Hogwarts: I Became the Third Dark Lord.

"Why? The vast majority of freshmen want to go to Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, and many pure-blood wizards dream of Slytherin. Very few freshmen want to come to Hufflepuff."

Cedric asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because it's close to the kitchen!"

Wentworth said matter-of-factly.

Chapter Seventeen: Opening Dinner

Just as Wentworth and Cedric were whispering to each other, the Sorting Ceremony finally ended, which made Professor McGonagall, who had been standing next to the Sorting Hat, breathe a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, there's only one Wentworth.

Then, Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster hailed as the greatest white wizard of the era, stood up and gently tapped the glass in front of him with the spoon in his hand.

The entire Great Hall of Hogwarts fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on Dumbledore. This scene made Wentworth sigh inwardly, "This is the prestige of Dumbledore!"

Not because he was the headmaster, but simply because he was Dumbledore.

Dumbledore smiled kindly and addressed the many students below:

"Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone! Before the new term begins, as usual, I have to say a few words. These are: Idiot, Crybaby, Trash, and Troublemaker! Alright, thank you everyone! Let's eat!"

The senior students seemed to have gotten used to it, while the freshmen, such as those from Wentworth, were dumbfounded, never expecting that Dumbledore's words about saying a few words would actually come true!

As for the words Dumbledore used to say, such as "idiot," "crybaby," "scum," and "screw," Wentworth had read many online analyses in his previous life, but he never found a completely convincing answer as to their true meaning.

Hmm, it seems I should find an opportunity to ask Dumbledore in person! Wentworth thought to himself.

As the banquet began, a multitude of delicacies suddenly appeared on the long tables of the four houses—truly appearing out of thin air! Wentworth even heard gasps of surprise from the freshmen.

"The kitchen is located below the auditorium. After the house-elves prepare the food, they place it below and wait for the order to serve. Then, the food is magically delivered to the kitchen."

Cedric explained to Wentworth from the side.

Although Wentworth already knew all this, he still said to Cedric:

"Wow, this is an amazing school! I love it here! So choosing Hufflepuff was such a wise decision! Also, Cedric, you know so much, you'll have to mentor me in the future!"

"I'm counting on you for my homework from now on!" Wentworth swallowed back the words he most wanted to say.

“No problem, Wentworth, we're friends, aren't we?!”

The two exchanged a smile before turning their attention back to the dining table.

In that short time, Wentworth discovered that half of the food on the table in front of him had disappeared!

While the two were talking, the other Hufflepuffs didn't stop eating either. Looking up, they saw that almost everyone was busy eating, their eyes already on the next plate before they even put the food in their mouths.

It has to be said that Hufflepuff is truly a house with a simple and honest atmosphere! Even on the desks in Hufflepuff, the Hufflepuff upperclassmen wearing prefect brooches were busy with their own things.

Wentworth overheard that the Slytherins, not far away, were beginning to introduce themselves to each other, led by their prefects, in a manner reminiscent of ancient Greece.

Just as Achilles said when he introduced himself: I am Achilles, son of the hero Peleus!

The descriptions on the Slytherin table had the same feel to them.

Wentworth then heard Cassandra say: "My name is Cassandra, and my father is the head of the Auror office at the British Ministry of Magic!"

Then, applause rang out from the Slytherin table.

Just as Wentworth was lamenting that Hufflepuff was truly unworthy of the honey badger chosen by the founder of the House as its representative animal, a head suddenly popped out from the table.

Then, screams from the new students echoed throughout the auditorium.

"Hello, Mr. Ghost!"

Wentworth greeted the head that suddenly appeared very politely.

"Oh, very few Hufflepuff freshmen aren't frightened by us. Usually, only Gryffindor freshmen instinctively throw their chicken feet at us, while Hufflepuff freshmen are usually just screaming!"

The head slowly emerged from the table; it was a short, fat ghost resembling a monk.

“This is the ghost of our academy, Fat Monk. This is Wentworth, a freshman of our Hufflepuff.”

Cedric introduced Wentworth and the fat monk from the side.

“What a handsome young man, just as handsome as you, Cedric. You must take good care of him. We Hufflepuffs are the most united house.”

The fat monk looked Wentworth up and down and said with a smile.

After receiving Cedric's affirmative reply, the fat monk went off to greet the other Hufflepuff students.

Seeing the fat monk leave, Wentworth thought to himself, "Finally, I can eat something in peace."

But when Wentworth turned his gaze back to the dining table, he saw only a mess!

Although there was still some food left, such as several chicken legs in front of him, Wentworth lost his appetite when he saw the strange sauce that had been poured on the chicken legs by someone.

"What, is it not to your liking? I haven't touched this steak yet. I've eaten too much on the way here today, and I really can't eat anymore. If you don't mind..."

