Chapter 47: Poor Professor Hup
Chapter 47: Poor Professor Hup
Dueling Club!
This term spread like wildfire across Hogwarts within a few hours. In these uncertain times, learning to protect oneself struck a chord with every young wizard.
Apart from the clueless first-year students, every other young wizard could shed a tear over this topic.
Hogwarts was unreliable!
The Defense Against the Dark Arts course, which was supposed to teach young wizards to defend against danger, had always been watered down, but at least they could learn something. This year, it was widely regarded as a drama class.
Therefore, the young wizards were incredibly enthusiastic about the Dueling Club, which promised to enhance their combat skills.
Seamus Finnigan looked excited. "They've finally decided to start the Dueling Club! It's about time."
"Which professor will be teaching it?" Ron pushed his way through the crowded hall, his eyes scanning the parchment, seemingly trying to circle a few names.
A Ravenclaw girl nearby said, "It's not mentioned, but I hope it's Professor Flitwick. He was a dueling champion in his youth."
"Professor Hup is even better", Ron quickly countered. Since the Forbidden Forest incident, he had an inexplicable confidence in Professor Hup's abilities, believing he could easily beat Snape. As for Headmaster Dumbledore, it was a toss-up, but at least it would be an even match.
Harry instinctively nodded in agreement but stopped when he caught sight of the girl speaking.
Cho Chang noticed Harry's gaze and gave him a friendly smile, causing Harry to feel his breath catch.
"What do you think, Harry?" Ron asked.
"What?"
Ron elbowed Harry in the ribs, but it didn't hurt. Harry mumbled, "Oh, right, you're absolutely right..."
The young wizards chattered excitedly, asking each other for their opinions.
"The first meeting is tonight. Will you be there, mate?"
"I don't mind learning some dueling skills. They might come in handy someday."
"I think we could use them right now."
"Do they really think they'll be dueling Slytherin's monsters?" Ron grumbled, but he read the notice with keen interest. "Harry, what do you think?"
"That girl is quite... What did you say?" Harry suddenly snapped back to reality.
Ron looked at him skeptically.
"Duels, yes, of course I'll go", Harry said, this time focusing on the parchment.
By dinner, most of the table was buzzing with talk about the Dueling Club. Some claimed that at least three professors would be overseeing the club and would demonstrate a high-level, unrestricted duel.
It was said to be incredibly wild.
Felix Hep's name was once again on the lips of many girls, and the story of his challenge to a Pureblood Family in his fifth year had grown more exaggerated.
From the original "elegant and composed, neither humble nor arrogant", it had evolved into "bitter and helpless, fighting to the death." Professor Hup's image had quickly transformed from a cold, powerful genius wizard to a tragic figure, waving his wand at windmills.
Many lower-year young witches, who had never met Felix, clutched their magical automatons like dolls, their eyes brimming with sympathetic tears.
"They're exaggerating too much", Ron grumbled, poking at a potato with his fork. It was ruining the powerful image of Professor Hup in his mind.
He turned to seek agreement, only to see Hermione's eyes misting over.
"He really suffered a lot in that era..." the young witch said emotionally.
"Who? Professor Hup?" Ron was puzzled. Are we talking about the same person?
Harry quietly ate his dinner, occasionally looking up but otherwise saying nothing.
"Harry, you're not okay", Ron said.
"I'm fine."
"You haven't been right since you came back", Ron leaned in and whispered, "Are you hearing that voice again?"
"No, I'm finished. See you in the common room", Harry quickly left.
On his way, Harry gently tapped his head, wondering what was wrong with him.
But he remembered her friend calling her name, Cho Chang, which sounded so beautiful...
A while later, Ron returned alone.
"Where's Hermione?"
"I don't know. She said she had to leave early and told us to wait for her in the Great Hall", Ron shrugged. "By the way, what do you think Professor Hup would teach us if he were our professor?"
This topic caught Harry's attention. He quickly recalled the scenes of Professor Hup casting spells, and the one that stood out the most was in the Forbidden Forest.
He shared his thoughts with Ron.
"Harry, that magic is too advanced", Ron glanced around, looking a bit mysterious, "I asked Fred about it—no, I didn't tell him it was Professor Hup", he quickly added when he saw Harry about to say something.
They had all been sworn to secrecy by Professor Hup, not to reveal what had happened that night.
"Apparition is a very dangerous spell, and we can only learn it when we're adults."
"Apparition—what's that?"
"Apparition. It allows you to disappear from one place and reappear in another."
Harry quickly memorized the name of the spell. Professor Hup's performance in the Forbidden Forest had left a deep impression on him, though he had initially thought it was the professor's exclusive magic.
"Also, I've heard that this magic is used for travel, and few people can use it repeatedly in a short time. One wrong move, and you could end up splinched."
"Splinched?"
"For example, your head could fly off while your body stays behind", Ron explained with a bit of exaggeration. "Not to mention, you have to cast the spell while moving. Honestly, when I told Fred, he thought I was joking."
Harry ignored the dangers, his face filled with admiration.
...
Ancient Runes Office.
"Are you talking about the Dueling Club?" Felix asked with interest.
"Yes, the notice is up on the board. It's in the Great Hall at eight o'clock tonight, and I didn't know you weren't aware of it, Professor."
Felix shook his head.
Hermione looked quite disappointed.
She then bid farewell and started to leave, but after a few steps, she turned back, clenched her fists, and with a flushed face, encouraged him, "Professor, we all think you're an excellent wizard. I read a quote in a book: 'The hardships of youth are nothing; they only become the driving force for your progress. Life is long, keep going!'"
Watching her run off, Felix looked puzzled.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
