Chapter 232: Safety First!
Chapter 232: Safety First!
The beds in the infirmary weren't particularly spacious, but for a wizard of Vold's caliber, size was never an issue.
His wand rested on the bedside table, and with a casual wave, Vold enlarged the bed, easily accommodating five or six people. After a good night's sleep, the trio awoke to a bright morning.
Poppy Pomfrey arrived with a potion, her face stern as she watched Vold down the concoction. She conducted a quick examination and signaled for them to leave.
The three held their breath, waiting for Madam Pomfrey to depart before Lane whispered, "Madam Pomfrey seems upset."
"Definitely! She hates students who don't take care of themselves," Theo agreed, surprised. "I'm amazed she didn't scold you."
"Maybe because I'm a patient?" Vold offered casually.
In truth, he knew that Professor Snape often had him deliver the potions he practiced brewing, and Madam Pomfrey had shown him a bit of leniency.
At the very least, she hadn't publicly berated him like she had with others, and Vold found himself oddly touched by the comparatively better treatment.
The trio tidied up the bed, gathered their belongings, and Vold drew back the curtain with a swish, only to find numerous pairs of eyes staring at them.
Vold now fully understood why Lane and Theo had insisted on staying by his side.
The infirmary held around ten beds, most occupied by Slytherins, including some of his classmates from the previous day's lesson. Vold even spotted Goyle, whom he had stepped on.
In the wizarding world, injuries caused by spells took much longer to heal compared to physical wounds. So, while Vold was discharged early in the morning, many students still had to remain for a couple more days.
They stared silently at the primary culprit, or at least one of them, saying nothing but also refraining from launching an attack.
Despite being unintentionally harmed, most Slytherins felt an increased sense of camaraderie with Vold.
He wasn't pure-blooded... not even half-blooded... so what?
The Slytherins in his year weren't a match for him.
Their only reasonable response was to not speak to him.
As the trio cautiously exited the infirmary, they were surprised to find Michael right outside, peeking inside discreetly.
"What's going on?" Lane asked curiously.
"I'm worried about Madam Pomfrey seeing us. She gave us an earful yesterday."
Michael took another cautious peek and noticed the Slytherins' expressions. He chuckled and said, "Vold, believe it or not, despite their icy stares, almost every Slytherin wants to be your friend if you'd just reach out."
"Forget it," Vold replied. "Did you see Dumbledore this morning?"
"No," said Michael, "but I think he's still at the school. I saw an owl carrying a package fly out of the Headmaster's window this morning."
"Vold, do you have Dumbledore's Friend Account?" Theo inquired.
"Yes, but I'd rather talk to him in person," Vold stated.
Even in a face-to-face conversation, deciphering Dumbledore's thoughts was challenging, but at least he could glean some insights from his expressions and body language. Through parchment, nothing was discernible.
Dumbledore didn't appear at breakfast, but when Vold sent a message, Dumbledore promptly replied:
[I can meet at 2 p.m. I recall you don't have class at that time—oh, and the password is strawberry ice cream.
】
The morning's Charms class seemed to drag on for Ved.
Professor Flitwick, having likely heard about the incident in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, spent half the lesson regaling the students with stories of his youth and duels, along with some tips on dueling.
"Move swiftly, children! Don't stand there like a troll, waiting to be hit by your opponent!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed, waving his wand with emphasis. He then demonstrated his point by having several students attack him at once, effortlessly dodging all their spells without casting any offensive spells himself.
Of course, everyone agreed that Professor Flitwick's agility was closely related to his diminutive stature. They vehemently refused to acknowledge that they were the trolls or apes he had mentioned.
"Alright, alright, let's take a break for a moment," Professor Flitwick panted a few minutes later.
Once the students had settled down, he continued, "Remember, avoiding your opponent's spells is more important than defeating them! No matter who you're fighting, don't rush for the victory. Your safety should always come first!"
He then provided a few examples, such as a story of a careless wizard who, during a battle, was hit by a Tarantella Dance Spell and, while dancing uncontrollably, lost the chance to counterattack, making it easy for Professor Flitwick to subdue him.
Neville raised his hand and asked, "But... what if we don't know the Iron Armor Charm? How can we defend against their spells?"
"There are many ways. But the simplest and quickest method is to collide with their spell using another spell."
Professor Flitwick explained, "There's an invisible attraction between spells. If two people cast spells at each other simultaneously, there's a high probability that the spells will collide, causing them to deviate from their original direction or even rebound."
"This is explained in detail in Chapter Three of 'Basic Theory of Spells.' So, for today's assignment, write a fifteen-inch essay on this topic."
"Oh, no..."
It was clear that he had just come up with this on the spot, and the classroom instantly filled with groans.
When the students started practicing in pairs, Professor Flitwick made his way to Ved.
"Ved, do you remember what I said earlier?" The short professor asked with unusual seriousness.
"Yes, Professor," Ved replied, slightly lowering his head. "My safety is the top priority. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me and continued challenging Professor Abigail."
Professor Flitwick nodded, a relieved smile on his face.
"It's not bad to be impulsive occasionally; after all, you're still in your teens."
As soon as Ved acknowledged his mistake, Professor Flitwick began to make excuses for his student. "But remember, in the future, when it's time to stop, do so promptly. There's no shame in retreating."
"Yes, Professor."
"Even if someone calls you a coward or a scaredy-cat, remember that the foolish ones are those who act on impulse. If you can defeat your enemy with wisdom, why insist on proving your courage by bashing your head against them?"
He winked, and Ved couldn't help but smile.
Someone must have informed Professor Flitwick of Professor Abigail's words... He probably thought Ved had acted out of character due to provocation.
No wonder during breakfast, several professors at the staff table had been scowling. Had Professor Abigail, engrossed in her meal, noticed their displeasure?
(End of Chapter)
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