As Lupin slowly told his story, the students below seemed to see something of themselves in it.
"Finally, let me leave you with something I learned in the Shrieking Shack: 'The moon will eventually be full, but what frightens us has never been the moonlight. It is not daring to turn around and see the Patronus behind us.'
May your hearts always shine as brightly as the fires of Hogwarts, warming yourselves and lighting the footsteps of those wandering in the shadows.
Now, if you wish, you can come to me with your troubles-but fair warning, there is only one Chocolate Frog left tonight, and its wrapper happens to feature a Merlin who tells corny jokes."
"That concludes the first half of today's lecture. Thank you all for staying with me through it, even knowing that I am a werewolf.
Next, everyone will have a twenty-minute break. I hope to see you all here for the second half. Oh, and a reminder—tonight is the Night of the Full Moon!"
With that, Lupin looked as though he had just pulled off a prank, smiling merrily at the murmuring crowd below.
"Oh my goodness, tonight is the Night of the Full Moon."
"Remember the chapter describing werewolves? Aren't they supposed to be agitated and restless around the full moon? Look at the professor..."
"Could he be making up stories for us?"
"Which do you think is more likely: Harry getting a zero on an exam, or the professor being a werewolf?"
"Professor, wait for us! We're just going to the toilet. We'll be right back!"
"Professor, don't go anywhere! We don't need twenty minutes. Keep going with your lecture!"
Most of them stayed where they were. Only a few students hurried toward the toilets at the Quidditch pitch.
A Daily Prophet reporter