The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 687 The Banquet

Since Dumbledore's death, Harry had never seen so many people gathered in the Great Hall. After all, Dumbledore's death meant more than just the departure of a headmaster.

The entire British wizarding world was in turmoil—even Harry knew about the recent events: the conflict between the old and new Ministries of Magic, Voldemort's rise—Hogwarts was declared an outlaw—

Harry felt the pressure on his shoulders growing heavier. He was the boy who had survived, the one destined to defeat Voldemort.

But how do we do it?

How can we defeat it?

He sat alone in a corner of the auditorium, his face full of sorrow.

"Harry." Hermione pursed her lips and slowly sat down beside him, reaching out to pat his shoulder.

These are some of Harry's few remaining friends at Hogwarts. Ron and Ginny were called back by their mother, and many others had to leave Hogwarts due to the recent turmoil.

It's safe to say that this is probably the time with the fewest students in the history of Hogwarts.

Hermione coughed at Harry, who still looked worried, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"I—" Harry pursed his lips, unsure how to begin. He shouldn't appear vulnerable, since everyone trusted him and believed he could defeat Voldemort.

"It's nothing," Harry said, pursing his lips. "I was just feeling a little unwell."

Hermione sighed softly upon hearing this, and comforted him, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Harry."

"Professor Hamilton is back," Hermione said. "She will protect us."

"And they will continue to fight Voldemort."

"I know—but—"

Could Professor Hamilton defeat Voldemort? Even Headmaster Dumbledore ultimately couldn't—perhaps this is something only he himself could do—only he, a boy who survived such a calamity, could do it—

And that's not all—he not only had to defeat Voldemort, but also avenge Headmaster Dumbledore and capture Snape, that traitor.

Harry gritted his teeth and then clenched his fist.

As time passed, all the students who remained at Hogwarts had arrived at the Great Hall. Loila sat in the middle of the professors' seats, looking at the students below and pursing her lips.

There were indeed far fewer people than last time—even the long table was only about a third full.

Moreover, most of them were students from Gryffindor. Many Slytherin students were no longer around, for a simple reason—after all, many of their parents had joined the Death Eaters.

"Loila—" Professor McGonagall, sitting beside her, began gently, "If you have anything to say—you can begin now."

"Hmm—" Loila hadn't really thought of what to say, after all, public speaking was undoubtedly very difficult for her.

But she had to do it now. Looking at the worry and unease on the students' faces, she knew she had to do something.

She coughed and then nodded to Professor McGonagall.

"Clang, clang, clang." Professor McGonagall picked up her spoon and gently tapped the glass in front of her. As soon as she did so, everyone at Hogwarts fell silent.

McGonagall looked around and said slowly, with a slightly serious expression, "Miss Loila Hamilton, the new headmistress of Hogwarts, has something to say to everyone."

Loila pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and slowly stood up. It was the first time she had spoken from such a position, and Ye realized for the first time that the microphone was actually so high.

She had to tiptoe slightly to reach the microphone with her mouth.

"Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen." Loila's voice carried far through the microphone. Her voice was not loud and was not very mature. She sounded like a child playing with her father's microphone.

But all the students looked at her intently, at this short girl who represented Hogwarts.

"I am Loila Hamilton." Meeting those gazes, Loila surprisingly found herself not so nervous—because she knew almost everyone in the audience—some were her students, some were members of the Pinecone Party—she had already lived at Hogwarts for five years, a year longer than the time spent by the Pontifical Party—

Moreover, I am no longer the person I was back then. I have been a professor for five years now. Although I don't know what to say, the nervousness seems to have disappeared at this moment.

"I'm sorry to be back so late," Loira said, bowing slightly. "But I don't think it's too late yet."

"Because Voldemort—he hasn't conquered this place yet—his dark plans are far from complete—Mr. Scrimgeour of the Ministry of Magic, the wizards of the Order of the Phoenix are still fighting against him." Royla twitched her ears slightly: "And so are we."

"Voldemort will not spare—he will not spare the lives of any who seek freedom. He will want to grind us to dust and turn us all into slaves."

"But—but we will never give in." Loila's voice grew more and more steady, and her words became clearer and clearer.

"Because we still cherish the memory and hope for the bright and open wizarding world of the past."

"Headmaster Dumbledore has left us, but his spirit continues to inspire us."

Harry sat quietly in the audience watching Professor Hamilton. He knew Professor Hamilton very well.

Professor Hamilton was by no means a good speaker; in her own classes, she couldn't even finish a single sentence.

But now, standing there, though small in stature, she inspired everyone like a true headmistress—Harry could see that Professor Hamilton's pointed ears were twitching slightly, and her tiptoes were trembling slightly.

She was nervous too—but her eyes remained unwavering. She looked intently at herself and her students, earnestly telling them that even though Headmaster Dumbledore was dead.

But she's still here—she'll still protect everyone.

This reminded Harry of something that happened in the past: Professor Hamilton stood in front of him to kill Voldemort's Horcrux and repel Voldemort's interference with the Goblet of Fire.

This was actually what she had always been doing; she had always been protecting Hogwarts—Harry couldn't help but feel a little relieved.

I also feel that the heavy responsibility on my shoulders has been lightened considerably.

He didn't really hear what Professor Hamilton was saying; he just felt relieved, as if Principal Dumbledore was still there.