Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

Chapter 1053: Chapter 140: Rain Ends, Winds Cease

”Hufflepuff!”

The Sorting Hat announced loudly. The last new student stumbled towards the Hufflepuff College long table, and the entire hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.

The students were famished, and at times like this, nothing was more exciting than a piping hot feast.

Professor Dumbledore stood up, spreading his arms with a smile: ”Welcome our new students, welcome back our returning students—it’s great to have you back! There’s plenty of time for speeches, but not now; let’s enjoy the meal thoroughly!”

The whole hall burst into cheers and laughter, and suddenly the four long tables were laden with delicious dishes. The students immediately began to gobble up the food.

”Brilliant!” Vise said happily, picking up a rib and putting it on his plate. ”Leadership that doesn’t waste time with speeches before dinner is great!”

Michael’s eyes widened instantly. He tugged at Vise’s arm and leaned in to whisper, ”Are you okay? Eating these things...”

”Of course.” Vise whispered back quietly, ”It’s not my first time eating and drinking here. Haven’t you gotten used to it yet?”

Michael: ”...” Can’t get used to it, okay?

From the side, Padma propped her chin and said with a smile, ”Vid, have you encountered something good recently? You seem more lively than usual.”

”Of course.” Vise blinked, ”The Little People Country was a big success, and the wonderful new term has just begun.”

”Really?” Padma smiled and glanced over with eyes seemingly full of infinite meaning.

Just as Michael’s heart slightly tightened, Padma seemed to give up probing for more, diverting her gaze and saying, ”Forget it, you boys always have some secrets you won’t tell.”

”Besides the Little People Country, Vid also published a book, did you all know?”

While peeling a potato, Terry looked up and said, ”Vid, I bought your book—’Turn Troubles into Simplicity,’ and my mom even bought a copy for each of my little siblings! Everyone says the content is really good!”

”Yeah! There were two times I didn’t attend events; when I came back and others told me about them, it never made sense until I read the book and then it was all clear,” another student, Stephen, said.

”Oh, that book’s not written by me,” Vise interjected to explain.

Speaking of which,” Morag McDougall said, seemingly unfazed by Vise’s explanation. ”I thought for sure that Vid would be the prefect this year! Oh... sorry, Anthony, I didn’t mean any offense.”

Anthony Goldstein looked slightly embarrassed but still shook his head and said, ”No problem, I also think Vid would make a better prefect than me.”

”Are you joking?” Vise said in surprise, looking at the others, ”Do you really think I’m more suited to manage discipline, oversee adherence to school rules, and guide new students in adapting to campus life than Anthony?”

That look suggested everyone had gone mad.

Everyone paused for a moment, and suddenly, laughter erupted from nearby seats.

”Hahaha... yeah... Vid might be the least suited person in the whole world for those tasks!”

Everyone chimed in, and even Anthony Goldstein shook his head, both relieved and amused.

Once the students were all full, Dumbledore stood up again, and everyone looked towards him.

”It seems everyone was pleased with tonight’s dinner, but before heading to bed in your dormitories, we’ll have our usual opening announcements and introduce some delightful changes to our teaching staff,”

Dumbledore said in a loud voice, ”This year, our Defense Against the Dark Arts Class will welcome a new professor. I am honored to introduce—Professor Frank Longbottom!”

The man at the edge of the teachers’ table stood up. He was wearing a well-tailored deep blue robe, tall and lean, with a gentle smile that made him appear dignified and imbued with an indescribable force.

He nodded slightly at the entire gathering and then looked across the crowd, his eyes accurately landing on Neville, revealing a reassuring smile.

”Oh my gosh, Neville!” Ron exclaimed in shock, ”Why didn’t you tell everyone—your dad is our new professor!”

Neville said nothing, nor did he show any pride or boasting. He just smiled bashfully and then watched his father at the teachers’ table graciously accept the applause of welcome from everyone, his eyes quietly turning red.

...

While Hogwarts in England was quickly becoming lively with the start of a new term, New York in the United States was still soaking from the storm’s deluge.

Finally, after two days and three nights of terrible weather, the rain stopped and the wind subsided; the long-absent sun finally bathed the sky over the wet city.

A white seagull flew through the gray clouds that hadn’t fully dispersed, quickly passing over skyscrapers.

Silent New York City was shrouded in morning light, and all around the city was a scene of devastation.

The streets were littered with broken branches, mud, overturned trash cans, and colorful plastic items everywhere. A few snails were slowly crawling on the walls, while the muddy puddles reflected a brilliantly blue sky.

Ezra Hughes furrowed his brows, briskly walking through the chaotic streets. He maneuvered around a crane handling downed trees, stepping into a slippery mud puddle at the sidewalk’s edge with a ”splat.”

The hem of his coat and pant legs were splashed with muddy water, making Ezra Hughes’ expression even stiffer. He reflexively gripped his magic wand but ultimately restrained himself from drawing it.

”Oh my, where do all these disgusting things come from?!”

A man carrying a briefcase accidentally stepped on a snail slowly crawling across the street; he complained while scraping his shoe’s sole on the nearby cement steps.

Ezra Hughes glanced at the sticky mess on the ground with distaste, retracted his gaze, and continued to stride forward.

When he arrived at the Magic Congress, he discovered the atmosphere in the President’s office was unusually heavy. Hosone sat behind the desk, a tall stack of files before him.

”...Since the first episode of ’Walking into Magic’ has been recorded, let’s arrange for its broadcast on TV as soon as possible. These Muggle media can be swayed with money...”

”Laira, has our invested TV series started shooting...excellent, from now on you personally review every episode’s script...”

Despite the heavy rains in New York, the regular work of the Magic Congress did not pause. Wizards traveled via the fireplace to different parts of the United States to quickly implement the ”magic myth-busting” tasks.

Seeing Hosone insanely busy, Ezra Hughes could only wait beside for a while.

A few minutes later, Hosone finally got a break; he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then asked in a hoarse voice, ”Ezra, do you have something urgent?”