Professor Lupin looked around the classroom, a smile playing on his lips.
"Today we won't be using textbooks; we'll have a practical class."
The students immediately grew excited, stuffing their textbooks back into their bags.
Charlie recalled Lockhart's practical class last semester, the farce with the Cornish Pixies.
Since that incident, Lockhart had never dared to hold another practical class, instead making students read his self-aggrandizing books every lesson.
And first-year Quirrell, due to Lord Voldemort, was extremely perfunctory in his classes, mostly just reading from the textbook.
So, up until now, even though they were already in their third year, they had never had a proper practical class.
He wondered how Professor Lupin would teach.
"Follow me." Professor Lupin led the way out of the classroom.
The students filed out, following behind him.
Halfway there, a rustling sound came from ahead.
Peeves was crouching in front of a door, a wad of pink chewing gum in his hand, stuffing it into the keyhole.
He cackled as he did it, clearly pleased with his prank.
Professor Lupin stopped.
Peeves looked up, saw Professor Lupin, and let out a strange laugh.
He floated into the air, circled Professor Lupin once, and began to sing an unpleasant song.
"Loony Lupin, raggedy Lupin--"
The students were stunned.
Although Peeves usually enjoyed playing tricks on students, he was generally respectful to Professors, at least not singing taunts to their faces.
But now, he was completely rude to Professor Lupin, even disrespectful.
Ron whispered, "What's wrong with Peeves?"
Hermione frowned, clearly sensing something was amiss too.
But Professor Lupin didn't get angry; his expression remained gentle, even with a hint of a helpless smile.
"Peeves." Professor Lupin's voice was calm.
"If you stuff chewing gum into the keyhole, Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to get his broom. Let's make a deal, take the chewing gum out of the keyhole."
Peeves rolled his eyes and spat twice at Professor Lupin.
The students gasped; had he always been this brave?
Even the most good-tempered Professor couldn't tolerate such provocation.
Professor Lupin sighed.
He drew his wand and turned to face the students.
"Next, I'll teach you a very useful spell."
He raised his wand, pointing it at the keyhole.
"Waddiwasi!"
A white light shot from the tip of his wand.
The chewing gum in the keyhole flew out like a bullet, tracing a pink arc in the air, and precisely shot into Peeves' nostril.
Peeves froze for a second, then clutched his nose and let out a shriek.
"Ah!"
He did a somersault in the air and flew away, muttering curses.
The corridor immediately erupted in laughter, and the students looked at Professor Lupin with admiration.
Most of them had been pranked by Peeves and were helpless against him.
Everyone continued forward, arriving at the door of the staff room.
Professor Lupin pushed open the door, signaling for the students to enter.
Charlie walked in, surveying this place he had never been to before. The walls were all wooden panels, a few old armchairs were arranged inside, and a cabinet stood against the wall, looking very much like a storage room.
This was where the Professors would briefly rest after class.
Snape was sitting in an armchair by the window, flipping through a book in his hand.
Hearing the commotion, he looked up, his deep black eyes sweeping over the entering students, finally resting on Lupin.
A cold sneer appeared on his lips.
"Oh, Lupin, what are you doing?"
Professor Lupin smiled.
"I'm bringing the students for a practical class."
He turned to close the door.
Snape stood up, his black robe spreading out like bat wings.
"Don't close the door, Lupin."
"I don't want to stay here watching your class."
Charlie, like a marmot in a melon field, sensed a big drama unfolding; there was definitely a conflict between the two of them.
But unfortunately, Professor Lupin didn't respond.
Snape strode towards the door, stopping as he passed the students.
He glanced at which students were present and said mockingly:
"Perhaps no one has reminded you, there's a student named Neville Longbottom in this class."
"He'll mess up everything you give him, so it's best not to let him do anything."
Neville stood in the crowd, his face instantly flushed. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
If not for the fact that the other person was a Professor, he really wanted to use the dueling techniques Charlie had taught him.
Professor Lupin's smile didn't falter, gentle and sincere.
"I was actually planning to have Neville help me with the first step of the lesson."
He turned to look at Neville, his eyes full of trust.
"I believe he will do very well."
Neville was stunned, his ears redder than before.
No Professor had ever defended him like this.
Snape snorted coldly, his hooked nose wrinkling.
His gaze swept over the students, finally landing on Charlie, his eyes becoming meaningful.
"You'd best be alert during class."
"If you notice anything unusual, it's best to consult your textbooks to understand what causes such situations."
With that, he swished his robes and walked out of the staff room, like an unhappy large bat.
Charlie raised an eyebrow; Snape seemed to be hinting at something.
Do you really trust me to grasp your meaning, Professor Snape, you fellow?
Facing Professor Snape's trust, Charlie chose to put the matter out of his mind.
He had no desire to solve riddles; was the food in the dining hall not tasty, or was sleep in the dormitory not good?
Professor Lupin closed the door as usual, turned around, and still wore a gentle smile on his face.
He gestured for the students to come to an old wardrobe.
The wardrobe shook violently, emitting thumping sounds, and the entire cabinet trembled.
Several students jumped back in fright, almost bumping into the people behind them.
"Don't be afraid." Professor Lupin's voice was calm, carrying a soothing power.
"There's a Boggart inside."
He turned around and looked at the students.
"Does anyone know what a Boggart is?"
Hermione's hand immediately shot up, almost a reflex.
"A Boggart is a shape-shifter; it transforms into what we fear most."
Professor Lupin nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
"Excellent answer, five points to Gryffindor."
He walked over to the wardrobe and patted the cabinet door.
"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces, so wardrobes, under beds, cupboards—these places can all hide them."
Charlie's expression was strange; it can shapeshift, likes to hide in dark corners—what kind of magical world 'Old Wang' is this?
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