Suddenly, the entire classroom fell silent, and the Little Wizards looked at each other, exchanging glances.
Some didn't understand what there was to be afraid of, while others wondered if there was some special meaning behind it.
Harry quickly waved his wand.
"Riddikulus—"
The Boggart didn't turn into something ridiculous or strange; the blood rapidly flowed back, and the wounds on the dead cat began to heal. Then it stood up with a flutter, meowing and making threatening sounds.
Howl leaned back in his chair, quite satisfied with this move.
He could see the astonishment that had quickly flashed across Harry's face, which proved that the Boggart's answer had indeed exceeded his expectations.
And his counter-spell was not to transform it completely into a comical, ridiculous form.
Instead, it was logical and based on reason, making the blood flow back and the wounds heal.
To achieve his own purpose.
"Very good." He clapped his hands and stood up. Harry was the last second-year to try.
"Alright, who among the students behind would like to give it a try?"
"Me! Me first!"
"George, let me go first, I'm the older brother."
"I'm the older brother!"
Harry glanced at Howl, then helplessly showed a complex expression. Hermione also looked at him with a complex expression and said, "I finally understand why Mr. Jones said the earlier we get to know a Boggart the better…
To be honest, if I had to face it again now, I might see…"
As she spoke, her head spun like a rattle drum.
In her mind, a voice seemed to echo again, full of disappointment: "Hermione, Hermione, what are you thinking? You're really stupid."
…
Class soon ended. Howl assigned them homework: to write an essay on the correct way to deal with a Boggart in an unforeseen encounter, including identification and proper emergency measures.
The requirements were simple. Howl calculated that half of the textbook content plus half of what was taught in class today would be enough to complete the essay.
Furthermore, in terms of practical understanding today, as long as there were no fundamental errors, it would be acceptable.
After all, practice varies from person to person.
However, on the surface, he still made strict verbal demands to these children.
Otherwise, these kids would definitely teach him what endless nonsense was!
"By the way, Professor, can second and third years attend first-year classes?" Hermione raised her hand. She had been curious about this question since class began.
"Of course." Howl nodded.
The break time for second and third years coincided with the first-year classes.
Howl had also made modifications to the first-year curriculum.
For first-years, rather than introducing harmless small creatures, Howl felt it was more important to teach these children why they should stay far away from the Dark Arts.
To make them clearly understand the dangers of the Dark Arts and nip the baseless curiosity of some children in the bud.
Especially those from Slytherin.
There are always people who like to clamor, "Durmstrang allows students to learn Dark Arts, doesn't it?"
They don't consider how Durmstrang educates its students in the Dark Arts.
It can be used, but it is heavily restricted, and all learning and research related to the Dark Arts must be done in class, under the supervision of a Professor.
Anyone caught dabbling in the Dark Arts outside of class would face extremely severe penalties, far exceeding the mild detentions and point deductions at Hogwarts.
In severe cases, they could even be expelled from school.
Yet, even so, Durmstrang's Dark Wizard output rate was higher than Slytherin's…
Howl strongly disagreed with the previous methods, which were always theoretical and focused on the defense against Dark Arts creatures.
This made the Little Wizards know what the Dark Arts were, but not why they were so.
It overlooked the possibility that this might further pique children's curiosity about the Dark Arts.
So Howl would, in the first year, make sure children knew what it was, and why it was so!!
As for practical aspects, it would be a series of basic spells useful in emergencies, such as healing spells, calming coughs, and tranquilizing spells, etc.
"Oh, what a pity, we can't go," Fred said with some regret.
"Don't worry, you'll learn the first-year curriculum," Howl said, looking at the older students in the back row.
There's something like that? The students in the back looked at each other. However, Cedric was curious and wanted to ask something, but Howl preempted him.
"It's a secret!"
They became even more expectant…
Soon, the second-year curriculum was shared, and Howl clearly underestimated the appeal of a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts class to them.
When the fourth-year class began, many sixth and seventh-year students even came here.
"Very good, it seems I'll have to ask Headmaster Dumbledore to apply for a slight expansion and connection of the classroom," Howl said with a smile, then began his usual lecture once more.
Namely: What is Dark Arts.
The first class for every grade and every class had to be this; even if they had heard it before and didn't want to hear it again, they had to.
After briefly reiterating and emphasizing this point, Howl leaned his hands on the desk, his body slightly forward.
"Regarding Dark Arts creatures, I will no longer teach about them. If you feel that the knowledge in the textbook is insufficient, you can choose to audit the second and third-year classes on your own.
The learning content for fourth and fifth years is very simple!"
Everyone below straightened up, their gazes fixed on him.
"What is the best defense?" Howl asked.
"Shield Charm!"
"Mr. Weasley, I don't mind you answering without raising your hand, but that won't earn you any points," Howl smiled.
Fred chuckled foolishly, then asked, "So what I said is correct?"
"Wrong!"
"The best defense is always offense."
Howl surveyed them: "So your next goal is to learn how to evade, how to counter-attack… In short—dueling!"
"Dueling?!"
"Wait, is it what I'm thinking?"
"Fighting? Oh my goodness!! Why isn't Slytherin taking this class!"
Lee Jordan buried his head in the table; one would think he had lost a thousand Galleons.
With most Little Wizards maintaining an atmosphere of extreme anticipation, the entire classroom was buzzing with excitement.
Howl slightly pressed his hand down and said, "Alright, quiet down, next—"
An untimely voice suddenly spoke up.
"Professor, is this compliant?"
A Hufflepuff girl suddenly raised her hand.
Howl narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile on his face.
"Miss Schmitz, while I don't mind speaking in class without raising your hand, interrupting others, no matter the occasion, is not a commendable action!"
"Sorry." The girl said expressionlessly, with no sincerity in her words.
She held a Defense Against the Dark Arts book in her hand and pushed up her glasses.
"But I believe that teaching us fighting and dueling might be a bit too non-compliant," she stood up and said righteously.
"This is a school, after all!"
Howl watched her with interest, straightening his body, his hand involuntarily twirling his beard.
'Is she treating me like Professor Flitwick and Dumbledore, a good-natured Professor?'
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