A Young Wizard's Journey - Rising Phoenix

The Future

The horde of first years swept up the hall towards them, being led by the new Deputy Headmaster.

The hall was silent as they approached and made one long line in front of the wooden stool, topped with the ragged old hat.

There was silence for a moment longer before the rip near the brim opened and the hat burst into song.

Y/N zoned out as the hat sang away this time, his thoughts on what would follow. He'd heard the fabric rehearsing this verse time and time again over the last few weeks, so he practically knew it all off by heart. He could even count the seconds until it ended.

And sure enough, he did just that between his other thoughts, the seconds ticking away until he zoned back in right as the applause rang out.

He raised his own hands too, clapping along with the rest as the sorting hat gave its low bow to the four house tables. And then, Remus unfurled the scroll of parchment and called out the first name.

'Alice, Detra.'

One by one, the first years trickled onto their respective tables. Each greeting the newcomers with roars and applause, then, finally, the last name was called and once the cheers from the Ravenclaw table had died down. Y/N stood.

He watched as Remus rolled up the scroll, picked up the stool, and moved out of the hall with it, and once he'd left, Y/N began to speak.

'Welcome all of you, to another wonderful year at Hogwarts. This castle has seen many students come through it. The brave and the bold, the loyal and the careful, the wise and the brilliant, and the cunning and ambitious. Each of you bear your own strengths your own guidelines, your own beliefs, and I encourage you to allow those to flourish and grow within our halls.'

There was a small pause.

'Before I all you all to partake in our wonderful feast, we have a few new staff appointments to make. Many of you knew me as your Deputy Headmaster, but as of this year, I am now your official Headmaster. A massive thank you to my predecessor Minerva McGonagall for her time spent guiding and nurturing me.'

A smattering of polite applause. Minerva wasn't here to receive it so not much more was needed.

'Our new Deputy Headmaster is our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin.'

Remus, who had only just retaken his seat, stood again and bowed at the thunderous applause ringing throughout the hall. Y/N allowed this to go for a few moments before bringing back the quiet.

'And our assistant Herbology teacher, Professor Longbottom, shall now be taking over from Professor Sprout full time, as she eases into a well-deserved retirement.'

Another bout of thunderous applause as Neville, blushing rather heavily, also stood and bowed.

'Now, you have heard enough of my ramblings, I can hear your stomachs growling from up here, tuck in!'

And with a light tap of his foot, the House Elves received their signal, and the plates filled with food.

The silence was broken at once and students began reaching for everything they could. Y/N retook his position in the high-backed chair and smiled at the man on his left.

'Apologies for putting you on the spot like that.'

'I can't say I didn't see it coming,' said Remus, smiling as he raised his hand and waved back at little Teddy Lupin at the Hufflepuff table, 'but I had only just sat down.'

'I know I know, but the timing was perfect,' said Y/N, also waving at Teddy. 'You know I can't resist a chance to trip you up.'

'A talent that you have only gotten more adept at with the years I worry,' he said, masking a laugh as he reached for the food nearby. His arm brushed his goblet, and the thin trail of smoke escaped from the depths.