The noise in the Great Hall died down within seconds.
The expressions on the students’ faces showed a rare, shared unity—shock, confusion, and anxiety.
Every teacher at the staff table immediately sensed that something was amiss.
Exchanging glances, their eyes quickly landed on the culprit—Professor Babbling.
The Ancient Runes scholar was casually stowing her wand away, her gaze composed and utterly devoid of apology.
—During that intense debate over “salvation,” she had quietly cast a Sonorus Charm, ensuring that every student in the Great Hall heard the professors’ argument.
The expressions of several professors turned subtle.
Some frowned, some sighed, while others felt secretly relieved.
Only Professor Babbling wore an enigmatic smile—she had always believed that the true value of education lay in “shock.” Subdued chatter erupted across the house tables below.
The Weasley twins exchanged a look and burst out laughing simultaneously.
“He hit the nail on the head about Dad,” Fred whispered.
“That bit about treating Muggles like curious novelties sounds just like him.” George nodded slowly, a mixture of embarrassment and agreement on his face.
Ron’s face flushed bright red, and he lowered his head, not daring to look up.
Percy, meanwhile, had already pulled out a quill and was writing furiously on a piece of parchment—drafting a letter to send home.
On the other side of the hall, Draco Malfoy wore a sneering expression.
“Finally, someone spoke the truth,” he murmured, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
“Potter is just an ordinary little wizard, not some Savior.” He found the talk of Lily Potter’s sacrifice unpleasant—yet if it diminished Harry’s aura, he didn’t mind in the slightest.
In the middle of the crowd, Harry remained dead silent.
It was neither out of shame nor anger.
In truth, he had never genuinely felt special.
Only now did he fully grasp the complete truth of that night.
His mother had died to protect him.
It was not destiny choosing him, but an ordinary woman reaching out her hand in the dark.
‘Perhaps that professor is right.’ ‘My mother was the true Savior of this world.’ As Linus’s words echoed in his mind, a sharp, indescribable pain flared in Harry’s heart.
On the other side of the Gryffindor table, Hermione Granger sat silently.
The bright spark usually present in her eyes was clouded by complex thoughts.
The moment she listened to that debate, the magical world’s halo seemed to shatter.
To her, Hogwarts had been the ultimate symbol of dreams and miracles; now, it felt like a mirror reflecting the grey shades of human nature.
The intelligent girl immediately understood the reality.
—This was no fairytale, but a real society.
Class, blood status, and prejudice existed here all the same.
Being Muggle-born meant a lower starting point and higher hurdles.
If she wanted to be seen, she would have to exert three or four times the effort of others.
The expressions of several other Muggle-born students nearby grew heavy.
It was not their first time noticing inequality, but they had never realized how deeply rooted this prejudice truly was.
Someone muttered under their breath, “I thought it was only like this at school…
that things would be better after graduation.” Another shook their head.
“Maybe the whole wizarding world is like this.” Their romantic illusions shattered, leaving behind only stark clarity.
Just then, Dumbledore stood up.
His silver beard swayed gently with the movement as he spoke in a warm voice: “Children, do not be troubled by extraneous matters.
The world contains not only shadows, but also light.
Many are striving to make the wizarding world a better place.
Every single one of you has the opportunity to become part of that light—it is your choices that define the future.” His voice was calm, carrying a reassuring warmth.
In that moment, the anxious minds of many students gradually settled.
The Headmaster cleared his throat, switching to a lighter tone.
“Now, a few start-of-term notices.
First, the third-floor corridor is strictly out of bounds; second, magic is prohibited in the corridors between classes; and finally, please do not enter the Forbidden Forest without permission.
That place is far from safe for young witches and wizards.” As the topic shifted smoothly, a touch of vitality returned to the atmosphere.
“Next,” Dumbledore said, smiling as he gestured with his hand, “allow me to introduce a new colleague.
This school year, our Alchemy course will be taught by—Professor Linus Alvin Bones.” Applause broke out.
Under the watchful gaze of the hall, Linus stood up, his expression calm and composed.
Without uttering a word, a quiet authority emanated from his eyes.
…
Among the student tables, a gasp broke the hush: “That’s Linus?” Hermione was so excited she nearly stood straight up.
“Of course it is!
He’s one of the wizards I admire most!” Harry and Ron both looked at her at the same time.
“You know him?” Harry asked.
“Of course!
He’s one of the most brilliant young wizards of the twentieth century!” Hermione spoke rapidly, her tone filled with reverence.
“He served as Ravenclaw Prefect and Head Boy, won the Barnaby Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spell-Casting, represented Britain on the Youth Delegation of the Wizarding Council, won the gold medal at the International Alchemy Conference in Cairo with his paper on ‘Inter-Elemental Magic Transmutation,’ and was a Potions Championship winner—the youngest Senior Wizard and Master Alchemist!” Ron was stunned.
“You…
remember all that?” “I read *A Biography of the Greatest Wizards of the Twentieth Century*.
He and Dumbledore are both in it!” Harry nodded thoughtfully, but Ron’s brows furrowed.
“But my dad said the Bones family researches Dark magic.
They believe Dark magic isn’t a source of fear, but the key to understanding.
His family even wanted to organize wizards to jointly study the three Unforgivable Curses to find countermeasures.” “Researching doesn’t mean falling into corruption,” Hermione countered.
“If they can crack the curses, isn’t that salvation?” Ron shook his head, his tone resolute.
“Dark magic corrupts the soul.
That kind of power—you shouldn’t touch it at all.” Sitting nearby, Harry asked in a quiet voice, “What are the three Unforgivable Curses?” Hermione answered immediately, “The Cruciatus Curse, the Imperius Curse, and Avada Kedavra.
You-Know-Who used them constantly during the war, causing countless deaths.
Harry, the lightning scar on your forehead…
came from Avada Kedavra.” Ron added, “So you see?
Studying it is basically courting death.” Neville Longbottom, sitting beside them, suddenly chimed in, “Don’t say that.
Professor Linus is a good person.” The three turned to look at him at once.
Neville’s voice trembled slightly, yet he spoke earnestly.
“Gran told me the Bones family saved many people during the First Wizarding War.
If not for them, my family might have already…” Before he could finish, applause broke out across the dining tables once more.
Dumbledore smiled and gestured for Linus to speak.
The hall fell silent.
The Alchemy professor walked slowly to the front.
Light shimmered across his golden robes.
“It is an honor to return here.” “Hogwarts will always be my true home.” Though just a brief sentence, it moved many of those listening.
Sweeping his gaze over the student tables, Linus caught sight of those bright green eyes— Harry Potter was watching him quietly.
Their eyes met briefly before parting.