Great Hall,
Hogwarts
The Sorting Ceremony had already been over for some time.
Even Professor Dumbledore's speech's somber theme, regarding the Battle of Legends and upcoming rules and regulations, couldn't faze the students' enthusiasm.
All agreed no matter which House they belonged to that this was the best Sorting Ceremony they had attended at Hogwarts. Otherwise, there were times when you could just sit and only feel bored, all the while looking at the first years getting sorted and waiting to just eat and get over with the day.
However, despite the enthusiasm and the hushed cheers and joyous silence, there was a profound mystery overtaking the Great Hall.
There was a question in all minds.
Where was Darcie Malfoy?!
"Where's your sister?" Arlen Black asked, winking at Harry and Ron who were sitting opposite him next to Neville.
Draco Malfoy had been ignoring the foul remarks ever since he had taken a seat at the Gryffindor Table. Hearing the Mudblood asking about his sister, though, was the last straw. His mouth twisted as words, more horrible than ever, reached the tip of his tongue.
However, before the young Malfoy spit them out, Professor Dumbledore's voice boomed across the Great Hall.
"First, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death," the Headmaster said with the gravest chill in his voice.
None dared to laugh.
Suddenly, the Professor smiled. "Second, let us welcome two new Staff Members among us. Given the situation, and the gravity of the events, the Ministry has…"
"Ahem. Ahem…" Dolores Umbridge stood up, clearing her throat. "Let me introduce myself to students in a much better way, Albus…"
Professor Dumbledore slowly turned around and planted his blue gaze on her. "Ms. Umbridge," he said politely, "you will not interrupt me again."
The silence was deafening.
Dolores Umbridge's face went from white to red to blue. With all the eyes on her, she fell back in her chair, fumbling for support.
The Headmaster looked at the students again and smiled. "So where were we? Ah, yes. The ministry has deemed it necessary to oversee the students' growth in both academics and fields in a more personal way.
"The weight falls on the Director of Student Discipline and Order, Dolores Umbridge. She will be reporting directly to the Minister of Magic and will have an office at both the ministry and Hogwarts."
Whispers overtook the Great Hall, some fuming and some cheering.
Before they could become more than a whisper, the Headmaster's voice put a hand over them.
"Given the complaints from the students' guardians, regarding the safety at Hogwarts," Professor Dumbledore said, "I have hired Madam Villanelle as the High Counsellor of Student Welfare and Security.
"Most of you may not be familiar with her, but I vouch for both her magical expertise and her experience. It would do many of us… good if we didn't underestimate her."
He threw an obvious glance at Umbridge over his shoulder.
Then, his smile widened. He looked over his shoulder, from the other side, to the entrance of the Trophy Room.
Madam Villanelle stepped into the Great Hall and took a seat at the High Table with her fellow staff members. But… she hadn't come out alone.
Step by step, Darcie Malfoy walked in, bringing with her the greatest silence.
She greeted the Headmaster and then walked up to the Sorting Hat, still placed on the table.
Under the stunned gazes of all, Darcie Malfoy lifted the Hat and put it over her head. "Slytherin," she commanded.
"SLYTHERIN!" the Sorting Hat resonated.
And that was that.
…
That's it?! Hundred minds, but one question.
Even some of the Professors were shocked, seeing the sudden appearance of one of the Wizarding World's most popular celebrities, her picking the Sorting Hat and putting it on her head, and then… commanding it to allot her to Slytherin.
Commanding…
Can you even do that?!
Did they mishear? No. No. No!
How can you command the Hat?! Codswallop!!
Professor Dumbledore looked at the back of the young girl and he smiled.
On the High Table, Professor Snape finally took his mind off Professor Quirrell's fidgety body language, looked at the young Malfoy handing the Hat over to a stunned Professor McGonagall, and smirked.
Opposite to Snape's prideful smirk, Umbridge's smirk was much more greedy. She had only one thought — Darcie Malfoy will be her trump card to take over the Hogwarts and straighten things out!
Not only the Director of Student Discipline and Order, but everyone had their own thoughts, causing the silence in the Great Hall to persist longer than it should have.
Madam Villanelle lifted her hands and clapped, smiling.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The Great Hall erupted.
Slytherins stood up, hooting as they called her to join them. Standing among them, and on Daphne's left, Hermione was beaming ear to ear, her cheeks going red.
But before the cheers could die, Professor Dumbledore stepped forward and stood next to Darcie.
"Now, for the last matter," he said, his voice booming, silencing the cheers, "I have a piece of important news and instructions for you all.
"After a series of tests and evaluations, the Ministry of Magic, on my request, has deemed Ms. Darcie Malfoy fit to skip the 1st and 2nd Years at Hogwarts and join…"
The Headmaster had to stop.
Students, who have been following Darcie's career as her fans, and especially the first years, who have been looking forward to sharing their already fucked up Hogwarts years with her, just boomed out with thunderous noise of shock, rage, and annoyance.
Professor Dumbledore put his wand on the side of his throat. "SILENCE!"
A gust of wind shuddered the candle flames lighting overhead, under the vast starry sky. It passed right through everyone, sending a chill running down their spines.
Some felt the dessert they had just eaten would come out of their throats.
At the Gryffindor Table, Black noticed and inputted the strange behavior with Calm.
The Headmaster smiled. "As I was saying," he said softly, "Ms. Darcie here will be skipping 1st and 2nd years, becoming a 3rd year Hogwarts student directly. Given this, I must request all students, and not only her future classmates, to treat her as you would any other Hogwarts student.
"Rest assured, as much as the academics are concerned, Ms. Darcie has an excellent grasp over all the subjects as you can expect from a student of 1st, 2nd… and, I will even add, a 3rd year. Additionally, Professor Snape has agreed to be her Mentor for the entire year, helping her fit in."
The students just stared at them, knowing not what to say.
Even for Darcie Malfoy, her being her, this was just way too much.
They had never heard of a student skipping years, let alone an 11-year-old girl.
Under the Headmaster's guidance, Darcie stepped down from the platform and took a seat at the Slytherin table. Like her brother, none came to welcome her. No handshakes, no exaggerated smiles, and no pat on the back.
Darcie's face was ice, making all gulp and look away.
Her gaze traced down the table and landed on Daphne, who nodded at her. Then she looked at Hermione, whose face looked as pale as rotten pumpkin juice. Knowing not what was going on with the girl, Darcie shifted her posture, looking toward the Headmaster.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore.
The other teachers' smiles became rather fixed. Surely they could do away with only one song this evening, given the circumstances, no?
Uncaring of their thoughts, Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed, with Black's voice rising the highest!
…
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
…
Everybody finished the song at different times.
At last, when the Weasley Twins were done with their funeral march tune, Black let out a steaming whistle. Dumbledore played along with the whistle with his wand.
When Black had finished, the Headmaster was one of those who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
**************
Volume 18 - The Yellow Warlock - Ends!!!
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