That evening, there was naturally another celebration in the Hufflepuff common room.

On the table were piles of cookies and cakes, as well as jugs of pumpkin juice and butterbeer.

This time, not many people cared about these delicious snacks. Everyone gathered around a table, carefully looking at the three red stones on it.

"What on earth is this thing?"

"I don't know." Kyle shook his head. "Bagman said there are clues to the second project hidden inside, but he didn't tell me how to use it. I need to figure it out on my own."

"Maybe we should roast them over a fire," Mikkel suggested. "Burn off the outer shell and the clue will come out."

"No." Hannah Abbott immediately shook her head and said, "What if the real clues are burned? It's too risky. I think it's better to use the Apparition Spell."

"I'll try." Cedric took out his wand and tapped the stone hard.

"Show your true form!"

But the stone did not change at all.

"It seems that the Apparition Charm doesn't work." He sighed.

"It doesn't matter. This is only the first day." Connor said to Kyle, "You still have three months. You will definitely find clues."

Kyle smiled but said nothing.

In fact, Kyle didn't really care whether he could get clues about the second project in advance.

It’s best to know, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t know... they will tell you on the day of the competition anyway.

After Kyle put away the stones on the table, everyone remembered the cookies and cakes that they had neglected for a long time.

The problems with the second project were forgotten, and everyone began to celebrate Kyle's good results. The atmosphere in the lounge soon became lively.

…

When Kyle finally returned to the dormitory with Ryan and Mikel, it was almost two or three in the morning. Fortunately, those people did not force him to drink butterbeer this time.

Mikel and Ryan seemed to have endless energy, and even though it was very late, they had no intention of going to bed.

Mikel found a wooden stick and fixed it to the door to act as a broomstick. He and Ryan took turns going forward and imitating the difficult grabbing move that Kyle used in the last level.

Kyle lay in bed watching, laughing along with Mikel as Ryan fell off the stick.

You know what, it's quite interesting from this perspective.

…

After the excitement, Hogwarts entered December.

The weather was getting colder and colder, with strong winds and sleet almost every day. Few people went to the Black Lake, which was once the busiest place. Only Durmstrang's big ship was still parked in the center of the lake, swaying in the strong wind.

"It must be terribly cold in there," said Mikel.

They had just finished the Care of Magical Creatures class and were on their way back to the castle, but most of them had red faces and were staggering.

This is because Hagrid has been feeding the rune horses pure malt whisky every day recently, which has caused a strong smell of alcohol to waft through the paddock at all times.

It was fine before, but now, when the wind blows, the smell of alcohol drifts to the classroom, and that strong liquor makes most students feel uncomfortable.

"I think there must be magic in that boat." Ryan rubbed his face and said, "Otherwise, it would be unbearable to stay in the lake in such a cold day."

"That's probably the case," said Mikkel. "And I heard that Durmstrang is much colder than Hogwarts, and their school uniforms include fur cloaks."

Blown by the moist and cold wind from the Black Lake all the way, when they returned to the castle, the dizzy feeling they had before disappeared.

Kyle put the book back in the dormitory, and Cedric came in at this time.

"Kyle, I just said I was going to look for you."

"What's wrong?"

"This is what happened," Cedric said. "The Head Boy just came to me and told me that Dumbledore asked us to go to the Great Hall for dinner today... I have already notified the other grades, and you are the only one left."

"I don't know either." Cedric shrugged. "Maybe the principal has something to announce."

"Okay." Kyle nodded.

When it was time for dinner, Dumbledore came as expected. He looked very happy and was talking to Professor Moody next to him.

"What do you think he's going to say?" Kanna asked curiously, "Will it be the second project?"

"That shouldn't be the case." Kyle thought for a moment and said, "If it's related to the Triwizard Tournament, all three headmasters should be here."

There were only two headmasters who came to the hall for dinner: Dumbledore and Maxim. As for Karkaroff... he hadn't been to the hall since the first project.

Soon, dinner time was over.

When the food on his plate disappeared, Dumbledore stood up.

Everyone looked at him.

"You must be curious as to why I asked everyone to come to the auditorium for dinner."

Dumbledore looked around and said with a smile, "That's because I have something to announce. Okay, come in."

He extended his hand and pointed toward the side door of the auditorium.

A man was walking into the auditorium from there.

"oh!"

"Oh my God, he is..."

There was a burst of exclamations in the hall. At the Gryffindor table, Harry even stood up excitedly.

"Yes, I believe many of you have seen him in the newspapers." Dumbledore said with a smile: "But I still need to introduce you to... Sirius Black."

There was applause in the auditorium.

"Quiet, quiet, I think it's too early for you to cheer now..." Dumbledore stretched out his hand, "I am honored to announce to everyone that from today on, Sirius Black will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!"

After a brief silence, there was thunderous applause and warm cheers.

"Professor, what about Professor Moody..." someone asked loudly.

Although Sirius Black is very good, Professor Moody is not bad either, and many people like his class.

"Please rest assured that Professor Moody will continue to stay here." Dumbledore explained, "But to be honest, he has complained to me many times, accusing me of letting a retired old man take charge of seven grades.

So here comes Professor Black, who has gladly agreed to relieve Professor Moody of some of the burden by taking over the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for grades one to four."

Another round of applause.

"Oh, why!" Mikel said in annoyance, "Why can't the fifth grade take his class?"

"Professor Moody is not bad either," said Cedric.

"I know." Mikkel shook his head. "I mean, that's Sirius Black, this year's legend. Aren't you curious?"

"Well... well, I am indeed curious as well." Cedric said, "But there is nothing I can do about it. He is only in charge of lower grade courses."

“I’m so envious…”

As they talked, Kyle looked to the left side of the classroom, where Snape was.

Snape had no intention of applauding at all. He just held a fork and stared at Sirius who was waving to everyone.

The fork was even deformed due to excessive force.

His expression was extremely ugly, as if Professor Dumbledore had just told him that he must drink some potion brewed by Mikel.

(End of this chapter)