Chapter 24 - Hogwarts Ⅲ (1/2)

After a few bites to eat, Rowan notices Severus is gloomily poking at his food. ”What's wrong?” Rowan asked with a mouthful of food.

Severus shakes his head as Rowan narrows her eyes knowingly. ”If it's about Lily, you still have a chance. I mean you're her childhood friend, after all, you already have an advantage over everyone else. But like I said, you better show her or else, you're going to lose her,” Rowan mumbled with food still in her mouth.

Comforted by Rowan's words, Severus digs into the food. Dinner steadily progresses as deserts appear, before finally the table is magical cleared away. With dinner finished, Dumbledore rises to his feet once more as the entire hall grows silent.

”Now that we've been fed and watered, I've a few more words to say. I would like to speak about the start-of-term rules for a moment,” Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. ”First years take extra notice of the Forbidden Forest as they are forbidden grounds and no student is allowed therein. A few of our older students would do well to remember that.” Dumbledore said with emphasis.

And please be wary of the newly planted Whomping Willow on the lawn a gifted specimen from a notable botanist. As you are all aware the Whomping Willow is quite territorial and will in effect attack swiftly and most violently. You are all advised to remain a good distance away from its moving branches.” Quite a few older students' wince having studied the plant in Herbology with Professor Sprout. They knew that the Whomping Willow was no laughing matter and could prove to be quite deadly.

”Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you all to not use magic between classes in the corridors,” Dumbledore carefully added. ”Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.” This causes a spring of excited whispers to fill the Great Hall.

”And now, before we head for bed, let us sing the school's song!” Some of the Professors sigh, while some other professor's faces turned into Noh masks. With a flick of Dumbledore's wand, a golden ribbon flies forth from the tip as it begins to twist and form words above. ”Now, off we go!”

The entire student body sings as Rowan and Severus merely glance at each other in understanding and mouth the words with their lips, but absolutely refuse to sing the lyrics.

”Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now, they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So, teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,