Jane Yu's confusion was quickly resolved.
Because the very next morning brought Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
This particular lesson had been transformed into a massive lecture for all sixth-year students combined, with the classroom expanded to several times its original size.
But something bizarre happened almost immediately—
The moment Jane Yu stepped into the classroom, she spotted Dumbledore already seated ramrod straight in the very back row.
He wore silk ceremonial robes, the lustrous satin adorned with twinkling stars and moons, his beard meticulously groomed.
She recognized it as one of her guardian's most expensive formal robes, typically reserved for major ceremonies...
Yet somehow, he'd chosen to wear it today.
When she shot him a questioning glance, Dumbledore merely turned his face away, not only failing to address her confusion but actively avoiding her gaze.
Jane Yu quickly rationalized it herself:
Defense Against the Dark Arts, being a course desperately in need of improved teaching quality, would naturally warrant the headmaster's personal supervision of the new professor's methods.
Just like the compulsory education she'd experienced in another world, where course supervisors would sit in the back row to observe and evaluate new instructors.
After all, Dumbledore had personally emphasized this to her—the urgent need to elevate this course's standards.
She turned her attention toward the front—
An elderly wizard had materialized at the podium.
He appeared roughly Dumbledore's age, with silver-white hair and a face mapped with wrinkles. His chin was immaculately clean-shaven, lacking any substantial beard.
He seemed to regard this teaching position with utmost gravity, judging by his equally formal attire—a brown-gray double-breasted coat with twin rows of silver buttons, and a perfectly knotted tie whose patterns gleamed.
Currently, he was perusing the student roster with evident pleasure, as if it contained literary masterpieces rather than mere names.
Both men's elaborate dress clashed absurdly with the modest classroom, like two billionaires who'd accidentally wandered into a slum.
Jane Yu felt an inexplicable unease.
The instant she'd turned around, the new professor had lowered his roster and fixed her with a loaded expression.
She detected an unmistakable undertone of "finally got you where I want you."
Only after every student had arrived and filled the classroom did he shift his penetrating stare elsewhere.
The old wizard's gaze swept the room, and wherever it landed, absolute silence followed, as if a silencing charm had been cast.
"Anton Vogel—former German Minister of Magic, former President of the International Confederation of Wizards."
This seemed like an impeccable résumé and introduction, the distinguished credentials sparking anticipation among all sixth-year students—
Except for Jane Yu, who sat frozen in her seat!
The moment that name reached her ears, buried memories exploded to life!
This wasn't some "veteran professor on par with Dumbledore"...
This was Gellert Grindelwald himself!
The old man she'd crashed into!
Now everything clicked:
Why Dumbledore had skipped introductions at the feast...
Why both men were dressed like they were competing at a grand gala...
Why he kept studying her with those meaningful looks!
"Looks rather distinguished," Daphne murmured. "Finally, a professor worth looking at."
But Jane Yu couldn't even process her roommate's comment...
She glanced between Grindelwald, whose eyes clearly said "fancy meeting you here," and her guardian—
Her head felt like it was spinning in endless 180-degree rotations...
Shock twisted through her chest like rope, flooding her mind with chaotic, gossipy thoughts.
"Certainly worth looking at," she whispered. "But Daphne, do you think Headmaster Dumbledore will hold memorial services for me and Professor Scamander...?"
What happened to "not taking things so seriously anymore," "prioritizing relationships," and "time and youth being irreplaceable"?
People really could step into the same river twice...
Old flames really could rekindle...
Her guardian really was capable of deception!
Faced with her 110-plus-year-old guardian's emotional renaissance, she supposed she could only offer respectful blessings.
"Sixth year—a remarkably vibrant cohort," the 'Vogel' on stage continued. "I witnessed your opening ceremony. Your performance far exceeded other years, particularly certain students from certain houses who left me absolutely astounded—"
He cast another loaded glance at Jane Yu, making her scalp prickle.
"I believe you represent the future transformation of the wizarding world—"
Jane Yu strongly suspected the next words were meant to be "future agents of wizarding world transformation."
His tone remained measured, but the underlying passion was unmistakable...
However, a pointed cough from the back of the classroom proved even more passionate, cutting him off entirely.
"—tomorrow's rising stars of the wizarding world." Professor 'Vogel' smiled thinly.
After completing his interrupted thought, he continued:
"I've come seeking change. I'll teach you certain dark magic—"
His voice paused, and Jane Yu heard that familiar, heart-wrenching dry cough echo from the rear again.
The old wizard's eyes suddenly sparkled with delighted mischief, as if this reaction had thoroughly entertained him.
"—and methods for defending against it. Though that's not today's focus."
He bent down, retrieving a ghastly white skull from beneath the podium and placing it on the desk like a macabre art piece.
Feigning complete ignorance of Jane Yu's identity, he surveyed the students with an arched smile:
"I've been reviewing the roster and understand we have a student named Jane Yu present—"
"The most treasured child adopted by this school's headmaster. Would anyone care to identify her?"
Instantly, every sixth-year turned toward Jane Yu, making her spine lock with tension.
Grindelwald swiveled toward her, flashing a predatory grin:
"Ah, Miss Jane. Please come forward to the front of the classroom. Hold this."
Every hair on Jane Yu's body stood on end!
She suddenly recalled her catalog of "good deeds"—dragon collisions, Horcrux potions, Niffler incidents...
The conversations where she'd deflected suspicion by claiming to be Scamander...
The thoroughly exposed family connections...
That skull suddenly seemed to represent her immediate future!
Right now, she desperately wanted to ask:
If she claimed she absolutely wasn't Dumbledore's favorite student—
Would there still be time?
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