Voldemort Could Never Have Cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts Class

"What a surprise. I thought you wouldn't sign it." Andy casually remarked as they walked toward the Great Hall.

"I did hesitate..."

Hermione said somewhat conflictedly, "Professor Quirrell might have some difficulties. Maybe he really was attacked by vampires..."

At that, Hermione paused before continuing, "But he really isn't suited to being a professor. I hope he can find a new job!"

As they spoke, the two arrived at the Great Hall.

The moment he entered, Andy noticed that some of the Little Wizards were acting all mysterious, as if they were saying, "I know a secret, but I can't tell you."

The others were asking around everywhere. They desperately wanted to know what had happened at Hogwarts and why they were the only ones who did not know.

Had Harry Potter lost more points again? Or was Dumbledore getting married?

Even if they could not say it, they could at least give them a hint!

Andy and Hermione had barely sat down at the Ravenclaw table when Anthony immediately leaned over.

He gestured to Andy with his eyes and whispered, "Andy, do you know about that?"

"The signatures?" Andy raised an eyebrow.

Anthony's face lit up. "What do you think? I mean, do you support it?"

"Of course!"

Andy looked as though it went without saying. "We can't joke around with our own future, can we?"

Anthony nodded in agreement. "Defense Against the Dark Arts Class should have taught us how to protect ourselves, but Professor Quirrell is completely unqualified."

"And I heard..."

Anthony beckoned for Andy and Hermione to lean closer, then said mysteriously, "I heard from older students that Defense Against the Dark Arts Class was cursed by the Mysterious Man. No professor can hold the position for more than a year."

That was a thing too? So Dumbledore had actually been brushing Hermione off?

Hermione clearly did not believe it and immediately pointed out the flaw. "Why would the Mysterious Man curse Defense Against the Dark Arts Class? He's so powerful that there's no reason for him to have a grudge against a single class, right?"

That did seem to make some sense. Andy nodded.

"The Mysterious Man is the Dark Lord, and Dark Arts Defence is specifically meant to deal with him." Anthony gave his reasoning.

That reason... how should he put it... anyone who believed that was an idiot. "I also think that's impossible."

Andy said, "If the Mysterious Man really had that kind of ability, why wouldn't he curse the Hogwarts Headmaster?"

"Maybe because the Hogwarts Headmaster is Dumbledore. He's the only wizard the Mysterious Man fears," Anthony said.

Too lazy to argue about it, Andy picked up his fork and speared a pie.

At the entrance to the Great Hall, Ron and Harry appeared sneakily.

The two stood at the door and looked around for a while. Only after seeing that no one was paying attention did they stoop low and slip into the Great Hall.

"Where did George and Fred go? They didn't even bring us anything to eat at noon."

Ron complained bitterly, "I'm starving to death."

Harry did not speak. He planned to wait for the right moment, grab some food, and run straight back out of the Great Hall before hurrying back to the dormitory.

If possible, he did not want to see anyone for the next few days.

"Hey, Harry!"

Ron suddenly said with delight, "I've got an idea. We can eat at the Ravenclaw table. Maybe no one will notice us."

Harry froze for a moment. That could work.

Ron grabbed Harry. "I saw Andy. Let's go over."

When Andy saw Ron and Harry appear, he was a little confused. "Why did you come over to the Ravenclaw side?"

As he spoke, Andy shifted over to make room for them.

"Thanks!" Harry said gratefully.

Ron wore a bitter expression. "Don't mention it. We got played! Andy, you have to help us."

Andy had just been about to ask how he was supposed to help when Ron continued, "We're starving. George and Fred only brought us breakfast—can we have something to eat here?"

That was it?

Fine, he had overestimated them.

"Of course!"

Andy nodded, then asked curiously, "That thing—why did you suddenly sneak out for a midnight stroll?"

Hermione, who was sitting on Andy's other side, perked up her ears as well.

Gossip was human nature, and the Little Witch was no exception.

"We got played!"

Ron said indignantly, "Malfoy asked us to duel in the Trophy Room at night, but not only did he not show up, he even notified Filch."

Andy: "..."

Hermione said sternly, "How could you duel in private? If the professors find out, you'll be expelled from Hogwarts!"

"Shh!"

Andy held a finger to his lips, then explained to Hermione, "This was something they couldn't refuse. Even if they got expelled, they couldn't run away from it."

Hermione glared at Andy, clearly unhappy with what he had said.

"This concerns a man's dignity. Hermione, you must have things you care about too, right?" Andy asked.

Hermione thought carefully, then nodded slightly. Of course she had things she cared about.

Thinking of it that way, she could sort of understand.

Even if it was childish.

Ron said indignantly, "Andy's right. This was a duel over our dignity. We absolutely couldn't run from it!"

Harry nodded in agreement as well. That explanation made him feel a little better.

Heaven knew how desperate he had felt when Professor McGonagall deducted a hundred points from them.

Still, losing points was at least better than being expelled.

Harry could not imagine what it would be like to be expelled from Hogwarts.

Although he had been at Hogwarts for less than a week, he knew—he belonged here.

Andy slapped his forehead. These two idiots—he had hinted so clearly, yet they still did not get it.

"But Malfoy ran from the duel!" Andy said meaningfully.

Hermione shot Andy a strange look. Why was this guy so devious? He had only helped Malfoy come up with a plan against Professor Quirrell that morning, yet by evening he was helping Ron and Harry plot against Malfoy?

Even flip-flopping did not happen that fast. "Malfoy is a coward!" Ron said disdainfully.

Uh... fine, whatever they wanted.

Andy spread his hands. If he meddled in this again, he was a dog.

Besides, with Harry and Ron's intelligence, they probably were not suited for carrying out any plan.

"My dear Little Ronny, how did you end up here?" George and Fred had somehow slipped over as well.

"If you call me that again, I'll kill you!"

"Where did you two go?"

Ron complained, "Harry and I waited for you all noon. We were practically starving."

George threw an arm around Ron's shoulders. "You had to face this sooner or later."

Fred picked up the thread. "And it's not that big a deal."

George continued, "At most, you'll break a Hogwarts record—losing a hundred points less than a week after starting school."