Chapter 1258 Gryffindor adds 1 points
The hustle and bustle of the Muggle world has nothing to do with the magical world; wizards just go about their business as usual.
But for Hogwarts, every day after Umbridge left felt like a holiday, especially with Snape taking over the Defense Against the Dark Arts class again.
He strode into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, his black robes billowing like a victory banner.
He stepped onto the podium, casually raised his hand, and pointed to the pile of "Defense of Magic Theory" in the corner, "Get that disgusting garbage out of my classroom."
The badger cubs and lion cubs frantically tossed Umbridge's old textbooks into a box that, though small, could hold a lot of textbooks.
"Burp—" It let out a particularly loud burp as Harry stuffed the last textbook into the box.
As Snape watched this scene, a very subtle, but undeniable smile appeared on his lips.
“Today,” he said, looking around the classroom, his gaze lingering even briefly on the little lions, without the usual malice, “we will practice something that can truly save your lives, a simple yet very effective spell, the Tripping Curse.”
A suppressed whisper of excitement rose in the classroom. They were back! Their Defense Against the Dark Arts class was finally back!
Snape drew his wand. "So, who would like to come up and demonstrate?"
To everyone's surprise, his seemingly casual gaze landed precisely on Neville.
“Mr. Longbottom, yes, that’s you, please come forward.”
Neville's face turned ashen, and he stood up shakily.
To him, the open space in the middle of the classroom was practically a guillotine.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Longbottom.” Snape stood beside him, his tone unusually encouraging: “Your task is simple: just stand there and be a proper model.”
He gently patted Neville on the shoulder, startling Neville so much that he almost jumped to the ceiling.
Snape, unusually, showed no displeasure. He turned to the students, his black robes swirling gracefully, and said, “Watch my demonstration. The wrist movements should be light and decisive, like this.”
He casually waved his wand, and a precise beam of red light shot out.
Neville kept his eyes closed. The expected fall didn't happen. Instead, he felt itchy, as if something furry was rubbing against his feet.
He mustered his courage and slightly opened his eyes, only to see that the slightly worn shoes at his feet had turned into two teddy bears dressed in suits and top hats, tightly hugging his feet.
He was initially terrified, but then he was amused by the comical scene and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
The silent classroom suddenly erupted in a deafening burst of laughter.
Seamus laughed so hard he slid off his chair, Hermione covered her mouth and chuckled, while Lavender and Parvati clutched their stomachs, trying their best not to make a sound.
Snape on the podium seemed to be shrouded in a kind of restrained yet clearly discernible ease.
"See the effect?" Snape waved his wand again, turning the teddy bear clinging to Neville back into a shoe.
"If you want your spells to effectively distract your opponent, you need to make full use of your imagination."
He paused, his gaze settling on Seamus, who was scrambling awkwardly toward the chair. "If Mr. Finnigan doesn't blow up the classroom or turn himself into some weirdo during the next practice session, I'll consider adding a point to Gryffindor's score."
The little lions stared wide-eyed at Snape on the platform in disbelief.
"Now, pair up and start practicing."
The long-awaited practical class began, with spells flying everywhere in the classroom, and screams and laughter filling the air.
On Ron's first attempt, the red light missed its target and hit a bookshelf, causing several books to flutter up like startled birds.
He hunched his shoulders, waiting for the familiar roar and deductions.
Snape simply strolled over, glanced at the few copies of "A History of Magic" hovering in the air, and raised an eyebrow.
“Creative idea, Mr. Weasley, but our topic today is tripping, not getting the textbook to run away. Let’s do it again, and focus.”
Ron shivered inexplicably. He was very uncomfortable with Snape, who had no ill intentions in his eyes and spoke with a mocking tone.
Could it be that he has been afflicted by a soul-stealing curse?
Many students share this idea, such as Harry, who successfully made his partner Dean stumble.
Although Dean didn't fall completely, Snape surprisingly commented, "Right direction, Potter. Adjust the angle a little, and you'll do even better."
Harry was horrified; those words were even more terrifying than Snape yelling at him.
As the class drew to a close, many students were lying sprawled on the ground, each with an excited smile on their face.
Snape stood behind the podium, his hands resting on the table. "Today's homework..."
He deliberately raised his voice, looking at the little faces below that instantly crumbled.
His narrow, dark eyes gleamed with a peculiar light. “Read the chapter on tripping spells in ‘Common Spells and Their Applications’ and write a paper… no more than 5 inches long, discussing three flexible applications of it in non-offensive defense.”
Only 5 feet! No, 5 inches, no more than 5 inches!
The lion cubs were overjoyed. If Snape really was under the Imperius Curse, then they hoped that the curse would never be broken.
"at last……"
Snape deliberately drew out his words, "I am very pleased with Mr. Finegane's performance today, so Gryffindor gets a point."
He announced the end of get out of class, tossed his black robe aside, and turned to leave the classroom.
His silhouette had an indescribable ethereal quality, and a halo seemed to float faintly above his head, making him look as if he were about to take flight.
“Merlin’s beard!” Ron said, rubbing his sore backside from the fall during practice. “If he wasn’t under the Imperius Curse, then he must have drunk a whole pot of euphoric potions?”
Harry shook his head, looking confused. "I don't know, Ron. Maybe he really likes teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Ron closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and awkwardly made a Muggle prayer gesture. "Merlin, I am so grateful that you took the pink toad away. If you could, please take the old bat with you too."
The dungeon, the potion office.
In front of Snape lay several thick stacks of parchment, materials he had treasured for many years, which were also needed for the next Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
He put down his research paper on werewolves and picked up a detailed intelligence report on the Animagus.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was a course he had always dreamed of teaching, and perhaps because he was too excited, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
The dimly lit office already exuded an eeriness, and with that sinister smile, it was hard not to feel a chill down one's spine.
……
……
