Night fell, and Harry and Hermione returned together to the Gryffindor Common Room—Neville had accidentally bumped his head during spell practice and had to go to the school infirmary to see Madam Pomfrey for treatment.
At this moment, only two or three students remained on the sofa, the fire in the fireplace danced within the hearth, casting mottled and flickering shadows on the walls like a mysterious and ancient painting.
"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said, "Get some rest early tonight."
"Alright, goodnight." Harry watched Hermione walk toward the girls' dormitory, feeling quite pleased himself as he walked up the spiral staircase to the boys' dormitory, unable to resist bouncing a couple of times when no one was watching.
During tonight's study session, Harry was the only one who successfully disarmed his opponent. It was the first time he learned a spell faster than Hermione. The others struggled to cast the magic spells smoothly, and by the end, Hermione merely managed to make her opponent retreat two steps... then it was Michael, who caused his opponent to flinch... but that might have been due to the somewhat frightening light beam emitted by the wand...
Harry recalled the surprised and admiring looks from everyone—not because he was "Harry Potter," nor because he was the "Boy Who Lived," but because of the talent he showed in spell learning.
Each SSC member has their own subjects they're skilled in. Harry originally thought he had nothing special aside from Quidditch, but now he realized he should be quite adept at Defense Against the Dark Arts spells... Even Vid praised him, saying he was a genius in practical combat...
And all the joy ended the moment he pushed open the dormitory door.
Ron was leaning against the headboard, flipping through a magazine. He didn't look up when he heard the door. Seamus and Dean were likely asleep already, their figures in the curtains emitting even breathing sounds.
The atmosphere in the dormitory was somewhat unusual.
Harry suddenly remembered—before going, he had promised Ron—if Vid and the others welcomed Ron to join the SSC, he would send a message in the Friendship Book, and Ron would come immediately.
Harry noticed Ron was still wearing his outdoor clothes, not having changed into pajamas.
"Hi, Ron." Harry greeted dryly, almost wanting to bolt out of the room.
Ron glanced up at him, slowly asking, "Finished? How was your club event?"
"—Alright." Harry said stiffly, "Learned the Disarming Spell."
He didn't know why he added the second sentence. By the time it was out, there was no taking it back, and Harry immediately regretted it.
"Did you ask for me?" Ron asked, "You surely did, right? It's okay even if they disagreed; you can tell me the truth—I can take it."
Harry didn't know how to say it: "I—I didn't—"
"—Didn't?" Ron raised his eyebrows.
"SSC has rules; you can't just let anyone join without everyone agreeing... I'm just a newcomer too... so..." Harry explained, stammering, feeling his words lacked credibility.
"Oh." Ron said coldly, "I understand."
He suddenly pulled the curtain, lay down, and covered himself with the blanket.
Harry stood alone by the door, his heart a mix of emotions.
…
A glowing white orb slowly floated to the candlestick and settled, illuminating the entire dormitory brightly.
Vid sat by the window, starting to check messages in the Friendship Book.
The Friendship Book cannot keep text for a long time. If someone checks messages in time, the text will soon disappear from the page; if it remains unopened, the text will disappear in at most half an hour.
Hence, his parents and friends usually choose to communicate before bed.
[Zoe: Zoe is very grateful for the candies given by Vid Gray! Zoe shared them with friends, Maki and Tess will try to replicate them. Vid Gray will also be able to eat them at the breakfast table!]
[Steven: I've collected some materials on Occamy and sent them to you. I hope they are helpful to you. By the way, Mr. Scamander replied to me; he said he welcomed me to help! I'm so happy, Vid! I never imagined this would happen one day! This is all thanks to you, I'm fortunate you reminded me, my friend!]
[Machioni: Regarding the update of the Friendship Book, I hope to talk with you in person—could we meet in Hogsmeade on Saturday? I know third-year students can get permission to go out, but maybe Professor Morry can bring you out? Actually, I also know a passage leading off-campus…]
[Ferdinand: Vid, I received a reply from the person you mentioned.]
Vid's eyes lit up, quickly writing on the parchment—
[Vid: Remus Lupin?]
[Ferdinand: Yes. As you requested, in the letter, he claims to be proficient in most Defense Against the Dark Arts, including the Patronus Charm. He has excellent grades in Transfiguration, is familiar with the Animagus method, and is willing to accept a weekly payment of 10 Galleons, signed as Remus Lupin. I've arranged to meet him at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow.]
Vid exhaled long, unable to help but smile.
For content in Defense Against the Dark Arts, he could consult Professor Flitwick, but not constantly. Professor Flitwick has classes to teach, assignments to grade, manages Ravenclaw College, sometimes is responsible for patrolling the castle, and relaxes with friends at the bar when idle. Vid couldn't always take up his time, and the same goes for Professor Morry.
At Christmas, Professor Flitwick gave Vid a copy of the Complete Spellbook. He later found it was actually an abridged version. Most Dark Magic, curses, and poisonous curses were removed by Professor Flitwick, who also eliminated some spells he considered Vid shouldn't access at his current level—like Apparition, Disillusionment Charm, Animagus, Portkey, etc.
Professor Flitwick's stance was clear—though he believed Vid excelled in Spellcasting, he also persisted that as a first-year student, Vid should learn safe and harmless spells, with advanced magic studied progressively in higher grades.
Vid didn't want to argue with the professor whether his concern was what Vid needed, as Professor Flitwick was originally a very upright and kind person. But among what Vid wanted to learn, some were things Professor Flitwick would never teach him. Practicing on his own, even with a cheat, posed considerable risk.
The textbook content of each chapter often emphasized the same point—failed spells can lead to extremely serious consequences, some make a wizard die miserably, some turn humans into non-human creatures, some cause irreversible magical damage.
So he needed a teacher.
A teacher who is highly skilled, trustworthy, and not too bound by convention.
Could there be a better choice than Remus Lupin?