Chapter 58: Sudden Situation
Chapter 58: Sudden Situation
Tuesday morning, the weather finally cleared up, and the winter sun illuminated Hogwarts, casting a golden glow over the ancient castle.
Felix woke up at eight, his sleep interrupted by the joyful laughter of a few young wizards having a snowball fight.
Pulling back the covers, his cotton pajamas automatically slipped off, and a soft, fine cardigan slipped over his body. He stretched his neck, allowing the clothes to adjust for maximum comfort, and then, with a wave of magic, he donned a pair of lined trousers.
"Magic makes people lazy", Felix couldn't recall when he had first read that, but he found it to be true.
Finally, he slipped into a dark wizard's robe. With everything in place, he pushed open the window and looked down at the snowy landscape outside.
The weather had warmed considerably, and Felix didn't feel the cold. The courtyard and the open space in front of the castle were covered in a thick layer of snow, with several young wizards hurrying to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Thankfully, I don't have any classes this morning. Happiness is often found in comparison."
Back in his office, he reviewed the tasks he had on hand—
Finding the Chamber and dealing with the Basilisk (scheduled to be resolved with Dumbledore during the Christmas holidays);
Identifying the Dark Lord's suspected Horcrux (no progress after three announcements, further evidence of the young wizards' unreliability);
Practicing the instant kill technique (he had been slacking lately, stuck at the four-jump stage);
Acquiring the rare skill of Parseltongue (awaiting feedback, responsible: Harry Potter);
Meeting with Cline (indefinitely postponed...);
Planning the next encounter with the wealthy Hagrid (preparations underway);
Scouring the thousand-year-old library of Hogwarts (ongoing);
Addressing the public relations threat posed by Rita Skeeter (✓);
Completing the Runic Script binding vine (✓);
Guiding Hermione with her essay (✓);
Planning Christmas gifts (✓);
Drafting the Dueling Club proposal (✓);
Reforming the Ancient Runes class curriculum (✓);
Making friends with Lockhart (brain-dead, task abandoned).
Felix smacked his lips; there was nothing particularly urgent. With less than a week until Christmas, he was feeling a bit lazy.
"I should visit Professor Snape and finalize the Dueling Club Assistant position."
Felix descended the castle stairs, crossed the courtyard, and passed a few peculiar snowmen—clearly the work of younger students who, limited by their magical abilities, had to build them by hand.
After breakfast, he made his way down to the castle's underground chambers and found the Potions Professor's office with ease.
Knocking on the door, Snape, expressionless, refused his entry.
"I don't recall inviting you to my office, Felix."
However, Felix was well-versed in the professor's character. Unless you wanted to tease him, it was best to get straight to the point and say what interested him most.
"Professor Snape, I have received Headmaster Dumbledore's approval to oversee the Dueling Club. I need to discuss the teaching staff with you", Felix said, pausing to look Snape in the eyes.
Snape tightly pressed his lips together, his black eyes fixed on Felix. After a moment, he stepped aside. "Come in, Felix."
The Potions Professor's office was located underground, dimly lit, with shelves lined with countless glass jars of specimens. Further in was Snape's private bedroom.
Felix walked to one of the specimen shelves and examined a jar with interest. "Is this an Acromantula's claw? One of the ones from the Forbidden Forest?" he asked curiously.
Professor Snape emerged from his inner room, carrying two cups of Pumpkin Juice. "No", he said coldly, handing Felix a cup.
The conversation between the two turned to the main topic.
"Felix, when did you manage to take the Dueling Club from Lockhart?"
"Professor, I must remind you that Professor Lockhart's daily schedule is so packed that he had to make difficult choices", Felix replied.
"I don't buy it", Snape sneered. "What's so busy about a performance class?"
"Of course, he's busy replying to his fans. From what I understand, he spends at least an hour each day on this task", Felix said with a mischievous smile. "I can empathize with Professor Lockhart. After all, we are both writers who have to deal with fan harassment, and he is more prolific than I am."
"His books..." Snape didn't finish his sentence, but his expression said it all. "But, you also reply to your fans? That's surprising. I thought you wouldn't waste time on such trivial matters."
"Unfortunately, I have to", Felix sighed. "Most of them are officials from various Ministries of Magic. We discuss Muggle legislation and how to interact with Muggles."
Snape was speechless.
He said, "Felix, stop beating around the bush. What is your real purpose here?"
"Professor, I want to know if you are still willing to participate in my Dueling Class."
"Your Dueling Class?" Snape drew out the word "your" with a long, drawn-out tone.
"Yes, my Dueling Class", Felix said matter-of-factly, looking him straight in the eye.
This was a matter of importance.
Snape fell silent.
Felix remained relaxed. He didn't know if Snape would agree, but the information he had obtained from Lockhart indicated that Snape had volunteered to be the Assistant for the course. This suggested that he had some interest in it.
As for the reason, Felix was unsure and didn't particularly care.
However, he had heard that Snape had always sought the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but unfortunately, Dumbledore had never agreed. Was there a connection between the two?
For example, did Snape see the Dueling Class as a substitute for Defense Against the Dark Arts? Felix speculated.
"I need to be involved in the selection of the course content", Snape put forward his condition.
Felix smiled, "Of course, your experience is invaluable", he said.
Felix set his cup of Pumpkin Juice back on the table and stood up. "Professor, the next Dueling Class will start after the Christmas break. I'll discuss the lesson content with you then. Have a pleasant day."
"Goodbye", Snape said with a stern face.
Just as Felix was about to leave, he suddenly stopped. "By the way, Professor Snape, I've already prepared your Christmas gift. I'm sure you'll be satisfied."
Snape forced a smile. "I'll prepare a gift for you too, Felix."
...
In the evening, Felix took over the routine patrol of the castle from Professor Flitwick. There were always some young wizards with various legitimate and illegitimate reasons to act independently, away from the sight of professors and prefects.
What he didn't expect was to encounter Hermione Granger, who was hurrying along and out of breath.
"Professor! Oh, thank goodness I've found a professor!" the young witch exclaimed excitedly.
"Hermione Granger, what's happened?"
"Chamber... the monster in the Chamber..." Hermione tried to speak, but she had run a considerable distance and was gasping for breath.
"Another attack?" Felix's expression turned serious. Really? Another attack just before Christmas?
His assistant first nodded and then shook her head.
"An attack did occur, but no one was hurt. However, Harry, he... he went after the Basilisk!"
(End of Chapter)
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