"Thank you, Vid, for the outstanding spell idea."
At the teachers' table, Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with delight: "Twenty points to Ravenclaw College."
As soon as he finished speaking, the giant hourglass resonated with a pleasant ding, and a string of blue gems fell, instantly elevating Ravenclaw's hourglass slightly higher than the other three.
"Yay!" Professor Flitwick pumped his fist, then glanced around, pretended to cough, and shifted his body twice before throwing Vid an approving look.
Beside him, Dumbledore drew his wand and waved it, transforming the thunderous ceiling into a clear starry sky, occasionally streaked by silk-like auroras.
Around the hall, spontaneous applause broke out, starting sporadically and growing fervent, with people clinking their forks.
"Well done, Vid!" Fred shouted.
"Absolutely!" George agreed, "Even if it means our hair turns into Fanged Flyers, it's worth it!"
Laughter erupted among many.
Professor Dumbledore patiently waited for a while, then clapped his hands, quickly silencing the hall's laughter.
"What a delightful interlude; I'm glad our evening will be dry and comfortable. But now, let us proceed with tonight's most important ceremony."
The freshmen who had been eagerly clapping and cheering suddenly tensed, beginning to feel nervous.
On the high stool, the Sorting Hat split open with a wide seam, cleared its throat, and started to sing in a sonorous voice:
"It was over a thousand years ago, when I was freshly woven into shape. Four renowned wizards, whose names have been passed down until today..."
Michael nudged Vid's arm, whispering, "What's going on? You were never this high-profile before."
Vid pondered for a moment, then retorted, "Magic School Tournament, don't you want to participate?"
"Of course," Michael replied without hesitation, then turned the conversation, "But I also know that with my skill, I'd only be there for fun. For you, though... Oh, you wouldn't be scaring off potential rivals, would you?"
"No such luck," Vid said, "I just hope that when I become Hogwarts champion, no one questions my eligibility."
"Who would be so shortsighted?"
Michael thought for a while and added, "The rules this time are different; if there's a team event, make sure you don't bring along anyone who would hold you back just because you want to look after them. Higher-grade students are more reliable…"
His gaze scanned across several long tables, selecting as he spoke, "Cedric, the Weasley Twins, and Slytherin's Miles Bletchley are quite skilled. From our college, there's Roger Davies."
"It's not time to consider these issues yet," Vid said, "Moreover, if there really is a team contest, more important than spell proficiency is whether abilities complement each other and if there's a willingness to cooperate; I can't entrust my back to someone I don't trust."
Michael deliberated for a moment, then nodded, "You're right."
Once again, enthusiastic applause echoed through the hall as the Sorting Hat's song finished, and Professor McGonagall began hosting the sorting ceremony, drawing everyone's attention to the new students.
"Oh dear," Vid heard a girl beside him mutter, "They're so small!"
Vid nodded unconsciously.
Back when he was sorted, he didn't think he was that short, but now, sitting on the side, he finds those first-year kids looking like little radishes, their faces showing varying degrees of nervousness and fear.
"Stuart Ackley!"
A trembling boy walked over to the stool, put on the shabby hat.
"Ravenclaw!"
Applause erupted along the long table, and Vid clapped his hands. When that child looked over excitedly, Vid smiled kindly and nodded.
"I bet," Michael muttered, "all these first-year freshmen must be your admirers."
"As long as they don't chase me for photos," Vid smiled, his lips moved slightly as he said, "I don't have Harry's kind of patience."
During the sorting, the two stopped whispering to each other. Finally, waiting for the ceremony to end, the banquet finally began.
After eating and drinking, Dumbledore announced several notices, such as items forbidden for use and reminders that students are not allowed into the Forbidden Forest.
There were also a few new regulations added, like not using the Enlargement Spell outside the maze area on insects or poppets, not gambling with poppets, or using the Friendship Book or Communication Pea during class, among others.
At the teachers' table, several gazes swept back and forth over Vid, but he seemed oblivious to them, remaining focused on the principal, as if what Dumbledore was saying were absolute truths.
Afterward, Dumbledore introduced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Moody, whose peculiar appearance shocked the students into silence, even forgetting to applaud.
Next, Dumbledore announced the inter-school tournament of the eleven magic schools, sparking excitement throughout the hall.
"Any student can register, but it doesn't mean you can carelessly plunge into danger. The events remain arduous to ensure participants don't meet a tragic end..."
Dumbledore's gaze swept over those excited and expectant faces, noticing some children instinctively displaying fear, while others remained unchanged.
Vid briefly met his eyes and subtly clenched his fists.
Dumbledore continued, "There will be a fair judge responsible for selecting contestants with the requisite magic ability from the registrants."
"Representatives from other magic schools will arrive in October, and they will spend a large portion of the school year here with us..."
"Did you notice?" Michael turned to Vid and said meaningfully, "Dumbledore didn't say how many champions each school should select."
"Aside from Quidditch, most wizards lack experience in team collaboration," Vid replied objectively.
"But we do," Michael said, "We've long been accustomed to collaborating with various classmates in maze games."
"Yes," Vid replied, "so if the other schools know this, they're even less likely to agree to team participation."
"Then is it each school selecting only the best one?" Michael furrowed his brow, "In that case, higher-grade students have an advantage, at least their magic power is stronger..."
Just then, Dumbledore announced the end of the banquet, and the students began sliding their chairs back, heading toward the door.
"Vid!"
A hand reached through the crowd and patted Vid's shoulder.
Anthony Goldstein smiled and said, "Can you stay in the lounge after we return? I have something I want to discuss with you."