https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-228-The-New-Dark-Arts-Defense-Professor/12937625/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-230-The-School-Nurse-and-the-Professor/12937627/
Chapter 229: Attack is the Best Defense
Chapter 229: Attack is the Best Defense
The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom had undergone a significant transformation. Thick, soft mats covered the floor, and the clutter along the walls had been cleared, leaving only a shelf filled with gauze and potions.
"I heard...this is all thanks to Madam Pomfrey's strong protest," Daphne said, reaching out to touch the thick mat and feeling a sense of relief.
"You've all seen Potter's nose, right? I don't want to end up like Professor Dumbledore with a crooked nose."
"I heard Potter challenged the professor multiple times and got beaten up pretty badly. If he had conceded earlier, he would have only suffered minor injuries," Theodore Nott added.
Draco Malfoy's pale face showed a slight improvement, but he quickly resumed his defiant expression.
The students comforted each other, regaining some confidence. Some even eyed the nearby mats, ready to cushion their fall if needed.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a bang, and the new professor strode in.
She walked to the front and waved her wand forcefully. All the mats flew up, causing the students to scramble out of the way before they landed and piled against the wall.
Professor Abigail turned to face the students, her expression devoid of any hint of a smile.
"Madam Pomfrey believes you need these to avoid injuries. But in my class, only cowards and weaklings can request a bed."
"Who needs one? Raise your hand!"
No one was willing to admit to being a coward or weakling. Even those trembling with fear forced themselves to keep their hands down.
After a moment, Professor Abigail tapped her wand against her palm and said, "Good, you're finally showing some courage."
Some students straightened their backs slightly.
"I'm from Ilvermorny in the United States, and I've also been to the Wagadu School of Magic in Africa. Many claim that Hogwarts is the best, so I took the initiative to approach Dumbledore and apply to be your substitute teacher."
She walked among them, continuing, "But after arriving here, I'm disappointed! Most of you are weak..."
Her gaze rested on the pale-faced Daphne.
"...cowardly..."
Her sharp eyes paused on Lisa's face.
"...clumsy..."
Goyle and Crabbe stood awkwardly, facing the new professor.
"...hypocritical..."
Draco's face turned red.
"...using spells haphazardly, and treating your wands like they belong to the neighbor's dog..."
Professor Abigail scoffed, "Seriously, are you even wizards? Or just a bunch of baboons with wands?"
She casually stopped in front of Anthony and tilted her head, asking, "Do you consider yourself a wizard?"
Anger flashed in Anthony's eyes, and he clenched his teeth, saying, "Of course I am!"
"What's your name?" Professor Abigail inquired.
"Anthony Goldstein!" Anthony shouted.
"Alright, Goldstein," Professor Abigail gestured with her hand, "Then bring out your wand and show me what you've got!"
She paused briefly, then added, "If you're scared, just admit defeat and go find a mat to sleep on over there."
Anthony tightly pursed his lips, drew his wand, and stepped forward as the surrounding students made way for them.
"All of you—"
The boy had barely raised his wand halfway when he flew out with a "whoosh."
"Too slow!" Abigail sneered, "Will your enemies wait for you to get ready?"
She pointed at a student, "What's your name?"
Michael took a deep breath and stepped forward, "Michael Corner."
Ten seconds later, Michael followed in Anthony's footsteps.
"Next," Abigail said lazily.
One by one, students stepped up, only to fly off in various awkward positions. Most couldn't even complete their spells. They gritted their teeth, determined not to admit defeat after Professor Abigail's words, not even uttering a word of surrender.
A student's wand flew out of their hand, earning them harsh ridicule from the new professor, who said that in a real battle, they would have been killed by their enemy.
"But I'm not planning to become an Auror anyway..." Blaise Zabini muttered, clearly finding the professor's constant talk of combat inappropriate.
"You know what?" Professor Abigail held his head and laughed coldly, "Most of those killed by Dark Wizards are ordinary, unremarkable wizards like you."
Zabini, seeing those beast-like dark green eyes up close, was momentarily stunned into silence.
