Establishing the Club

The Dementor barged into the school without warning, enraging Dumbledore, who couldn't believe such a thing had happened while he was only gone for a day.

Upon receiving this news, Dumbledore immediately dropped everything he was doing and went to the Ministry of Magic to find Fudge.

No one knows what the two talked about in the Minister's Office, but by Monday, most of the Dementor stationed at Hogwarts had been transferred back, leaving only a dozen or so guarding the necessary entrances.

Furthermore, there was no report on this matter in the Daily Prophet, as if nothing had happened.

However, the students at Hogwarts were unaware of this, and no one noticed that the number of Dementor had decreased significantly.

After the weekend, the castle remained bustling and busy; the only change was that Harry's broom was broken.

However, apart from the Gryffindor students, not many people cared about this.

And then there's Kyle... Dragon Scale Badge have become highly sought after again. The stock that Ladon delivered just a few days ago has been completely sold out, and most of the more expensive Dragonfang ornaments have also been sold.

However, these are all minor matters and not worth mentioning.

The first period in the morning is Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Professor Lupin didn't look well; his robe was loose and he had dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for days.

But he still smiled when the students came in.

"Today we're going to learn a very useful little trick: the Search Charm."

Professor Lupin said in a very weak voice, "Using this spell can easily find creatures hiding in the shadows, or magical objects, leaving them nowhere to hide."

If you're in an ancient ruin or a treacherous jungle... knowing what's around you in advance is undoubtedly crucial.

It can help you avoid the Hinkypunk hiding in the water and keep you alert to the Augurey in the treetops.

Now, everyone, take out your wands...

According to the original plan, Professor Lupin was going to teach an outdoor class to the fourth graders. Two weeks ago, he had prepared a large open space at the edge of the Forbidden Forest where the students were to use the Search Charm to find the Bowtruckle and Fairy hidden there.

But plans can't keep up with changes. He certainly doesn't have the energy to take the students outside the castle now, so he can only make do with practicing spells and gestures in the classroom for now.

"Let's talk about it in the next class," Professor Lupin thought to himself.

However, after getting used to Professor Lupin's rich and interesting lectures, simply practicing spells seemed a bit tedious.

Furthermore, the Search Charm differs from other spells; without a target, it's difficult to discern whether your actions are correct.

After about half a class, the students started to get bored, and the chanting and hand gestures gradually became perfunctory.

"Professor..."

Suddenly, someone asked, "Do you know about Dementor?"

Everyone immediately perked up, their eyes fixed intently on Professor Lupin.

This topic is obviously much more interesting than boringly waving a magic wand.

"Of course I know," Professor Lupin said. "Although I wasn't at school last Saturday, I learned what happened from other professors."

Dementor are among the most evil things in the world; they devour every beautiful emotion, every happy memory...

Those who stay with them will soon go mad, until they become like them, soulless and full of evil.

"Why would Dementor go to the arena?" someone asked.

I think it's because they're hungry.

Professor Lupin calmly stated, "The excitement and high spirits surrounding the Quidditch Pitch are undoubtedly a feast for the Dementor."

"Professor, can you teach us how to resist it?" another student asked. "It's that Patronus Charm that can conjure silver creatures."

"That's very difficult; you won't learn it until you're in seventh grade."

Professor Lupin glanced at him and continued, "Besides, Professor Dumbledore has already resolved this matter, so don't worry, those Dementor will definitely not dare to enter the school again."

"But Professor, there are times when the headmaster is away," the man said. "Like last Saturday, if Dementor suddenly break into the castle while the headmaster is away, we need to have some means of self-defense."

"This..." Professor Lupin frowned, "But this is seventh-grade material. Isn't it too early for you to start learning this now?"

"No problem, Professor," Kyle suddenly said. "We can definitely learn this spell, I guarantee it."

"Yes, yes," Mikel quickly replied, "Kyle has already learned it, so we definitely can too."

Professor Lupin opened his mouth, wanting to say that Kyle was just an exception and didn't prove anything, but he swallowed the words back.

"There's not enough time," he said. "To learn the Patronus Charm, in addition to having precise control over magic, you also need a high level of emotional control. It's not something you can learn in half a lesson."

But if it takes too long, it will interfere with your final exams, or even your OWLs in fifth grade. Let's wait until you're in seventh grade."

"But Professor, can you teach us up to seventh grade?" a weak voice came from the corner.

Professor Lupin was embarrassed to discover that he really couldn't, because the employment letter Dumbledore had given him only stipulated a one-year term.

Of course, he wasn't the only one; all previous Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts had taken a year.

According to the professors' gossip, there's a whole stack of these appointment letters in the Headmaster's Office, as many as the freshmen's admission notices. They just grab one and write their name on it when they need it.

I don't know if it's true or not...

Seeing that Professor Lupin remained silent, another round of chatter erupted.

"Professor, I really want to learn this..."

"We promise to study hard..."

"Even if it means we have to do two rolls of parchment for homework in the future... umm..." Before he could finish speaking, someone next to him covered his mouth.

This really won't work.

"If you're worried about not having enough time..." Kyle continued, "You could do what the other professors do and start your own club."

"A club?" Professor Lupin lowered his head, considering the feasibility of the proposal.

"Yes," Kyle said, "After what happened last Saturday, I'm sure many students in other grades want to learn the Patronus Charm ..."

"It's always a good thing to learn another spell. As long as we gather everyone who wants to learn this spell together in the name of the club, you only need to spare two hours each week."

Professor Lupin pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.

"The club is indeed a good idea, and it won't interfere with your regular study time... but wouldn't it be a bit too many people for all seven grades to participate together?"

He frowned slightly and said, "Besides, Hogwarts probably doesn't have classrooms that big."

"Of course there is, isn't the Great Hall?" Kyle laughed. "You probably don't know this, but last year, Professor Lockhart applied to the principal to establish Duelling Club in the Great Hall, and almost all the students participated."

They're both Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts; if he can do it, then you certainly can too.