"So, remember, when your opponent tries to use something like 'Tarantella'—or spells of that sort to restrict your movements—a timely, wide-spread 'Protego' can easily solve your predicament. This not only protects yourself but can also bounce off the spell, giving you room to counterattack."
William's voice echoed in the dueling class classroom. He stood in the center of the room, with pale blue magical light following behind him, displaying the practical scenes he just explained.
"Of course, most of you are not proficient in the Iron Armor Spell, which is not good news. You can't hope that the dark wizard's charm will only burn your socks—"
This caused low laughter to ripple through the classroom—this was the advanced class of the dueling course for fifth, sixth, and seventh-years.
As it was a newly created course, the dueling class did not include content for O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams. Plus, since William started recruiting students a bit late, almost three grades combined, just barely made up the number of students equivalent to one grade in other subjects, and seventh-year students were scarce.
"Alright, that concludes the theory part—next is practice. Pair up, and review the defensive counter-attack linkage taught last class. Remember, it's linkage, not a direct exchange—I'm tired of seeing people blasting their partners to the ceiling. You have to be aware, Madam Pomfrey has already protested the recent 'workload'—"
Laughter grew louder in the class. After William finished speaking, students quickly stood up and found their pre-assigned partners. Soon, the classroom was filled with the sound of incantations and the sparks exploding from spell collisions.
William paced along the edge of the field with his cup in hand, occasionally dispersing the fog on the cup with his breath, and giving advice out loud.
"Harry, steady the hand a bit more. You're not stirring a cauldron, and I don't have bat wings behind my back—"
"Miss Johnson, very good, but the action can be faster. Sometimes life or death is decided in just those few seconds."
"Weasley...which one is which, never mind. The one near the door, watch your footwork. Your legs are almost knotting together—"
"And Cedric."
William turned his head, his forehead seemed to have a vein bulge, "As an assistant teacher, if you flirt again in my class, I'll swap Miss Cho Chang and Mr. Neo." William's smiling words carried hidden menace, Neo's partner was Marcus Flint.
This guy failed his exams, causing him to repeat a year, though he did pass apparently,
Upon hearing this, Marcus turned his head cooperatively, revealing a mouthful of crooked yellow teeth.
"...I was wrong."
Faced with such a threat, Cedric could only increase the power of his spell bitterly—
From mosquito bites to...several mosquitoes biting together.
Meanwhile, George and Fred's practice was evidently not by the book, with Fred swinging his wand to unleash a large ball of colorful smoke from its tip, while George attempted to blow those fumes back with the Tornado Spell—
But clearly, he failed, and the smoke exploded right between them, instantly seasoning half the classroom with colorful dust.
"Hey, Weasley!"
William shook the umbrella in his hand, the veins on his forehead began to twitch slowly, "I hope you aren't developing new products for your joke shop in my class?" He squinted, a dangerous gleam flashing in the slits.
"Professor, this is...classroom atmosphere adjustment!"
Fred earnestly continued waving his wand, attempting to make George's colors more "even."
"Uh, yes, we're researching how...uh..."
George was lost for words, as he also had to dodge the pink smoke Fred blew back.
"Alright, stay after class and clean up this colorful classroom for me."
William nodded expressionlessly, paused, and then added, "No magic allowed, I'll have Mr. Filch prepare rags for you."
Upon hearing this, the twins immediately drooped, and laughter erupted around.
At this moment, the bell signifying class end rang, the students all breathed a sigh of relief, all the "colorful" students held their breaths looking at William.
"Homework...an essay, seven inches...wait, isn't Christmas coming in a few days? Then make it ten inches long, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of 'Protego' under different magical power output strengths. Due next class."
William didn't have a habit of extending the class. After a moment of thought, he announced directly, ignoring the groans popping up below.
The students then began to pack up their things, leaving the classroom in twos and threes, and their topics quickly shifted from boring essays to the soon-to-arrive Christmas holiday.
"Are you staying at school during the Christmas break?"
Ron asked without looking up, while stuffing the thick "Theoretical Magic Defense" into his bag.
"I'm going home."
Hermione raised her hand, closed her notebook, thick enough to make Harry and Ron suspect it could knock out a mountain troll, "Mom and Dad want me to come home. Plus, I need some quiet space to study. We're only..." The girl counted on her fingers, "Ah! Only cricket one hundred ninety-three days and four hours left until O.W.L.s!"
Her expression was very serious, as if that day was the end of the world—
However, the others were clearly accustomed to Hermione's "alarmist" comments, merely shrugged and returned the topic back.
"I'm going home too, Mom and Dad want to take me out—"
Neville seemed obviously excited. His parents were allowed to skip weekly trips to St Mungo's Hospital last month to observe their condition, meaning the whole family could enjoy a Christmas holiday traveling.
"Ron and I are going home too."
Harry nodded—it clearly violated his tradition of spending Christmas in the castle over the years, "I'm still returning to Privet Drive, but—" The boy switched gears, "but at least I don't need to worry about seeing the Dursleys' annoying faces—it's my first Christmas with Sirius."
And as Harry mentioned the name, just like Cao Cao, a familiar figure "refreshed" right at the classroom door. He wore a jet-black traveling cloak, his hair tousled, looking as if he had traveled far and wide, but those gray eyes still sparkled brightly, flashing a mixture of excited and tired glints.
"Sirius?"