However, a few keen-eyed young witches and wizards noticed that these two heavyweight wizards didn't stand for too long.
Whether it was the Ministry of Magic officials or the school's professors, after politely clapping for a while to express their celebration and welcome, they quickly lowered their hands, looking at Dumbledore cautiously and expectantly.
Or, more precisely, they were looking at those unfamiliar old wizards sitting next to Dumbledore.
“At the same time, I am honored to announce—”
Dumbledore paused slightly and raised his voice, “Professor Newt Scamander will also serve as the Care of Magical Creatures teacher this year, and will return to us as Hogwarts' honorary headmaster.”
“What?!”
Hagrid's signature rough voice boomed from the Gryffindor table.
This “special fourth-year student” mixed among the students widened his eyes in shock, looking at the old wizard who stood up not far from Dumbledore and waved shyly at everyone, his face filled with excitement.
It wasn't just Hagrid alone. Charlie Weasley, who had been a little absent-minded, also stood up abruptly.
Charlie finally understood Bill Weasley's previous hint, and why Bill would say that not returning to Hogwarts would be his lifelong regret—Mr. Newt Scamander, wherever he is, is the kingdom of magical creatures.
However, compared to them, Gryffindor was the most normal in its reaction.
If it was the Slytherin students who had rioted earlier, then as Newt stood up, almost all the Hufflepuff students stood up involuntarily, their faces flushed as they applauded vigorously, stomping their feet excitedly and cheering loudly.
The sudden surge of sound almost blew the ceiling off the Great Hall of Hogwarts in an instant.
As the most populous house at Hogwarts, the cheers from the Hufflepuffs were so loud that the plates and dishes on the tables rattled and collided. If someone were standing outside the hall at this moment, they might think there had been an explosion inside.
“Quiet, quiet—Hufflepuff—Newt isn't going anywhere—”
Dumbledore cleared his throat, signaling everyone to calm down a little.
Fortunately, compared to the other houses, the Hufflepuff students were clearly the most obedient.
After the excitement of their idol's return, the badgers quickly calmed down, looking at the "Magical Creature Master" whose smile looked more like a cry, while trying to suppress the excitement in their hearts as they exchanged glances.
Newt Scamander, this was a legendary wizard who was almost on par with Dumbledore.
However, the Ministry of Magic officials didn't seem to realize how amazing the news Dumbledore had just announced was.
Compared to the excited students, these adult wizards' gazes had never left Dumbledore's side since the beginning, their eyes full of apprehension and anticipation, as if they were waiting for the sunrise.
After a few seconds, when the sound in the hall gradually calmed down again, Dumbledore continued.
“So, there is one last thing left tonight, or rather, two things.”
“Perhaps some of you know, but many more have probably forgotten, that more than a thousand years ago, when Hogwarts was first established, it offered a total of seven courses. One of those courses was discontinued more than three hundred years ago.”
Dumbledore said softly, and as the old man's calm voice rang out, the murmuring in the hall slowly subsided.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Professor Binns' figure also appeared at the end of the staff table.
The ghost professor floated lightly in mid-air, quietly watching Dumbledore speak, his cloudy eyes containing a different kind of brilliance than usual, but few people in the hall noticed the change in Professor Binns.
Everyone turned their heads to look at Dumbledore, listening intently to the old man.
“The name of this course is—Alchemy. I need to emphasize that this is a very ancient, profound, and dangerous field. It is closely related to Potions, Transfiguration, Magical Craftsmanship, Wandlore... and even Muggle chemistry that you are all familiar with.”
“Whether it is turning stone into gold, or extending life, behind those alchemical legends that you are all familiar with, there are unimaginable and terrible costs. In the process of alchemy, a slight misstep can lead to the abyss.”
Dumbledore looked around the hall with a solemn expression, speaking calmly and gravely.
“In view of the high mortality rate of alchemy apprentices, the magical world completely suspended this course about three hundred years ago.”
“High mortality rate?!” Hermione repeated softly, looking around in astonishment.
But most of the students in the hall were not as nervous as she was. Many were excitedly whispering to each other, and Fred and George even showed a rare studiousness, eager to learn more details.
Undoubtedly, for most children living in the magical world, alchemy was almost synonymous with omnipotent magic.
“For centuries, the school and the Ministry of Magic have been trying to restore this course, so as not to cause a knowledge gap...”
Dumbledore nodded politely to Cornelius Fudge on the left side of the hall, and continued.
“However, regrettably, due to the lack of safety measures and reliable, systematic teaching guidance, most of them only ensured the minimum level of teaching, and could not truly reflect the face of this ancient magic.”
“But in the past few months, there has finally been progress in reopening alchemy. We are honored to have invited a well-known grand alchemist—a professor with sufficient ability and who can keep the teaching process within a controllable safety range. He plans to pass on this wisdom and knowledge at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”
“Starting this semester, Hogwarts will be the first magic school in the magical world to restore the alchemy course. In order to ensure the most basic teaching quality, the formal course will be held after Halloween. Before that, there will be some basic knowledge lectures.”
“I believe everyone has a desire for knowledge, but the school, the Ministry of Magic, and the professor in charge of the course all agree that students who choose this course should at least have some alchemical knowledge and outstanding learning talent—in this regard, the school will focus on comprehensively considering the learning situation and personal character during this period.”
Dumbledore looked around at the students in the hall and said with a smile.
“I am honored to introduce to you, Hogwarts' Alchemy Professor—Nicolas Flamel. The magical world…”
At this moment, Dumbledore suddenly stopped talking and looked questioningly at the old wizard next to him.
Due to the distance, the students could only see Nicolas Flamel seemingly saying something in a low voice. Dumbledore hesitated slightly, paused his speech extremely rarely, and leaned down to discuss a few words in a low voice.
