The words that seemed to come from a professor or Dumbledore were actually spoken by Moriarty during the second year. What was even more troubling was that the younger students didn't find this odd at all. Instead, they took it in stride.
As Moriarty's words spread across the train, the students of the other houses donned their school robes, their faces serious, as though they were discussing the complexities of alchemy and the plans for the upcoming school year.
No one paid attention to Diana's beauty anymore. Instead, they all focused on Nicole LeMay, whose presence commanded attention.
The buzz continued until the elderly couple entered the Hogwarts Great Hall.
Moriarty led Slytherin's young snakes to their seats, where they saw two more empty places on the staff table. Two gray-haired, kindly old professors sat beside Dumbledore.
"Nicole LeMay!!!"
"Perenel!!!"
The cries from the students rang out, and soon, all four tables erupted in cheers.
The students of Hogwarts had finally encountered the legendary Nicole LeMay!
Moriarty stood, leading a round of applause, which reverberated through the hall. The applause spread until all four tables were clapping in unison.
Nicole LeMay's gaze fell upon Moriarty, and his eyes seemed to contain immense magical power. Though he hadn't used Legilimency, Moriarty felt disoriented, as though he'd lived through several lifetimes in the span of a few moments. This powerful sensation left him eerily calm, almost as though the stillness around him was dangerous.
"Moriarty... Moriarty!" Lilith whispered, nudging him gently on the arm.
A sudden spark ignited in Moriarty's mind, pulling him back to reality. He blinked in confusion, his gaze locking back onto Nicole LeMay.
"The baptism of time, the accumulation of years... far more potent than five centuries of accumulated magic," Moriarty thought to himself, realizing that Nicole LeMay's presence was more than just legendary—there was an indescribable aura surrounding him.
The other students remained blissfully unaware of the heavy presence in the room, absorbed in the excitement of meeting such a legendary figure.
Only Lilith noticed Moriarty's shift in behavior, her brow furrowed in worry. She couldn't help but feel that something was amiss.
Even Nicole LeMay and Dumbledore recognized that something was off with Moriarty, but neither of them showed it. Instead, they exchanged warm smiles with the students, completely at ease.
Nicole LeMay turned to his wife, Perenel, speaking softly. "The last time I saw such innocent, smiling faces was over a century ago, in Beauxbatons. Do you remember when you gave that lecture in the library?"
"Of course I remember, dear," Perenel replied with a soft smile. "I still recall how you smiled so shyly when you asked me about that lost Greek secret language all those centuries ago."
The two shared a private moment, whispering sweetly to each other about the early days of their love.
"Time has never defeated beauty," Gemma Farley sighed, her tone wistful. Despite her rational demeanor, there was a hint of longing in her eyes. She opened her notebook and began to write. "When people mention Nicole LeMay, they think of the Sorcerer's Stone. But few know that the alchemist from the 14th century lived to be 662 years old! Even fewer know that his wife, Perenel, is actually three years older than him!"
Gemma's tone took on an excited edge. "That's right! Perenel is Nicole LeMay's senior! They studied at Beauxbatons together! Merlin, how romantic!"
Lilith glanced at Gemma, raising an eyebrow. Could she be hinting any more obviously?
Clillis, too, couldn't help but admire the centuries-old love story between Nicole and Perenel. Who wouldn't envy a love that had lasted for more than six centuries?
The younger witches soon found themselves daydreaming, the conversation shifting effortlessly from alchemy to love.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he observed the students' reactions. The smile on his face grew more radiant, but his mind seemed to wander. He glanced at the elderly couple beside him, and a quiet melancholy settled over him.
For a brief moment, Dumbledore let his thoughts drift to a time long past. How different would things have been if GG had entered Hogwarts this year? Or if the lonely boy from the orphanage had arrived at the school this year? How would things have changed if James, Lily, Sirius, Lupin, Snape… if they had all entered Hogwarts together this year?
He sighed quietly, pulling off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. He looked at Moriarty, sitting at the top of the Slytherin table. "I would have been so embarrassed!" he thought, half amused.
Suddenly, a rhythmic tapping sound interrupted his reverie.
