Defense Against the Dark Arts Must Be Defended

At lunchtime, the Hufflepuff first-years were visibly excited. That afternoon, they would be attending the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the most novel subject at school these past few days.

Roy's mind was filled with the story Professor Binns had just told about the fifth-year God of War, and he seemed rather distracted during lunch.

Roy kept replaying the details of the story in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more inconsistencies he found.

Even Professor Binns's reaction had been strange. Why had he acted as though he had crashed whenever the student's specific details came up?

If he wanted answers, the only person he could rely on was Dumbledore. Roy planned to visit the Headmaster's Office on the Seventh Floor after Defense Against the Dark Arts ended that day.

Before that, though, he still had to finish the day's final class. Standing outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Roy was curious as well. Just how novel was Professor Thorn's class, if every student called him a good teacher?

The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom on the third floor appeared to have undergone major changes. The dozens of desks that had originally filled it had all been removed, making the room feel especially spacious.

Many training dummies and mats had been placed along both sides of the classroom, though they were not meant for this lesson.

Hufflepuff was still taking the class together with Slytherin. By the time Roy arrived, many students were already standing inside.

Forty-something Elias Thorn stood in the middle of the classroom, with long gray-black hair and a face full of stubble. Compared with his travel-worn appearance at the opening feast, Professor Thorn had dressed up properly today. He wore a gray-white wool sweater that showed off his well-built muscles, making him look like a refined and handsome middle-aged man.

Many of the young wizards and witches who had already arrived had formed a circle around Professor Thorn, chattering as they asked the charismatic professor all sorts of questions.

Faced with so many enthusiastic students, Professor Thorn merely wore a kindly smile and patiently chatted with them about various topics.

At the moment, Professor Thorn was recounting his experiences studying at Ilvermorny in America and how he had become an Auror after graduation. Roy listened with great interest from the side.

"Alright, students, it's time for class."

Seeing that it was about time, Professor Thorn squeezed out of the crowd of students and made his way to the lectern at the front of the classroom.

"I suppose I should introduce myself first."

Thorn cleared his throat, swept his gaze over the students standing in two rows below, and tapped the blackboard with his wand.

The name Elias appeared on the blackboard in ornate script. Thorn gracefully gave a slight bow to the students.

"I am Elias Thorn, a senior operative of the American Ministry of Magic Auror Office. At the request of the British Ministry of Magic, I will be teaching you courses related to Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."

Loud applause rang out across the classroom. With a confident smile, Thorn began introducing the course content.

"I'm sure you've all heard certain things about my classes. That's right—during my lessons, practical combat will always come first. Yesterday, I briefly assessed the Defense Against the Dark Arts proficiency of our upper-year students, and the results were very disappointing. Many of them could not even cast the most basic defensive spells properly."

As he spoke, Thorn gave a slight shake of his head, his expression stern.

"Think about it. If students like that encounter danger after graduation, how can they protect themselves? During my years as an Auror, I have seen countless tragedies caused by people whose skills were inadequate. So, for everyone's safety, this year's classes will focus heavily on practical combat."

After saying that, Thorn yanked away the red cloth covering something beside the lectern, revealing the main subject of the lesson.

"Can anyone tell me what this is?"

Many young wizards and witches raised their hands. After looking around, Thorn finally picked a Hufflepuff girl in the front row.

"That's a Hinkypunk, Professor."

"Very good. Two points to Hufflepuff. Now, who can introduce this creature's habits?"

Professor Thorn smiled at the student who had answered, then continued questioning the class.

Far fewer hands went up this time. In the end, Cedric answered the question, reciting word for word what the textbook said about this one-legged Dark creature that loved deceiving humans.

Professor Thorn was very pleased and awarded Hufflepuff three points. Then he continued from where Cedric had left off.

"The textbook classifies Hinkypunks as XX-level magical creatures, so you may not think much of them. But I'll tell you this: during my Auror career, I truly encountered wizards who had been tricked into swamps by Hinkypunks and trapped there until they died."

After warning the students, Thorn began explaining how to deal with such a weak creature. It was simple: the most basic Knockback Jinx could subdue one.

Thorn asked which students knew the Knockback Jinx. Only a few Slytherin students raised their hands, while on the Hufflepuff side, only Roy and Cedric did.

Faced with that result, Thorn decided to call up a student who knew the spell to demonstrate.

"Miss Grindelhill, would you come up and give us a demonstration?"

Thorn looked around before finally choosing Aisling, who stood at the very front of the Slytherin group.

Aisling did not refuse. Maintaining her elegant bearing, she walked to the front of the classroom.

"Since a single Hinkypunk cannot withstand too many Knockback Jinxes, we'll first practice with one another in today's lesson."

Thorn gestured for Aisling to cast the Knockback Jinx on him. Aisling drew her wand, took a stance, and cast a flawless Knockback Jinx at Thorn.

A red beam shot from the tip of Aisling's wand and flew rapidly toward Thorn. The spell's quality exceeded Thorn's expectations, forcing him to draw his wand in response.

With a flick of his wand, an invisible wall blocked Aisling's Knockback Jinx, though the remaining force still pushed Thorn back two steps.

Is this a child of the Grindelwald family? Her strength really is extraordinary.

Thorn grumbled inwardly, but he still wore an easy smile as he praised Aisling's spellwork.

"Excellent. Five points to Slytherin. Miss Grindelhill has demonstrated skill far beyond her age. Let's give her a round of applause."

Warm applause erupted throughout the class, with the Slytherin students clapping especially enthusiastically.

"Who else would like to try?"

Thorn looked toward the Hufflepuff students. Only Cedric and Roy had raised their hands earlier. After thinking for a moment, Thorn chose Roy to come up and demonstrate.

Roy looked excited when his name was called. He high-fived Cedric beside him and eagerly ran to the front of the classroom while the Hufflepuff students kept cheering him on.

"Stay sharp, Roy! Don't lose us points! Show them what Hufflepuff can do!"

As Aisling returned to her group, she saw Roy coming up and gave a displeased snort loud enough for the entire class to hear.

By now, most people knew that Roy and Aisling had some sort of conflict, though only a few knew exactly what it was.

The Slytherin students began jeering. Roy did not even know how he had offended them.

Thorn watched it all with a meaningful smile on his face.

"Interesting..."

Roy ignored the people below and asked Professor Thorn somewhat nervously.

"Can we begin?"

"Please."

Thorn took out his wand and prepared himself.

Roy chose his dogwood wand, gripping it in his hand. He assumed a slightly unstandard stance, stepped forward with his left foot, and pointed his wand ahead.

"Holy shit!"

A green spell as thick as the mouth of a cup, wreathed in white mist, shot toward Thorn at tremendous speed. It was so fast that Thorn nearly failed to react in time.

Its power and speed both far surpassed ordinary spells. Thorn hurriedly gathered all his strength and cast the Shield Charm.

The spell slammed fiercely into the Shield Charm, sending out a powerful shockwave. The enormous impact sent Thorn flying backward, and he did not stop until his back crashed into the classroom wall.

The entire class fell deathly silent. Then, suddenly, some young wizard or witch shouted from the crowd.

"Oh no, Roy killed the teacher!"