Chapter 97: A Crisp Autumn Day

Potions class had ended, and next was the first joint Defense Against the Dark Arts class with Gryffindor. Augustus felt a flicker of anticipation for this new Defense professor. Judging by how he had handled the Dementors on the train, it was clear this professor possessed genuine skill. The qualities a person reveals in the face of danger often speak volumes about their true character.

When they entered Professor Lupin's classroom, he wasn't there yet. The students sat down, taking out their books, quills, and parchment. Lupin finally walked in while they were chatting. He smiled faintly and set his worn briefcase on the desk. Though still shabby in appearance, he looked healthier than he had on the train—likely the result of a few proper meals since then.

"Good afternoon," he greeted them. "Please put your books back into your bags. Today's lesson will be practical; you'll only need your wands."

Malfoy wore his trademark sneer, clearly unimpressed by the professor's unassuming demeanor. "Oh, a practical lesson? Sounds interesting. Though I wonder if it'll turn into a farce, like when Lockhart unleashed those Cornish pixies last term."

"Shut up, Draco. No one will mistake your silence for intelligence," Harry retorted irritably. Malfoy's tendency to disrupt classes—whether mocking Hagrid or now jeering at Professor Lupin—was grating on him.

"Oh, look who's preaching again—the great Savior Potter," Malfoy drawled mockingly, his gray-blue eyes gleaming with disdain. "Let's hope this professor doesn't fall for your sweet-talking nonsense."

To Lupin's credit, his patience was remarkable. He ignored Malfoy's jeers entirely, waiting calmly for him to finish before resuming the lesson.

"Well then," said Lupin, seeing that everyone was ready. "Follow me, please."

The students, curious and slightly confused, stood up and followed him out of the classroom. He led them through a deserted corridor and around a corner, where they encountered Peeves the poltergeist. Peeves was floating upside down, gleefully stuffing chewing gum into the nearest keyhole.

"Ah, the first obstacle for our esteemed professor. Let's see if he has any real skills or if Peeves alone will wreck his so-called practical lesson," Malfoy muttered, smirking as he gave Peeves an encouraging glance.

Peeves, noticing the approaching professor, turned and began to sing: "Loony old Lupin, loony old Lupin, loony old Lupin!"

Despite Peeves' notorious mischief, he usually showed some respect to the teachers. All eyes turned to Lupin, curious about his reaction. To their surprise, he simply kept smiling.

"If I were you, Peeves, I'd remove that gum from the keyhole," Lupin said pleasantly. "Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to fetch his broom."

Filch, the cranky caretaker of Hogwarts, was always at odds with both Peeves and the students. However, Peeves was unimpressed, loudly blowing a raspberry.

"Peeves, long time no see," came a sudden voice from the group of students. Peeves turned toward the speaker, only to see Augustus smiling faintly, his silver eyes gleaming with a hint of danger.

With a shriek, Peeves bolted at lightning speed, glancing over his shoulder as if Augustus might pursue him.

The Slytherin students burst into laughter, while Lupin chuckled lightly, clearly amused. Malfoy, on the other hand, looked disappointed, glancing toward the empty corridor where Peeves had disappeared.

"Well, thank you, Augustus, for helping me out of a minor inconvenience," Lupin said, putting away his wand with a smile. "Shall we continue?"

The group walked on, eventually arriving at the staffroom. Lupin opened the door and stepped aside. "Please, go in," he said.

The staffroom was a long, somewhat shabby room filled with mismatched old chairs. Only one teacher was present—Professor Snape, sitting in a low armchair. As the students entered, Snape glanced around, his expression sharp and sardonic. When Lupin entered and shut the door, Snape stood.

"Don't close it, Lupin. I think I'll take my leave. I'd rather not watch."

He strode past the students, his black robes billowing behind him. Before leaving, he turned and said with a sneer, "Lupin, perhaps no one warned you, but Neville Longbottom is in this class. I suggest you avoid giving him anything too difficult—unless Miss Granger plans to whisper instructions in his ear."

"Thank you for the advice," Lupin replied politely, his tone calm. "Actually, I plan to use Neville as my assistant today. I'm sure he'll do just fine."

Snape cast a cold look at Neville, who had gone red in the face, before slamming the door behind him.

"Well," said Lillian, her crimson eyes sparkling with interest, "I'm starting to like this Professor Lupin. I'm looking forward to this practical lesson."

"Ugh, hopeless," Malfoy muttered under his breath, clearly displeased with Lillian's sudden admiration for the enemy.

"What did you just say, Malfoy?" Lillian asked, her tone sugary sweet but with an ominous edge in her expression.

"Cough, cough," Malfoy stammered, visibly uneasy. "Ah, I was saying how nice the weather is today. Look, such warm sunshine, such gentle breezes—what a lovely autumn day!"

In his nervousness, he even managed to mangle the saying, eliciting amused glances from those around him.

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