A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

Chapter 185 Remus Lupin

"Merlin's socks! Your Disarm Charm is at level four, and you didn't reveal any of that before!" Ron's mouth dropped open in astonishment. "Is that true? I mean—that graduate who was about to become an Auror only had a level two Disarm Charm."

Harry attributed it all to the magical riot, "Professor Hyp said it would make my magic more active, which made... made me learn spells much faster."

Ron said with anticipation, "I wish I could experience a magical surge too."

"Ron, Professor Hyp said that magical outbursts are the product of extreme emotions, and they usually occur before a young wizard enters school. Once we enter Hogwarts and learn how to control our own magic, this almost disappears."

Hermione said matter-of-factly, "Like Harry, his case is very rare. It's probably because that aunt insulted his parents first—oh, sorry, Harry."

"It's nothing," Harry said, but Hermione looked at him apologetically.

"I know~ Can't I just fantasize a little?" Ron seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said excitedly, "Besides, it's not impossible, is it? There were one or two times during summer vacation when Percy showed off his big head badge to me, and I had the idea of ​​blowing it up."

"There shouldn't be much difference between frying and swelling? Maybe my emotions weren't strong enough at the time," Ron guessed haphazardly, believing it to be a shortcut to learning.

Hermione stared at him, and even Harry was speechless.

"But speaking of which," Harry looked at Ron thoughtfully, "I am indeed more adept at the Disarming Charm, and with other spells, I feel like I'm just a little bit lacking."

Ron looked at him, puzzled. "Isn't it because you spent the most time on the Disarming Charm?"

Harry explained, "It's a feeling! It's just, it's just..." He waved his hand, "Well, I don't know either, it might just be my imagination." He said somewhat dejectedly.

Hermione, standing nearby, offered theoretical support: "Harry, it's not impossible—there are always some young wizards who learn certain spells much faster."

"Which book did you see it in?" Harry asked with interest, wondering if he could incorporate this idea into his paper.

The thought of the thesis gave him a headache; he had spoken rashly without considering the consequences.

Although he took a lot of miscellaneous notes during the special training, he had no idea how to turn them into a presentable paper—for some reason, he didn't want to just get by.

Hermione's answer was different from what he expected. She squinted her eyes and said cheerfully, looking just like the cat in her arms: "Remember the homework we assigned in Duel Class, those tables? I helped Professor Hyp organize some of them. He brought up this idea back then, but..."

She looked helpless: "The sample size is too small. A lot of the submitted data is fabricated; I can tell at a glance!"

Ron's eyes suddenly darted around, and Harry lowered his head guiltily.

Hermione glared at the two of them, blaming them for contributing to the falsified data.

Just then, a hoarse, weary voice broke into their conversation.

Please forgive me—

The three looked in alarm toward the small table. The professor seemed to have just woken up, and his face, like his patched robe and worn-out suitcase, exuded a sense of destitution.

But his eyes were bright and sincere, and the professor said gently, "I just overheard some of your conversation, unintentionally, but I was genuinely curious."

"Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked in a low voice.

"Yes, my name is Remus Lupin," Lupin said with a smile. "You saw the mark on my box? That's very perceptive. If this were in class, I would give you extra points."

"Remus Lupin?" Hermione let out a short scream, startling the large ginger cat in her arms, who suddenly jumped out and stood in the aisle, looking at its owner reproachfully.

"Oh, sorry, Crookshanks," said the little witch.

"Quickly, control it, don't let it find Spotty!" Ron clutched his chest pocket, where a bulge was where his pet fat rat, Spotty, was hiding.

"Have you heard of me?" Lupin asked.

"No, no," she said dryly, quickly bending down to pick up the big cat.

Hermione's attitude puzzled Harry and Ron, but with outsiders present, they tacitly refrained from asking.

Lupin didn't delve into it. He smiled at them and said, "I'm your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, for only one year, as agreed with Dumbledore."

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, mentally assessing the professor's true abilities. Frankly, his appearance alone didn't inspire confidence.

Lupin looked at the three of them gently, lingering especially on Harry for a moment, before saying, "I've been away from the school for fifteen years, and many memories have faded. For example, I'm not quite sure what Professor Hyp you're talking about..."

Harry and Ron turned their attention to Hermione, who never disappointed in this regard.

Sure enough, Hermione said in one breath, "Felix Heap is an excellent wizard. He graduated from Slytherin House and currently teaches Ancient Runes. He is also highly accomplished in Muggle research and has an extraordinary influence."

"And he only graduated three years ago, no, it's been four years now," Harry added.

"Truly remarkable for a young man," Lupin exclaimed, then changed the subject, saying, "I heard you mentioned the special training. Are you on good terms with Professor Hyp, Harry?"

"You know me?" Harry subconsciously smoothed his hair on his forehead, where there was a lightning bolt-shaped scar that many people recognized him by.

"I know your father," Lupin said simply.

Harry wasn't entirely satisfied with the answer, but he still said, "Professor Hyp is a very kind and gentle person. Although he doesn't start teaching until the third year, some first and second year students have received his help."

He was referring to the panic that gripped the school during the locked-room mystery attack, with many seeking comfort from professors. Among them, Professor Hyp received exceptionally high praise.

Lupin thought for a moment and said, "You just mentioned that he only graduated four years ago, so does that mean his dean is... Severus Snape?"

"—It's Snape." Harry finished speaking quickly, then looked at Lupin somewhat awkwardly, without using any honorifics.

Lupin didn't react much; his gaze was distant as he fell into deep thought.

The rain outside intensified, the sky turned pitch black, and the train slowed down.

"Are we almost there?"

"No, it's still early!" Professor Lupin drew his wand, and Harry stood up as well.

The lights on the train suddenly went out, and shadowy figures could be seen outside.

A layer of frost crept up the car window.

A person stumbled in from outside and landed squarely on Ron, causing him to cry out in pain. A sound of terrified breathing came from the other side.

"What happened? Oh dear! Is that Neville?"

"Yes, it was me. It suddenly went dark outside. Do you know what happened?"

More people poured in, talking all at once in a noisy cacophony.

"Is Ron there? I'm looking for Ron."

"I'm here, Ginny!"

"Oh dear, that's my face."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Neville, Neville Longbottom..."

"Quiet!" Lupin shouted, raising his wand high. A beam of fire poured down from the tip of the wand, illuminating the panicked faces.

The firelight illuminated his tired, ashen face, but the presence of an adult wizard reassured everyone.

They heard Lupin say, "Stay where you are, I'm going out to take a look." He opened the car door and went into the aisle.

Harry thought for a moment, then followed him outside.

"Harry?" Hermione asked eagerly.

"I'll see if I can help." Harry walked through the compartment door and followed Lupin.

A chill ran through them, and Lupin quickly retreated. "Go back, Harry!"

But Harry didn't hear it. His entire vision was occupied by something wearing a black cloak and a hood, floating in mid-air. A rotten, decaying, gray hand emerged from the cloak, followed by a strong chill that made him feel his lungs freeze and he couldn't breathe.

A distant female voice came, a terrifying, frightened, and pleading voice.

"I want to help her!"

He didn't know why he had this thought, but it was so strong that even on the verge of losing consciousness, he reacted instinctively.

A dazzling red light illuminated the entire train.

(End of this chapter)