jkrowlingharrypotterandpa-第16章
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〃Oh; it's you; is it?〃 said Madam Pomfrey; ignoring this and bending down to stare closely at him。 〃I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?〃
〃It was a dementor; Poppy;〃 said Professor McGonagall。
They exchanged a dark look; and Madam Pomfrey clucked disapprovingly。
〃Setting dementors around a school; she muttered; pushing back Harry's hair and feeling his forehead。 〃He won't be the last one who collapses。 Yes; he's all clammy。 Terrible things; they are; and the effect they have on people who are already delicate
〃I'm not delicate!〃 said Harry crossly。
〃Of course you're not;〃 said Madam Pomfrey absentmindedly; now taking his pulse。
〃What does he need?〃 said Professor McGonagall crisply。 〃Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?〃
〃I'm fine!〃 said Harry; jumping up。 The thought of what Draco Malfoy would say if he had to go to the hospital wing was torture。
〃Well; he should have some chocolate; at the very least;〃 said Madam Pomfrey; who was now trying to peer into Harry's eyes。
〃I've already had some;〃 said Harry。 〃Professor Lupin gave me some。 He gave it to all of us。〃
〃Did he; now?〃 said Madam Pomfrey approvingly。 〃So we've finally got a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?〃
〃Are you sure you feel all right; Potter?〃 Professor McGonagall said sharply。
〃Yes; 〃said Harry。
〃Very well。 Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger about her course schedule; then we can go down to the feast together。〃
Harry went back into the corridor with Madam Pomfrey; who left for the hospital wing; muttering to herself He had to wait only a few minutes; then Hermione emerged looking very happy about something; followed by Professor McGonagall; and the three of them made their way back down the marble staircase to the Great Hall。
It was a sea of pointed black hats; each of the long House tables was lined with students; their faces glimmering by the light of thousands of candles; which were floating over the tables in midair。 Professor Flitwick; who was a tiny little wizard with a shock of white hair; was carrying an ancient hat and a three…legged stool out of the hall。
〃Oh;〃 said Hermione softly; 〃we've missed the Sorting!〃
New students at Hogwarts were sorted into Houses by trying on the sorting Hat; which shouted out the House they were best suited to (Gryffindor; Ravenclaw; Hufflepuff; or Slytherin)。 Professor McGonagall strode off toward her empty seat at the staff table; and Harry and Hermione set off in the other direction; as quietly as possible; toward the Gryffindor table。 People looked around at them as they passed along the back of the hall; and a few of them pointed at Harry。 Had the story of his collapsing in front of the dementor traveled that fast?
He and Hermione sat down on either side of Ron; who had saved them seats。
〃What was all that about?〃 he muttered to Harry。
Harry started to explain in a whisper; but at that moment the headmaster stood up to speak; and he broke off。
Professor Dumbledore; though very old; always gave an impression of great energy。 He had several feet of long silver hair and beard; half…moon spectacles; and an extremely crooked nose。 He was often described as the greatest wizard of the age; but that wasn't why Harry respected him。 You couldn't help trusting Albus Dumbledore; and as Harry watched him beaming around at the students; he felt really calm for the first time since the dementor had entered the train partment。
〃Wele!〃 said Dumbledore; the candlelight shimmering on his beard。 〃Wele to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all; and as one of them is very serious; I think it best to get it out of the way before you bee befuddled by our excellent feast。。。〃
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued; 〃As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express; our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban; who are here on Ministry of Magic business。〃
He paused; and Harry remembered what Mr。 Weasley had said about Dumbledore not being happy with the dementors guarding the school。
〃They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds;〃 Dumbledore continued; 〃and while they are with us; I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission。 Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises…or even Invisibility Cloaks;〃 he added blandly; and Harry and Ron glanced at each other。 〃It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses。 I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you。 I look to the prefects; and our new Head Boy and Girl; to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors;〃 he said。
Percy; who was sitting a few seats down from Harry; puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively。 Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall; and nobody moved or made a sound。
〃On a happier note;〃 he continued; I am pleased to wele two new teachers to our ranks this year。
〃First; Professor Lupin; who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher。〃
There was some scattered; rather unenthusiastic applause。 Only those who had been in the partment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard; Harry among them。 Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes。
〃Look at Snape!〃 Ron hissed in Harry's ear。
Professor Snape; the Potions master; was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin。 It was mon knowledge that Snape;anted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job; but even Harry; who hated Snape; was startled at the expression twisting his thin; sallow face。 it was beyond anger: it was loathing。 Harry knew that expression only too well; it was the look Snape wore every time he set eyes on Harry。
〃As to our second new appointment;〃 Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away。 〃Well; I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn; our Care of Magical Creatures teacher; retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs。 However; I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid; who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties。〃
Harry; Ron; and Hermione stared at one another; stunned。 Then they joined in with the applause; which was tumultuous at the Gryffindor table in particular。 Harry leaned forward to see Hagrid; who was ruby…red in the face and staring down at his enormous hands; his wide grin hidden in the tangle of his black beard。
〃We should've known!〃 Ron roared; pounding the table。 〃Who else would have assigned us a biting book?〃
Harry; Ron; and Hermione were the last to stop clapping; and as Professor Dumbledore started speaking again; they saw that Hagrid was wiping his eyes on the tablecloth。
〃Well; I think that's everything of importance;〃 said Dumbledore。 〃Let the feast begin!〃
The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink。 Harry; suddenly ravenous; helped himself to everything he could reach and began to eat。
It was a delicious feast; the hall echoed with talk; laughter; and the clatter of knives and forks。 Harry; Ron; and Hermione; however; were eager for it to finish so that they could talk to Hagrid。 They knew how much being made a teacher would mean to him。 Hagrid wasn't a fully qualified wizard; he had been expelled from Hogwarts in his third year for a crime he had not mitted。 It had been Harry; Ron; and Hermione who had cleared Hagrid's name last year。
At long last; when the last morsels of pumpkin tart had melted from the golden platters; Dumbledore gave the word that it was time for them all to go to bed; and they got their chance。
〃Congratulations; Hagrid!〃 Hermione squealed as they reached the teachers' table。
〃All down ter you three;〃 said Hagrid; wiping his shining face on his napkin as he looked up at them。; 〃Can' believe it。。。 great man; Dumbledore。。。 came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough。。。 It's what I