Cedric was only halfway through his sentence when Wentworth suddenly hugged him.

"Waaah, Cedric, you're so kind! Then I won't be polite!"

As Wentworth ate his steak, he thought about how to repay Cedric for the meal. Suddenly, a dish that people in his previous life in China all knew how to make and loved appeared in Wentworth's mind, and Wentworth couldn't help but smile.

Just then, Dumbledore, who was in front of him, stood up again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce a new professor to you!"

As he spoke, Dumbledore extended his palm, gesturing to Ilona beside him.

"Professor Ilona will be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the new term at Hogwarts!"

Ilona then stood up and addressed the students:

"Hello everyone, my name is Ilona, ​​and I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the new semester. I am very happy to be here at Hogwarts. On my way here, I have already felt the enthusiasm of the Hogwarts students. I am looking forward to having you in my class this new semester!"

After Ilona sat down, the students burst into applause and whispers.

"I hope nothing bad happens to Teacher Ilona."

Wentworth heard Cedric muttering to himself.

After Ilona sat down, Dumbledore glanced around the Great Hall and said with a smile:

"I think everyone has eaten enough, so let's move on to the next activity!"

With a snap of Dumbledore's fingers, the mess on the table vanished, replaced by countless desserts of all kinds.

"Actually, this is the moment I look forward to the most at the opening banquet!"

Dumbledore stood there and said with a smile.

Chapter Eighteen: After the Banquet

After the opening banquet, all the freshmen, led by the four college deans, walked to their respective lounges.

Dumbledore returned to his office, where he was joined by Professor McGonagall, the Vice-Headmaster of Hogwarts.

"Dumbledore, I'd like to borrow your Pensieve!"

As soon as Professor McGonagall entered the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, she couldn't wait to speak.

Professor McGonagall then walked to Dumbledore's Pensieve, took out her wand, and gently pressed it against her temple.

Then, a silver thread, as if drawn by something, floated out from Professor McGonagall's temple and was placed into the Pensieve.

"Dumbledore, I think you'd better see for yourself."

Dumbledore did not refuse Professor McGonagall's request and went over. In the Pensieve, Dumbledore saw Wentworth's introduction of the four houses in front of the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

“A very interesting introduction, Professor McGonagall. I think you’re overthinking it. I know what you’re worried about, but Wentworth’s speech wasn’t as inflammatory or…aggressive as Gellert’s.”

After viewing the contents of the Pensieve, Dumbledore said...

Professor McGonagall said somewhat urgently:

“Dumbledore, I don’t believe you didn’t glean anything from these words! Clearly, the Grindelwald children know Hogwarts intimately, which is why they can describe the four houses so accurately.”

"A child who has never been to Hogwarts can know so much about Hogwarts. What does that mean? It means that those guys have been paying attention to Hogwarts and to you all these years!"

"I really don't understand why you would agree to let his child go to Hogwarts! We are responsible for all the students at Hogwarts! Do you know where the Sorting Hat thinks he should be sorted into? Azkaban!"

Faced with Professor McGonagall's unusually stern questioning, Dumbledore showed no anger, but instead patiently replied:

"Professor McGonagall, you know, the Sorting Hat sometimes makes harmless jokes, doesn't it?"

Dumbledore turned his gaze to the Sorting Hat, which was placed to the side.

But this time, the Sorting Hat didn't give Dumbledore any face; instead, it said without any mercy:

“Dumbledore, I think Azkaban might be a good fit for that kid. After all, it’s not like no one has ever walked the road from Hogwarts to Azkaban.”

This time, it was Professor McGonagall who spoke first:

"That's because they went astray after graduation. In school, the vast majority of them were good students!"

Clearly, Professor McGonagall's affection for her students was no less than Dumbledore's, so she didn't hold back in her rebuttal to the Sorting Hat.

Dumbledore continued:

“You’re right, Professor McGonagall. Most of them were good students when they were in school, so why can’t you just treat Wentworth as an ordinary student?”

“Professor McGonagall, you know we can’t let a child with magical powers roam freely without guidance; the silent threat is always there.”

But Professor McGonagall clearly could not accept Dumbledore's explanation.

“Dumbledore, you can’t fool me. He can go to Durmstrang; it shouldn’t be difficult for him. I want to know your true thoughts!”

Hearing this, Dumbledore turned around, looked intently at Professor McGonagall, and slowly said:

"Professor McGonagall, if I remember correctly, next year should be the time when that Potter child comes to Hogwarts, right?"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's question, Professor McGonagall was momentarily confused as to why the topic had suddenly shifted from the Grindelwald children to the Potter children, but she still answered:

"If you're talking about that boy who survived, Harry Potter, then next year is indeed the year he reports to Hogwarts."

Dumbledore nodded, and said in a somewhat heavy tone: