Daily Life at Hogwarts - Chapter 20

The freshmen were amazed by Dumbledore’s magical display. However, their ravenous hunger made them more focused on the sumptuous spread before them than pondering over how the headmaster accomplished the feast.

Albert knew how it was done. The food was transported up from the kitchens below the Great Hall using a magic handed down by Helga Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff cup, which was later used as one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, was the first magical object in Hogwarts that aided the house-elves in transporting the food.

Albert decided to quiz the prefect beside him about it. However, with his mouth full, the prefect clearly had no intention of answering.

The feast was lavish. It might not be fine dining, but it certainly filled their bellies.

Albert sliced into a steak, eating leisurely. He wasn’t particularly hungry as he’d been snacking all the way.

Everyone else was digging in heartily. Lee Jordan, sitting opposite Albert, was gnawing on a chicken leg, which was quite comical.

Once the feast began, the house ghosts made their appearance. They floated in from various parts of the castle, greeting the newcomers, causing quite a stir.

Gryffindor’s ghost was a nobleman, presumably the legendary Nearly Headless Nick.

“Good evening, Sir Ghost.” Albert greeted after swallowing his steak, nodding to Nearly Headless Nick.

“I’d much prefer Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington,” replied the ghost.

“Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington,” Albert repeated, proud of his memory. “Can you take a photograph? I mean, can you appear in one?”

“What? I don’t understand, young man.”

“Taking a photograph. I’d love to have one with you someday.”

“Very well, lad. Seek me out if you ever wish to… ‘take a photograph.’” Sir Nicholas was growing fond of this polite young man.

“May I ask another question?”

“Go ahead.”

“What exactly is a ghost? A soul after death?”

“Wizards can leave an imprint of themselves on the mortal plane, to roam the places they once lived. However, very few choose this path.” Sir Nicholas didn’t directly answer Albert’s question.

“So, a fragment of memory? No, more than that… So, indeed a soul?” Albert mused to himself. He was aware of the existence of souls in the magical world. After all, Voldemort had torn his own soul into pieces.

When he emerged from his contemplation, he found people staring at him.

“What?” Albert inquired, puzzled.

“Nothing.” They quickly averted their gaze.

“You really should have been sorted into Ravenclaw,” Fred commented with his mouth full.

“Swallow your food first,” Albert retorted, slightly irritated.

“Why are you so curious about ghosts?” another first-year student asked.

“In the muggle world, there’s no such magical existence as ghosts,” Albert responded calmly. “Now that I have a chance to learn, I don’t want to miss out. By the way, it feels cold when a ghost passes through you. Better be careful in the future.”

He had discreetly poked Nick a moment ago, feeling the chilling sensation on his fingertip. Passing through them might feel as if being drenched in icy water.

It surely wouldn’t be a pleasant experience in winter.

“Indeed, we don’t have ghosts in the Muggle world,” said a girl two seats away from Albert named Shanna Wilson.

“To be honest, when we received the letter, my family thought it was a prank. When Professor McGonagall visited, they nearly kicked her out,” Shanna Wilson laughed, “They didn’t really want me coming here.”

“My situation was similar,” Albert chuckled, “My mom nearly called the police on Professor McGonagall. People who live by science often struggle to accept the anomalous. They wanted me at Eton.”

“Eton, as in THE Eton?” Shanna was surprised.

“What’s that?” Lee Jordan asked, puzzled.

“One of the best schools in England,” Shanna explained.

“Hogwarts is the best,” George quipped.

“Of course, there’s only one magical school in England, so naturally, Hogwarts is the best,” Shanna scoffed, “There are thousands of Muggle schools. Eton ranks among the top three. You can imagine what that means.”

“It does sound impressive,” George said, clearly clueless.

“Let’s hear about you all,” Albert changed the topic, looking at another girl.

“I’m half-and-half. My mother’s a witch, my father’s a Muggle. We’ve always lived in the Muggle world. I’ve been around magic since I was a child, so there was no surprise when the invitation came,” Angelina Johnson shared.

Sitting beside her, Alicia Spinnet added, “I was born into a wizarding family. Nothing was new or surprising. My family was pleased when I got the letter. They bought me an owl.”

After everyone had their fill, the remaining food vanished, replaced by desserts.

Albert took some pudding, enjoying stories shared by the freshmen.

At the end of the banquet, the dishes cleared, leaving plates as clean as if Tom had licked them.

Professor Dumbledore stood again, announcing, “I am pleased to welcome a new professor to our school. Professor Bard Broad will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.”

Sparse applause echoed through the hall.

Professor Bard Broad was an elderly man.

“There are a few more announcements,” Dumbledore’s gaze scanned the student body, “First-years, please note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to all students. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to remind you all not to use magic in the corridors between classes. Finally, Quidditch team tryouts will be held in the second week of term. Those interested should contact Madam Hooch.”

“Why can’t we go into the Forbidden Forest?”

“It’s probably because it’s dangerous,” Albert remarked, casting a glance at the eager twins.

“If you two dare enter the Forbidden Forest, I’ll write to mum,” Percy Weasley threatened, glaring at his brothers, well-aware of their adventurous nature.

“We won’t!” The twins quickly promised.