Judging from Dumbledore's slightly furrowed brows, he was obviously a little surprised and worried, as if he was asking about something.
After the two discussed in a low voice for a few sentences, Dumbledore shrugged helplessly, seemingly choosing to compromise.
“I'm very sorry, Professor Flamel just pointed out some things in my introduction that need to be supplemented.”
Dumbledore cleared his throat and said softly in the surprised gazes of the students.
“In view of the particularity and secrecy of alchemy, in addition to the classroom teaching model that you are familiar with, Professor Nicolas Flamel plans to select some talented wizards at Hogwarts as his 'apprentices' to carry out the ancient inheritance.”
“In addition, as a reward, each selected 'apprentice' will receive one opportunity to use the Sorcerer's Stone.”
Dumbledore said slowly, his peripheral vision sweeping across the faces of those in the main seats that suddenly became heated, his blue eyes gleaming with meaningful light, “Of course, if anyone intends to use means to borrow it, then I suggest you give up on this idea as soon as possible.”
“As for what exactly the Sorcerer's Stone is, and more information about Professor Nicolas Flamel…”
Dumbledore blinked his eyes nimbly and said cheerfully to the slightly bewildered little faces below.
“The Hogwarts Library will tell you the answer. At the same time, this is also Professor Nicolas Flamel's little test. After you find the answer, you can go to the Ravenclaw common room's bulletin board to receive tasks and apply to become an alchemy assistant. By the way, in addition to alchemy-related tasks, there will also be some small tasks related to points and various rewards.”
“Wait, Ravenclaw house? That's not fair!”
Zacharias Smith said loudly, looking indignantly at Dumbledore.
“Why isn't it the bulletin board in the school hall? We don't know the password for the Ravenclaw common room.”
Ever since the news of Newt Scamander joining Hogwarts was confirmed, the Hufflepuffs' emotions had been quite high. This also gave them some extraordinary courage, such as trying to question some injustices.
As Zacharias' voice fell, a low chorus of agreement rang out in the hall.
Apart from the Ravenclaw students, the students from the other three houses were whispering unhappily to each other, even though many of them didn't know those “answers” at this time, it didn't prevent them from trying to defend their rights.
“Oh, that's a good question.”
Dumbledore nodded with interest and exchanged a glance with Nicolas Flamel.
“Because the Ravenclaw common room does not rely on a password to enter, Mr. Smith.” He explained with a smile, “In addition, since you mentioned this question, I can explain it—more than a thousand years ago, Rowena Ravenclaw was the first professor of the Hogwarts Alchemy course, which is also the reason why Professor Nicolas Flamel chose to live in the Ravenclaw Tower.”
“But…”
“Okay, that's all for the important things. I think everyone must be starving, right?”
Before Zacharias Smith could continue speaking, Dumbledore said quickly, “So, let's start the feast!”
The next moment, the golden plates and goblets in the hall suddenly appeared full of food and drinks.
In the overflowing aroma of food, the hunger that had been temporarily suppressed by curiosity surged up in the students, and everyone's attention was instantly attracted by the delicious dishes from the Hogwarts kitchen, and they couldn't wait to gobble it up.
Compared to any new courses or new professors, the delicious Great Qing Fish of Hogwarts was obviously more tempting at this moment.
……
This was an extremely sumptuous feast.
As the last meal before the implementation of the new Hogwarts curriculum standards, Elena specially instructed the kitchen to increase the supply of main dishes tonight. After all, from tomorrow onwards, the vegetable gardens of each house should also start supplying separately.
However, the Ravenclaw students were obviously a little absent-minded.
Many young wizards were in a hurry to finish eating quickly, so they could leave the hall as soon as possible and go to the common room to see what changes had occurred on the bulletin board—of course, some of them wanted to get in with Professor Nicolas Flamel.
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Everyone knew how difficult it was to enter the Ravenclaw common room these days.
Ever since the Eagle Ring got sick, the questions it asked were getting weirder and weirder every day.
During the last semester, the average bedtime rate in the Ravenclaw dormitory was less than one-tenth. From prefects to first-year students, almost everyone spent countless nights in sleeping bags outside the corridor—if it hadn't been for the fact that this year's freshmen included a math professor's child, they would have had to re-experience it on the first day of school.
However, luck doesn't always favor the Ravenclaw eagles.
There were always a few times when the bronze Eagle Ring would ask complex questions that mathematics couldn't solve, or that were difficult to understand.
According to the coping measures summarized in the past, Ravenclaw students were accustomed to taking turns guarding in the hall of the common room based on the class schedule, opening the door every half hour to look outside, until the Hogwarts curfew.
However, due to the school-wide banquet tonight, there was no one guarding the Ravenclaw common room at this time.
This also meant that if no one led them into the common room door, they would have to solve that damn problem, and what was even worse was that the question on the bronze Eagle Ring today had been bothering them for an entire day.
Many people even had the illusion that the bronze Eagle Ring was broken.
In the anxious mood of not being able to go back to the dormitory to sleep, even the dishes on the table didn't taste so delicious.
Danilova, who had been given high hopes, failed. The upperclassmen failed. Professor Flitwick chose to respect tradition... The last hope of the Ravenclaw girls was only this mysterious Professor Nicolas Flamel.
Finally, the last few desserts on the golden platter also disappeared.
Dumbledore announced that everyone could go to bed, and Professor Nicolas Flamel, as expected by the Ravenclaw students, stood up from the faculty table and came to the Ravenclaw table under the guidance of Professor Flitwick.
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Gu Ya~ Publish a small chapter of 4000 words~ Continue tomorrow~
Expansion! Ma Yeah!