## Chapter 228: The New Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor
Defense Against the Dark Arts classes finally felt somewhat normal again, though each professor liked to teach in their own accustomed way.
For example, Professor Flitwick taught various spells, Professor McGonagall taught them to use Transfiguration to deal with dangerous creatures, and Professor Sprout liked to teach students how to identify various dangerous plants. Professor Snape, on the other hand, always said:
"If you have a bottle of XXX Potion nearby, you can solve this problem effortlessly."
Defense Against the Dark Arts class seemed to have become an extension of other subjects.
Moreover, when Lockhart taught, he liked to assign irrelevant homework. Students could easily get high marks just by fabricating some flattering sentences.
But once other professors took over, their homework seemed to suddenly double. Not a single professor assigned less than a foot of homework.
"You've missed too much in this subject!"
Almost every professor said this: "To at least pass the final exam, you need to put in more effort!"
Under the mountain of homework, every student cursed Lockhart. Even with the "Most Charming Smile in All of Britain" award, the blonde professor lost all his female student fans at Hogwarts.
Even more painful for the students was that the expensive books they had bought became useless, and there were no new textbooks.
The professors all believed that the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor should decide what teaching materials they should use.
So, in every class, the professor presented the knowledge points on the blackboard, and students not only had to copy everything down but also had to research information in the Library and write essays after class.
Finally, on a weekend evening in early March, that day's dinner was more lavish than usual, and Professor Dumbledore, who hadn't been seen in a long time, also appeared at the teachers' table. Beside him sat an unfamiliar witch.
She wore black wizard robes, edged with dark blue and gold stripes. She was around thirty, with dark skin and strong, lean features, possessing a wild beauty.
All the students were captivated by her and began to whisper amongst themselves. The witch, however, didn't avoid their gazes at all. Instead, she watched the many students with interest.
Her gaze swept through the Great Hall like a hunting lioness, seeing the excited Weasley twins, then glancing at Harry Potter beside them. She then looked around and even made eye contact with Wade for a moment.
After dinner, Dumbledore tapped his fork against his goblet. The clear sound echoed through the Great Hall, and the students instantly fell silent.
"Good evening, children, I hope you all ate your fill."
The students responded enthusiastically, and Fred called out loudly, "The strawberry cake was excellent today, Professor!"
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley, I think so too."
Dumbledore smiled cheerfully and said, "Allow me to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—Professor Sera Abigail from America."
The students applauded enthusiastically, and some even let out loud whistles.
However, Professor Abigail showed no intention of speaking. She simply raised her hand lazily and waved to everyone.
The students began to feel that this professor might be a bit difficult to get along with.
"Furthermore—"
Dumbledore continued, "The school board has generously donated funds to purchase a batch of Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks for all students…"
"Really?" a student asked in surprise.
"Of course," Professor Dumbledore said. "The new textbooks have been delivered to your Common Rooms and will be distributed by the prefects. Well, what are you waiting for? Go back and see what you'll be studying next!"
Chairs scraped and clattered as students eagerly left the Great Hall. Many couldn't help but turn back to look at the new professor as they departed.
"She's really charming, isn't she?"
Michael couldn't help but say to Wade, looking around.
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, Padma's cold snort came from nearby. She forcefully bumped Michael, then walked out with her head held high, accompanied by her roommate.
"I'd say she's the most charming professor at Hogwarts!" Terry also said. "I really hope we have Defense Against the Dark Arts tomorrow."
"Our class is on Thursday," Wade said. "Just be patient."
"Oh, no…" Terry said dramatically, "Wade, you really didn't have to remind me."
Everyone chuckled and returned to their Common Room, where they received their new textbooks from the prefects.
Defense and Deterrence Spells.
Flipping open the cover, a large line of text was printed on the title page—
"Offense is the best defense!"
"It looks like our professor is really unique, doesn't she?" Michael murmured.
Almost all the students had excited expressions on their faces—the new professor's style was already very clear from the textbook choice.
Before Wade's class, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff had their lessons. Of course, other years also gradually started their Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.
The students who had taken the class had mixed reviews.
"The best Defense class I've ever had!"
"She's absolutely insane!"
"Can Professor Abigail teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts forever?"
"How can Dumbledore allow her to teach like this? It's even worse than Lockhart's theatrics!"
Students who had taken the class were, more or less, a little injured. It was said that Madam Pomfrey even had an argument with the new professor and then stormed out of the professors' office in a huff.
Padma hesitantly asked Hermione how class was.
"Hmm... how do I put it?" Hermione thought for a moment. "It was interesting, and dangerous. Anyway... you should all bring White Moss Essence with you to class."
"It was awesome!" Harry enthusiastically recommended the new professor's class. "I really wish she had been teaching us from the beginning."
"Harry, your nose is bleeding," Padma whispered, reminding him.
"Oh, damn it, not again."
Harry quickly pinched his nose to stop the bleeding, and then Wade cast a Healing Spell on him, which finally stopped the incessant flow of blood.
"Thanks, Wade," Harry said, then grumbled, "I ran into something and hit my nose."
"We could all tell," Michael said. "So, what did you guys learn?"
"Dueling."
Harry smiled happily. "Real wizard dueling."
"It was a bit too exciting, honestly," Fred grinned. "But for us, it was pure heaven!"
"What's there to be afraid of?" George put an arm around Michael's shoulder. "Think about it, how many mazes have you been through? What's a dueling class compared to that?"
Michael felt like they had a point, but also that they might be messing with him.
Amidst the Ravenclaw students' apprehension, Thursday finally arrived.
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