Chapter 30: "Reward"

As the curriculum settled into its groove, Tver found himself even more at ease.

The third-year students were still practicing their maneuvers, with classes conducted under Tver's guidance, alternating between spellcasting and dodging the occasional curses he sent their way.

For the second-year students, the focus was on remedying the foundational gaps from the previous year, including spellcasting techniques, magical output, and the application of various spells.

This was the grade level that worried Tver the most.

The students' abilities were uneven; some struggled to maintain a stable magical output, while others excelled in intricate spellcasting techniques.

With so many students falling into this category, some even lacking proficiency in multiple areas, Tver had to cater to the struggling students, revisiting the first-year content with them. Apart from progressing slightly faster, their classes were barely distinguishable from those of the first-years.

Consequently, the first-year newcomers were primarily focused on laying down foundational skills, starting with the basics of spellcasting under Tver's guidance.

Of course, regardless of the grade level, students were subjected to quizzes before each class.

Unlike before, these quizzes no longer covered the entire year's content but rather served as a summary of the preceding lessons, with a significantly higher difficulty level.

As for how challenging they were, one only needed to hear the students' evaluations: "In the latter half of the class, Professor Fawley is the best teacher in the whole school. But in the first half hour, he's the most dreadful!"

Of course, Tver hadn't forgotten his promise of rewards for the third-year students.

In the afternoon, after finishing his classes, Tver returned to his office to enjoy some peaceful reading time.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The orderly knocking interrupted his solitude, but Tver didn't bother lifting his head as he called out, "Come in."

Instantly, the door swung open, and George's hand, raised to knock, froze mid-air as he gaped at Tver inside.

Tver lifted his head, setting aside his book. "What's wrong? Did my office suddenly turn into a den of monsters?"

The four individuals outside the door finally rushed in, seemingly unaware of the situation until they were inside, and the door promptly closed behind them with a resounding click. However, they paid it no mind, instead taking the opportunity to quietly survey the professor's office.

Each year, the Dark Arts Defense professor's office was unique, providing them with a new experience every time they entered. However, seeing the multitude of books piled around, they couldn't help but inwardly marvel. Even graduating wouldn't guarantee they'd finish reading half of what was here!

Tver could tell from their expressions what they were thinking, so he tapped the four research papers laid out on his desk to regain their attention.

"Let's save the curiosity for later. Right now, let's talk about your rewards."

Instantly, the four beamed with joy, George and Fred even exchanging excited high-fives.

"However, before we proceed, I need to confirm something," Tver's serious expression cooled the atmosphere, "The papers by the two Weasley gentlemen, although written differently, share the same core content. What do you have to say about this?"

The twins exchanged glances.

"It must be Fred; I started writing first!"

"What good is starting first when it was clearly me who finished writing the paper first and then you snatched it to read secretly!"

As the twins argued, a tall, handsome young man behind them stepped forward.

"Professor, may I speak on their behalf?"

"Of course, Mr. Diggory."

This was the student from Hufflepuff who had received the reward, Cedric Diggory.

He glanced at the Weasley twins who were still glaring at each other.

"The Weasley twins are twins, and they often act together. Their thoughts and experiences are basically the same. Professor, you might not know, but they often have similar assignments in other professors' work too."

The Weasley twins immediately switched to their brotherly mode, with arms around each other's shoulders, a look of mutual agreement, nodding enthusiastically to express their approval of Cedric's words.

Tver nodded in agreement. He had indeed considered this possibility, and he didn't detect any signs of dishonesty in their eyes.

"In that case, this reward belongs to the four of you."

"Yesss!" Davies immediately cheered.

Cedric, usually calm and composed, joined in the excitement, embracing the twins as they cheered. Only Tver watched them with a playful gleam in his eyes.

"The reward is behind the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom; you'll see it when you get there. Hurry!"

The four nodded eagerly, cheering as they ran out.

But as they ran, Cedric suddenly realized something was amiss.

"Why would a reward be placed behind a classroom?"

Davies wasn't concerned with such details; he pulled Cedric forward.

"Don't worry about that. Since it's a reward, it surely won't be a set of exam papers!"

The thought sent shivers down the twins' spines. "It can't be. Even if it were exam papers, they would be given to us in the office, not in the classroom."

"The professor's office is small, but the classroom is spacious. It could be a substantial reward, hence the arrangement in the classroom!"

The others relaxed, but Cedric remained skeptical.

As they jogged, they arrived at the ground floor Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. This room, being on the ground floor, saw a lot of traffic from young witches and wizards, but it was currently closed.

Davies knocked on the door in confusion.

"Did the professor forget to give us—"

"Creak."

The door swung open, revealing the darkened classroom within.

"We must learn this spell, and it would be great if we could lock the door too, so Mum can't just barge into our room!"

George said grumpily.

Their mother often casually entered their room, confiscating many "contraband" items, causing them considerable losses.

"Believe me, mothers always find a way into our rooms." Davies empathized.

As they entered the classroom, the candles illuminated with each step they took, revealing the room.

Fred was about to marvel at the professor's arrangement when he saw the figure shrouded in black cloth, leaving him speechless.

The same stunned silence gripped the others.

They had heard about the second-year professor's dummy, spoken of with awe by the second-years.

But it only appeared in the first class of the second year, so they, being in the third year, had never seen it before.

However, seeing it now, they couldn't shake the ominous feeling it brought.

"Th-there's a piece of parchment with writing on it. Let's take a look first; it might not be what we think." Cedric pointed to the parchment attached to the black cloth.

Realizing this, they nervously approached, afraid the figure might suddenly wield a wand against them.

"This is your reward: a one-month exclusive training companion. Just say 'start,' and you can try battling with him."

After reading the note, the four suddenly felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

Uh oh, it seems like they've fallen into a trap!