The train slowed down and finally stopped.
Albert scooped up the dozing Tom, stuffed him back into the cage, and then rushed towards the car door with Fred, George and Lee Jordan.
Everyone went down to a small, dark platform. Although it did not rain during this trip to Hogwarts, the chill at night still made Albert tighten his robe.
In the darkness, a light was swaying above the students' heads. A familiar voice came from afar. Hagrid was greeting the first-year students. It was his task to lead the freshmen across the lake.
"Let's go!" Fred called on everyone to follow the crowd.
The four of them moved slowly with the crowd, crossed the dark platform, and walked a short distance. Hundreds of horseless carriages were waiting for them.
Albert picked an empty carriage. After the four people got on, the carriage followed the long convoy towards Hogwarts Castle.
Halfway through the journey, Fred, George and Lee Jordan were talking about Harry Potter again. Albert was too lazy to join in and leaned against the window, looking at the brightly lit castle in the distance.
The carriage finally stopped at the stone steps in front of the oak gate. Albert got off the carriage, climbed the stone steps and was about to enter the castle when he saw Professor McGonagall calling him beside the oak gate.
"Mr. Anderson."
George and a few others who were chatting with Fred stopped and looked over curiously.
Professor McGonagall also called Katrina and motioned for them to follow her.
She led the two men into a room next to the auditorium, closed the wooden door, and after making sure that no one was eavesdropping, she took out two timers from her pocket and handed them to the two men.
"This is a time converter. Wear it around your neck. One rotation represents one hour." Professor McGonagall warned, "Once you rotate it more than five times, that is, if you go back five hours at a time, it will have a bad effect on your body."
"I've come here time and time again, and I know how to use it." Albert nodded to show that he knew it.
Katrina, who was standing next to him, glanced at Albert and agreed that she understood.
"Very good." Professor McGonagall reminded again before leaving: "Don't let others know, and don't use it to learn unexpected things."
"We promise." Albert and Katrina said in unison.
"Well, you guys go to the banquet. I'm going to go greet the new students." Professor McGonagall said and strode away.
Albert put the time-turner into his leather bag and walked towards the auditorium with Katrina.
Fred, George and Lee Jordan had left him a seat in the front row, which was very popular at the time as everyone wanted to get a close look at the legendary Harry Potter.
"That should be the new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts." Albert's eyes fell on the chair. Next to Snape was a young man with a ridiculous scarf wrapped around his head. His face seemed a little pale because of nervousness.
"Professor Quirrell." Percy said without hesitation the information he had just received from Nearly Headless Nick.
"It seems that they are far less reliable than the first two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors." Albert said softly, "By the way, have they found Professor Smith?"
"Unfortunately, no." Percy had obviously forgotten about Professor Smith from last year. "Almost the entire UK has been searched, but still no one has been found."
"Everyone says he might have been murdered," Lee Jordan muttered.
"Being a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is really risky. I hope he can leave smoothly." Albert sighed. After seeing Professor Quirrell with a ridiculous scarf wrapped around his head, Albert guessed that Voldemort must have possessed the back of his head.
Did Dumbledore really not notice
It’s really hard to say!
If he hadn't known something in advance, he probably wouldn't have noticed it and would have just thought it was ridiculous that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had a scarf wrapped around his head.
However, it is inexplicably funny to think that Harry Potter, Voldemort and Dumbledore actually attended the banquet together.
"It's not as serious as you say. Although no Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has been able to teach for more than a year in these years, many professors haven't had any serious accidents." Percy comforted.
"It's undeniable that this course is a bit weird." Albert muttered softly, "I think if Professor Quirrell doesn't resign in advance, something bad will happen to him."
"Just stop cursing him." Fred covered his face with his hands.
"I think if something really happens to Professor Quirrell, it's probably because of what you just said." George couldn't help but complain.
"Shut up. It's not easy for Professor Quirrell to be the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts." Lee Jordan felt that Professor Quirrell would most likely be doomed in the end.
The auditorium suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at the freshmen who had just entered the auditorium, trying to find the legendary Potter.
Albert did find it. It was actually very easy to find once he knew the information. He was right next to the red-haired Weasley. The slightly thin boy with black hair and glasses was Harry Potter.
The whispers in the auditorium began to stop, and soon there was complete silence.
Then, the Sorting Hat in front of the freshmen began to sing:
You may think I am not pretty.
But never judge a book by its cover.
…
…
Because I am a thinking magic hat!
It was another new song, and this time after singing the song, the Sorting Hat actually bowed to the four tables one by one.
Albert felt his face twitching and raised his hand to applaud with the others.
After the applause died down, Professor McGonagall began to call the roll. The first one was a blonde girl named "Hannah Abbott", who was sorted into Hufflepuff.
As for the little girl who helped Neville find the toad, it turned out to be Hermione Granger, and as expected, she was sorted into Gryffindor.
"I thought she'd be sorted into Ravenclaw," Lee Jordan muttered.
"The boy who lost his toad was also sorted into Gryffindor." George turned his head to look at Albert. He felt that he should not compete with Albert in prediction.
"I thought he would be in Hufflepuff." Fred turned his head and looked at Albert and asked, "How did you know he would be in Gryffindor?"
"Guess."
When Professor McGonagall called out to Malfoy, Fred said with disgust: "This guy will definitely be sorted into Slytherin."
Sure enough, as soon as Malfoy's head touched the hat, the Sorting Hat called out Slytherin.
"Do you know him?" Albert asked knowingly.
"The Malfoy kid is a very annoying guy. His family always looks down on Muggle-born wizards. In fact, I really want to know what he will use to look down on you." George suddenly laughed maliciously: "I think you can completely despise him."
Albert glanced at Malfoy, who was welcomed by the Slytherin students, and muttered, "A little brat who was spoiled by his family."
"I like your comment." Fred gave a thumbs up.
"Harry Potter!"
When Professor McGonagall called out the name, there was a sudden buzz of whispers in the hall.
"She's calling Harry Potter?"
"Is that Harry Potter?"
In order to get a clear look at the legendary Harry Potter, the restaurant was packed with people. Many people stretched their necks hoping to catch a glimpse of Potter's appearance, and some students even stood up and looked over there.
This scene gave Albert a sense of star-chasing.
After a moment, the Sorting Hat called out Gryffindor.
The Gryffindor table immediately erupted into the loudest cheers.
Percy, who was sitting in the front row, stood up and shook hands with Harry, looking like a leader.
"See, in Gryffindor," Albert said softly.
He was not heard by Fred or George, who were shouting, "We've got Potter! We've got Potter!"
However, Albert did notice Lee Jordan's "really accurate" lip movements.
He looked back at the guest of honor seat and his sight fell on Dumbledore. The headmaster was raising his glass slightly, seeming to be satisfied that his savior had not grown crooked.