New Semester

The two old men exchanged a smile. "It seems our little genius has run into some trouble."

Bing Huan cast the Patronus Charm in front of them.

"Expecto Patronum."

A small silver light shone from his wand. "Professor Lupin said I was halfway there, but I still feel like something's not right."

Dumbledore chuckled. "He didn't lie to you, child. You are indeed halfway there."

"Expecto Patronum" x2 (As there's no authoritative information, Grindelwald's Patronus has been set as a phoenix.)

Instantly, two Patronuses flew around the room, looking like silvery-white Fawkes. "Most people's Patronuses are ordinary animals, like cats, wolves, or dogs. A few, like me and Gell, are special creatures. And for these special Patronuses, especially unprecedented ones, they are much harder to form than others."

"Is it like a mythical beast's egg needing a longer incubation period?"

"Precisely."

"So when will it be ready?" Bing Huan scratched his head, feeling a bit annoyed. The silver light on his wand disappeared. "If I encounter a Dementor again..."

"Calm down," Grindelwald said, standing up and patting Bing Huan's shoulder. "Professor Lupin must have told you that the Patronus Charm is closely related to your emotions."

"Think of your loved ones, happy memories, child. It will appear when you truly need it."

Bing Huan stared at his wand, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Almost forgot, just about the Sirius Black incident, I was a bit curious. Can you tell me the details?"

"Apologies, child. Gell was self-exiled at the time, and I was held up by a group of Death Eaters. I couldn't get there immediately. I know it was similar to what you experienced."

"What was Sirius like during his school years?"

Dumbledore recalled. "He was quite a mischievous child, I believe. Back then, he, Lupin, and James gave Professor McGonagall quite a headache. However, I wasn't teaching that year, so I don't know much. You could ask Professor McGonagall if you have the chance."

"That sounds good," Bing Huan nodded. "Wait, the James you mentioned just now is?"

"Harry's biological father."

"And Lupin is the one who came with us today?"

"Yes."

The next day, the new semester's classes were about to begin.

"Hey! Potter!" A Slytherin girl who looked like a pug called out to Harry. Her name was Pansy Parkinson. She and a few followers pulled up the hoods on their robes. "Potter, Dementors are here, Potter, woo woo woo."

The group ignored them and sat down in the Gryffindor seats. George, sitting next to them, handed over a new timetable. "What's wrong, Harry? You seem a bit down this morning."

"It's those Slytherins," Ron said, still a little angry.

"That little glutton," George sneered. "She was in the compartment next to mine yesterday, and she screamed the loudest when the Dementors came."

"Not only that," Fred whispered, leaning in. "I vaguely remember her wearing a red dress when boarding the train, but it turned green when she got off."

George took a big bite of his bread. "But those monsters are truly terrifying."

Fred sighed. "Yeah, they're like our natural enemies."

George patted Harry's shoulder. "Alright, Harry, cheer up. I have good news: our first match this year is against Slytherin. We'll crush them then."

"Hey, hey, I can't just pretend I didn't hear that," Draco retorted irritably.

Fred said, "Alright, Malfoy, I'll grudgingly acknowledge your skill."

George added, "But Quidditch is a team sport."

"You're not planning to take us all on by yourself, are you?" x2

"Bloody Hell!" Ron looked at his and Bing Huan's slightly different timetables. "You're going to fly!"

Bing Huan shrugged. "Don't look at me, I'm just a follower."

"But can you tell me how the two of you plan to attend three classes at 9 AM simultaneously?"

"Don't worry, we've already discussed it with Professor McGonagall," Hermione said nonchalantly, taking a jar of marmalade.

The first class was Divination on the top floor, taught by the same professor who had predicted Harry's defeat of Voldemort, Professor Trelawney.

The professor's teaching style was quite novel, a bit like a charlatan. She didn't focus much on textbook content, preferring to guide students to expand their thinking.

She also had students pair up to look at the patterns in each other's teacups to predict their fortunes for the coming period.

The professor also helped students who couldn't see their future analyze their cups. However, most of them seemed to foretell unfortunate events. When it came to Harry, Professor Trelawney's eyes suddenly widened. "Ominous, dear, ominous!"

From the professor's perspective, the pattern in Harry's teacup was a large black dog, which the book clearly stated was the most sinister omen, an omen of death.

Hermione, who was always practical, clearly didn't appreciate this teaching method. After class, she told Harry and Ron not to take it to heart and even took them to Professor McGonagall's office to inquire.

Upon hearing it was about Divination, Professor McGonagall asked directly, "Let me guess, who did Professor Trelawney say is going to die this time?"

Every year, one lucky student is chosen. It's a shame that Death doesn't seem interested in the professor's nominations; everyone lives to tell the tale. In my opinion, Potter, you are in very good health, so I can't excuse you from your homework today. But rest assured, if you truly die, you won't have to hand it in."

To put the students at ease, Professor McGonagall made a rare joke.

Harry relaxed considerably, but Ron still looked worried; he was genuinely concerned about the dark omen. In the afternoon, during Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid brought in a fierce Hippogriff—Buckbeak.

"Alright, class, let's open the Monster Book of Monsters."

"But how do we open it?" Malfoy asked helplessly, picking up the book bound with ropes.

"Ah, you don't know?"

"Looks like you forgot to mention the instruction manual on the book list, Hagrid," Bing Huan said, flipping through the Yaoguai book and reminding Hagrid to teach everyone.

"Eh, you opened it. Looks like you two are getting along well," Hagrid said, a little surprised.

"Unfortunately, no. I'm just suppressing him with force." He also showed Hagrid the slightly bulging veins on his arm.

"Everyone, just pet them, and they'll behave."

Although Hagrid's first class had a few minor incidents, it ended safely. Harry and Draco even got to experience flying around on Buckbeak's back.

Today was the first Dark Arts Defense class of the semester. Professor Lupin led the students to a classroom. There were no desks or chairs in the room, only an old wardrobe.

The professor patted the wardrobe, and it immediately began to shake. "Don't be nervous. Inside is a Boggart we just caught. I think it's perfect for you to practice with.

Now, who can tell me what a Boggart is?"

The one to raise his hand was, as usual, Gryffindor's top scorer.

Hermione, shaking off the dullness from Divination class, confidently replied, "A Boggart is a special shapeshifting creature that usually transforms into whatever we fear the most."

"A perfect answer. Just as Miss Granger said. A Boggart transforms into what we fear the most, but right now we have a significant advantage over it. Does anyone know what it is?"

"Because there are many of us, and we all fear different things, it doesn't know what to turn into?" Harry ventured tentatively.

"Exactly!"