Chapter 6: Quirell’s D.A.D.A Class

The next day, most of the freshmen who came to the great hall were surprised to find out that the students started to sit with their friends, even if their friends were from different houses. When they asked their prefect, they found out that the teachers would not prohibit them from sitting with their friends even if they were from other houses.

"Quidditch trials are happening for Hufflepuff today," said Wilson," Cedric, are you interested in playing?"

"Really, I wanted to try for seeker last year, but my father refused. This year, I will definitely play and win the cup!"

"Really," said Fred.

"Then be careful," said George.

"You never know"

"A bludger might knock you off the room."

"You don't want to be embarrassed in front of everyone right?'

"Seriously, why are you guys even here?" Cedric raised his arms in mock frustration.

"Toby," coursed the twins, to which Toby could only shrug. 

"Hey, what electives did you take this year?" asked Toby.

Cedric looked through his schedule," Study of Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Runes, no way, why would you take that subject?" asked George. 

Cedric shrugged," Runes is necessary if you want to learn Wards or wand-making."

Fred said," We took Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. Quick and easy subjects. Leaves us more time for pranks." 

Suddenly, Penelope came by with Toby's schedule. She handed it over to Toby and said," Quidditch trials are tomorrow. Are you interested?"

Toby shook his head, politely refusing her invitation politely. Once he got the schedule, he saw that he had the usual classes which included Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Herbology. 

Today, he had to attend Transfiguration class in the morning and DADA with Slytherin. Alyssa peered over at Toby's schedule. Looking at the DADA class with Quirrel, she leaned over and softly said," Try to test Quirrel."

"I got it, no need to whisper." Feeling uncomfortable with the warm breath blowing on his ear, he gently pushed her away. Not seeing Cassandra anywhere, he left the table and headed to the Transfiguration Table. 

Needless to say, Professor McGonagall was disappointed by the Transfiguration level displayed by the second-year students in front of her. Although it was a common occurrence for the level of spell-casting to drop every summer since students were not allowed to practice magic at home, it wasn't an excuse that she was going to accept. 

The test given to them was to transfigure a ladybug into a button. Needless to say, most of the Ravenclaw students had some solid amount of theory but always made small mistakes causing the ladybug to appear with deformities or causing the button to have legs and polka dots on the surface.

"Focus children, remember, transfiguration requires you to imagine the ladybug transforming into a button clearly. Use your determination. Your mind must not waver."

Professor McGonagall winced as one of the students squashed the ladybug with his wand instead of transfiguring it. She handed over a new ladybug to the student who accepted it with shame. Her eyes wandered over Toby when he was able to transfigure the ladybug into a button after a dozen attempts. Although Toby wasn't a genius in transfiguration, he was a little better than an ordinary wizard. 

Currently, Alyssa had an above-average talent for transfiguration, but her talent and comprehension were nowhere close to her and Dumbledore. It might sound a bit arrogant on her part, but it was the truth. Dumbledore was considered a genius for a reason. Sighing, she hoped that a transfiguration genius would emerge from her class soon. After all, she wanted to teach a transfiguration genius before she died and she was not getting any younger. 

….

At 3:00 Toby and Cassandra met outside the DADA classroom. Before Toby could speak, Cassandra raised her hand to stop him," No need to explain. Alyssa filled me in with the details."

"Then remember," said Toby seriously," I'll try to incite him into a duel."

"Is that wise?" questioned Cassandra.

"He won't be foolish enough to use lethal spells against us. Besides, how often can someone brag about fighting the Dark Lord and surviving," said Toby.

Cassandra suddenly surprised Toby by saying," Wait, I'll also fight alongside you."

Before Toby could refute it, she continued," This way, we will showcase our potential and try to get him to reveal his foxtail to us."

Leaving no room for argument, Cassandra marched in and sat in the front row. Toby opted to sit next to her. Suddenly, Toby felt like he didn't have any friends in Ravenclaw. The only one he could consider as a friend was Penelope. His dorm mates Eddie Carmichael and Tristan Mcarthy could barely be considered acquaintances. Last year, he sat next to them and listened to them as they talked, but he always felt like an outsider with them.

