Chapter 688: A Man
Chapter 688: A Man
"Based on Professor Lupin's lecture today, it's clear that he intends to focus on the content from the book 'Dark Forces: A Self-Defense Guide' to help us score well on our O.W.Ls rather than teaching more practical magic."
After leaving the Dark Arts classroom, Lee Jordan shared his analysis with his roommates. Though he knew they had understood, he couldn't help but sigh, "He's truly a competent professor. But from his appearance and attire, it seems like he's not doing so well financially?"
"I think I know why," Albert said mysteriously.
"Why?" The three asked in unison, turning to him.
"I don't have proof yet, but if I'm right, it's best we don't tell anyone else. Otherwise, Professor Lupin might have to resign," Albert said, not yet willing to reveal to his roommates that Professor Lupin was a werewolf.
"Ugh, you're teasing us again."
"Is it that serious?"
"You don't think it's Black in disguise, do you?"
The three were extremely curious as to what secret Albert had uncovered this time. How was it that they all attended the same classes, yet he always managed to find out things that others didn't?
"Hmm," Albert replied noncommittally.
Professor Lupin's situation was indeed pitiable, but when it came to werewolves, one had to remain vigilant.
"However, I think I now understand why many witches and wizards working at the Ministry of Magic can't cast a proper Shield Charm..." Fred's complaint was interrupted by George.
"I recall you grumbling about this before," George continued Fred's train of thought. "Are you saying that with this style of teaching, it would be a miracle for anyone to excel in Dark Arts defense without putting in a lot of self-study time?"
"You two are so boring," Lee Jordan said, rolling his eyes at the bickering twins.
If it weren't for the training they'd received from Albert, they wouldn't be any better at Dark Arts defense than the rest of their peers.
"Don't say that. If the wizarding world didn't work this way, how would we ever get into the field of Dark Arts defense and make a fortune from this money tree in the future?"
Influenced by Black's prison break, the entire wizarding world was tense. If things played out as Albert had predicted and the wizarding world descended into chaos in a few years, the four of them could indeed make a fortune selling protective gear with Dark Arts defense enchantments.
Of course, it was immoral to look forward to such chaos just for financial gain.
But that was how the future seemed to be shaping up, and as students, they were unable to change it.
Over the years, they had matured under Albert's influence, and they trusted him implicitly, knowing that he could help them realize their dream of opening a joke shop.
Albert was truly remarkable and knowledgeable.
He was like one of those all-knowing seers.
No, in their hearts, Albert was even more impressive than those seers.
As the four made their way to the Great Hall for dinner, they passed the Slytherin table and noticed a group of Slytherin students huddled together, deep in discussion about something.
Lee Jordan glanced at the group curiously, and as soon as he sat down, he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "I'll go ask them what it's about," he said, getting up again.
Soon, Lee Jordan returned with some big news: "Draco Malfoy was scratched by a Hippogriff during the Care of Magical Creatures class, and he's still in the hospital wing."
"A Hippogriff?"
George, his mouth full of fried eggs, mumbled, "So Hagrid brought a Hippogriff to class instead of the Acromantula?"
"The next Care of Magical Creatures class will definitely be exciting. I also heard that Harry rode the Hippogriff up into the sky," Lee Jordan said eagerly. "I wonder if we'll get a chance to ride a Hippogriff too. It must feel so different from flying on a broomstick."
"There's no saddle or reins on a Hippogriff, so your butt will be sore, and you'll be worried about falling off the whole time," Albert bluntly dashed Lee Jordan's expectations, then asked, "What did Malfoy do to provoke a Hippogriff into attacking him?"
"Apparently, he insulted a Hippogriff, so it got angry and scratched his arm," Lee Jordan recalled the information he had gathered.
"Calling that guy a little idiot is spot on. Only those spoiled brats would do something so brainless," George said disdainfully. "How come the Hippogriff didn't just claw him to death?"
"Hagrid probably stopped it," Fred said, sounding disappointed. "It would've been nice if that little idiot lost an arm."
"I don't think there's a potion that can regrow limbs, is there?" Albert thought of Professor Kettleburn, who had resigned last semester.
If such a magical potion existed, Professor Kettleburn, with his close relationship with Professor Dumbledore, wouldn't have retired with a missing hand and foot.
