This scene shocked everyone, everyone dumbfoundedly looked toward distant Hogwarts, a wave of emotion named unease instantly lingered in every person's heart.
Slowly, Hogwarts Castle became bigger and bigger, the group of carriages also slowly decelerated and finally queued up in front of two exceptionally grand wrought iron gates.
On each side of the gate floated a Dementor. Whenever a carriage passed by them, they would quickly float over, circling around the carriage sniffing east and west, while emitting bursts of 'kekekeke' sounds from their mouths, as if inspecting the items inside the carriage, appearing extremely serious.
All of this Link also saw in his eyes, but from his perspective, those Dementors weren't inspecting at all, but secretly and sneakily absorbing the happy emotions of the students inside the carriages.
They only took a small sip from each carriage. Although the amount was small, there were just too many carriages!
Through the Sensory Charm, Link could clearly perceive their inner joy and greed. Even more, Link seemed to be able to "see" their mouths under the hoods silently laughing heartily.
This made Link feel uncomfortable. Without much hesitation, he used the power of curses to form a protective shield to guard Emily and John.
Earlier experiments had already proven, although the power of curses couldn't cause much harm to Dementors, it could still block one or two Dementors.
What others do he didn't care, but he would never allow Dementors to absorb even the slightest bit of happiness from Emily and John.
Only when their carriage truly passed through the gate did a bizarre situation happen.
Those two Dementors not only didn't sneak up to steal happiness like before, but instead stood in place, bowed deeply toward Link.
This made Link's brow twitch violently again. Lowering his head and seeing that Emily and John were currently curled up not daring to look outside, he finally sighed in relief.
The carriage arrived at its destination, everyone got off in succession and entered the Great Hall to take their seats.
Just like previous years, the ceiling of Hogwarts' Great Hall floated with thousands upon thousands of burning candles.
The firelight they emitted warmly lit up every student seated.
It's just a pity the students below were not as excited and noisy as in previous years.
That's not surprising, first, they were forced to stop the train by Dementors and searched (looted), then they were sneakily drained at the gate by two more Dementors.
Not to mention, right now, a bunch of Dementors were still floating above the Great Hall. Through the magical ceiling, everyone could clearly see them greedily peering at the students inside, as if ready to swoop down and feast at any moment.
This made each student wear a bitter expression, unable to lift their spirits at all.
Everyone passed through the entire Sorting Ceremony without saying a word, not even a hint of applause. The oppressive atmosphere made this year's new students all not dare to even breathe loudly.
After the sorting ended, Dumbledore slowly stepped onto the podium.
Looking at the students below, all with gloomy expressions, Dumbledore frowned, and then raised his wand.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Boom!
A large wave of milky-white light radiated from Dumbledore's wand throughout the Great Hall.
Those Dementors that had originally gathered above the Great Hall were repelled instantly by this wave of light, while the students bathed in it felt a warmth rise from within their hearts, nourishing their spirits.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, everyone!" Seeing that the students below had relaxed quite a bit.
Dumbledore finally said, "I have a few very important matters to announce. First, our school has currently welcomed several Dementors from Azkaban."
"They were sent by the Ministry of Magic to perform duties. I'm sure you all already know this, because they conducted a search on the Hogwarts Express."
As soon as these words were said, a commotion broke out below the stage.
Many students cried out in grievance, while others from more privileged families shouted about filing complaints to the Ministry of Magic.
This was easy to understand.
Everyone was happily riding the train, singing songs, and then suddenly, they were raided by Dementors halfway
Is there still justice in this world?
Is there still law?!
Dumbledore did not stop them. After waiting for everyone to quiet down, he said, "They will be stationed at every entrance of the school. I must make it clear, when they are here, no one is allowed to leave the school without permission."
"Any tricks, schemes, or disguises cannot fool a Dementor! This includes Invisibility Cloaks and certain potions that allow invisibility."
Dumbledore gazed in the direction where Link and Harry were seated, then continued, "The nature of Dementors does not understand explanation or pleading. Therefore, I remind everyone here, do not give them a reason to harm you."
"Alright, let's switch to a happier topic." Dumbledore said, "I'm pleased to say that this year we welcome two new professors. First, for the Care of Magical Creatures class, as Professor Kettleburn has already retired, we have chosen Hagrid to take his place."
After Dumbledore finished speaking, loud applause rang out from the direction of Gryffindor.
Hagrid, hearing this, stood up from the staff seats, eyes shining with emotion as he waved toward Harry and them, very excited.
But the other three Houses were completely silent.
Those violent Monster Book of Monsters really made it hard to believe that Hagrid would be a good professor.
"Next is Professor Lupin. He will fill the vacancy for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position."
This time the applause was even more sparse.
Basically only some kind-hearted students and those who had witnessed Lupin's true ability on the train clapped.
Of course, Link was not among them.
In fact, Link originally did want to support Lupin, this is a friend's duty.
Unfortunately, Professor Snape in the staff seats was currently sweeping the Great Hall with a gaze that seemed ready to kill, as if he wanted to memorize every student who dared clap.
After briefly making eye contact with Snape, Link decisively put down the hand he had already raised.
He had a premonition, if he applauded, the consequences might be serious.
Under Snape's glare, the already sparse applause instantly became even more chilly.
Everyone had already gotten used to this. Snape wanting to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor wasn't something new, every year when a new professor was hired, he would do this same act.
"Alright! Then let us begin the feast!"
With Dumbledore's shout, golden plates and tall goblets in front of everyone were finally filled with food and drink.
The appearance of food finally improved everyone's downcast mood somewhat. Everyone began to feast heartily.
After finishing the banquet, Link did not, like previous years, go to Snape's office, but returned to the dormitory and took out parchment and a quill.
What happened to him today was simply too bizarre, this made him feel it necessary to ask someone about it.
Thinking so, Link lifted his quill and wrote, [Mother, I have arrived at Hogwarts. Although there were some small incidents on the way, everything is fine.
Also, do you know whether, in our family, there were ever some uniquely inclined ancestors who were particularly fond of Dementors, and had with them some interactions… beyond friendship…]
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