Edward Elric the new Howard teacher

Chapter 10

Harry's POV

The Great Hall was still buzzing with excitement as the last remnants of the feast vanished from our plates, leaving them sparkling clean as if nothing had ever been there. I sat back in my seat, feeling full and content, but also overwhelmed by everything that had happened in just a few short hours. The Sorting Ceremony, the introduction to Hogwarts, meeting new friends, and now the arrival of Edward Elric, who was not only our new Alchemy professor but also somehow a fellow Gryffindor.

As Professor Dumbledore stood to make his final remarks, the hall gradually fell into a hushed silence. His eyes twinkled as he looked out over us all, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of safety and belonging under his gaze.

"And now," Dumbledore said, his voice carrying effortlessly across the hall, "it is time for bed. Off you trot! Prefects, please lead your houses to their dormitories."

At this, the students began to rise from their seats, the noise of chairs scraping against the stone floor echoing around the hall. Percy Weasley, wearing his Head Boy badge proudly, stepped forward and began to gather the Gryffindors.

"First years, this way!" he called, his voice authoritative but not unkind. I quickly got up, following him as he led us out of the Great Hall and into the massive entrance hall.

The corridors of Hogwarts were dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows on the ancient stone walls. We followed Percy through a series of twisting passages and up several staircases, some of which seemed to change direction while we were still on them, which was a bit disorienting.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," Percy said when he noticed some of us, including myself, looking a bit concerned about the moving stairs. "The staircases like to change, but you'll soon learn how to get where you need to go."

As we continued to wind through the castle, I caught snippets of conversation from the students around me. Everyone was buzzing about the new Professor of Alchemy—Edward Elric—and the fact that he'd been sorted into Gryffindor. It was unheard of, a professor being sorted like a student, and everyone seemed eager to discuss it.

"Did you see the way he walked into the hall? Like he's just one of us," a girl with bushy brown hair—Hermione, I remembered—was saying to a boy named Neville, who had nearly lost his toad earlier. "I've read a bit about alchemy, or at least the description, but I had no idea someone so young could be a professor of such a long lost magic."

"He's not that much older than we are," Ron said, falling into step beside me. "Looks like he could be my brother's age. But he is a first year and a teacher!"

"He helped me on the platform," I added, feeling the need to chime in. "If it wasn't for him, I might not have made it onto the train at all."

Ron looked impressed. "Sounds like he's already done more than most of the teachers! Imagine having someone like that in our house. A professor, but still sort of... one of us."

We finally came to a stop in front of a large, portrait-covered wall. Percy stepped forward and addressed a painting of a rather fat lady in a pink silk dress. "Password?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at us.

"Caput Draconis," Percy said clearly.

The portrait swung open to reveal a round hole in the wall, which led into the Gryffindor common room. We all clambered through one by one, entering a cozy, circular room filled with squashy armchairs, tables, and a large fireplace that crackled merrily.

"This is the Gryffindor common room," Percy announced, "and your home for the rest of the year. Boys' dormitories are up those stairs, girls' are up the other set. Your trunks should already be there waiting for you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask a prefect."