It grew louder, and everyone turned to see a blonde woman striding down the aisle from the middle of the four long tables toward the professors' chairs. She exuded a floral fragrance, taking the seat on the far right.
At the sight of her, the students couldn't help but stir.
"Is that Diana? The professor?" Lilith muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing in interest. Gemma, unusually quiet, watched Diana intently.
The little witches in the room seemed to be observing every move Diana made, from her poised smile to her enchanting presence.
As Diana smiled politely at Dumbledore before taking her seat, she winked at Moriarty.
The moment the wink was exchanged, a wave of whispers and excitement filled the hall. It was as though a powder keg had been set off, and the students couldn't contain their excitement.
Jericho whistled loudly, ready to spark trouble, but Keith and Ralbo held him back before anything could happen.
Just as things were heating up, the arrival of Professor McGonagall quieted the room. Everyone knew what was about to happen—the Sorting Ceremony.
The Sorting Hat, this year, seemed to have lost some of its usual interest. It was less enthusiastic as it began its song, which this time was a peculiar melody, hoping that the students of Hogwarts would rally around Moriarty.
The Slytherins quickly started chanting, and Charlie Weasley joked aloud, "The Sorting Hat might be under the influence of a Confusion Charm!"
His words caused a brief argument between the Sorting Hat and Charlie, but in the end, Professor McGonagall urged them to move forward, and the ceremony continued without further interruptions.
The older students watched with a knowing smile, remembering their own experiences at the Sorting Ceremony as the new students looked on nervously.
"This is why our parents never told us the details," Lilith smiled, her voice light. "The feeling is indescribable. You really have to experience it to understand."
Moriarty watched the ceremony with greater attention than most. This year's freshmen seemed no different from their own class the previous year, though the majority ended up in Hufflepuff.
Leon shook his head. "It looks like last year had the most Slytherin freshmen. This year seems to be a mixed batch."
"Cedric Diggory!" Professor McGonagall called, and a handsome boy walked up, donning the Sorting Hat with a grin.
Leon's face lit up. "At last, a pure-blood."
"Don't get too excited," Moriarty said with a half-smile, "He's headed for Hufflepuff."
Sure enough, the Sorting Hat called out, "Hufflepuff, without a doubt!"
Leon sighed, and Professor McGonagall called the next name, "Soldaya Selwyn!"
The Slytherins immediately cheered, having heard rumors about him challenging Moriarty at the pure-blood party. Leon scoffed, "I heard he used the Cruciatus Curse."
The rumors spread quickly, and students from the other houses were now paying attention to Soldaya.
Soldaya walked calmly up to the Sorting Hat and after a few moments, the Hat called out, "Slytherin, without a doubt! Welcome, Moriarty's newest helper!"
Soldaya confidently walked to the Slytherin table and made his way to the seat next to Moriarty, who nodded toward him.
"Mr. Selwyn, we'll be watching your progress closely," Moriarty said, gesturing for him to sit.
Soldaya sat at the far end of the table, where freshmen were usually placed. His eyes briefly met those of Jericho, but Jericho quickly looked away.
Next, the Weasley twins were called up, causing a stir of laughter among the students.
"Fred Weasley!" Professor McGonagall called, and the Sorting Hat immediately shouted, "Gryffindor!"
There was applause from the Gryffindor table as Percy proudly mentioned, "That's my brother, I told you!"
But Fred, not quite ready to take off the Sorting Hat, asked, "Are you sure you've got it right?"
The Hat, ever confident, answered, "Absolutely! Every Weasley belongs to Gryffindor!"
Fred grinned mischievously. "You wouldn't have been relying on that for sorting, would you? Have you ever made a mistake?"
The Hat, firm in its decision, assured him that there had been no errors in its thousand years of service.
Fred, ever the trickster, responded: "I'm not Fred Weasley! I'm George!"
The Sorting Hat paused, confused, before it finally took off Fred's hat and placed it on George's head.
Fred turned to leave, laughing as he said, "I'm Fred! Bye!"
The Gryffindor table erupted in laughter, and students from other houses joined in, delighted by the prank.
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