aurors whom Matthew had interacted with during the capture of Professor Trocar a year ago and Nevilles father, Mr. Longbottom.
Most likely all Aurors?
Matthew surmised that these five or six wizards were likely the Aurors Neville had ntioned, responsible for guarding Hogwarts this sester.
Curiously, he pondered further.
Aurors were the Ministry of Magics elite force, their recruitnt stringent and training rigorous.
Despite the lack of specific numbers, Matthew estimated their ranks didnt exceed 30.
Moreover, Aurors held a prestigious status in the wizarding world.
Nevilles recognition in the Slug Club was partly due to his parents status as Aurors.
He stood out as one of the rare first-year students invited to the exclusive club.
Of course, his familys reputation, stemming from their well-known pure-blood lineage, contributed as well.
The presence of so many Aurors and the increased number of dentors clearly underscored the Ministrys heightened vigilance toward Hogwarts security.
There was a palpable sense of caution.
This raised a pertinent question, Who were these three criminals who escaped Azkaban?
Why was the Ministry so convinced that they would target Hogwarts?
Conventional logic dictated that escapees from Azkaban would steer clear of the authorities. So why were they drawn to Hogwarts?
These questions looped in Matthews mind, a perplexing puzzle with no visible pieces.
Regrettably, he possessed only scant information, a morsel of clues, if at all.
Besides, this wasnt likely a matter pertinent to a junior student like himself.
Suddenly, a new figure appeared at the head table.
Matthews brow furrowed involuntarily.
The new arrival was none other than Professor Severus Snape, their new Transfiguration Professor for the sester.
The frequency of teacher turnovers in the Transfiguration departnt was indeed unusually high, reminiscent of the Defense Against the Dark Arts positions notoriety in the original books.
But what truly puzzled Matthew was the enigma surrounding this Severus Snape.
Severus Snape was soone Matthew knew quite well.
Greasy hair, the distinctive hooked nose, those oversized, dark-rimd glasses
His deanor, detached yet intense Matthews mory painted a vivid portrait of Snape.
And now, the person seated at the head table, the one eating breakfast, couldnt be more different in appearance and behavior from the Snape of his mory!
Moreover, Snape wasnt even a wizarding surna, Snape was a half-blood wizard; his Muggle father was nad Tobias Snape.
The likelihood of two individuals sharing the sa first na and surna was incredibly slim.
After pondering for hours the previous night, Matthew had failed to uncover any plausible explanation.
Was this rely the consequence of the altered tiline?
Good morning, Matthew! A groggy voice interrupted his thoughts.
Draco had entered the hall with drowsy eyes, seemingly struggling to adjust his internal clock after the sumr break.
Morning! Matthew turned to greet him.
Malfoy glanced at Matthew, then inquired with a hint of confusion, You really like jam, huh?
Matthew was taken aback, glancing at his bread slice
Absorbed in thought, hed inadvertently slathered several layers of jam.
Yes, he responded with a nod. Its delicious.
Huh, didnt expect you to have such a hearty appetite, Malfoy remarked, scooping another helping of butter onto his bread.
Speaking of which, Draco! Matthew suddenly addressed him, recalling sothing.
Dracos family in the original books had a cordial relationship with Snape.
Upon entering Slytherin in his first year, Snape had been his house prefect, under the patronage of Lucius Malfoy.
What is it? Malfoy asked without halting his actions.
The new Transfiguration Professor this Professor Snape do you know anything about him? Matthew inquired casually, Whats he like?
Malfoy, while munching on his buttered bread, considered the query.
Give a mont, he muttered.
I sort of rember might have heard his na sowhere but its not that significant, Malfoy admitted.
Got it, Matthew sighed inwardly.
Once more, he glanced toward the head table, observing the new Transfiguration teachers departure from the hall.
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