Realizing he was getting distracted, Lupin gently tapped the completely shattered lampshade of the chandelier with his wand, creating a clattering sound. Then, he quickly refocused on teaching. His identity now was that of a teacher, so he cleared his throat slightly and continued to say to Hermione, "Your comprehension is very strong. Duels between wizards aren't just about the strength of spells or the size of magical power. They often utilize everything around them that can be used, like the wooden desk I used just now, and the chandelier hanging from the ceiling above my head that you used to ambush me."
"Really good." Lupin spontaneously clapped his hands, his words full of praise. Then, he approached Hermione and whispered, "Very strong learning ability. Even I can't cast a spell after hearing it only once. But as a teacher, I still have to say that this spell is very dangerous. If there isn't a corresponding counter-curse, the bleeding it causes won't stop. So, in the future, you need to learn to use it cautiously, okay, Hermione?" Lupin then said to Hermione, half command, half suggestion.
Hermione's answer, of course, was to nod in agreement. She also remembered the state Snape had left Lupin in after using that spell, when Lupin couldn't stop the bleeding.
"Professor, your injury?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
"It healed a long time ago. Madam Pomfrey used Dittany on me, and not a single scar was left," Lupin replied softly. Then, he turned his gaze to all the students and said with regret, "Of course, in the end, the side symbolizing justice, the students, still lost. I probably don't need to repeat the reason."
"As a teacher, although I certainly hope you never encounter a situation where you have to fight dark wizards, because if that day comes, it will prove that the wizarding world is not at peace, after all, not all of you can become Aurors." Lupin paused, then continued, "But, please remember, when that day really comes, when you need to defeat dark wizards, please don't show mercy. Pitying the wicked is the greatest cruelty to yourself."
"Very good." Lupin glanced at the remaining students, then looked at the ancient quartz clock slowly ticking overhead. He calculated the time in his mind and said, "You now have one more chance to challenge me. If you can't complete it today, then you'll have to wait until the next class. Next class, I won't allow so many of you to come at me at once."
Lupin's words carried a hint of anticipation. He hoped to improve the students' practical experience as much as possible. He still hoped that new students would dare to stand up and challenge him.
The students sitting in their seats began to whisper among themselves. The previous battle had given them a great shock. This was much more interesting than that lousy dueling club Lockhart had put together in their second year.
Yes, who would be in the mood to bow, gesture, or fuss over those formalities at a time of real life and death?
Today's duel, in their eyes, was absolutely wonderful. Their understanding of Transfiguration and basic knowledge had broadened their horizons.
Many students still believed that Transfiguration was only used to facilitate their daily lives, and that the principles of some spells were just difficult problems deliberately set by the teachers to make things difficult for them, but after today, this view could no longer stand.
A wizard's duel can never be summarized by just a few offensive and defensive spells.
But the problem also arose. They didn't have the confidence to challenge Lupin, even if they could gain an advantage in numbers.
Some Slytherin students felt that after class today, they could secretly go and learn some new and practical spells or hexes to deal with this teacher, but definitely not now. Assessing the situation was their instinct. And the Gryffindor students were also somewhat disheartened. The best student in their house and the team that the savior had participated in had lost. How could they win?
Moreover, it seemed that it wouldn't be so easy for them to form another team. Teamwork couldn't be achieved in a day or two.
Not every temporarily formed team could fully exert its combat power. In most cases, they would only hinder each other.
It was impossible to have Slytherin and Gryffindor students team up, because the team members themselves might start fighting first.
"Draco, why don't you go up and try?" Pansy leaned over and asked tentatively, her lively eyes full of expectant gazes.
When asking this question, Pansy had already prepared herself for rejection, because she knew Malfoy very well. Malfoy didn't like to show off in these boring situations. If he liked these vanities, then winning the Quidditch Cup would be more dazzling than the honor of these moments in class, but he didn't join the Quidditch team, but instead playfully gave the opportunity to her.
But out of a little girl's mentality, Pansy still hoped that the person she liked could be in the limelight in front of everyone, so she still asked the question.
"Okay." Malfoy nodded slightly in response, then dragged his chair back a certain distance, stood up from his seat, and walked straight to Lupin, leaving Pansy staring at him blankly with a look of astonishment.
In the previous fight, in order to avoid being affected, many students had dragged their desks back a long distance. So now, the back row in the classroom was extremely crowded, with almost no gaps between the desks, but the front row was very empty. The teaching table had also been placed back in its original position by Lupin. Malfoy slowly walked to the center and faced Lupin.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap." The sound of clapping rang out. Lupin took the initiative to clap his hands, followed by all the members in the classroom. For a time, the applause thundered, including the Gryffindor students, who spontaneously offered their applause.
In any case, Malfoy had shown his courage.
"Don't you need teammates? Mr. Malfoy?" Lupin stared at the student in front of him with narrowed eyes and asked.
"Of course, Professor Lupin," Malfoy said lightly.
"Commendable courage! Of course, I also believe that you have the strength. Is there anything else? If not, we can start as soon as possible. We don't have much time left." Lupin went straight to the point and turned his gaze to the huge clock ticking overhead, a feeling of anticipation burning in his heart.
He was very interested in the student in front of him.
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