A day at Hogwarts.

Chapter 621 Is it her?

At the solemn opening ceremony of the 1995-96 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Sorting Hat delivered an important speech before the traditional Sorting Ceremony. The speech systematically reviewed the school's founding history, profoundly explained the development history of the four houses, and offered comprehensive and strategic guidance based on the current situation in the wizarding world.

At the start of his speech, the Sorting Hat, in a resounding voice, reviewed the founding history of Hogwarts. The four founders—Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin—shared the common goal of "building a world-class magical school and promoting the development of magical education," forging a deep working bond that laid a solid foundation for Hogwarts to become a world-class magic school.

The speech pointed out that the four houses have formed distinctive educational systems through long-term practice: Slytherin adheres to the principle of pure-blood selection, Ravenclaw emphasizes the development of intellectual excellence, Gryffindor promotes the spirit of courage and fearlessness, and Hufflepuff practices the educational philosophy of inclusiveness. These diverse talent cultivation models have provided the wizarding world with a large number of professionals, fully demonstrating the educational policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend."

The Sorting Hat emphasizes that Hogwarts is currently at a critical stage of development, and with the complex situation of escalating external threats, internal unity is of even greater strategic importance. Each house must continue the founders' fine tradition of seeking common ground while reserving differences, and deeply understand the historical lesson that "unity builds strength, while division triggers crisis." It is essential to firmly establish the concept of a unified university, deepen inter-house exchanges and cooperation, and jointly build a solid defense against external risks.

The speech called on all faculty and students to grasp the strategic positioning of the branch school system from the perspective of safeguarding the overall cause of magic education. Each school should strengthen collaborative innovation while maintaining its unique strengths, and continue to strive to fulfill the founding mission of "building the best magic school."

The speech elicited a strong response from faculty and students. Sir Nicholas de Minsey-Popington, the resident ghost representative of Gryffindor College, emphasized that the speech had significant and far-reaching historical importance and practical guiding value.

"The Sorting Cap has always upheld a strong sense of historical responsibility and mission, and has been able to issue timely warnings when it anticipates major safety risks to the school. Historical practice has fully demonstrated that the Cap has put forward forward-looking and strategic guidance on many occasions during critical historical stages."

This veteran ghost, with over 500 years of school history, pointed out that throughout the school's development, the Sorting Hat's guiding principles have remained highly consistent: in the face of crises and challenges, unity and maintaining internal stability are fundamental guarantees. Sir Nick emphasized, "Each college must steadfastly implement the principle of peaceful coexistence and continuously deepen cooperation and exchange mechanisms. For example, my ghost group, though belonging to different colleges, has always maintained excellent inter-college solidarity and cooperation."

In explaining the relationship between the houses, Sir Nick used his own experience as an example: "Although there is a healthy rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, I have always maintained close and friendly relations with Comrade 'Bloodball Barrow' and have never had any principled disagreements. This fully demonstrates that a differentiated development path can be promoted in tandem with a mutually beneficial and win-win situation."

Sir Nick concluded by urging all faculty and students to thoroughly study and understand the core message of the Sorting Hat speech, to inherit and carry forward the fine tradition of inter-house exchanges, and to contribute wisdom and strength to consolidating the overall harmonious and stable development of Hogwarts.

Dividing line

On the dining table, candlelight illuminated a dazzling array of food: steak, roast chicken, pumpkin juice, dumplings, and pies emitted an enticing aroma, yet an invisible sense of oppression permeated the air.

The buzzing of discussion about the Sorting Hat's unsettling new ballads continued unabated.

Many people spoke in hushed tones, their faces grave, about its potential connection to Voldemort's return, their voices barely audible, as if afraid of disturbing something, but some kept glancing at Charles.

A few people speculated that the goblins of Gringotts might be brewing some trouble again, and they kept glancing at Charles.

An uneasy feeling quietly spread throughout the lavish dinner, and even the usually cheerful Hufflepuff students frowned.

Charles, however, seemed detached from the commotion, quietly and attentively slicing a tender, juicy steak with meticulous movements, oblivious to the surrounding disturbances, as if all the chaos had nothing to do with him and he was simply immersed in his own world.

Gradually, the conversation among the fifth-year students in Gryffindor shifted back to that popular and hot topic—the bizarre bombing at Professor Snape's house.

Some people mentioned the charred marks at the explosion site, while others whispered that Snape's gloomy face had recently become even more menacing.

Lavender Brown suddenly turned around, his golden curls swaying gently, and asked Harry directly with a tone that was half curious and half joking, "Hey Harry, seriously, what happened at Professor Snape's house, you weren't the one who did it, were you?"

Her eyes gleamed with cunning, and a mocking smile played on her lips.

Many people know about Snape and Harry's relationship, and she was by no means the first person to ask Harry this question.

Harry was engrossed in enjoying his favorite fruit syrup pie, the golden crust filled with sweet syrup and fruit chunks. He didn't even look up when he heard the question, muttering almost unconsciously, with a hint of frustration, "But she's getting her revenge faster than I expected..."

As soon as he said it, he froze, his fork hovering in mid-air, his lips twitching, thinking to himself that he was done for.

He realized that he had spoken too quickly and said something he should never have revealed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The air seemed to freeze; he dared not look up at anyone.

Neville, sitting opposite him, immediately caught the slip of the tongue. He promptly dropped his cutlery, the metal clinking together with a crisp sound. He leaned forward slightly, his round face filled with concern and seriousness.

“Harry, do you know who did it?” Neville’s voice was deep and firm, his eyes sharp as Ruby’s, who had just appeared behind Charles and was staring at a roast chicken on the dining table.

The Longbottoms are now in charge of the case, and he learned about the prophecy concerning the fate of both families from Harry earlier.

Therefore, his intuition told him that Harry must know a lot of inside information.

Now, not only Neville, but also all the classmates around him who had been listening to the gossip turned their attention to Harry. The long table fell silent instantly, and soon even the whispers in the distance disappeared, leaving only the soft clinking of knives and forks.

Simo and Dean exchanged a meaningful glance, while Parvati covered his mouth with his hand, holding his breath and waiting for the answer.

Even Ron and Hermione cast inquiring glances, sensing that Harry knew a lot of things lately, but just wouldn't say anything.

Harry's face flushed instantly, the redness spreading from his ears to his neck. He opened his mouth as if to argue, but in the end he just lowered his head sharply, viciously scooped up a large piece of pie, and quickly stuffed his mouth full.

He built a strong defense with chewing and silence, refusing to reveal another word.

They looked at each other, their curiosity growing.

Parvati whispered to Lavender, "It seems there really is something going on."

Seamus shrugged and whispered, "At least we know that the person who blew up Snape's house was a woman, and Harry obviously knew her."

The speculation spread quickly, with people suggesting names ranging from Ginny to Professor McGonagall.

But these speculations, along with those of Filch in drag, were all refuted one by one.

Just then, an extremely bold, even somewhat absurd, idea suddenly popped into Neville's mind, startling him.

His eyes widened, shock and disbelief flashing in his pupils, his gaze fixed on Harry, who was still struggling to swallow the pie, his heart churning with turmoil.

Could it be... could it be that Harry's mother, Lily Potter, actually didn't die at all?!
The thought was so insane that it sent chills down his spine, and his fingers involuntarily curled up as if he had touched some forbidden truth.

(End of this chapter)