When Lynn answered, Maranhao and the other two girls were startled for a second, then Penelope smiled and reached out to pinch her cheek.
"Then let me thank you in advance. Don't worry, we won't let you teach for nothing."
Lynn blinked mechanically, not quite understanding what Senior Penelopa meant.
Within one's own ability, offering help to others—even helping them study—wasn't that the most basic thing?
What did she mean by not letting her teach for nothing?
Evidently, though, neither Penelope, Maranhao, nor Marietta had any intention of explaining.
As soon as lunch ended, Maranhao and Marietta pulled Lynn back to the Dormitory to rest, while Penelope stood up and went straight to find their Dean, Professor Flitwick.
Setting up a self-study group would need a Professor's approval and assistance.
"Professor Flitwick, sorry to disturb you—may I speak with you about something?"
Penelope greeted him politely; Professor Flitwick smiled and nodded.
"Of course, Miss Penelope."
They stepped into a quiet corner, and Penelope glanced around to make sure Lockhart wasn't nearby before she began.
"The thing is, Professor Flitwick… you know how Professor Lockhart—" Remembering that Lockhart was still a Professor, Penelope stopped herself from calling him a good-for-nothing to Flitwick's face.
"He hasn't much ability," she said. She swore she'd phrased it as tactfully as possible.
But there was simply no polite way to dress up that fact.
Lockhart was, after all, a total fraud—how could anyone sugar-coat that?
Flitwick didn't look angry at all. "Yes, we are quite aware."
He sighed and nodded. "But we have no choice. For reasons everyone knows, it's already very hard to find anyone willing to take the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. He was the only applicant who came forward."
Penelope gave a wry smile; the situation with Hogwarts' defense against the dark arts professors was indeed unique.
"But we really can't learn anything from him, so we want to form a self-study group—teach ourselves the subject, all those defensive spells and so on."
Flitwick, once a dueling champion in his youth, waved an approving hand. "Excellent idea; you have my support."
Seeing him agree, Penelope instantly relaxed. "So we'd like to ask about a place and time."
"Oh," Flitwick said kindly, "you may decide that yourselves. Any time outside class hours, as long as it's before curfew. As for a venue, any empty classroom in Hogwarts is fine—just don't damage the Castle."
Penelope nodded happily and thanked him. "All right—thank you, Professor."
"You're welcome, Miss Penelope. I'm delighted you take your studies so seriously."
He looked at her fondly. "But don't push yourselves too hard—be sure to leave enough time to rest."
"We will." She promised at once, then turned and hurried out of the Great Hall.
She had to get back to Ravenclaw Tower and tell everyone; the sooner this study group started, the better.
Besides, she'd still need to pass the word to the other three Houses later.
Yes, even though every Ravenclaw meant to teach Malfoy a lesson, in this matter Penelope had no wish to take it out on all of Slytherin House.
That would be wrong; every student had an equal right to learn.
Back in the Ravenclaw Common Room, Penelope spotted Lynn at once, sitting between Maranhao and Marietta with her head lowered over a book.
"It's settled—Professor Flitwick agreed," she announced, bringing the good news to the three younger girls.
"Brilliant!" the other two cheered, high-fiving each other, while Lynn, still reading, didn't register her full name and stayed in study mode.
"Next we tell everyone," Penelope said, drawing a deep breath and looking around at the Little Eagles. "Everyone, gather round, please. If anyone's still in the Dormitory, fetch them—I have an announcement."
Hearing her, the Little Eagles glanced at one another and obediently went to call the rest.
Though puzzled, the male Prefect still helped Penelope herd everyone to the sofas.
"All here?" she asked, rising on tiptoe. After a quick check, the Little Eagles nodded.
"Good." She steadied herself. "As you all know, our current defense against the dark arts professor, Professor Lockhart, is a complete fraud—he can't teach us anything."
Even the first-years had heard from the second-years about Lockhart's "heroics" in his first lesson: releasing Cornish Pixies, losing his wand, and fleeing in panic, leaving Lynn to round the creatures up again.
After that performance, no one doubted Penelope's verdict.
"So I want to organize a self-study group to teach ourselves Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Wow—cool!"
"Great idea!"
"I need it—I'm taking my O.W.L.s this year."
Seeing nearly every Eagle nod, Penelope went on with a grin.
"The group will be mutual help: upper years guiding lower years. As for the main tutor, I'd like to ask Miss Lynn to take the role."
Hearing her full name, Lynn finally closed her book, stood politely, and nodded to the assembled students.
"Er… I know some of you may wonder whether Lynn can guide upper years," Penelope said carefully, trying to bolster confidence in her abilities.
To her surprise, every Ravenclaw shook their heads in perfect unison.
Question Lynn's ability? Ridiculous.
In first year she'd single-handedly slain a Troll and at the end of the year defeated Professor Quirrell in solo combat—who were they to doubt her?
At that, Penelope raised her eyebrows in mild astonishment.
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