✦ Scene: Inside the Great Hall – Whispers and Wonder ✦
The Great Hall buzzed with energy — no longer just from the floating candles or the magical ceiling that reflected the dusky evening sky, but from hundreds of students speaking in hushed, frantic tones.
As they filtered in and took their seats, the whispers spread like wildfire:
"Did you see the size of that thing he turned into? He was taller than Hagrid and then some!"
"And the glowing creatures — did you see the blue one? It looked like it came from a storybook!"
"No, no — the red one looked straight at Umbridge and she shut up! I didn't think anything could do that!"
"Forget the creatures — he talked to the ghosts. Like... like they knew him."
"Did you see the Sorting Hat call him 'Nick' like an old friend?! And the phoenix bowed to him. Not even Dumbledore's Fawkes acts like that!"
"He glowed, mate. I swear to Merlin, his whole body glowed when he stepped into the castle."
"Do you think he's a Founder? Or like… someone older? Can wizards even live that long?"
The seats were filled, but none of the usual dinner-time clatter followed. Everyone was too caught up in speculation, wonder, and a little fear.
✦ Faculty – Silent Reflections ✦
Along the faculty table, the atmosphere was equally tense.
Professor Sprout had taken her seat but kept glancing toward the doors, brow furrowed.Madam Hooch rubbed her arms, murmuring under her breath about how the air still hadn't settled right.Trelawney's large eyes darted around the hall, looking like she expected some grand vision to strike her at any moment.Snape, arms crossed tightly, remained unreadable — but his gaze never once left Hadrian.
Meanwhile, Professor Flitwick, seated nearest to the entryway, had gone quiet. The half-goblin charms master clutched the edge of the table and was mouthing something to himself.
"Briarwood… Briarwood… where have I read that before…?"
He blinked, as if on the edge of remembering something buried in an old text or restricted scroll, but the memory danced just out of reach.
✦ Faculty at the Entrance – Overhearing Hadrian ✦
As Hadrian stepped into the center of the hall and spoke quietly — his words full of nostalgia and warmth — the few faculty standing near him heard every word clearly.
"So much noise… just like the early days. The founders and I would stand right there, watching them all come in. Nervous, eager, loud…"
"Rowena used to say the chatter was a sign of healthy minds. Salazar thought it was simply a sign of chaos."
"Helga would always bring sweets. Godric would sneak in extra candles. And me… I was the one telling them to sit down and stop stepping on the tapestries."
The teachers closest to him — McGonagall, Dumbledore, and a stiff-faced Snape — froze at his words.
McGonagall, lips slightly parted, looked toward Dumbledore sharply. Her expression betrayed disbelief… but also something else. Recognition?
Dumbledore, though ever calm, now appeared more deeply thoughtful — eyes shadowed with something like realization, or perhaps worry.
Snape, on the other hand, glanced at both of them, his jaw tightening, as if trying to decide whether to dismiss the man as a mad storyteller or start asking very dangerous questions.
The silence between the professors was loud — and telling.
✦ Background — Castle Still Watching ✦
Somewhere high above, unseen by most, the stone archways and enchanted rafters seemed to listen. A breeze moved through the Hall, though none came from the doors. The magic in the air thickened — acknowledging its original master.
And though the students didn't understand what they were seeing… and the teachers didn't yet dare believe…
Something ancient had returned.
And Hogwarts itself had welcomed him home.