Professor Quirrell arrived in the classroom promptly. He nervously approached the podium and stammered, "Okay... welcome, everyone. I... I am your... Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, my name is... Quirinus Quirrell. You... you can call me... Professor Quirrell."

His demeanor was so timid and feeble that even a Muggle child could have easily startled him. Toby, who had read the Harry Potter books, found it hard to believe that this man housed the remnant soul of the current Dark Lord.

"Now... I'll begin the roll call. Please..., please raise your hand."

Professor Quirrell held a piece of parchment and struggled to utter the students' names. At times, he hesitated when addressing Slytherin students from influential families. When he reached Toby's name, he ceased stammering, gazing slightly at Toby. "Oh yes, yes, Toby Maguire, the student who drew the Sword of Gryffindor!"

Toby felt a surge of alarm. Entering Voldemort's awareness was definitely not conducive to his well-being.

When Professor Quirrell concluded the roll call and prepared to start the class, curious students began to inquire.

"Professor Quirrell, why do you always wear a turban around your head?" a Slytherin student asked bluntly.

"Oh! Did you know that vampires fear garlic? During the summer break, I traveled to Romania and encountered a vicious vampire who sought to harm me. I had to make considerable efforts to escape, but there was a chance the vampire might come after me again. So, I apply the scent of garlic daily to deter any vampires from approaching me," Quirrell explained with an awkward smile.

"But, Professor Quirrell, this is Hogwarts, the safest place in the entire wizarding world, and with Headmaster Dumbledore here, no vampire would dare pursue you within the school grounds," Toby interjected, his gaze fixed on Professor Quirrell. "So, Professor Quirrell, what is the actual reason for the garlic? Are you attempting to mask a foul odor with the more conspicuous scent of garlic?"

Professor Quirrell was flustered by Toby's scrutiny and struggled to answer the question. "Oh, this is for... well, just in case, yes, just in case."

Professor Quirrell managed to offer a feeble excuse but hoped fervently that Toby would cease his inquiries. Toby, however, persisted, "Then, can I infer that you, as a professor, lack confidence in Headmaster Dumbledore's ability to protect you?"

"While... of course not, I... I have complete trust in Headmaster Dumbledore. Hogwarts is the… safest place in the world," Professor Quirrell stammered in defense. Internally, he cursed Toby for attempting to corner him, wondering whether he had somehow offended the young wizard.

"Toby, aren't you taking this too far?" a familiar voice beside him chimed in. Toby turned to see that it was Cho Chang who had asked the question. Toby was about to reply back when Cassandra elbowed him hard in the ribs. She whispered," Focus on the task now."

"Well... of course, everyone... everyone has their curiosity. It's okay to have doubts," Quirrell forced a smile. His right eyebrow throbbed, likely due to his rising blood pressure from the relentless questioning.

"Then, let's begin the class..." Professor Quirrell began to open his textbook but was interrupted this time by Cassandra. "Professor Quirrell, you haven't told us why you wear a turban. It's quite warm in here; don't you feel uncomfortable with sweat accumulating under it?"

"Oh, I don't find it too warm, actually. This turban was a gift from an African prince, a token of gratitude for my assistance when he encountered some Infernai," Quirinus Quirrell stammered. He believed that this would quell the questioning, but it only intensified.

"Professor, how did you defeat those Infernai, especially since they are resistant to magic?" 

"What spells did you use?"

  "Were you frightened when confronting those Dark creatures?" 

"Are those Infernai still present in Africa?"

Quirrell struggled to respond, his words growing increasingly vague. He even went as far as to change the subject to the weather. This only fueled the students' skepticism about him.

"Professor Quirrell must be lying. I'm sure he purchased that turban in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, not from an African prince!" 

"Certainly, especially since he refuses to provide specific details." 

