NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: The Professors
Time gradually passed, and the Great Hall slowly filled with people. However, the first to enter were not the students, but the faculty of Hogwarts. They seemed to have already discussed Tver's arrival, so his presence in the hall didn't surprise them. Their reactions to him, however, varied.
A woman with long hair dressed more like a Muggle than anyone else present, glanced at Tver and huffed as she passed by him.
"Don't mind her, as the professor of Muggle Studies, Burbage just isn't familiar with Durmstrang," a diminutive professor, barely a meter tall, said with a smile to Tver. "I am Filius Flitwick, the Charms professor here at the school."
"Tver Fawley," Tver replied, crouching slightly to speak with Professor Flitwick, "Does that mean you are quite familiar with my alma mater?"
Professor Flitwick burst into laughter. "I've been to Durmstrang on an exchange to study dueling techniques, but I also learned about your attitudes toward Muggles, which are indeed different from the rumors. You only prohibit Muggle-born students from attending, but apart from that man, you don't discriminate against Muggles. Compared to some here in Britain, your views are quite progressive."
Tver wasn't there to correct misconceptions; Durmstrang didn't care about outsiders' views, so he let them believe what they would. He was more interested in what Professor Flitwick had initially mentioned.
"Seems you're quite skilled at dueling. Durmstrang rarely engages in external exchanges, so your visit indicates that the school highly regarded your abilities."
"That was all in my younger days," Professor Flitwick waved dismissively. "After winning the Hogwarts Duelling Club championship, especially once I started teaching, it became difficult to find time to practice. But I know you are one of Durmstrang's most outstanding recent graduates. How about it, would you like to spar sometime?"
Professor Flitwick's hands twitched eagerly, his face full of excited smiles—it seemed years of restraint had taken their toll.
"I would look forward to the opportunity to learn from you," Tver said, his muscles trembling slightly with excitement.
At Durmstrang, since his fifth year, there had rarely been an opponent who could give him a real challenge. He was also eager to test his strength at full capacity without using certain magics.
As the two with similar interests talked more, they grew more animated. Professor Flitwick even briefly introduced Tver to the other staff present—"Hagrid is our gamekeeper, but he's currently guiding the first-years across the Black Lake, so he's not back yet."
Tver nodded as if new to all this, recognizing the shades of characters he had seen in movies from his previous life. Professor Snape indeed appeared somber, his eyes detached as if masked, forever concealing his thoughts.
As he looked at Tver, Snape's eyes shifted slightly, and his lips curled into what could barely be called a smile.
"I hope you can see the true nature of the students, not just foolishly waving wands with them."
"No student is born knowing how to perform magic; we all start by foolishly waving wands, don't we?" Tver courteously countered.
The new professor, only a few years older than the students, daring to speak to Snape in such a manner, caught the attention of the faculty seated at the staff table.
Snape's smile, surprisingly, widened a fraction. "Then I wish you a smoother teaching journey."
"Thank you, I will do my best."
The professors' attitudes toward Tver finally warmed a bit, and any slight prejudices due to his Durmstrang background began to dissipate, except for Professor Burbage, who remained cool.
However, Tver found his conversations with Professor Flitwick more enjoyable. He had little interest in Potions, Herbology, or Divination. He was truly engaged only when studying spells that could directly enhance his abilities.
Of course, as the most outstanding graduate in Durmstrang's history, he had the academic prowess to not be easily stumped by the subtle probing questions from these professors. Through their exchanges, they realized that this young new professor was not only polite but also possessed a knowledge base that was on par with theirs.
In contrast to Quirrell, who stuttered through his words, Tver's demeanor was more befitting of a true professor.
At that moment, a noise from outside the hall heralded the arrival of students. Led by their prefects, wizards from second to seventh year entered the Great Hall and took their seats at their respective house tables.
"Durmstrang doesn't have houses, right?" Professor Flitwick asked with interest, sitting beside Tver.
"That's correct. We are a single entity; there are no houses, just individual students and the school as a whole."
Tver watched as the young wizards chatted about their wonderful summer vacations. At that moment, it was hard to discern any differences among the four houses from their expressions.
He wondered about the purpose of dividing students into four houses. Was it merely to facilitate forming cliques?
Dumbledore, always smiling, seemed quite interested in this aspect of Hogwarts. "Tver, what do you think of Hogwarts' house system?"
The professors, accustomed to the four-house division, were curious to hear the perspective of a Durmstrang graduate.
Tver pondered for a moment before speaking calmly. "It's somewhat extreme. The first-years are only eleven years old; they can't and shouldn't be expected to exhibit definitive traits."
"Dividing them into four different houses, rather than matching their personalities, it seems more like they're shaped by the subtle influences of their houses into students filled with stereotypes. The competition between houses can foster progress, but it also leads to biases. These biases can suppress traits that don't align with a house's stereotype.
Hufflepuffs can be brave, Slytherins can be loyal, Gryffindors can have a thirst for knowledge without being outcasts, and ambitious Ravenclaws also exist. However, because of the house system, these traits are not recognized. Essentially, they are all members of Hogwarts and normal wizards. It's unfair to label them with immutable tags."
After Tver finished, the staff table fell silent, a stark contrast to the chatter of the students. After a while, Dumbledore clapped appreciatively, pulling many pensive professors back to reality. They too softly applauded Tver.
"I'm delighted to have a professor with a different perspective in the school," Dumbledore said. "Bridging the gaps between houses is something I also aspire to achieve, and it will require our joint efforts. Tver, I look forward to the unique changes you can bring to Hogwarts."
The sudden applause from the staff table left the students puzzled; they briefly paused their lively discussions, looking bewilderedly at the professors. No professor stepped forward to explain, and within a moment, their attention shifted.
The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin!