Professor Breen's First Lesson (Part One)

Hardly anyone paid attention in Monday morning's Charms and Herbology classes. Everyone was whispering about what had happened on Saturday. Even Hermione, who was always completely focused in class, looked listless and unwell.

Not until lunchtime did anyone have a definite answer as to whether Professor Lockhart was allergic to alcohol or had drunk poisoned wine.

"This afternoon's second lesson will be a joint Defense Against the Dark Arts class for first- and second-years from all four Houses, held in the Great Hall—"

The male and female prefects from each House hurried down from the staff table and delivered this startling news to the whispering younger students below.

"Why?"

Ron, who had just been confidently telling Seamus that Lockhart had definitely been poisoned by someone, stared at Percy in surprise. "If I remember correctly, the second lesson this afternoon should be History of Magic!"

"Professor McGonagall's decision, Ron. If you have any questions, you can ask her yourself—"

After answering, Percy hurried around Harry and the others to pass this startling news on to Ginny and the others closer to the Entrance Hall.

That afternoon, when Harry and the others arrived at the Great Hall utterly exhausted after Transfiguration, they found it completely transformed. A circular raised platform stood in the centre of the hall, surrounded by nearly one hundred and sixty or seventy desks.

The first- and second-year students from the other three Houses had mostly gathered there already. Everyone chattered excitedly about this unusual class arrangement and what Professor Breen would teach them next.

"This brings back bad memories," Harry muttered. "I just hope it isn't going to be some huge stage play!"

Time slowly passed, and the rather tightly packed desks gradually filled with students from all four Houses. When the last empty desk was occupied, Amosta Breen finally made his appearance beneath everyone's eager gaze.

He descended the marble staircase, leapt over the crowd, and sprang lightly onto the platform. Standing at its centre, he smiled at the sea of heads around him. His very first words set off a fierce howl through the silent hall!

"Now, all of you, put Professor Lockhart's books back into your bags. You won't be needing them in my class."

"Woohoo!"

Macmillan from Hufflepuff was the first to cry out happily. His shout was like the signal for an avalanche; jubilant howls erupted from every direction. The young wizards' cries even made several great chandeliers overhead tremble!

"Can you believe it? I've been waiting for this for over half a year!"

Dean viciously stuffed his copy of Breaking Up with the Female Ghost into his bag, then burst into delighted laughter. Ron seemed about to make a similar remark, but Harry, grinning broadly, grabbed him and secretly pointed at Hermione, who sat in front of them looking stunned. After exchanging a quick glance, the two of them also restrained their excitement and put their books away.

The waves of cheering continued for several minutes, only gradually fading after Amosta let out a heavy cough.

"Now, I may need to offer all of you an explanation!"

Amosta smiled and nodded at the students below. "I imagine you're all very curious as to why I've chosen to teach you in this manner!"

Amosta cleared his throat and continued.

"For various reasons, the teaching staff for Defense Against the Dark Arts has never been particularly stable, and because the professor changes so frequently, the quality of instruction in this subject at Hogwarts has always been criticised. Take me, for example—I'm afraid I won't be your Defence professor for very long either. So, in order to give you a tangible improvement in your ability to defend yourselves against danger within a limited time, I have no choice but to make some changes—"

"Professor Breen!"

Before he had even finished speaking, Seamus raised his hand high. He looked eagerly at Amosta on the platform and said loudly, "Introduce yourself, Professor. Of course, we all know you're the Investigator sent by the Board of Governors to investigate the Chamber of Secrets, but what did you do before that?"

"That's an interesting question, Mr. Finnigan—"

Amosta scratched his head. Looking at the dozens of curious eyes glittering below, he thought for a moment before raising his brows.

"Well, I can tell you a little. Before coming to Hogwarts, I suppose I was... a freelancer. I made a living running errands for people, finding potion ingredients, delivering things, that sort of work. Heh, I was just an obscure nobody, nothing compared to Professor Lockhart!"

"I don't believe that at all," Ron said quietly to Harry with a curl of his lip, and Harry nodded in firm agreement.

Amosta's perfunctory introduction clearly could not satisfy the young wizards. The atmosphere cooled slightly as everyone waited to see what Professor Breen would say next.

"I suppose you're all wondering what I'm going to teach you?"

Amosta began speaking again. Under his confident and steady voice, the young wizards gradually stopped whispering and stared at him eagerly.

"But I'd like to return that question to you." Amosta smiled at the students below. "What do you hope to learn from me?"

"Powerful spells!"

Slytherin second-year Blaise Crabbe immediately raised his hand and called out, "I hope to learn powerful spells, Professor Breen, because I believe only strong magic can resist dangerous and wondrous Dark Magic!"

Crabbe's words received unanimous approval from the young wizards. Even most Gryffindors, who usually scorned Slytherin, hesitantly nodded in agreement.

"Although your understanding of defending against Dark Magic isn't especially profound, that's still a fairly good answer, Mr. Crabbe—"

Amosta nodded approvingly. Then, looking around at the young wizards gathered in a circle, he slowed his tone.

"Since you're all so interested in powerful spells, we'll begin there. Then, who can tell me what kind of spell can truly be called immensely powerful?"

Professor Breen's question was very strange. The young wizards looked at one another, unsure how to answer. Many turned their eyes to Hermione, and Hermione, as expected, did not disappoint them. Under everyone's gaze, she raised her hand and stood up.

"If I understand what you mean correctly—"

Hermione, gradually settling into her stride, took a deep breath and answered.

"If you mean what category of spells, then it should be Ancient Magic, most of which has now been lost!"

"Could you explain why, Miss Granger?" Amosta asked, watching Hermione with great interest.

"Ancient Magic is renowned for its immense power. In the narrow sense, it refers to spells invented and created by wizards of earlier generations during the long period from the tribal age until eight hundred years ago.

"At that time, people lived in an extremely harsh natural environment. Many dangerous magical creatures that are now extinct were still highly active in that era. To defend themselves against threats from the cruel natural world, the series of spells developed by the highly intelligent ancient wizards mainly pursued destructive power.

"But as Muggle and wizarding civilisation developed and grew, humanity tamed nature, and magic gradually shifted from defending against danger to serving everyday life.

"At the same time, the rapid development of wandlore and its high compatibility with modern magic made spellcasting simpler. This further hastened the abandonment by mainstream wizarding society of Ancient Magic, which was immensely powerful but complex, obscure, and required enormous magical power, until it was eventually lost."

"Excellent, Miss Granger!"

Amosta applauded continuously. "I don't think anyone will object if I award Gryffindor ten points!"

Hermione sat down, her face glowing red, while Ron fixed Professor Breen with a hopeful gaze.

"Professor Breen, do you mean you're going to teach us that mysterious Ancient Magic?"