Godfather Owl: Guardian of Batman [78]

What a peculiar professor.

That was Bruce’s first thought.

He wondered what this man would be teaching, and what skills he might possess.

After a while, Hermione returned, and judging by her expression, she hadn’t found Harry and Ron.

She paused when she saw the elderly wizard in their compartment but quickly realized he was a professor. After a polite greeting, she took her seat.

For some reason, Hermione felt that this old wizard looked vaguely familiar, as if she’d seen him somewhere before.

“It seems like Harry and Ron never got on the train,” Hermione whispered to Bruce. “Percy said they arrived at the station together, but no one knows where they went after that.”

As she spoke, she began imagining a scenario where Harry and Ron, fed up with school rules, had set off together to embrace the open world and begin an adventure all their own.

“They can’t do that!” Hermione suddenly exclaimed. “The world outside is dangerous—with werewolves, vampires, and banshees!”

Bruce was baffled.

“All monsters mentioned in Lockhart’s books,” Kathoom explained in his ear. “She might be fangirling a bit too hard these days.”

At that moment, Professor Gael, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke.

“The Harry and Ron you mentioned… would they happen to be two young boys, one with black hair and glasses, the other with red hair?”

“Yes!” Hermione said excitedly. “Professor, have you seen them?”

Gael pointed outside. “They’re right there, aren’t they?”

Bruce and Hermione turned to look, spotting a teal car flying through the air, speeding up to catch the Hogwarts Express.

The car wobbled in midair, with two boys inside—none other than Harry and Ron—screaming as they clung to the seats.

“What are they doing there?!”

Hermione was on the verge of losing it. These two always found new and spectacular ways to make trouble!

Bruce, however, looked intrigued.

A flying car—that would be fun to drive!

Professor Gael was also watching the car, though his gaze was fixed on Harry’s lightning-bolt scar.

“Interesting.”

He nudged his suitcase with his foot, murmuring, “Why do I feel like I’m sensing another one of you in him?”

The suitcase trembled slightly.

—

Once the train arrived, students began filing off in turn.

Gael bid Bruce and Hermione farewell, assuring them they would see each other soon.

“First years! First years, over here!”

On the other side of the platform, Hagrid waved a lantern, calling the first years to gather and cross the lake in traditional Hogwarts style.

Bruce and Hermione joined the rest of the older students on a rough, muddy path outside the station.

There were about a hundred carriages waiting for the remaining students, each drawn by a skeletal, black, horse-like creature.

With dragon-like heads, blank white eyes, and sturdy wings, the creatures had a haunting appearance.

To Bruce’s surprise, none of the younger wizards reacted to their presence.

Bruce, Hermione, and Neville climbed into a carriage, which smelled faintly of mildew and straw.

“How was your summer, Neville?”

Bruce finally had a chance to greet him. “I brought you a gift from America—I’ll give it to you when we get to the school.”

“Oh! Bruce!”

Neville hugged him, nearly in tears. “Thank you! I thought you might have forgotten.”

“It’s no problem; that’s what friends are for!”

Bruce said, imitating Kathoom’s tone, “Friendship’s all about trust and sincerity!”

—

The carriages rolled up to Hogwarts’s grand iron gates, flanked by stone pillars topped with winged boars.

They disembarked and followed the crowd up the stone steps, through the magnificent oak doors, and into the Great Hall.

Countless candles floated in midair, filling the hall with a magical glow, while the enchanted ceiling twinkled with stars.

Kathoom took in the scene, giving an impressed whistle.

“The Great Hall is simply breathtaking.”

Bruce joined the Hufflepuff table, where Justin was already seated.

“Good evening, Bruce!”

Justin greeted him cheerfully. “I heard you went to America over the summer. How was it? I bet there’s tons of exciting stuff over there.”

Well…

Bruce couldn’t help but think back to the post-apocalyptic America he’d seen in Logan’s world.

“It was… interesting,” he replied awkwardly.

By then, all the students had taken their seats. Dumbledore tapped his goblet with a spoon, and the hall fell silent.

“Welcome!”

Dumbledore stood, his beard gleaming in the candlelight. “Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few announcements to share with you.”

“I’m delighted to introduce three new professors joining us this year!

“First, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, who has graciously agreed to fill our Defense Against the Dark Arts vacancy.”

The hall burst into applause as Lockhart stood and gave a sweeping bow, his signature smile in full effect.

The applause grew louder, and several young witches even squealed in excitement.

“As for our second new professor…”

Dumbledore waited for the noise to die down before continuing. “I am saddened to announce that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, has chosen to retire a year early. In his place, we welcome an esteemed former student, Professor Newt Scamander!”

“Wow—”

The applause was thunderous, nearly shaking the ceiling. Newt Scamander was a household name in the wizarding world, famous for his work with magical creatures.

Newt looked a bit uncomfortable with the attention, standing to bow quickly before sitting back down.

“Our final new professor…”

Dumbledore drew out his words, choosing them carefully.

“Due to reasons most of you are already aware of, the wizarding world is no longer as safe as it once was. For everyone’s sake, we have decided to restart the Dueling Club and offer a new course in wizard dueling.

“The instructor for this course is Professor Gael Greene!”

The hall responded with a smattering of tepid, scattered applause.

Compared to the welcome the other two professors had received, it was worlds apart.

The students weren’t particularly enthused by this unfamiliar, somber-looking old man and even felt a bit uneasy around him.

And it seemed Professor Gael Greene wasn’t too popular among the other staff, either.

Most sat at a distance, except for Newt Scamander, who had chosen to sit beside him.

Professor Gael gave a disdainful snort, not bothering to stand or acknowledge the students.

Dumbledore didn’t press him and continued with his usual reminders about school rules.

As he wrapped up, he repeated his odd farewell once again—

“Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you all!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Bruce whispered to Kathoom. “He says it every time.”

“I think it’s some kind of code.”

Kathoom fluffed his feathers. “Hogwarts is massive; maybe Dumbledore hid some sort of treasure here.

“And the key to unraveling the Dumbledore mystery lies in those four words.”