After Glenn and Hermione finished their explanation of their actions, the atmosphere in the staff lounge grew somewhat oppressive. Everyone fell silent, unable to speak for a long time. The two professors wore different expressions, but the one thing Hermione could be certain of was that both Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape were undoubtedly feeling sorrowful at this moment.
The four of them stood there in the empty staff lounge, the low pressure they emanated so intense that even the Boggart locked in the old wardrobe—which had been constantly clawing at the walls and shaking the cabinet—stopped its movements and fell silent.
Finally, it was Dumbledore who broke the silence between them, letting out a sigh.
"...I see. In that case, I won't pursue this matter further."
"However, what puzzles me is this: if your thinking is as you've described, why did you remain here after the others left?"
"Regarding that point, Professor, I believe I can enlighten you."
Sensing that Professor Dumbledore was trying to shift the topic to dispel the "gloom" now hanging over them all, Hermione immediately picked up his thread.
Otherwise, what—expect Glenn and Professor Snape to help Professor Dumbledore change the subject?
That was hardly possible.
"While it's true we don't want to see the fearful images from our hearts appear before us, we also want to know whether, when facing Boggarts—creatures connected to human emotions—using spells to protect our thoughts and minds can successfully resist the Boggart's extraction of our thoughts, thereby achieving a defensive effect."
"Because rather than counterattacking after our thoughts have been extracted—closing the stable door after the horse has bolted—Glenn and I prefer to completely resolve the issue at its source, before this 'thought extraction' behavior occurs."
Dumbledore became interested and nodded slightly.
"So what you mean is..."
"Occlumency, plus some other minor spells that can protect our minds and willpower."
Hermione said as much.
Yes, the reason Glenn and Hermione remained here after Professor Lupin and the other young witches and wizards left the staff lounge was precisely this—
—curiosity, and preparation for future contingencies.
The prospect of facing one's deepest fears was certainly uncomfortable and frightening, but stopping there would be putting the cart before the horse. Mental fortitude and confirmation of one's goals were certainly important, but the effort to continuously break through the unknown and forge new paths was the true powerful force that could lead one along their planned route.
However, without adequate preparation and absolute confidence, Glenn and Hermione wouldn't rashly attempt such a thing.
These two never fought unprepared battles.
"Because Glenn already tried this outside the Hogwarts Express. Dementors, which are connected to human emotions, are indeed affected by this type of mental protection spell. Perhaps because their creature classification is higher than Boggarts, the spell's effectiveness is somewhat diminished, but the effect is undeniably there—those Dementors could barely sense Glenn's presence at the time. That's why we're here now to try this with a Boggart."
Hermione calmly revealed what Glenn had done while riding the Hogwarts Express, because judging from Dumbledore's reaction at the Welcome Feast, they could tell that this all-seeing Hogwarts headmaster certainly knew what they had been up to on the train.
He simply chose not to expose them.
Sure enough, as Hermione had expected, Dumbledore didn't react much to her statement. Instead, he nodded approvingly, affirming both Hermione's and Glenn's thinking.
"Your approach is correct. When dealing with such creatures, using spells to protect one's consciousness is indeed one method of defense."
"Moreover, it's the safest and best solution. I can tell you with certainty that if you use Occlumency against a Boggart, that creature won't be able to do anything to you."
Dumbledore directly revealed the final result of the experiment Glenn and Hermione wanted to conduct, hoping to prevent them from approaching the creature that could transform into people's deepest fears.
Putting himself in their shoes, even Dumbledore, such a great wizard with comprehensive countermeasures, didn't want to approach such a creature.
The perceptive Hermione also caught the meaning beneath Dumbledore's words and smiled—such a gentle smile.
"It's all right, Professor Dumbledore. Even if we know the result, without trying it ourselves, we'll always feel uncertain, won't we?"
"After all, only through practice can we truly judge whether our ideas are correct, and whether we can successfully escape such situations when we face them."
"Glenn thinks the same way, don't you?"
Hermione nudged Glenn with her elbow, and he nodded.
Knowing something was one thing; actually putting it into practice was quite another.
Coincidentally, both Glenn and Hermione were exactly this type of person.
Rather than listening to what others said, they needed to try and practice things themselves before they could truly feel at ease.
So that's how it is...
Dumbledore thought to himself, smiled, and said nothing more.
That Glenn and Hermione could have such awareness and thinking was truly remarkable and admirable. There was no need for him to interfere further.
"Very well then. I won't disturb your practice."
Dumbledore nodded and said this, then looked toward Snape, who had remained silent throughout.
Feeling the gaze upon him, Snape—who had been silent with countless thoughts swirling in his mind—numbly raised his head, briefly met Dumbledore's eyes, then glanced at Hermione, who was watching him with concern, and at Glenn beside her, who had turned his head toward him.
He pressed his lips together, adjusted his expression so nothing could be read from his face, then turned and left without a word.
"Sigh... Severus and I will take our leave first, then. Be careful."
"Goodbye, Professor Snape. Goodbye, Professor Dumbledore."
Hermione nodded in response and bid farewell to the two departing professors.
"Well then, shall we begin?"
"No need to waste too much time on this matter."
After the two professors left, Glenn finally spoke.
"I knew you'd think that way."
Hermione rolled her eyes and made this complaint, then smiled and drew her wand, casting magic to open the door of the wardrobe containing the Boggart.
The wardrobe opened, and huddled inside was only an indistinct, unrecognizable mass of unknown creature.
"The result is exactly as we imagined~"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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