"Most likely not." Fred shook his head. "At least, I've never heard of such a magical potion. I really wish Malfoy's injury was more severe."
"I think Madam Pomfrey will be able to cure him in no time." Lee Jordan frowned slightly as he spoke, "But Malfoy is still in the hospital wing and refuses to leave."
"That little twit is pretending to be injured, probably trying to cause trouble for Hagrid. It's one of the Malfoy family's usual tricks." Fred said disdainfully.
"Albert, what do you think?" George asked.
Noticing the three pairs of eyes on him, Albert helplessly said, "Last semester, I told Hagrid not to bring dangerous magical creatures to class."
"Did you foresee this would happen?" George arched an eyebrow.
"I just didn't expect Hagrid to stir up trouble on the first day of school. That's a record, even for him." Albert's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
When he had spoken to Hagrid about this last semester, he had indeed guessed that something like this might happen.
"Do you foresee things like this happening?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.
"Sometimes you don't need to be a Seer to guess what's going to happen." Albert said calmly.
"I thought you would stop him." Fred looked surprised.
"How do you think I should have stopped him?" Albert looked at his three roommates and asked in return, "Do you think I should have treated Hagrid like a child and demanded that he must or must not do certain things, all for his own good?"
"No, that's not what I meant." Fred apologized, looking ashamed.
"Hagrid is an adult, with his own thoughts and responsible for his own actions." Albert stated calmly, "And I, I'm just one person, not a god. All I can do is offer him well-meaning advice."
"Well, that little twit is lucky to have only suffered minor injuries." George quickly changed the subject, "In fact, you could say Hagrid is lucky too. If that little twit had lost an arm, the Malfoy family certainly wouldn't have let it go."
"No, you're overthinking it. With Malfoy's personality, he would definitely pressure the Board of Governors to have Hagrid fired." Fred knew Malfoy's character all too well, and he was certain this matter wouldn't be dropped so easily.
"No, Malfoy has already been kicked off the Board of Governors, they no longer have that kind of influence." Albert shook his head, "Besides, Professor Dumbledore will stand up for Hagrid. As the headmaster, his position and authority carry weight not just in Britain, but throughout Europe's magical community, and they will need to give him face."
"As for the Ministry of Magic, there's even less to worry about. Not long ago, Hagrid was unjustly imprisoned in Azkaban, and if it happens again, the reporters from the Prophet will not let this big news story go." Albert spoke meaningfully, "After all, what's the deal with the Ministry of Magic constantly targeting Hagrid over the care of the creatures in the Forbidden Forest?"
If such a thing were exposed, it would be like the Ministry of Magic throwing their own reputation to the ground and trampling on it.
In fact, if the injured party had been anyone other than Malfoy, the matter might have quickly blown over.
After all, Malfoy had brought it upon himself, and his injuries were minor.
"However, the Care of Magical Creatures class is ruined now." Albert sighed helplessly, "Maybe Hagrid will have us interact with, observe, or even care for some harmless creatures from now on, like..."
"Flobberworms?" Fred blurted out.
"Yes, perhaps our next lesson will be on how to care for flobberworms." As he spoke, Albert put down his fork, which he had just raised to his mouth, suddenly feeling like he had lost his appetite.
"You're not going to eat?" George asked curiously.
It was rare to see food left on Albert's plate.
Albert took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the corners of his mouth, saying, "I really shouldn't talk about such disgusting things during meals, it's a real appetite killer."
"Aigh, what a waste of a good class."
Hearing Albert's words, the three roommates lost any remaining expectations they had for Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class.
"Luckily, after one more year of this class, we won't have to waste our time on it anymore."
"I don't plan to continue with Care of Magical Creatures anyway. Next semester, I intend to drop a few classes." Albert mentally calculated, "I'll probably keep the main five, along with Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."
"Next year, we might only have to take two or three classes." Fred said with a smile, "Herbology, Dark Arts Defense, and Charms... I really doubt I can meet Professor McGonagall's standards in Transfiguration."
"As long as you can achieve an 'Exceeds Expectations', you should be able to satisfy Professor McGonagall's requirements." Albert shared the information he knew with the three, "In the sixth year, if you want to continue your studies, your grades will need to be at least 'Exceeds Expectations'."
"That won't be easy." Fred mumbled, "Not everyone can get a bunch of 'Outstandings' as easily as you."
(End of Chapter)
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