Rain poured from the heavens in an unbroken torrent. Wind howled outside the windows, and flashes of silver occasionally tore across the gray sky.
The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom was warm. The students chattered about what interesting things Professor Lupin might teach them today. Lupin was clearly popular, but they were in for a disappointment.
Will sat by the window. He liked weather like this. Attending class with friends in a warm Castle classroom while rain battered the windows was a pleasure—
Bang!
The window slammed shut, ruining Will's good mood.
Snape, with his ever-present black robe and black hair, swept into the classroom like a storm cloud. The chatter died instantly, leaving the room so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
His black robe billowed behind him as he strode quickly and lightly across the room, its flapping audible to everyone. He flicked his Wand.
Bang, bang, bang! Every window slammed shut, plunging the classroom into gloom. Snape reached the front, pulled down a white screen, then went behind it to start an old-fashioned projector—though in 1993, it still seemed quite advanced. Some of the young Wizards eyed the device with curiosity.
Snape was the only person who could lecture in a long robe while using PowerPoint.
Before he could begin, a young Wizard rushed in, panting. "Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin, I—"
It was Harry. He had been discussing tactics with Wood, the Quidditch team captain. Wood was always doing that, cornering his players between classes to talk strategy. Lately, it had made the Gryffindor team members late all the time.
Snape fixed Harry with a stare. "Class began several minutes ago, Potter. Three points from Gryffindor. Sit down!"
Harry stared back. "Where's Professor Lupin?"
He remembered how unwell Lupin had looked these past