After finishing dinner, Lorin took the opportunity to explore Hogwarts a little.
Compared to Beauxbatons, Hogwarts was practically chaotic.
If nothing else, Hogwarts didn’t even have basic signposts!
To say nothing of the moving staircases or the trick portraits…
However, based on Lorin’s observations, Hogwarts truly lived up to its reputation as the oldest and most powerful magic school!
The ancient suits of armor bore traces of powerful Transfiguration magic…
Many of the portraits carried marks of ancient alchemy—such as The Fat Lady portrait outside the Gryffindor common room…
Even many photos and sculptures possessed thinking and speaking capabilities no different from ordinary humans!
Setting social tact aside, many of the professors possessed magical expertise far surpassing that of the professors at Beauxbatons.
Deputy Headmistress McGonagall, who had welcomed him; Professor Flitwick, who was pleasant to speak with; Professor Snape, who lacked manners…
All three had achieved a remarkable depth of research in magic.
As for Headmaster Dumbledore…
At present, Lorin had not yet reached that level.
In the original story, there was another Head of House, Professor Sprout of Hufflepuff, whom Lorin hadn’t met yet.
Returning to his caretaker’s office, Lorin saw nothing else needing tidying and decided to enter Silas Castle instead.
The fully equipped, spacious bathroom was far more comfortable to use than the cramped washroom in his office.
Once finished washing up, Lorin pulled out his Two-Way Mirror.
After a brief hesitation, he chose the mirror adorned with tulip patterns first.
“Mother!”
“Oh, heavens!
It really is my darling Lorin!”
Breya answered almost instantly.
“Are you getting used to Hogwarts?”
“Exceedingly well, Mother.” Lorin smiled warmly, adjusting his posture as he leaned back against the headboard.
“As you said, the living conditions at Hogwarts are indeed limited.”
“Ha!
I’m your great mother—how could I ever be wrong?”
“Yes, yes…”
After ending his conversation with Breya, Lorin pulled out another Two-Way Mirror, this one decorated with silver-white roses.
Fleur answered almost instantly as well, looking as though she had finished settling everything.
“Darling!”
“Darling~”
“Are you going back to school tomorrow?”
Hearing this, Fleur rested her chin on her hand with a gloomy expression.
“Yes.
Once the professors load us down with a mountain of homework, I won’t be able to talk to my Lor-Lor through the Two-Way Mirror as much.”
“Lor-Lor?”
“It’s a nickname I came up with for you.
Do you like it?”
A captivating smile broke across Fleur’s exquisite face, demonstrating once again the charm of a Veela.
“Lor-Lor!
Lor-Lor!”
“Whatever makes you happy.” Lorin’s lips twitched slightly, but he didn’t stop her.
“Are you comfortable living at Hogwarts?”
“Of course.
My mother gave me a portable castle to take along, so I’m staying inside that…”
“That’s wonderful, darling!
“Oh, and darling, our wedding rings are so useful!”
“You have no idea—I never have to drag those huge, clumsy trunks all the way to Beauxbatons anymore.
It’s truly one of the most wonderful things in the world!”
“Haha…”
After concluding his call with Fleur, Lorin stretched and glanced at his silver-white pocket watch:
9:54.
“Read a bit, then sleep!”
…
The next afternoon.
When Lorin arrived at the Great Hall, the faculty were already seated at the staff table.
“Lorin, over here!”
Professor Flitwick’s voice rang out.
Professor Flitwick pointed to the seat on his right, and Lorin walked over.
To mark this grand occasion, Lorin had specially dressed in a black-and-gold wizard robe.
Rule of Nobility #1: Always dress appropriately for every occasion.
In Lorin’s view, this formal robe matched the enchanted starry ceiling of the Great Hall nicely.
Furthermore, while it featured touches of gold, the overall tone was actually among the most subdued in his wardrobe.
However, seeing the professors’ attire, Lorin realized he was still dressed far too elegantly and solemnly.
As he drew near the staff table, a pungent stench of garlic immediately assaulted Lorin’s nose, making him wince with discomfort.
Merlin’s beard, couldn’t Hogwarts professors manage their personal presentation?!
Tattooing Voldemort on the back of your head and reeking of garlic—where was the decorum of an academy professor!