"Fred and George told me that Professor Quirrell's oversized turban is likely stuffed with garlic to deter anyone from approaching him." 

"Professor, I have a question," Cassandra interjected," Was the African prince a wizard or a muggle? According to the 'International Federation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy', Muggles cannot learn of the existence of magic. The African prince gave you the gift, which meant that he knew your identity, so the professor violated the secrecy law. This is a crime, we should report you to the Ministry of Magic!"

Quirrell started to panic. He dropped his timid persona, and his stammer miraculously disappeared.

If officials from the Ministry of Magic investigated him, his connection to Voldemort would be exposed, and he'd likely be imprisoned in Azkaban until his last breath, "Oh, no, I didn't violate the Secrecy law. What I said earlier was incorrect. This turban was not a gift from an African prince. I just purchased it while traveling in Africa."

"But Professor, how can you lie as an adult? You need to be accountable to your words," said Toby with mock sorrow.

"I'm sorry. I apologize to you all. I promise this will not happen again." said Quirrel, but in his heart, he made a note in his heart to make Toby's academic life as miserable as possible.

Quirrell wanted to immediately change the subject and move on, but how could Cassandra make it easy for him? "Professor Quirrell, will there be any practical courses taught in Defense Against the Dark Arts? Last year, we faced off in a duel against the Hufflepuffs and lost. This year, we wish to improve our dueling skills."

Quirrell was taken aback. "Ms. Reeves, according to the guidelines set by Principal Dumbledore—"

"Oh, give it up, Cassandra. Can't you see that Professor Quirrell is too afraid to teach us how to duel? He looks like he might faint at the sight of Mr. Filch, let alone hold a wand properly while doing that," Toby leaned back on his bench and placed his feet on the desk.

"Toby! Professor Quirrel is a teacher. He is to be treated with respect." Cassandra banged the table and stood up violently. She raised her wand and pointed it at him, ready to cast a spell. Suddenly, Toby's roommates, Eddie and Tristan, stood up and pointed their wands at Cassandra. The prideful Slytherins couldn't stand this insult and also began pointing their wands at Austin and David. The rest of the Ravenclaw girls also stood up and aimed their wands at the Slytherins.

Tensions reached a boiling point as the students in the classroom were poised to start hurling hexes and jinxes at each other. Toby looked at his roommates with surprise. Although they had barely interacted with him, they were ready to stand up for him in the face of trouble. Seeing Toby, they gave him a thumbs-up and mouthed, "We're here."

Meanwhile, Professor Quirrell was on edge. He was moved by Cassandra's actions in standing up for him, but the situation was far from ideal. If the students of Ravenclaw and Slytherin got injured, he would attract even more attention as the incompetent professor who couldn't control a group of students.

Suddenly, a voice in Quirrell's mind spoke, "Quirrell, challenge that boy and girl to a duel."

"But, master, Principal Dumbledore might pay even closer attention to our every move," Quirrell anxiously relayed to the Dark Lord.

"You fool, can't you see that the boy is deliberately trying to make a fool of you? He's using you as a tool to build his own reputation. How can I, the Dark Lord, be used as a tool by a filthy Mudblood like him? I must personally teach him a lesson."

"But, my Lord, why are we involving the girl as well?" asked Quirrell.

"That girl... I sense ambition and pride in her. Don't be fooled by that girl. She also wants to do the same thing, but she's occupying the moral high ground. A clever trick," appreciated Voldemort.

"Sire, how do you know?" asked Quirrel.

Voldemort fell silent. Obviously, he couldn't answer that he had done things similar to her in his student days, but even he was not arrogant enough to challenge a professor in front of everyone. 

Finally, he spoke," It doesn't matter. She is a pure-blood who may be useful as a spy in Hogwarts, or even perhaps a member of my legion if she proves worthy in the future. Enough wasting time! Give me control of your body, Quirrell!"

"Yes, my Lord." Quirrell relinquished control of his body to Voldemort.