A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 234: "The Profoundness of Professor Lupin's Patronus Charm"

Later on that day —

"Are you saying Harry's broom crashed into the Whomping Willow?"

Felix exclaimed in surprise, while Hermione said sadly, "When we went to look, we only found some wreckage."

"Harry must be really upset," Felix sighed, and he pulled out a piece of parchment, jotting down a few lines of well-wishing words, then paused to ask Hermione's opinion, "Do you think I should add some magical effects to the greeting card, like a voice?"

"It's better not to," Hermione said firmly, "Ginny gave Harry a Get-Well card that would sing loudly if it wasn't pressed under a pillow..."

Felix shrugged, "Very well then," and handed the card to Hermione, "Help me deliver this to Harry."

In the following days, young wizards tirelessly discussed the events of Saturday, especially Professor Lupin's spectacular Patronus Charm with its dazzling visuals, which became a favorite topic of conversation.

The name "Patronus Charm" quickly spread throughout the entire school, becoming the center of recent discussions. Almost any student you pulled aside could speak about it with authority, even if their words contained many inaccuracies.

Some younger wizards had gained various true and false pieces of information from older students and, combining that with their own understanding, were spreading their versions further.

Many actually couldn't differentiate the principle of the "half-moon shape." They mistook it for the second form of this magic and named it the "Silver Moon."

Felix heard this term one morning while having breakfast in the Great Hall, and nearly choked on his porridge.

Fourth-year student Cormac McLaggen proudly boasted, "My uncle's Patronus has a second form, I'm not lying!" He ruffled his coarse hair, speaking loudly and broadly, "My dad said so himself. My uncle's Patronus is a wild boar, but when I saw it as a kid, it was clearly a long-eared rabbit. I was confused at first... turns out this magic has two forms."

Felix studied McLaggen carefully. If his words were true, then his uncle must have had a traumatic experience that drastically changed his personality—only under such circumstances would a Patronus transform.

There were also those who kept asking where they could learn the incantation. "What a cool spell!" Lee Jordan exclaimed in the common room. "I mean, even if I can't do it like Professor Lupin, I can at least protect myself."

But Fred Weasley poured cold water on their enthusiasm. Standing atop a pile of hefty books, he emphasized multiple times, "The Patronus Charm is not within our exam scope. It's too advanced; even many adult wizards can't master it. This magic requires a strong mental strength..."

Fred wasn't planning to teach, so some young wizards turned their attention to the Defense Against the Dark Arts and Dueling classes, hitting the mark inadvertently. According to the course descriptions, both of these classes taught students how to defend themselves.

On a Thursday evening in the second week of November, during the Dueling class, Felix was asked about this topic.

"The Patronus Charm?" Felix repeated.

"Yes, Professor Lupin. It's the spell we need most now, isn't it? Dementors are lurking outside the school, ready to attack us at any moment!" a fifth-year Gryffindor shouted loudly, drawing nods of agreement from the young wizards below.

Felix chuckled, "Lee Jordan, the Dementors are guarding Hogwarts under orders from the Ministry of Magic. Their target is the Azkaban escapee, Sirius Black."

"But Professor, what happened during the Quidditch match has proven they're unreliable. I wrote to my mom about it, and she wrote back saying releasing the Dementors from Azkaban was the most foolish decision the Ministry ever made!"

"Yeah, they're completely uncontrollable."

Later that evening —

"My aunt told me that even in Azkaban, there were once riots involving Dementors... and some prisoners died," Hufflepuff's Susan Bones said. She caught Professor Lupin's gaze and added, "My aunt is the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement."

Felix Harp hesitated. Honestly, he didn't think teaching young wizards the Patronus Charm in a Dueling class was a good idea. It required a long learning period, was quite challenging, and most crucially: it might not even be effective.

For complex spells like this, students would find it difficult to master without one-on-one guidance. But to teach it personally, even if he had a dozen Time-Turners, he couldn't manage it.

He looked at Professors Snape and Flitwick, "What are your thoughts, Severus, Filius?"

Snape immediately displayed a resistant expression. He said coldly, "I don't know that spell."

Flitwick reiterated his stance, "Felix, the Patronus Charm is exceedingly complex and has a rather limited function. I don't believe it's necessary. Furthermore, Dumbledore has lodged a complaint with the Ministry. Fudge has assured us that the Dementors won't make the same mistake again."

Felix nodded; he was aware of this. In fact, after a group of diminished Dementors returned, there were disagreements within the Ministry, and some even wanted to send people to investigate. However, Dumbledore staunchly opposed the idea.

With the added noise from some irate students' parents bombarding the Ministry and even Fudge with letters, they were all so overwhelmed that the topic of injured Dementors was dropped entirely.

Felix temporarily set aside the matter. But... he looked at Snape. Was it true that the professor couldn't cast the Patronus Charm? Had he truly delved too deep into the realm of Dark Magic to the point that he couldn't use it?

...

During dinner, he sat with Snape, discussing the teaching details for the upcoming Dueling class. Felix commented, "The students have mastered several common dueling moves. For the next few lessons, practical application would be best. Severus, I have an idea. Perhaps we can organize a small dueling competition."

"Aren't you afraid of the hassle, Felix?" Snape remarked.

"I intend to leave it to the student council to handle. Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater are both capable; I trust them," Felix said.

Snape displayed his familiar sarcastic expression, "Does your trust contain a kernel of truth? Felix, has anyone ever truly made their way into your heart?“

Felix chuckled, "Oh, Severus, are you implying I'm insincere? We're discussing capabilities here, and in that aspect, I do indeed trust Mr. Weasley and Miss Clearwater. What are you getting at?"

Snape stared at him expressionlessly, and Felix deliberately gave him a smile that looked very forced.

At that moment, a voice interrupted their silent exchange —

"Professor Snape, I just met Professor Flitwick. He said you're in the Great Hall." Lupin walked up to them, his tone cheerful. He was wearing a new robe, and it seemed Dumbledore was providing him with ample funds for his day-to-day expenses.

"Is there something you need, Lupin?" Snape's eyes narrowed, "Have you finished the potions I gave you? I still have some left; it's a full cauldron..."

Lupin smiled, "Not for now, Severus. I'm here for something else—"

Snape looked at him, his face devoid of any smiles.

Lupin said, "I appreciate you covering my classes while I was unwell, but the third-year curriculum is a bit too advanced. We've skipped over a large portion of the textbook in one go—"

"Werewolves..." Snape dragged out the word. Lupin's hand trembled slightly, a motion he managed to conceal well, "This chapter, is there a problem with it?"

Lupin frowned slightly, "Severus, the third-year students have only just learned the Incendio Charm. Most of them lack the necessary foundation. I'm sorry, I've decided to postpone covering this part of the material."

Snape gave him a contemptuous look, "In my opinion, Lupin, werewolves are too dangerous. It's vital for students to know how to recognize and defend against these dangerous dark creatures as early as possible." He said softly, "Perhaps sooner than later."

Lupin regained his composure, "Thank you for the reminder. I'll teach according to the students' abilities. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way. I have quite a few things to attend to."

"Wait, Lupin."

"Is there something else, Severus?" Lupin said in a low voice.

"Allow me to introduce you," Snape's gaze shifted between Lupin and Felix, "As far as I know, Professor Lupin's Patronus Charm is exceptional. Perhaps... Felix, you could invite him as a temporary instructor for the Dueling class."

Snape's gaze flickered, "As the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, you surely have a responsibility to demonstrate how to deal with dangerous dark creatures like Dementors." He said softly, "Perhaps that day might come sooner than you think."

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