“I got a bit lost along the way.
My sincere apologies.”
Lorin bowed slightly, maintaining a polite, flawless smile.
A professor wearing a denim jacket and jeans glanced at Lorin’s aristocratic attire and etiquette, let out a cold snort, and ignored him.
Lorin gave her a puzzled look but said nothing.
Well, Lorin didn’t mind that this Muggle Studies professor stared at him sideways for 3.2 seconds.
Even the impolite Professor Snape offered Lorin a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Taking his seat, Lorin adjusted his tied-back hair and asked softly, “Is it appropriate for me to sit here?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?
We’re all Hogwarts staff, aren’t we?”
Professor Flitwick didn’t quite seem to grasp Lorin’s point.
After all, in his eyes, even Filch was a colleague on equal footing.
“More than appropriate, Lorin.”
Dumbledore appeared out of nowhere in the central seat, twinkling his blue eyes at Lorin.
“It’s my honor.”
Looking at the quiet faculty, Lorin attempted to break the ice: “Speaking of which, haven’t the young witches and wizards arrived yet?”
“Look, aren’t they coming now?”
A gentle-looking middle-aged witch turned her head and smiled, pointing toward the doors of the Great Hall.
Lorin immediately caught a fragrance of soil and herbs, instantly identifying her identity:
“Professor Sprout?”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr.
Montmorency.”
“Ah, I’ve long heard of your great reputation, Professor Sprout.
If you ever have spare time, would you teach me some Herbology?”
Montmorency, though perhaps ‘exchange knowledge’ would be more fitting between us.”
“Aha, Lorin!
Speaking of which, why don’t you exchange knowledge with me?”
The diminutive Professor Flitwick chimed in playfully.
“To learn from you, Professor Flitwick, would be my true privilege.”
Lorin shifted his gaze from the students filing in through the doorway to Professor Flitwick’s short figure.
Rule of Nobility #1: Look people in the eye when speaking to show respect.
“I heard that at Beauxbatons, you were even the champion of the War Cup?”
“Merely empty fame.”
Lorin waved a hand dismissively, and Dumbledore chimed in at just the right moment:
“Filius, Lorin wasn’t just the champion of the War Cup.
He won all three of Beauxbatons’ major dueling tournaments back-to-back for four whole years…”
“You have no idea—Madame Maxime boasted about Lorin to us headmasters for four years straight!”
“By Merlin!
When you have time, could we spar a little?”
Professor Flitwick rubbed his hands together in excitement, his small frame trembling noticeably.
“When we find time, Filius.
My body currently can’t handle such intense exercise as dueling.”
Lorin blinked his dark, clear eyes.
“Then you had better watch yourself, Montmorency.”
An emotionless voice drifted from the other side of Dumbledore, carrying a chill:
“Those brats won’t care about your aristocratic ways.”
“No need to worry, Severus.”
Lorin nodded nonchalantly, his gaze returning to the crowded Great Hall, completely ignoring Snape’s terrible styling:
“In any case, I can still hang those little troublemakers upside down with ease.”
“Montmorency!”
Professor Snape’s gloomy face was past the point of dripping water—it looked ready to drip ink.
“Severus.”
Dumbledore tapped gently on the table, clearly unwilling to let Snape explode.
“Hmph!”
Professor Snape decided to ignore Lorin’s direction altogether, glaring darkly at the young students in the Great Hall.
The commotion among the staff quickly drew the attention of a few students.
Naturally, though, the young students had no idea what had happened.
All they could see was a handsome, elegant white-haired wizard saying something that made Snape’s expression turn extraordinarily ugly.
After Dumbledore tapped the table, Snape proceeded to glare ominously in their direction…
As for the white-haired wizard, he was chatting casually with Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick, making both professors break into light laughter now and then.
*Bang!*
“Oh, Merlin!
Looks like the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin.
Shall we discuss French goblins and other applications of the Levitation Charm later?”
“What a pity.
Talking with you is truly enlightening, Mr.
Montmorency.”
“Indeed, Lorin.
I was looking forward to dueling with you.”
Seeing Professor McGonagall bring in a crowd of youngsters, Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick quickly wrapped up the topic.
The Sorting Ceremony had begun!