Chapter 761: The Defense Association
Chapter 761: The Defense Association
The storm stirred up by Sirius Black gradually calmed as time passed, and peace returned to Hogwarts Castle once more. If not for the occasional dwarf security guards patrolling the corridors, the students might have forgotten the panic that Black's two intrusions had caused.
However, for most students in their fifth and seventh years, the upcoming Ordinary Wizarding Level exams and N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests) were their primary concerns.
"Is Professor Lupin ill again?"
"Is he really okay?"
"It seems like Professor Lupin has to take leave every month. I'm starting to worry about the Dark Arts Defense exam in June."
"We barely learn anything useful in that class these days."
As soon as they were informed that Professor Lupin was unwell and they would have a free period for Dark Arts Defense, the classroom buzzed with whispers.
"I think this must be the Curse of the Dark Arts Defense Professor," said Shan'na, poking Albert. "Do you know what's wrong with Professor Lupin?"
"Actually, the Dark Arts Defense exam isn't as difficult as you think," Albert said, changing the subject to reassure them. "As far as I know, we'll have to do a written test and then demonstrate curse-breaking and defensive spells in front of the professors. For example, using the Riddikulus charm to banish a Boggart. Most of the exam content comes from the book 'Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection'. I think the Ministry of Magic is aware of the situation with the Dark Arts Defense class at Hogwarts, so the exam content shouldn't be too challenging."
"Just because it's easy for you doesn't mean it's easy for us," someone countered.
"You know, now that you mention it, could Professor Lupin's frequent illnesses be because of the Curse of the Dark Arts Defense Professor?" Alia suddenly said. "Maybe the curse is making him sick to force him to resign from the school?"
"I hope Professor Lupin is alright," said another student.
"Maybe Professor Lupin should resign early," George suddenly interjected. "This curse business is a bit scary. Just look at what happened to the previous Dark Arts Defense professors."
"Does Professor Lupin know about the Curse of the Dark Arts Defense Professor?"
"I think he does," said Albert. "Professor Lupin attended Hogwarts himself, so he must be aware that the Dark Arts Defense professor changes every year."
"Maybe we should convince him to resign early to avoid any mishaps," Shan'na said, sharing the others' concern for the well-being of their beloved professor. "I don't want anything to happen to him."
"That would be difficult," Albert replied, finding the idea of persuading a professor to resign rather absurd. At least, he didn't think he could succeed in such an endeavor.
"I think it's worth a try," Shan'na insisted. "If Professor Lupin is willing to resign early, like Professor Broadhurst, maybe he can avoid the curse." She was determined to give it a shot, as the fate of the previous Dark Arts Defense professors had been too grim, and she didn't want Professor Lupin to suffer the same.
"Albert, will you come with me to visit Professor Lupin? Maybe we can convince him," Shan'na pleaded, her eyes hopeful. "You don't want anything to happen to him either, do you?"
"Not today, tomorrow," Albert replied, glancing at the lunar calendar on the parchment. "I'll go with you to visit him then, and we can also talk to him about the curse."
"I'll come with you," said Lee Jordan. "I wonder if Professor Lupin would lend us a Boggart."
"What would you use a Boggart for?" Angelina asked curiously. "To practice resisting Boggarts?"
"He plans to use it to practice the Patronus Charm," Fred explained with a smile. "Harry used a Boggart to practice the Patronus Charm and managed to produce a corporeal Patronus in a short time."
"Would that really work?" Shan'na asked, intrigued. Her Patronus was still in the mist stage, and the stagnation of her progress with the Patronus Charm was a source of frustration.
"At the very least, the effect on Harry was quite noticeable after he tried that method," said Lee, not wanting to fall behind his peers. "Maybe I'll succeed soon, too."
"It's definitely worth a try," Fred agreed without hesitation. "It'll also give us a chance to test our Patronuses."
Noticing the confused looks on the others' faces, George said mysteriously, "Actually... Fred and I have already succeeded in producing corporeal Patronuses."
"You've already succeeded in producing corporeal Patronuses?" Alia exclaimed, her eyes widening.
"Those two blokes managed to do it months ago," Lee grumbled.
"Yes, we did," Fred said with a grin. "And it's all thanks to Albert's help."
"A Patronus that hasn't faced the Dementor's test can't be considered a true Patronus," Albert reminded them. "If Professor Lupin is willing to lend us a Boggart, we should definitely use it for some training."
