Chapter 1240: The Opening Banquet

Chapter 1240 -56: The Opening Banquet

Out of courtesy, none of the people at the teachers’ table interrupted Percy’s monologue.

So everyone was forced to listen to how he caught Peter Pettigrew—at least this was Percy’s twelfth revised version, each process filled with thrilling and intense details of the two battling wits.

Even the good-tempered Professor Sprout began to twitch her eyebrows.

Back when Peter Pettigrew was being tried at the Ministry of Magic, whenever they had time, they would go to the Ministry to watch the whole trial process.

At that time, under the stern gaze of Amelia Bones, Percy didn’t have the guts to lie, at most just glossing over his motives and actions a bit.

So several professors actually knew how much Percy had exaggerated in his story.

At this moment, the Herbology professor felt a deep admiration for her headmaster—

Facing such obvious boasting, not only did he not expose it, but he also smiled frequently and nodded, occasionally praising a few words. His tolerance was simply remarkable.

At the Gryffindor table, Harry saw Ron staring at his plate, his face flushed, as if he wanted to jump up and shove the plate into Percy’s endless mouth.

He understood Ron’s feelings well because even Harry wanted to escape at this moment.

Beside the Ravenclaw table, Michael lowered his voice and said to Vid with a smile:

“Percy Weasley—I heard that when he was at the Ministry of Magic, he almost bowed and thanked the Minister’s paper airplanes.”

“But now look at him, it feels like he’s about to become the Minister of Magic.”

Vid looked at Percy’s meticulous attire, with raised eyebrows, and when speaking proudly, he would casually touch that Merlin badge.

At this moment, he felt no mockery, just silently pondered—

What kind of mentality causes a person to package such a simple request for attention, approval, and praise in this seemingly dignified yet actually annoying manner?

He withdrew his gaze, no longer paying attention to the people at the long table.

…

Soon, all four long tables were filled, and most faces were beaming with smiles, excited to return to school.

Dumbledore stood up, spread his arms, and his gaze slowly swept across the hall.

The loud chatter in the hall receded like a tide, and the students all looked up at the white-bearded headmaster.

“Welcome back, kids!”

Dumbledore said with a smile, “I think after a restorative vacation, you must have many adventure stories to share; or perhaps someone suddenly realized their holiday assignments aren’t done yet and plans to race against the clock on the last night.”

The hall echoed with low laughter, some expressions seemed to say: Ah, that’s exactly my plan.

Dumbledore paused for a moment before continuing: “However, leave troubles for later; let’s first do the most important thing now—eat!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the tables filled with food as if by magic—

Golden roasted chicken legs glistening with oil, mountains of roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding drizzled with thick gravy, honey-glazed ham on large silver platters, pumpkin juice swirling in crystal pitchers…

Steam rose, shrouding the whole hall in a warm and rich aroma.

The starving students started to eat, and for a moment, there were sounds of clashing cutlery everywhere.

Vid had just cut into a steak when he noticed a change in the light beside him.

Turning his head, he saw a ghost with a pearl-like glow emerging from the floor, quietly sitting in the empty seat next to Vid, folding her hands, silently watching their sumptuous dinner.

This was Ravenclaw’s ghost—Madam Grey.

Vid felt that although she wasn’t looking at him, she seemed to be brewing emotions, ready to say something to him.

So he politely put down his fork and watched her, quietly waiting.

“Madam Grey!”

On Vid’s other side, Michael enthusiastically raised a plate of Yorkshire pudding and asked:

“Want to try some? The kitchen’s skills are getting better—surely more impressive than your era! You’ll definitely like it.”

Madam Grey, about to speak, turned her head and looked at him coldly.

“Oh, I remember you can’t eat.”

Michael took two seconds to recall this, still warmly saying:

“How about I save a serving to let it decay, and then you can taste it? Would you appreciate a more intense flavor?”

For an instant, Madam Grey’s face showed an extremely complex expression.

She glared at Michael fiercely and floated away.

Michael bewilderedly placed the pudding in front of himself, muttering:

“She doesn’t like it? But when Harry and them said this to Headless Nick, Nick was moved to tears.”

“You’re asking an elegant lady to taste spoiled food in public?” Vid sighed, “Even if she might find the taste pleasant, she’d undoubtedly give you a cold stare.”

He found it odd—Michael usually didn’t make such mistakes in front of girls.

“Ah, right!” Michael knocked his head, regretfully saying, “I was foolish today; I’ll have to apologize to her later.”

Vid glanced at his plate, saying nothing.

Michael hadn’t just lost his usual social skills today but seemed to have lost his usual appetite as well.

Because on his plate was a half-eaten black licorice stick, one of Michael’s most disliked snacks.

Vid silently picked up the milk pudding beside him and placed it on his plate.

This kid seems a bit bitter today; perhaps some sweetness will cheer him up.

…

The buzzing after the feast slowly calmed, the leftover sauces in the plates were Scourgified by magic, and the golden cutlery returned to its pristine shine.

The students leaned back in their chairs contentedly, waiting to return to their dormitories.

Dumbledore stood up again, the hall returned to silence.

“Before the school year begins—”

The headmaster’s gaze swept kindly across the hall, finally landing on the young red-haired man beside him, “I need to introduce a special guest to everyone.”

Percy Weasley stood up.

As if rehearsed countless times, he elegantly adjusted the front of his robe, making sure the shiny Ministry of Magic badge was fully exposed under the candlelight.

Then, Percy nodded slightly to Dumbledore and smiled at the students.

“This is Mr. Percy Ignatius Weasley.”

Dumbledore’s voice was impartial, still gentle and kind, like introducing a guest from afar.

“Administrative Director of the Auror Command Department of the Magic Law Enforcement Department, a special envoy for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s security review appointed by Minister Sinckness.”

The hall buzzed with low discussions.

Percy cleared his throat.

His posture became straighter, his chin held at the perfect angle, both humble and dignified.

His gaze slowly swept from the Ravenclaw table to Gryffindor, then from Hufflepuff to Slytherin, like conducting a solemn review.

“Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore.”

His voice was steady and clear, each word seemingly carefully polished.

“Also, thank you to the professors—and all the students at Hogwarts for giving me this opportunity to stand here.”