"In your opinion, how should you resist Dark Magic?"
Vitam randomly pointed to a chubby Gryffindor, who stood up, thought for a moment, and tentatively said: "Powerful spells?"
"Not bad, not bad. Of course, if Dumbledore gave this answer, it would be the truth." Vitam nodded. "But do you think you can cast powerful spells? Zero points."
She pointed to a very shy-looking Ravenclaw, who stood up and hesitated for a long time before barely uttering: "Run away?"
Several strong little Lions were about to laugh but were silenced by Vitam's glare. She nodded approvingly.
"At least your head is clear. What? Do you think first-years can fight Dark wizards? Of course, she's not entirely right either. Your best way to resist Dark Magic is to avoid it! If you can't avoid it, run. If you can't run..."
"I'll dedicate a bouquet of flowers to you, for our brief time together."
"Professor!" Hermione raised her hand. "Avoid Dark Magic? I don't understand. Do you mean dodging?"
"Oh, I wasn't precise enough in my expression." She modified the writing on the blackboard. "Don't put yourself in situations where you'll encounter Dark Magic. That's more accurate."
She dropped the chalk and clapped her hands.
"For you first-years, rather than calling this Defence Against the Dark Arts, I prefer to call my class Safety Prevention. It's simple logic. When you've learnt more magic, you can resist somewhat when facing danger, but now, it's best not to encounter danger at all."
"This brings us to what happened when I entered just now. Intelligence is important. You need to know what dangers you might face and what's special about those dangers."
"Then you prevent danger based on intelligence... For example, when I was about to cast a curse on you upon entering, does anyone know how to prevent this?"
Seeing the classroom in silence, she added conditions.
"Let's say you didn't know I was going to cast a spell. Purely from caution, knowing I'm a new professor with highly polarised reviews, what would you do?"
This time she specifically called on Terry to answer.
"Um... stay alert during class?"
"That's what you should do when you deduce from rumours that something's wrong with me. If you can't tell me how you analysed it, that's a zero-point answer, completely trying to please me."
"Next, Miss Hermione Granger."
Hermione said hesitantly: "Find Headmaster Dumbledore?"
She thought she'd be criticised, but unexpectedly Vitam showed satisfaction. "What would you do after finding the headmaster?"
Hermione blurted out: "Use a joint complaint letter to change professors again!"
"You're a bit too extreme." Vitam felt somewhat sweaty.
"You should ask the headmaster about my true situation; then you'd know what kind of person I really am."
"As for changing professors... I can only say don't get this idea about other subject professors. Yes, Gryffindors, you know what I'm talking about."
Padma, seeing her sister at the opposite desk, also warned: "You won't collect a single Slytherin signature; don't even think about it. Ravenclaw won't agree either!"
Though a certain professor had a terrible teaching attitude, his professional level was too high. Knowledge-pursuing Ravenclaws could tolerate his attitude.
Sterling felt this professor had some real substance.
His expectations for Hermione and the others matched Vitam's. Best not to fall into danger. If they unfortunately encountered Quirrell, just run and wait for him to rescue them.
The Ravenclaws were manageable, and now Ron and Harry could be considered his friends too. He was afraid Harry would recklessly confront Quirrell.
"The prophecy only showed Harry grabbing Quirrell's face and triggering black smoke. What happened after, who won or lost, and what the cost was were all unknown."
He hoped Professor Vitam could teach them to be more cautious.
When Sterling monitored Quirrell this morning, the book only showed one line: "Quirrell is approaching the end."
This line had appeared repeatedly for several days, roughly since Quirrell officially left the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. "Witness of the Author" only gave this one reality.
The end... Sterling believed meant death.
Quirrell was approaching death. Sterling didn't know when he'd reach the end, but undoubtedly, in this period before death, he was Hogwarts' greatest danger.
A dying man had nothing he wouldn't dare do.
Sterling was already thinking of other ways to monitor him. If Origin Magic was useless, he'd find methods in Hogwarts' library.
If there was really no other way... he'd have to eliminate this danger.
Prophecy would inevitably unfold. Him crippling Quirrell for Harry to grab his face would have the same effect. Who knew if this was the original fate?
The only possible problem was whether he could crush Quirrell... From his performance, maybe seventh-years could beat him up, but Sterling still remembered the sense of danger he'd once felt.
Quirrell was someone who could automatically trigger prophecy in "Witness of the Author".
Sterling decided to find time to test Quirrell's depth.
His attention returned to class. Professor Vitam was explaining how to identify sources of danger.
"Those wrapped up looking obviously like dark wizards are often the least threatening. You can spot them immediately and stay away. Such things aren't worth my explanation."
"As I wrote initially, the greatest dangers often try to gain identities you trust, then lower your guard. When you no longer guard against or care about them, they strike."
"For example, me. A Defence Against the Dark Arts professor who changes yearly. If my appearance when entering was my true face, and everything after was a disguise after being exposed by Mr. Page, aimed at lowering your guard..."
Vitam showed a meaningful smile, but Sterling couldn't smile anymore.
She'd just said, "Care about him," using the masculine "him".
She'd specifically pointed out the "Defence Against the Dark Arts professor" identity... almost openly labelling the "bad person" identity onto Quirrell.
Terry's and Hermione's faces had already darkened.
They naturally knew some things about Quirrell. When he was a Muggle Studies professor, his reputation wasn't bad.
If his current clownish appearance was to lower their guard...
"Did you know all along?" Terry remembered Sterling's adamant refusal to let him send an original voice Howler and his insistence on concealment when delivering complaint letters.
Sterling nodded.
"So... that guy is a Dark wizard?"
"Don't worry about it. He's still lying low... Regardless, don't put yourself in danger. Remember what Professor Vitam said."
Terry covered his mouth. As for Hermione, Padma skilfully pressed down her hand reaching for parchment.
"Since we know Quirrell is a Dark wizard, shouldn't we immediately have the headmaster expel him... no, arrest him directly!"
"Professor Vitam obviously knows this. She's Professor Dumbledore's friend. Professor Dumbledore can't possibly not know." Terry said.
Hermione had momentarily not thought clearly, but after calming down, she understood. She thoughtfully lay on her desk, using books to hide her actions.
"Is Professor Dumbledore deliberately keeping this Dark wizard? To lure out his accomplices?"
"Possibly, but it has nothing to do with you. What you need to do is avoid Quirrell."
Sterling glanced at the Gryffindor seats.
"Also... don't tell Harry and Ron that Quirrell is a Dark wizard. They definitely won't pick up on Professor Vitam's hints."
"Just lead them to avoid approaching Quirrell?"
"They wouldn't seek out Quirrell anyway. What we need to guard against is Quirrell coming to them... Quirrell's target is Harry?"
Hermione was as perceptive as always.
"Very likely. At least, Harry's identity is the most special in all of Hogwarts."