Chapter 124: Professors
Chapter 124: Professors (First Subscription Request!)
This class also made the new Professor Belby face some harsh realities.
Times have really changed.
The "average level" he referred to and the "average level" demonstrated by the young wizards were so vastly different that it made him doubt himself.
"Perhaps it's just this particular year that's a bit weaker?" Belby clung to this unrealistic hope.
The young wizards, however, were particularly pleased with their new professor as they filed out of the classroom.
"Today's class was amazing."
"Did you see the tripping jinx I used?"
"I completely overperformed!"
"Crabbe was so stupid."
...
After all the classes for the day were over, Belby finally had a clear understanding of the young wizards' magical prowess, no longer harboring any illusions—he was even leaning towards the other extreme.
"They have almost no sense of danger; they just stand there and cast spells", Belby complained to Felix during dinner.
Felix laughed heartily. "I told you, Damocles, to get a heads-up on their level."
"This is completely different from when I was a student", Belby said.
"Actually, the older years are not bad. They have learned quite a few useful spells; they just don't know how to apply them flexibly. But in recent years, the professors for this course have not been reliable, leading to the younger wizards having no sense of danger prevention", Felix explained.
He suggested:
"Defense Against the Dark Arts and Dueling Class are closely related. We can have some interaction."
"Interaction?"
"You know, many dueling spells are also applicable in Defense Against the Dark Arts. For example, Shield Charms and binding spells."
Belby looked thoughtful.
Defense Against the Dark Arts is a course that teaches students how to use magic to protect themselves from dark creatures and dark magic. They learn offensive and defensive spells to fend off danger in class.
However, the course covers a much broader range of content—danger can come from various sources. Dark wizards, dark magic, dangerous magical creatures, magical plants, handling minor curses, and dealing with common dangerous situations...
It's less about defending against dark magic and more about defending against potential dangers.
Identifying danger, discovering danger, responding to danger, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of opponents...
These are the core principles of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Therefore, Belby should not, and will not, spend a lot of time focusing the young wizards' efforts on just one or two sources of danger.
From this perspective, the Dueling Class can naturally be considered a supplement and practical component of Defense Against the Dark Arts—this is also one of the reasons why Lockhart easily secured the Dueling Club.
...
In the following period, Felix devoted all his energy to upgrading the 'Answer Parchment.'
Professor Mcgonagall, exercising her authority as Deputy Headmistress, gathered nearly all the professors from different subjects for a meeting.
The professors raised their hands to express their willingness to participate in the plan.
Apart from a few subjects—such as the purely practical flying class, the Divination class that claims to require a rare perspective, and some temporary courses (like apparition class and career counseling class)—the professors of other subjects readily agreed to join.
Professor Kettleburn said with a complex expression, "I've always hoped to do something meaningful before I officially retire. Initially, I planned to organize an opera and invite my troll friends..."
Felix was quite relieved that he had talked him out of it.
As for the History of Magic professor, the ghostly figure of Cuthbert Binns, his silver-white translucent body had transformed into a peculiar, luminous white state. One couldn't help but worry if he might feel his existence was being replaced and thus vanish forever.
But fortunately, he was just a bit excited: "This is excellent. I believe the young wizards' History of Magic grades will improve."
...
From an observer's perspective, with so many professors gathered in one room, many interesting things could be observed.
For instance, Professors Flitwick and Sprout rarely made direct eye contact, yet they didn't display any signs of mutual aversion in their body language.
Then there was Snape, who was cold toward Belby but didn't refuse to discuss potion knowledge with him.
Felix also met the Divination professor, Sibyl Trelawney, for the first time since his onboarding.
After three years, she looked the same: Trelawney was very thin with prominent cheekbones. Her large glasses reflected the firelight, making it hard to read her expression, as if a large beetle were approaching.
Only when they got closer could one see her eyes, magnified several times over. She wore a thin, translucent, glittering shawl, heavy necklaces and beads around her long neck, and numerous bracelets and rings on her arms and hands.
'This might be the most self-styled professor at Hogwarts, enveloped in an aura of mystery,' Felix thought.
He didn't have a good impression of the Divination professor, as she had often hinted during his time at school that he would face misfortune...
After discovering he had no aptitude for divination, Felix had promptly dropped the class.
This left his Divination grades permanently stuck at a poor level.
"Oh, Felix, I remember you... In the eyes of most, you are a very talented wizard, but in my vision", Trelawney pointed to her eyes and stared at him intently, "I see a vast expanse of murkiness and darkness."
"Sybill, I think it's because you haven't sobered up yet", Professor Mcgonagall bluntly interrupted, sharing no fondness for this vague and theatrical professor.
Trelawney blushed and said, "The third eye is not affected by external influences, regardless of whether I've had a drink!"
She angrily sat down in an empty chair.
Felix also took this opportunity to chat tentatively with Professor Kettleburn from the Muggle Studies department, but the feedback he received was somewhat disappointing.
This professor was not entirely unfamiliar with Muggle society; according to her, she lived in a Muggle neighborhood. However, Professor Burbage approached problems from a wizard's perspective, and she had never considered understanding the principles of technology— even at a primary school level.
"Felix, I think that's enough. I visit the bookstore twice a year and select the most popular books", she said.
Felix politely asked, "What book have you been studying recently?"
"Mendel's Legacy: The Father of Genetics", Burbage said with interest. "It has given me a lot of inspiration..."
(End of Chapter)
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