The first-year students marveled at Dumbledore's wondrous magic, but their ravenous hunger outweighed their curiosity about how the Headmaster had accomplished this feat.
Albert, however, knew the secret. Dumbledore had used magic left behind by Hufflepuff to transport the feast from the kitchens beneath the Great Hall. The Hufflepuff Golden Cup, once a Horcrux for Voldemort, was the first vessel at Hogwarts to assist house-elves in magically transporting food.
Albert couldn't resist testing the Prefect beside him with this knowledge, but the Prefect, mouth stuffed with food, clearly had no intention of answering.
The banquet was lavish, though not particularly refined, but it was certainly enough to fill everyone's stomachs.
Albert took a steak and slowly began to cut it. He wasn't truly hungry, having snacked throughout the journey.
The others devoured their meals with gusto. Across the table, Lee Jordan gnawed on a chicken leg, his comical expression drawing amused glances.
As the feast progressed, ghosts began to materialize, drifting out of the castle walls to greet the newcomers and causing a stir among the students.
Gryffindor's ghost was a male nobleman, likely the legendary Nearly Headless Nick.
"Mr. Ghost," Albert said, swallowing his beef and greeting Nearly Headless Nick.
"I prefer to be addressed as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington," the ghost replied.
"Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington," Albert repeated the lengthy name. He was momentarily impressed by his own memory for being able to recall it. "Can you be photographed? I mean, can you appear in photographs?"
"What? Child, I don't understand what you're asking," Sir Nicholas said, pleased that someone had taken the trouble to pronounce his full name. He hated being called "Nearly Headless Nick" by newcomers.
"A photograph," Albert clarified. "Please make time to take one with me someday."
"Very well, child. If you ever wish to have that... oh, that photograph, come find me," Sir Nicholas agreed, taking a liking to the polite young boy.
"May I ask another question?"
"Ask away, child."
"What exactly is a ghost? Is it a soul after death?"
"Wizards can leave their mark on the human world, drifting ethereally through places they once walked in life, but only a few choose this path," Sir Nicholas said, avoiding a direct answer to Albert's question.
"A memory? That doesn't quite fit either... So, it really is a soul?" Albert muttered to himself, knowing souls existed in the Magical World. After all, Voldemort had torn his own soul into eight pieces.
When he snapped out of his thoughts, he noticed everyone nearby staring at him.
"What's wrong?" Albert asked, puzzled.
"Nothing," the others quickly averted their gazes.
"I still think you should have been sorted into Ravenclaw," Fred mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"Swallow before you speak," Albert snapped irritably.
"Why are you so curious about ghosts?" a first-year asked.
"In the Muggle world, there's no such thing as ghosts," Albert replied calmly. "Now that I have the chance to learn about them, I don't want to miss it. By the way, being passed through by a ghost feels freezing cold. You'd better be careful in the future."
He had just secretly poked Nick with his finger, and it felt icy cold, as if his finger had passed through a layer of ice water.
This would definitely not be a pleasant experience in winter.
"That's right, there are no ghosts in the Muggle world," said Shanna Wilson, a girl sitting two seats away from Albert.
"Honestly, when we first received the letter, my family thought it was a prank. When Professor McGonagall came to visit, they nearly kicked her out," Shanna Wilson said, amused. "In fact, they didn't really want me to come here."
"My situation was similar. My mother almost called the police to arrest Professor McGonagall," Albert said with a laugh. "People who live in the scientific world usually have a hard time accepting the extraordinary. They wanted me to go to Eton College."
"Eton College? That Eton College?" Shanna Wilson asked, surprised.
"What's that?" Lee Jordan asked, puzzled.
"It's one of the best schools in Britain," Shanna Wilson explained.
"Hogwarts is the best," George said, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course it is," Shanna Wilson retorted with a sneer. "It's the only magical school in Britain, so naturally it's the best. Ordinary people—what you call Muggles—have tens of thousands of schools, and Eton College ranks among the top three. Need I say more?"
"Sounds impressive," George said dismissively, though he genuinely didn't understand.
"Enough about us. What about you?" Albert interjected, turning to the other girl.
"I'm half-and-half," Angelina Johnson said. "My mother's a witch, and my father's a Muggle. They were honest with each other from the start. We've always lived in the Muggle world, but I've been exposed to magic since I was little. My family wasn't too surprised when I got my invitation."
Aria Spinnet, sitting beside her, added, "I was born into a wizarding family and grew up with magic. Nothing new for me. My family was thrilled when I got my letter and bought me an owl."
After everyone had eaten their fill, the leftover food vanished from the plates, replaced by desserts.
Albert took a pudding and listened to the first-years share amusing stories.
When the feast concluded, the plates were emptied again, as clean as if Tom had licked them.
Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet and announced to the assembled students, "I am delighted to welcome a new professor to our school. Professor Bard Blood will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor."
Sparse applause echoed through the Great Hall.
Professor Bard Blood was an elderly man.
"There are a few more announcements," Dumbledore continued, addressing the entire student body. "First-years, please note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to students. Furthermore, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that magic is not to be used in the corridors between classes. Finally, Quidditch team tryouts will be held during the second week of term. Students interested in joining their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."
"Why can't we go into the Forbidden Forest?"
"There's probably something dangerous in the Forbidden Forest," Albert said, glancing at the twins, who were practically bouncing with excitement.
"If you dare set foot in the Forbidden Forest, I'll write to Mum," Percy Weasley glared fiercely at his younger brothers, knowing their personalities all too well.
"We won't," the twins hastily assured him.
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T/N— You can read upto Chapter 50 and get two chapters a day at— Patreon.com/EtherealTL
Details about bonus chapters mentioned in Auxiliary, Chapter 0.