The process of obtaining the diadem was not eventful, but Kael did not know how to proceed next.
For a long time, every time he prepared to research the diadem, he would end up staring at it in a daze.
Now this thing has become Voldemort's Soul Artifact, even if Rowena Ravenclaw hid some information in there, it couldn't be read.
Should I try wearing it?
Kael lifted the diadem up, compared it on top of his head for a while, but eventually gave up on this somewhat reckless decision.
Once again, there was no gain.
...
When Kael put the box back in place and returned to the common room, he happened to run into Conna who was looking for him.
"Class is about to start, I was thinking you might have gone ahead."
"No, just had a bit of something else," Kael shook his head, took out a stack of textbooks and asked, "What class is next?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts…" Conna said expectantly.
Since we've had a new professor, no longer have to read textbooks and act out plays, Defense Against the Dark Arts has suddenly become interesting, and has become the favorite class for most students.
Except for certain Slytherins, like Malfoy…
His views are simple: anything Harry likes, he hates, that's all.
But he only mocks Professor Lupin's shabby attire, having just one decent robe, not claiming his class uninteresting.
"I wonder what we'll learn today." Walking along the road, Conna said, "We've already finished learning about Fwooper and Leprechaun, next should be new magical creatures right."
"If he could teach us how to deal with Dementors, it would be great." She said hopefully, "Yesterday, on the way to Herbology Class, I just glimpsed them from afar, I felt a chill all over."
"Professor Lupin probably won't teach that," Kael shook his head and said, "but if you want to learn, I can teach you the Patronus Charm."
"Is it the charm you used on the train?" Conna asked.
"That's right," Kael said, "The Patronus Charm is also acknowledged in the Magic Realm as the most effective way against Dementors, so, do you want to learn?"
"Sure…" Conna said without any hesitation.
Kael raised his eyebrows, "Then call me Professor Kael and I'll teach you."
"Keep dreaming!" Conna angrily kicked Kael's calf, turned away leaving him with a view of her head.
The two of them walked all the way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Unexpectedly, waiting there was not Professor Lupin, but Snape.
He noticed Conna's angry look, then glanced at Kael, thinking something, his face immediately darkened.
Kael promptly put away his smile, lowered his head, silently walked into the classroom and sat down under Snape's murderous gaze.
Conna also came over to sit beside him.
Don't know if it was an illusion, but since she sat down, Kael always felt his neck was chilly.
Fortunately, the class bell soon rang.
Snape strode to the front, turned to face everyone, and said in his usual tone:
"Regretfully, your Professor Lupin is somewhat unwell today and cannot come to class, so I will be substituting."
"What's wrong with him?" someone asked with concern.
"Questions during class require raising your hand, Ravenclaw loses five points!" Snape coldly glanced at the speaking student, scaring him into quickly shutting his mouth.
"No life-threatening situation," Snape's tone seemed slightly regretful, "Moreover, if anyone speaks again without permission, ten points will be deducted."
The classroom fell silent, even breathing sounds became much quieter.
"Regarding what you have been learning, Professor Lupin left no records…" Snape continued, "Gotta say, this kind of unstructured teaching is really amateurish."
"Professor Lupin taught very well…" someone couldn't help but mutter softly, other students also expressed agreement.
"That's because you're easily satisfied… I think first-year students should be capable of dealing with Leprechauns… Ravenclaw loses another ten points."
The classroom quieted down again.
"Today, we're going to learn something different!" Snape said in a calm voice, "Everyone turn to page 394 in your textbooks!"
Although everyone felt somewhat baffled, because Snape had a reputation, they could only murmur softly while flipping open their textbooks.
"Werewolves!" Snape said, "Can anyone tell me how to distinguish between a werewolf and a true wolf?"
A few students raised their hands.
"Miss Prince!"
Conna stood up, "Werewolves and true wolves have small differences, the werewolf's muzzle will be slightly shorter, its pupils smaller…"
"Very good, Hufflepuff gains ten points."
Snape nodded satisfactorily, then continued to ask, "In appearance, werewolves are indistinguishable from ordinary people except for one thing, who can tell me what it is."
Several people raised their hands again, this time he picked Cho.
"Werewolves only turn into wolf form during a full moon night."
"Not comprehensive." Snape dismissed her, having no intention of giving points, "In fact, during the few days before and after the full moon, they also become very weak.
Why are you still standing there, why aren't you writing this down."
The classroom was immediately filled with the rustling sound of students scrambling for quills and parchment.
"Turn to page 395 in your books, there's a more detailed explanation there…"
In the remainder of the class, Snape did not ask any more questions, he just had everyone sit there and copy notes on werewolves from their textbooks.
He himself patrolled between desks, ensuring everyone had written sufficiently complete notes.
Students felt like they had returned to two years ago, every class was time for note-taking transcription.
The dismissal bell finally rang, but Snape didn't let them leave.
"Each of you must write an essay for me, the content is how to identify and kill werewolves, I require you to fill two pieces of parchment, due Monday morning."
Everyone swiftly left the classroom, Kael leading the way.
Through the entire class, he sat there silently, trying his best to diminish his presence.
Kael had a feeling, if he had made a single mistake when speaking just now, or been caught by Snape for some error, the consequences would certainly be far worse than for others.
Luckily, class finally ended.
Kael was the first to walk out of the classroom, others followed suit, and once they reached a place out of earshot of Snape, they began talking all at once.
"My god, two pieces of parchment," Mikel complained, "That's enough for me to write five times of previous Defense Against the Dark Arts assignments."
"Even for Transfiguration Class assignments, it could be written thrice." Ryan added beside him, "Really hope Professor Lupin gets well soon, maybe we won't have to write this essay."
Kael did not join their discussion, rather he quickened his pace down the stairs.
Only when he returned to the common room, with the barrel door closing slowly behind him, did that sense of being poked in the back gradually disappear.
...