A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 47: The Pitiable Professor Snape

The Dueling Club!

In a matter of mere hours, this phrase spread throughout Hogwarts. In these dire times, learning to defend oneself was a poignant concern for every young wizard.

Aside from the first-year newcomers who remained innocent and ignorant, every wizard of any other year felt a pang of bitterness when confronted with this topic.

Hogwarts was faltering, indeed!

The course responsible for instructing young wizards in the art of defending against danger—the Defense Against the Dark Arts class—had traditionally held its merit, although it contained its fair share of fluff. However, this year, it had become widely acknowledged as a class in theatrical performance.

Consequently, there was a fervent interest among the young wizards in the Dueling Club, a place where they could enhance their own strength.

Seamus Finnigan had a look of excitement on his face. "They're finally thinking of starting a Dueling Club! It's about time!"

"Which professor is going to teach?" Ron squeezed through the crowded students, his gaze scanning the parchment as if hoping to spot a couple of professor names.

A Ravenclaw girl beside him said, "It's not written here, but I hope it's Professor Flitwick. He was a dueling champion when he was young."

"Professor Snape is even better," Ron quickly retorted. Since the Forbidden Forest trip that night, he had developed a strange confidence in Professor Snape's abilities, believing he could take on Severus Snape. Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster, was harder to gauge, but at the very least, it could be a fifty-fifty chance.

Harry instinctively wanted to nod in agreement, but when he caught sight of the girl who had spoken, he involuntarily stopped in his tracks.

Cho Chang noticed Harry's gaze and smiled kindly at him. Harry felt his breath catch.

"What do you think, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Huh?"

Harry received an elbow nudge from Ron on his ribcage, but it didn't hurt at all. He mumbled, "Oh, yeah, you're right…"

The young wizards continued their discussions, asking each other for opinions.

"First gathering tonight. Mate, are you going?"

"I don't object to learning some dueling. Might come in handy someday."

"I think we could use it right now."

"Do they think they'll duel with Slytherin's monsters?" Though Ron grumbled under his breath, he still seemed interested as he finished reading the notice. "Harry, what do you think?"

"That girl does seem… Wait, what did you say?" Harry suddenly realized.

Ron looked at him skeptically.

"Dueling, yes, of course, I'll definitely go," Harry said, this time focusing on the text on the parchment.

By dinnertime, most of the table buzzed with talk about the Dueling Club. Some were vehemently stating that at least three professors would oversee the entire club and that they would stage a high-profile, unrestricted duel.

Rumors described it as wildly exciting.

The name Felix Harp cropped up again in the conversations of many girls. His daring challenge against a pure-blood family in his fifth year had grown increasingly legendary, evolving from his original "cool and composed, self-assured" image to a later "heartbroken and determined, fighting to the end" persona. Professor Harp's personal image shifted from a stern and mighty wizard to a tragic figure wielding his wand against a spinning windmill.

Many young witchlings who hadn't even crossed paths with Felix Harp held magical puppets in their arms, their eyes glistening with sympathetic tears, much like they were holding dolls.

"They've gone too far with their speculations," Ron grumbled discontentedly, jabbing his fork repeatedly into a potato. He was really undermining the formidable image of Professor Harp in his mind.

He turned his head, seeking agreement, only to find Hermione's eyes also misting up.

"He really had it tough, in those times..." the young witch spoke with great emotion.

"Who? Professor Harp?" Ron's head was a question mark. Are we talking about the same person?

Harry ate his dinner in silence, occasionally glancing up, but otherwise remaining wordless throughout.

"Harry, something's off with you," Ron said.

"I'm fine."

"Something's been off with you since you came back," Ron leaned closer and whispered, "Did you hear that voice again?"

"No, I'm done eating. See you in the common room." Harry hurriedly left.

Halfway there, he lightly tapped his head, wondering what was wrong with him.

But he did hear her friend call her name, Cho Chang, it sounded so nice...

After a while, Ron returned alone.

"Where's Hermione?"

"Don't know, she said she had something to do and left, asked us to wait for her in the Great Hall." Ron shrugged. "By the way, what do you think, if Professor Harp were to teach us, what do you think he would teach?"

This topic caught Harry's attention, and he quickly ran through scenes of Professor Harp casting spells. The most memorable one was undoubtedly the Forbidden Forest incident.

He expressed his opinion to Ron.

"Harry, that magic is way too advanced," Ron looked around and, a bit mysteriously, said, "I asked Fred about it—no, I didn't say it was Professor Harp," seeing Harry about to say something, he quickly added.

They were both bound by Professor Harp's request for secrecy, unable to reveal what had happened that night.

"Disillusionment Charm is a rather dangerous magic, something we can only learn when we're of age at the very least."

"Disillusionment—what?"

"Disillusionment Charm. It lets you disappear from one place and reappear in another."

Harry quickly noted down the name of the spell. Professor Harp's performance that night in the Forbidden Forest had deeply impressed him, but he had thought it was an exclusive spell of the professor's.

"Moreover, I did some sleuthing, and this spell is used for traveling at high speed. Very few people can use it in quick succession, and a slight mishap can result in splitting."

"Splitting?"

"Like your head flying off and your body staying put." Ron somewhat exaggeratedly explained, "Not to mention, you have to cast the spell while moving. Honestly, when I talked to Fred about it, he thought I was joking."

Harry ignored the danger Ron mentioned, his face full of daydreams.

...

Ancient Runes classroom.

"You mean the Dueling Club?" Felix Harp asked with great interest.

"Yes, the notices are all up. It's in the Great Hall at eight tonight. Professor, you didn't know?"

Felix shook his head.

Hermione's expression was quite disappointed.

She bid her farewell and took a few steps, then suddenly turned back, clenched her fist, and encouraged him with a flushed face, "Professor, we all think you're a truly exceptional wizard. I read a line in a book: 'The hardships of youth are nothing, they only become the driving force for your progress. Life is long, keep going!'"

As she trotted away, Felix was left with a puzzled expression.

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