"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 335: "Wizard Psychology Lecture" Speaker: Professor Lupin
As noon approached and the first lecture drew to a close, Sirius announced the topic of the next session and assigned a rather formidable homework—an essay on school rules and discipline, no less than twelve inches long.
By the end of his talk, Sirius was smiling mischievously. "That's all for today's lecture. I'm giving you a small assignment—each of you is to write a school rules study report, at least ten inches long. Tomorrow morning, same time, same place—I expect to see you all here again. And I'll let you in on a little secret: tomorrow's lecture is on 'Wizard Psychology,' and the speaker is someone you'd never guess."
Soon after, Sirius made his way to Douglas's office.
Eyeing the feast already prepared on the table, Sirius asked in surprise, "Douglas isn't back yet?"
Lupin, chewing a mouthful of beef, replied, "No, I heard the folks from the Wizarding Examinations Authority dragged him off to see the Chamber challenge. So, how did your lecture go?"
Sirius grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Not bad! The students were surprisingly well-behaved, and a fair few were interested in the game. Once summer arrives, Douglas will finally get to launch his game board."
Lupin poured him a glass of red wine, chuckling. "Who would've thought the true purpose of these lectures was for Douglas to promote his own products?"
Sirius took a sip and eyed Lupin. "So, you've really made up your mind?"
"We already talked this through, didn't we?"
—
Lunchtime in the Great Hall was a lively affair. Students who'd attended the lecture eagerly recounted the school rules board game.
"You have no idea—whatever number you roll, that's how many spaces you move. If you land on a reward, you get it straight away. If it's a punishment, you take it on the spot. There's even a teleport square!"
"I love the Academic Affairs Director!"
Younger students grumbled about the difficulty of the exams, while those sitting their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s marveled at the Ministry's mercy.
George and Fred gestured wildly, "Too easy! Easier than our usual monthly or weekly tests."
"Bless the merciful Ministry of Magic! And curse those wicked Hogwarts professors!"
As the hall buzzed, the Wizarding Examinations Authority finished touring the Chamber challenge and convened for a quick meeting in Headmaster Dumbledore's office.
That afternoon, just before the next round of exams, fifth- and seventh-year students received a sudden notice: Monday afternoon's exam was postponed to Tuesday morning.
—
Tuesday morning.
"Attention from the Examinations Authority: students taking O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams, gather at the second-floor Chamber entrance by eight o'clock!"
The fifth- and seventh-year Prefects quickly spread the word.
"Chamber assessment?"
"I heard from the seventh-years—it's really tough in there! Why are we fifth-years going?"
"Don't tell me yesterday's test was too easy and now they're making it harder?"
In contrast, those set to attend the next lecture were in high spirits. Assignments or not, it was genuinely fun.
"I wonder who the mysterious speaker is today? Professor Holmes?"
"I heard psychology is a Muggle subject—maybe it's something Professor Holmes cooked up."
"Isn't he proctoring today?"
Arriving at the Quidditch pitch, everything looked just as it had the day before—except the eagerly anticipated game board was gone.
"It's Professor Lupin!"
"Aha! We should've guessed."
"Not many teachers have free time these days."
"He didn't give anything away during the morning run!"
Passing the stage, students greeted Lupin warmly. Even some Slytherins were fond of this unofficial professor who joined them for morning runs and reading. Especially during evening study detentions, Lupin's assignments were always gentle and relaxed.
So when word spread that the Academic Affairs Office would be taking over the study hall next term, everyone was more than a little disappointed.
Standing beside Lupin, Sirius nudged him with his elbow. "Moony, you've outdone yourself. I think you might actually change history this time."
Besides Lupin and Sirius, several Daily Prophet reporters and photographers were present on the stage. Usually, they only appeared for O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. practicals, but this time, hearing about Hogwarts' series of unique lectures, they'd applied for access—and even if they hadn't, Sirius would have invited them. After all, this was about his best friend's future.
As the lecture began, Sirius and the journalists found seats below. No one noticed when Dumbledore quietly took a seat in a shadowed corner of the Quidditch stands.
On stage, Lupin gently traced his worn wand with his fingertips, a soft smile on his lips. He tapped the crystal orb before him— Wizard Psychology Lecture.
"Good morning, young witches and wizards. I'm Remus John Lupin."
"As someone who once hid Potions books in Hogwarts corridors, counted moonbeams in the Shrieking Shack, and waited out Muggle rainstorms in phone booths, I want to talk with you about the secrets we hide behind our wands—about those moments when, searching for our place in three worlds, our wands tremble in our hands."
"Many of you have probably hidden in the loo after a cauldron exploded in Potions, or stared at a scar after a Quidditch mishap, or asked yourself again and again after the Sorting Hat's verdict: 'Do I really belong here?'"
"I once believed my werewolf blood would keep me forever in the shadows of the House bonfire.
But I learned that true belonging doesn't come from a single word from the Sorting Hat. It comes from the hand that shares a flowerpot with you in Herbology, from the cough of a friend standing watch during a midnight adventure, from Professor McGonagall's voice saying, 'Lupin, your Transfiguration homework is late—again—but your thinking is always interesting.'
Remember, Hogwarts' stone floors never ask us to be perfect. They welcome every sweaty-palmed soul who dares to grasp a wand, just as the Whomping Willow will catch a falling witch or wizard—though it might give you a few whacks first, just as a reminder."
Lupin's words sparked a wave of murmurs below.
At Hogwarts, only the professors and a handful of students from the Charon Detective Agency—those who'd hunted down Wormtail—knew Lupin's secret. They'd all kept it, out of loyalty and discretion.
The Aurors and Ministry leaders involved in the hunt knew too, but thanks to Fudge's attempt to compensate Sirius, and a generous "donation" from Sirius himself, the secret had never been made public.
So when Lupin, almost casually, revealed his secret, the hall erupted in a ripple of shock and confusion.
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