Max had been sitting and staring at the man who was now occupying Pepe's (and formerly Rae's) old seat. Sure it was rude to stare, but at least he wasn't pointing. So staring and stroking his moustache was perfectly acceptable. The new headmaster was awfully young to be sitting in that seat. He looked like a frat boy who barely graduated from college.

But Max knew that this new headmaster had to deal with the world's grumpiest old man - Valon Kazimeriz. And he was wondering how Kazi was dealing with this latest snub.

Slowly, the Great Hall began to fill up with students and Max made it a point to wave at the students, especially his Quidditch captains, the prefects, and the new Head Boy and Girl.