Harry Potter and the Obscurus

Chapter 143 Pink Toad

For wizards living in Britain, a culinary wasteland, the Hogwarts opening feast was nothing short of a state banquet. In just about 10 minutes, the young wizards, who had been starving for nearly 8 hours on the train, devoured the entire table of delicacies.

"Hi! New guy!"

After a hearty meal, Draco Malfoy adjusted the prefecture badge on his chest and said:

"Why does your tone sound familiar? Have we met somewhere before?"

Have you seen it before?

Mo Ran put down his knife and fork and looked at the other person with a slightly amused expression.

"Where have we met before?"

How would I know?

Draco replied instinctively, but he quickly realized that Mo Ran was actually teasing him.

"Hmph, stop trying to talk your way out of this."

He gave a soft hum, and his pale face seemed to turn slightly red.

"I'm a Slytherin prefect, and if you break the rules at school..."

"Wow, that's impressive. What are you planning to do? Put me in solitary confinement? Or make me clean the washroom? You can't possibly deduct points from Slytherin's House Cup, can you?"

"I......"

Malfoy was speechless.

Somehow, he sensed an even more aggressive aura emanating from this new transfer student than Harry did.

The atmosphere began to become somewhat subtle. Crabbe and Gore were not quite able to understand the hidden meaning in Mo Ran's words, but seeing their boss's frustrated expression, the two of them, as his followers, were still prepared to stand up for him.

"Children! While you need to sit and rest and digest, I ask you all to be quiet so that I can talk about the things to pay attention to at the beginning of the new school year at Hogwarts, as I have done every year."

Suddenly, Dumbledore's voice rang out like a booming bell.

The noise in the auditorium finally subsided. Everyone turned towards the teachers' table, waiting for the principal to begin speaking.

"First, and this is a recurring topic. The Forbidden Forest is a dangerous place, so first-year students and new transfer students, please be careful. Never go there alone without a teacher's supervision. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, asked me to remind everyone that the corridors are not for experimenting with magic. Please do not swing your wands around during breaks and recess. The school has special classrooms for practicing spells. This is the 426th time he's brought this up with me, so please be sure to follow his advice." (The young wizards in the school all glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, at the Weasley twins, which caused another burst of laughter at the Gryffindor long table.)

"In addition, there are changes in the teaching staff this year. Professor Alastor Moody, the former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, had to leave his post at Hogwarts due to health reasons. Fortunately, the Ministry of Magic has found us another very good candidate. Let us give a warm welcome to Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge."

Perhaps it's a case of appearance reflecting inner character, but most students felt disgusted by this middle-aged woman's obsession with youthful attire. Even with the principal and other professors leading the applause, only sporadic, completely unenthusiastic applause could be heard in the auditorium.

Dumbledore showed no impatience, and after giving Umbridge ample face, he continued:

Finally, with the Triwizard Tournament now concluded, Hogwarts will resume the House Cup and Quidditch Matches. This year's Quidditch Selection will be held...

"Cough cough!"

"Holy crap?"

Several older students couldn't help but swear.

Not only them, but at this moment, even the usually stern Severus Snape gave Umbridge a constipated look that seemed to say, "Are you out of your mind?"