Hogwarts: Proficiency Panel

Chapter 524 525: The New Assistant

"That was incredibly reckless, child. Professor Lupin was with you; there was no reason for you to put yourself in harm's way!"

Professor McGonagall spoke sharply to Sean, her tone so severe that Harry

instinctively shrunk back in his seat.

"But regardless," she continued, her voice softening as she stepped toward the

young wizard, "you did well, child. Very well indeed."

To Harry's utter shock, she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Sean's

forehead.

Harry felt as though he were floating in mid-air, watching a reality he couldn't

quite process. For a moment, he genuinely wondered if Professor McGonagall had

been replaced by a Polyjuice-drinking imposter.

Sean was equally stunned. He saw the flicker of raw worry and deep-seated pride

in her eyes. He looked down at his own robes—high-quality fabric with elegant

silver trim, another detail McGonagall had personally overseen. For a long time,

the Professor had played her role with strict restraint. They often forgot that

this was her first time being a central part of a child's family. She constantly

tested the boundaries of her own reserve, but as they were discovering, love

isn't something that can always be weighed and measured.

"I'll be more careful," Sean said softly.

"That is all I ask."

McGonagall gave a faint, rare smile before turning her attention back to Harry,

her expression returning to its usual professional sternness. "Professor Lupin

also mentioned that you were unwell on the train, Potter."

"Oh... I... well..." Harry stammered, his mind still reeling from the "Grandma

Minerva" moment he had just witnessed.

A knock at the door interrupted them, and Madam Pomfrey, the school matron, came

hurrying in.

"Where is Potter? Is he alright?" she asked urgently.

Harry felt his face go hot. Great, he thought. Not only did I pass out on the

train like a weakling, but now McGonagall and Pomfrey are making a massive

production out of it.

"I'm fine," he insisted. "I don't need anything—"

"Oh, hush, Potter!" Madam Pomfrey ignored him, leaning down to peer into his

eyes. "I expect you've been up to something dangerous again, have you?"

"It was the Dementors, Poppy," McGonagall said.

The two women exchanged a grim look. Madam Pomfrey began to cluck like an angry

hen.

"Stationing Dementors around a school," she muttered, brushing Harry's hair back

to feel his forehead. "He won't be the first to collapse, mark my words. Yes,

he's clammy and cold. Horrible things, they are, and the effect they have on

people who are already delicate—"

"I'm not delicate!" Harry snapped.

"Of course you aren't, dear," Pomfrey said absentmindedly, reaching for his

pulse.

"What does he need?" McGonagall asked. "Bed rest? Should he spend the night in

the hospital wing?"

"I'M FINE!" Harry shouted, bolting to his feet. The thought of what Draco Malfoy

would say if he had to be hospitalized on the first night was more than he could

bear.

"Well, at the very least, he needs chocolate," Pomfrey decided.

"I've already had some," Harry said. "Professor Lupin gave us all some on the

train. And Sean gave me a piece of his pumpkin pie."

"Green? You're here too, boy?" Pomfrey looked over at Sean with a nod of

approval. "Good. You're always one of the sensible ones. It's a relief to

finally have a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who actually knows the

proper remedy."

"Are you certain you feel alright, Potter?" McGonagall asked one last time.

"Yes," Harry said firmly.

"Very well. Please wait outside for a moment. I need a private word with Sh—Mr.

Green. Then we shall go down to the feast together."

The heavy oak door clicked shut behind Harry. Sean met McGonagall's gaze, which

was now a mix of sharp authority and lingering warmth.

"He was the manager at your bookshop?" she asked.

"Yes, Professor."

"Lupin is a capable wizard, certainly," McGonagall mused, "but you would do well

to maintain a professional distance, Sean."

Sean didn't ask why. He simply nodded.

"Now, let us go to the feast, child."

The Great Hall was a sea of pointed black hats. Thousands of candles floated

above the four long House tables, their light reflecting off the golden plates

and goblets. Professor Flitwick, the tiny Charms master, was just carrying the

Sorting Hat and a three-legged stool out of the hall as they entered.

"Oh," Harry whispered to Sean as they reached their respective tables. "We

missed the Sorting."

"What happened?" Justin Finch-Fletchley asked, appearing seemingly out of thin

air. Even though he was a Hufflepuff, he was currently hovering near the

Ravenclaw table.

"Yeah, where were you?" Hermione added, joining them.

Before Sean could explain, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up to speak.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice rang out, the candlelight catching the silver of

his long beard. "Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things

to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I thought it best to get

it out of the way before you become muddled by our excellent feast..."

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As you will be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is

currently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on

Ministry business."

He paused. Sean knew Dumbledore had fought against the Ministry's decision to

station the creatures here. But the Headmaster, ever the observer of rules, had

allowed it—perhaps because he was confident he could handle the consequences if

things went wrong. For the students, however, it was a dark omen.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued.

"While they are here, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school

without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises—or

even Invisibility Cloaks."

He added coldly, "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be understanding or

merciful. Therefore, I warn each and every one of you: give them no reason to

harm you. I look to the Prefects and our new Head Boy and Girl to make sure that

no student comes into conflict with them."

Silence fell over the hall. Not a single student moved.

"On a happier note," Dumbledore said, his voice brightening, "I am pleased to

welcome three new members of staff to our ranks this term. First, Professor

Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark

Arts teacher."

A smattering of polite, unenthusiastic applause broke the silence. Only the

students who had been in the compartment with Lupin on the train clapped with

any real vigor. Justin looked like he was trying to break his own hands with how

hard he was applauding.

"As for our second appointment," Dumbledore continued, waiting for the noise to

die down. He looked toward the Ravenclaw table and his eyes twinkled

mischievously. "Ah... step forward, if you please. Mr. Green... our dear Potions

Teaching Assistant. I'm afraid you won't be sitting at your House table

tonight."

The Hall went from absolute silence to a state of near-riot in seconds.

The Ravenclaws erupted into a roar of cheers and rhythmic stamping. The

Hufflepuffs weren't far behind, their applause nearly shaking the rafters. Even

at the Slytherin table, Sean noticed several older students nodding with a sort

of reserved, begrudging respect. At the Gryffindor table, Fred and George were

practically standing on the benches to cheer.

"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled as Sean stood up and began the walk toward the High

Table. "We are all well aware of Mr. Green's exceptional capabilities. Both

Professor Snape and I have every confidence that he will excel in this role. It

may be a humble start, but as we know, all greatness begins with a single step."

Sean approached the High Table, his face a mask of calm despite the hundreds of

eyes fixed on him. He reached the end of the table where two seats were vacant.

The first seat was next to Professor Lupin, who was watching Sean with an

expectant, hopeful look.

The second seat was next to Professor Snape. Snape was currently ignoring the

applause, his dark eyes fixed on Lupin with a look of pure, unadulterated

loathing.

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