In fact, they had asked Mondungus a long time ago to help them find a Boggart, but that guy had quoted a high price and still hadn't found one yet.
Finding a Boggart sometimes required a bit of luck.
"What are your Patronuses?" Shanna asked curiously.
"Magpies," Fred and George answered in unison, "and Lee Jordan here is a gorilla."
"Hasn't Lee not summoned his corporeal Patronus yet?" Angelina asked, unable to hide her curiosity. "How did you know what his Patronus is?"
"Albert guessed," George explained, giving a nudge to Albert, "and he was spot on, just like with ours. He predicted our Patronuses before we even summoned them."
Everyone turned to Albert, their eyes filled with curiosity.
"What do you think my Patronus is?" Shanna asked eagerly.
Albert shook his head. "I don't know."
"Then how did you guess theirs?" Angelina pressed, her eyes wide with wonder. "Did you use divination?"
"The form a Patronus takes is a reflection of one's inner self, and in a way, it can be quite revealing," Albert explained, giving Lee Jordan's shoulder a friendly pat. "Of course, I was able to guess because we've known each other for a long time, and I understand their personalities well."
"Hey, we've known each other for ages, too!" the girls exclaimed in unison, their faces falling in disappointment.
"Ahem," Shanna cleared her throat, her eyes fixed intently on Albert. "I think we need a club, a Dark Arts Defense Club, to help us with our studies. You know how difficult it is to score well in Defense Against the Dark Arts on our own." Her gaze at Albert made her intention clear—she was asking him to be their teacher.
"That's a brilliant idea! No one is more suitable than Albert," Angelina agreed, eager to improve her grades as well.
"It won't take up much time, just a few hours a week," Alia added.
"There are a few empty classrooms in the school, and I'm sure Professor McGonagall will be happy to lend them to us, especially since we're preparing for our O.W.Ls," one of the students piped up.
"I fully support the idea of having Albert teach us. He already taught us so many useful spells last time," Lee Jordan said, endorsing the proposal. With this club, the Dark Arts Defense exam in June would surely be a breeze.
"I already have too many clubs to attend each week," Albert declined outright. "Besides, the Wizarding Card Club is also about to hold its finals."
"You're the one who's been busy with the Wizarding Card Club!" Lee Jordan protested, his finger pointing at Albert's chest.
"I've got a name for it—the Dark Arts Defense Club," Fred suggested with a grin.
"Are you sure you put any thought into that name?" Alia frowned, unimpressed.
"How about the Dueling Club?" Fred offered another suggestion.
"Professor Lockhart is still recovering at St. Mungo's!" Angelina reminded them.
"Then how about the Dark Arts Defense League?" Shanna proposed.
George shook his head. "That name's already taken."
"There's an organization with that name?" Shanna asked, surprised.
"You guys probably forgot, but Professor Lockhart is an honorary member of the Dark Arts Defense League," George reminded them.
"Then let's call it the Defense Association. Surely no one else has used that name!" Shanna insisted.
Albert thought to himself, 'I haven't even agreed yet, and they're acting like it's a done deal? Are they trying to compete with Potter's DA? And don't they think this name clashes with their goal?' However, a new mission prompt soon appeared in Albert's mind: Establish a secret society with no fewer than 20 members?
Upon seeing the mission details, Albert felt a bit perplexed. He had already established the Wizarding Card Club, which had more than 20 members.
Perhaps the difference lies in having followers?
And so, the Defense Association was born.
Even the people involved found its formation rather bewildering.
Albert was busy every day, and even with the use of a Time-Turner, he wasn't keen on devoting time to this endeavor.
However, when the new mission appeared on his panel, he changed his mind.
Spending just an hour or two each week would not only help him gain a group of followers but also complete a rewarding mission.
Why refuse such an opportunity?
It was too tempting to pass up! The Defense Association quickly settled on its purpose: to help its members achieve excellent results in the upcoming Dark Arts Defense exam in June.
Unfortunately, the association's membership consisted only of a handful of Gryffindor students from their fifth year, and due to the lack of a suitable meeting place, the Defense Association existed only in name, or rather, in words for the time being.
However, Albert wasn't worried.
The important thing was that the mission had been triggered.
As for completing the mission, he had all the time in the world. Based on the mission description, it wasn't about forming a study group but establishing an association-like organization.
Expanding an interest group into an association was certainly possible, but such a transformation couldn't be rushed, and even if he hurried, it wouldn't help.
(End of Chapter)
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