Chapter 1058
Opening Ceremony
Chapter 1058 Opening Ceremony
Out of politeness, none of the people in the teachers' seat interrupted Percy's narration.
So everyone was forced to listen to how he captured Peter Pedirou.
This is at least the twelfth version that Percy has revised, and each process is filled with thrilling details of the two outwitting each other.
Two minutes later, even Professor Sprout, who was usually very good-natured, started to twitch his eyebrows.
When Peter Pedyru was tried at the Ministry of Magic, they would go to the Ministry to observe the entire trial whenever they had free time.
At that time, under Amelia Borns's imposing gaze, Percy did not dare to lie, at most he only slightly embellished his motives and behavior.
Therefore, the professors were well aware of how much exaggeration Percy had added to his account.
At that moment, the herbalism professor felt a deep sense of admiration for his principal.
Faced with such blatant boasting, Dumbledore not only did not expose it, but also smiled and nodded frequently, occasionally praising it. His patience was simply exceptional.
At the Gryffindor long table, Harry saw Ron staring intently at the plate in front of him, his face flushed, as if he wanted to jump up and shove the plate into Percy's incessantly talking mouth.
He understood Ron's feelings, because at that moment, even Harry wanted to escape from here.
At the Ravenclaw table, Michael lowered his voice and said to Wade with a smile:
“Percy Weasley—I heard he used to work at the Ministry of Magic, and he practically bowed to thank the Minister for his paper airplane.”
"But look at him now, it feels like he's about to become the Minister of Magic."
Wade nodded slightly, looking up at Percy's impeccable attire. When he spoke of something he was proud of, he raised his eyebrows and would casually touch the Merlin badge a couple of times.
At this moment, Wade felt no mockery, only silent contemplation—
What kind of mentality would lead someone to package such a simple request as "look at me, acknowledge me, praise me" in such a seemingly respectable but actually repulsive manner?
He looked away, no longer paying attention to Percy Weasley at the long table.
……
Soon, all four long tables were filled, and most people had smiles on their faces, looking very excited to be back at school.
Dumbledore stood up, opened his arms, and slowly swept his gaze across the room.
The murmur of conversation in the auditorium receded like a receding tide, and all the students looked up at the white-bearded principal.
Welcome back, children!
Dumbledore smiled and said, “I imagine that after the holiday break, you must have accumulated many adventure stories to share; or perhaps some of you have suddenly remembered that you haven’t finished your holiday homework and are rushing to finish it on the last day.”
A low chuckle rippled through the auditorium, and some people's expressions seemed to say: Ah, that's exactly what I was planning to do.
Dumbledore paused for a moment before continuing, "However, let's leave the worries for later and do the most important thing right now—eat!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the long table was suddenly piled high with food—
Golden-brown, juicy chicken legs, mountains of roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding drizzled with thick gravy, honey-glazed ham served on a large silver platter, and pumpkin juice swirling in a crystal jug…
Steam rose in wisps, enveloping the entire auditorium in a warm and fragrant aroma.
The starving students sprang into action, and soon the sounds of knives and forks clattering filled the air.
Just as Wade cut into a steak, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the light around him had changed.
He turned his head and saw a ghost with a pearly luster float out from the floor, quietly sit in the empty seat next to Wade, folded his hands, and silently watch their sumptuous dinner.
This is the ghost of Ravenclaw—Mrs. Grey.
Wade sensed that although she wasn't looking at him, she seemed to be gathering her emotions, preparing to say something to him.
So he politely put down his fork, looked at the other person, and waited quietly.
"Mrs. Grey!"
Suddenly, Michael, on the other side of Wade, enthusiastically held up a plate of Yorkshire pudding and asked:
“Would you like to try some? The kitchen’s skills are getting better and better these days—definitely far superior to those of your time! You’ll love it.” Mrs. Grey, who was about to speak, turned her head and stared at him coldly.
"Oh, I remember you can't eat that."
Michael was two seconds late in remembering this, but he still said enthusiastically:
"How about I save one portion and let it rot before you try it? Do you like a stronger flavor?"
In an instant, Mrs. Grey's face displayed an extremely complex expression.
She glared at Michael fiercely, then turned and floated away.
Michael placed the pudding in front of him blankly, muttering:
"Don't like it? But when Harry and the others said that to Nick, who was almost headless, Nick was so moved he almost cried."
"You're making an elegant lady taste rotten food in public?" Wade sighed. "Even if she actually thought it tasted good, she'd still give you a dirty look, wouldn't she?"
He found it a bit strange—Michael would never normally make this kind of mistake in front of girls.
"Ah, right!" Michael tapped his head and said regretfully, "I made a stupid mistake today. I'll have to apologize to her later."
Wade glanced at his plate but said nothing.
Michael seems to have lost not only his usual emotional intelligence today, but also his usual appetite.
Because there was a half-eaten black licorice stick on his plate, which was one of Michael's most hated snacks.
Wade silently picked up the milk pudding next to him and put it on his plate.
The child seems to be in a bad mood today, so let's have something sweet.
……
The noise around the table gradually subsided, the sauce residue on the plates was magically cleaned, all the food disappeared, and the golden tableware regained its spotless brilliance.
The students, their bellies bulging with satisfaction, leaned back in their chairs, waiting for the dinner to end so they could return to their dormitories.
Dumbledore rose again, and the Great Hall fell silent once more.
"Before school starts—"
The principal's gentle gaze swept across the room, finally settling on the red-haired young man beside him. "I need to introduce a special visitor to everyone."
Percy Weasley stood up.
As if he had rehearsed countless times, he elegantly adjusted the front of his robe, fully exposing the gleaming Ministry of Magic emblem to the candlelight.
Then, Percy nodded slightly to Dumbledore and smiled and nodded at the students.
The pomp and circumstance—as Michael put it—was exactly like that of a minister in person.
"This is Mr. Percy Ignatius Weasley."
Dumbledore's voice revealed no bias; it remained peaceful and kind, as if he were introducing a guest who had come from afar.
"Administrative Director of the Auror Command of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Special Envoy of Minister Sinknes—Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Security Review Envoy."
A low murmur arose in the auditorium.
Percy cleared his throat.
His posture was even more upright, his chin at the perfect angle, his gaze slowly sweeping from the Ravenclaw table to Gryffindor, then from Hufflepuff to Slytherin, as if he were conducting a solemn inspection.
"Thank you for the introduction, Headmaster Dumbledore."
His voice was steady and clear, each word sounding as if it had been carefully crafted.
"Thank you to all the professors—and to all the students at Hogwarts—for giving me this opportunity to stand here."
(End of this chapter)