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"Welcome to our new students," Dumbledore said, rising to his feet.
His arms spread wide in a gesture of warmth, a radiant smile lighting up his face.
"Welcome to our old friends! Now, eat heartily!"
Delicious dishes appeared as if from nowhere, filling the empty plates on the long tables with a magical abundance of food.
They indulged in the delectable spread. Before long, the golden platters were cleared of their savory contents, only to be instantly replenished with desserts—fruit pies, chocolate cakes, orange puddings, and more.
"Severus, I haven't seen Avery," Patrick Abbott mumbled through a mouthful of food. "Why didn't he show up for the Opening Feast?"
Across the table, Mulciber, Regulus, and Barty Crouch Jr. were huddled together, whispering.
Snape had a fair guess about Avery's absence, and he was the cause of it.
He gave Abbott a vague reply: "I don't know, but it is a bit odd."
Finally, the desserts vanished, leaving the plates and goblets sparkling clean once more.
Dumbledore rose again.
The buzz of chatter in the Great Hall gradually died down.
"Please, a moment of quiet," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling as he surveyed the room. "I must trouble you to listen to an old man's ramblings.
"I remind you all that the Forbidden Forest near the grounds is off-limits to students. Additionally, only those in their third year and above may visit Hogsmeade on weekends.
"More importantly, I am delighted to welcome Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank to our staff this term. She will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."
Professor Grubbly-Plank?
Snape's gaze flicked to the staff table—
An older witch stood beside Dumbledore, her sharp chin jutting out, her gray-white hair neatly trimmed.
Snape recalled that in the books, Professor Grubbly-Plank was a substitute for Hagrid in Care of Magical Creatures.
To think she'd be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. Could she be Dumbledore's go-to troubleshooter?
"Furthermore," Dumbledore continued, "most of you in this hall are aware that a war rages beyond Hogwarts' walls.
"Lord Voldemort and his followers continue to sow chaos and harm the innocent."
A ripple of fearful breaths swept through the hall.
Dumbledore paused for a moment before going on:
"The situation is perilous. I urge you all to prioritize your safety and remain vigilant at all times.
"If you notice anything unusual or suspicious, report it to a staff member immediately.
"Now, it's getting late. Off to your dormitories. Rest well and prepare for classes tomorrow."
The hall filled with the clatter of benches and the screech of chairs as students stood and made their way out, heading toward their dormitories.
In the familiar Slytherin dormitory beneath the lake, Snape noticed Avery's absence once again.
His bed stood empty, devoid of any trunk or belongings.
In his open wardrobe, aside from a few old textbooks left from last term, there was nothing else.
As Snape prepared for bed, he couldn't help but wonder: Had Avery dropped out because of it?
Would he join the Death Eaters early? And what impact might that have on the future?
The next morning at breakfast, the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall gleamed a clear blue, with wisps of white clouds drifting lazily across it.
Today was course selection day.
After breakfast, they lingered at their tables, waiting.
"Let me see your course list," Abbott said, taking Snape's application form.
"I need to make sure ours mostly match. Being the only Slytherin in a class full of weirdos isn't exactly my idea of fun."
He made a few adjustments to his own form, a grin spreading across his face. "Good thing I've got you this year."
"Pfft!" Snape spat in mock disgust.
Sorting out sixth-year schedules was more complicated than in previous years.
Each house's head had to verify that every student's O.W.L. results met the requirements for their chosen N.E.W.T.-level courses.
Soon enough, Professor Horace Slughorn waddled over from the staff table, his large belly leading the way.
"Hm, an Outstanding in Potions O.W.L.," Slughorn said, reviewing Snape's application alongside his results. "You may continue with my Advanced Potions course.
"As for the rest… let's see… Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts—all Outstanding. Care of Magical Creatures, a Good.
"Very well, Snape. Are you aiming to become an Auror or perhaps a Healer?"
"I haven't decided yet, sir. But I believe these subjects—Potions in particular—are precise sciences and wondrous arts, worthy of deep study."
Slughorn raised an eyebrow, stroking his walrus-like silver mustache as if pondering something.
"Very good. Next—" He handed Snape's finalized schedule back.
A few minutes later, Abbott's schedule was sorted as well. In addition to the six courses Snape had chosen, Abbott had opted for Muggle Studies.
"We've got no classes right now," Abbott said, glancing at his timetable. "First one's not until ten. I'm heading to the common room for a bit. You coming?"
"You go ahead. I want to take a walk. I'll meet you in class."
Over the summer, Snape had been preoccupied with something important, and he was eager to investigate.
He climbed the stairs to the eighth floor of the castle, crossed a corridor, and stopped before a massive tapestry.
The tapestry depicted Barnabas the Barmy attempting to teach trolls to dance ballet.
As Snape approached, the trolls paused their pummeling of the ballet instructor and turned to stare at him.
Snape quickly checked both ends of the corridor to ensure no one was nearby.
Certain he wouldn't be seen, he walked to the window at one end of the blank wall opposite the tapestry, then paced toward the tall vase at the other end.
"I need a place to hide something… I need a place to hide something…"
He repeated this three times, and a smooth door materialized on the blank wall.
Snape glanced around one last time, then cautiously grasped the bronze handle and pulled the door open.
He slipped into the Room of Requirement and closed the door behind him.
The chirping of birds outside the castle fell silent, replaced by an enveloping stillness.
The room resembled a vast cathedral, its towering walls formed by generations of Hogwarts students' hidden possessions.
Broken furniture stacked to the ceiling, magical artifacts drained of power, dusty and grimy bottles containing congealed potions.
Tattered hats, cloaks, thousands of books, and rusted swords lay haphazardly strewn about.
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