The raven noticed Leonard as well. Its crimson eyes met his for a moment, then silently looked away.
Leonard fell silent for a moment, then looked toward Harris Raymons by the lectern. The man smiled back at him and gave a slight nod.
So he was not hiding his connection to the raven. They probably shared vision. When that man had gone blank for those brief moments, had he been watching Leonard through the raven's eyes?
This guy...
Leonard's gaze flickered, but his expression gave away nothing.
The other man acted completely at ease, but Leonard did not react any further. He only let the slightest hint of confusion show in his eyes.
He thought of the raven that had appeared by the Black Lake at the end of last term, the one the giant squid had smacked down.
Leonard knew next to nothing about ravens. Other than the kind that flipped the table and shouted, "Too hard? Then don't do it," he genuinely could not tell one raven from another.
So he had no idea whether the raven perched on the skeleton model had anything to do with the one the giant squid had killed, but one thing was certain. Raven had been watching him since then.
So back then... Raven had first made contact with Dumbledore, observed him in the meantime, and only afterward had Dumbledore informed him.
Just as Leonard was sorting through the chain of events that had led Raven to him, class began. Harris Raymons rose from his chair with a smile.
"All right, everyone, let's begin class."
His voice immediately drew the attention of the whole room. The students all looked at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor with eager eyes.
"I've already heard from students in other houses about how far along your studies are," Harris Raymons said with a smile. "But first, a quick introduction. My name is Harris Raymons, and I'm a Ravenclaw graduate."
As he spoke, he picked up the textbook and waved it in front of the class.
"Although your previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor did not leave you with much knowledge, you are all intelligent students, so let me ask you something. What is the purpose of Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
A Ravenclaw student raised his hand.
"Very good, Mr. Corner. Go ahead," Harris Raymons said, calling on him.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is a subject meant to help us avoid harm from dark magic and dark creatures, and to teach us how to deal with danger," said Michael Corner, a black-haired boy with a scholarly air.
"Very good. Five points to Ravenclaw." Harris Raymons smiled and nodded, then gestured for Michael Corner to sit down.
"Mr. Corner is right. That is exactly what Defense Against the Dark Arts is. The key to this class lies in defense..." Harris Raymons said as he opened the textbook.
"Feel free to flip through your books," he continued. "This book introduces many dark creatures and teaches us a great many spells specifically meant to counter them..."
He scratched his head with mock distress. "But with so many different methods, it really is a headache, isn't it? If every kind of monster needs a specific spell to deal with it, then wouldn't wizards be terribly passive when facing strange creatures from around the world, or monsters that have never even appeared before?"
The students were amused by his troubled expression and let out friendly laughter.
"Then what should we do?" one student asked with a raised hand.
"Good question." Harris Raymons snapped his fingers. "And that brings us to what I want to tell you today. When we face danger, what is our most important weapon..."
He paused for effect, then asked, "What do you all think it is?"
"Our wands!" the students answered in unison.
"No, no, no. Not wands." Harris Raymons shook his head. "You have to remember, wands are not essential for spellcasting. Most African wizards do not use them."
"It's wisdom!" Padma said, raising her hand.
"Excellent answer." Harris Raymons snapped his fingers in approval. "Our greatest weapon is wisdom, the wisdom to deal with danger."
"We have to know how to get ourselves out of danger in the quickest and simplest way possible. That is wisdom."
"For example... the Levitation Charm. You should all be familiar with it. It's first-year Charms material," Harris Raymons said. "Everyone knows the Levitation Charm, but people often overlook it. After all, it isn't powerful, and it does not look offensive at all."
"But the Levitation Charm is one of the simplest ways to respond when you encounter danger. Let me show you a few examples..."
...
Harris Raymons then began explaining more advanced uses of the Levitation Charm, teaching the students how to use it to put fierce enemies at a disadvantage.
Just as Professor Flitwick had told Leonard in first year, the practical use of spells was exactly what a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor ought to be teaching. Last year's Quirrell simply had not been doing his job.
Harris Raymons taught in a lively, entertaining way, and his humor quickly won everyone over. He completely captured the students' attention, and amid their anticipation and laughter, they learned quite a bit.
Before long, it was time for class to end. After Harris Raymons dismissed them, the students, still wanting more, gathered in groups and excitedly discussed what they had learned as they prepared to leave.
Leonard packed up his things as well, planning to head to the kitchens with Ernie and Justin to grab something good to eat.
Just then, Harris Raymons called out to him.
"Mr. William, may I take a few minutes of your time?" Harris Raymons asked as he walked over.
Leonard looked up at the young Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and nodded.
One by one, the students left. Leonard remained in the classroom, watching Harris Raymons put away his teaching materials.
Then the raven that had been crouching on the skeleton model flew down and landed on Harris Raymons's shoulder.
"Let me properly introduce myself, Mr. William," Harris Raymons said, looking at Leonard. "My name is Harris Raymons, and I am a member of Raven."
"What is Raven?" Leonard asked flatly.
"You're very calm." Harris Raymons smiled. "Well, it seems Professor Dumbledore has already mentioned us, so I won't keep you guessing. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting wizarding heritage and seeking out the history of wizardkind... an archaeological organization."
Leonard raised a brow.
"An archaeological organization?"