Professor Abigail released her grip on him and raised her voice, "Next!"
Vold stepped forward, the only student in the classroom who hadn't been called upon yet. Others, like Malfoy, had already been hit by spells and knocked around a few times.
As Vold stepped forward, Professor Abigail's eyes lit up with a hint of a smile. "What's your name?" she asked.
"Vold Gray," he replied.
"Oh... so you're the one who invented the Friend's Account," Professor Abigail's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I like your spirit—are you ready?"
Vold didn't waste any words. He raised his hand and cast a Disarming Charm while sidestepping to the side.
He had witnessed this many times before. The professor never bothered with dueling etiquette. On several occasions, she had distracted her opponents with her words, only to catch them off guard and knock them down.
Even when facing students whose magical abilities were far inferior to her own, she showed no mercy. She would even resort to sneak attacks and deception.
When confronted with students' accusations, she didn't feel the slightest bit embarrassed. Instead, she would argue—this is how real duels are fought! The gentlemen are dead; only the ruthless survive!
True to her words, as soon as Vold dodged, a red beam of light grazed the spot where he had been standing, hitting Goyle, who was not far away.
The boy, who had been rubbing his forehead, suddenly widened his eyes and fainted without a sound.
Professor Abigail, too, was unaffected by the Disarming Charm. She stared in surprise, asking, "Are you kidding me? A Silencing Charm? Or did you cast a spell on the sly?"
Vold, of course, didn't respond. He blocked an incoming beam with an Iron Armor Charm and then cast a Stupor Charm, which was deflected by the invisible armor and bounced back.
A loud 'thud' sounded, and a small pit, the size of an eye, appeared on the wall.
At the same time, another rebounding spell hit Pansy, who fell backward onto Malfoy. The students scrambled for cover, ducking their heads.
The two in the center of the classroom continued to attack each other, with spells flying in all directions. Even they didn't know where the spells would rebound, making it impossible for the other students to dodge.
Terry, hit by the Disarming Charm for the third time, crawled and rolled to retrieve his wand, shouting in desperation, "Why are we the unlucky ones when it's their duel?"
"Run!"
Someone shouted, and the students, relieved, rushed for the door. The student closest to the door pulled it open but was immediately entangled by a Leg-Locking Charm and fell with a thud.
Malfoy shoved him aside and dragged Pansy as they made their escape. The entire classroom of students followed suit, except for those who had fainted, and in the blink of an eye, only Vold and the new professor remained.
"Your spellcasting is impressive... but I heard the previous two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors weren't that great?" Professor Abigail asked, seemingly unconcerned about the fleeing students, as she circled, looking for an opportunity to attack.
"I had a serious and responsible tutor," Vold replied.
"If I get the chance, I'd like to meet them," Professor Abigail said, and her wand quivered. Vold quickly blocked the incoming spell but stumbled as his foot caught on something.
Goyle's arm, which was lying across the floor, became an unexpected obstacle. Vold staggered and, before he could steady himself, his abdomen felt like it had been struck by an iron hammer, sending him flying across the room and slamming into the floor.
"In a duel, a moment of carelessness can be fatal," Professor Abigail said with a smile. "It seems your tutor forgot to teach you to pay attention to your surroundings during combat."
"You too!" Vold said through gritted teeth.
A willow branch, which seemed to have grown at an unknown time, swayed and then snapped, causing the professor, who was holding her wand, to stumble forward and roll on the ground before coming to a stop.
"Good boy!"
Professor Abigail took advantage of the momentum and knelt on one knee, throwing out another spell with a stylish pose. But suddenly, a loud roar exploded in her ear—
"Stop this instant!"
She looked up and saw Madam Pomfrey standing in the open doorway, breathing heavily in anger, her wand-holding hand trembling slightly.
Her rage was palpable, causing even the proud Professor Abigail to avert her gaze.
Several students peered curiously from behind the school nurse, their eyes filled with tension and excitement as they watched the scene inside the classroom.
And then, the angry roar exploded anew!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
