The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom underwent a huge transformation, with thick cushions everywhere on the ground, and the miscellaneous items by the walls moved away, leaving only a shelf filled with bandages and potions.
"I heard... Madam Pomfrey insisted on adding these after protesting heavily."
Daphne reached out to touch the thick cushion, feeling a sense of relief.
"You've all seen Potter's nose, right? I definitely don't want to end up like Professor Dumbledore in the future, with a crooked nose."
"I heard that Potter challenged the professor many times before he got beaten up so badly." Theodore Nott said, "If you surrender in time, at most you suffer minor injuries."
Malfoy's pale face slightly improved, but he still showed an expression of dissatisfaction.
Everyone comforted each other and finally regained a bit of confidence. Some students even scoped out nearby cushions in advance to avoid hitting the floor when the time came.
Suddenly, the large door opened with a "bang" and the new professor walked in briskly.
She walked all the way to the front, waved her magic wand forcefully, and all the cushions suddenly flew up. The students hurriedly moved aside, then watched the cushions fall and pile up against the walls.
Professor Abigail turned to look at everyone, with no trace of a smile on her face.
"Madam Pomfrey believes you need these things to avoid getting hurt. But in my class, only cowards and weaklings can apply for a bed."
"Does anyone need one? Raise your hand!"
No one wanted to admit they were cowards and weaklings. Even if some were shaking with fear, they stubbornly refused to raise their hands.
After waiting for a while, Professor Abigail tapped her palm with the magic wand and said, "Good, you finally showed a bit of courage."
Someone slightly puffed out their chest.
"I come from Ilvermorny in the United States and have also been to Uagadou School of Magic in Africa. Many people say Hogwarts is the best, so I took the initiative to find Dumbledore and applied to be your substitute teacher."
She scrutinized the crowd and said, "But after coming here, I am disappointed! Most of you are weak—"
She looked at the pale-skinned Daphne.
"Timid—"
Her sharp gaze lingered on Lisa's face.
"Clumsy—"
Goyle and Crabbe stupidly stared at the new professor.
"Hypocritical—"
Draco's face turned red.
"Using spells haphazardly, unfamiliar with your magic wand like it's a dog raised in a neighboring town..."
Professor Abigail sneered, "Honestly, are you truly wizards, or a bunch of baboons holding magic wands?"
She casually stopped in front of Anthony, tilted her head, and asked, "Do you think you're a wizard?"
Anthony's eyes burned with anger, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Of course I am!"
"What's your name?" Professor Abigail asked.
"Anthony Goldstein!" Anthony said loudly.
"Alright, Goldstein." Professor Abigail motioned with her hand, "Then take out your magic wand and show me what you can do!"
After a pause, she added, "If you're scared, surrender directly and go over there to find a cushion to sleep on."
Anthony pressed his lips tightly together, drew his magic wand, and walked to the front. The surrounding students gave them some space.
"Expelli—"
As the boy's magic wand was raised halfway, he was sent flying with a "whoosh" sound.
"Too slow!" Abigail said disdainfully, "Will the enemy wait for you to be ready?"
She randomly pointed at a student, "What's your name?"
Michael took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said, "Michael Corner."
Ten seconds later, Michael followed Anthony's footsteps.
"Continue," Abigail said lazily.
Students went up one by one and flew out in various peculiar poses, most of them unable to even complete their spells. Because of Abigail's previous words, they gritted their teeth, refusing to surrender even when they couldn't speak.
Some students lost their magic wands, which flew away, and the new professor mocked them fiercely, saying if it was a real battle, they would've been killed by the enemy.
"But I don't want to be an Auror in the future—"
Blaise Zabini muttered, clearly feeling that the professor's constant talk of combat was a bit out of place.
"Do you know?" Professor Abigail pressed down his head, saying with a cold smile, "Most of those killed by Dark Wizards are ordinary, unremarkable wizards like you."
Seeing those dark green, beast-like eyes up close, Zabini was momentarily stunned into silence.
Professor Abigail released him, raised her voice, and said, "Next!"
Vid stepped forward.
At this moment, he was the only student in the classroom who hadn't been called upon. Others, like Malfoy, had already been hit by spells at least two or three times.
Seeing him, Professor Abigail showed a slight smile and asked, "What's your name?"
"Vid Gray."
"Oh... you invented the Friendship Book." Professor Abigail's eyes also showed a smile, "I like your eyes—are you ready?"
Vid didn't waste words, immediately casting a Disarming Spell while dodging to the side—
He had seen many times that this professor disregarded any dueling etiquette, often using words to distract opponents, then unexpectedly knocking them down.
Even when facing second-year students whose Magic Ability was far inferior to hers, she showed no mercy, even resorting to sneak attacks and tricks.
When confronted by students' accusations, she wasn't embarrassed, instead saying—that's how real duels are! Gentlemen are dead; survival requires any means necessary!
Sure enough, just as Vid dodged, a red beam of light swept past the spot where he had just stood and hit Goyle nearby.
The boy, who was clutching his forehead and sitting on the ground, suddenly widened his eyes, then fainted without a sound.
Professor Abigail wasn't hit by the Disarming Spell either. She widened her eyes in surprise and said, "Are you kidding me? A Nonverbal Spell? Or did you secretly chant it?"
Vid, of course, didn't answer. He used an Iron Armor Spell to block an incoming beam and then cast a Stunning Spell, watching as it was also deflected by the invisible armor.
With a "thud," a pit the size of an eye appeared on the wall.
At the same time, another deflected spell hit Pansy, and the girl fell back onto Malfoy, as students fled with their heads in their hands.
The two in the center of the classroom continuously attacked each other, with spell lights flying in all directions, none of them knowing which way the spells might be deflected, leaving the other students unable to dodge.
For the third time, Terry was hit by the Disarming Spell, scrambling to pick up his Magic Wand, and shouted in despair, "Clearly, they're the ones fighting, so why are we the unlucky ones?"
"Run!"
Someone shouted, and the students were liberated, with those nearest the door pulling it open. However, they were immediately hit by a Leg-Locker Curse, falling with a crash.
Malfoy pushed him aside, dragging Pansy as he rushed out first. The entire classroom of students followed in escape, except for the few who fainted, leaving Vid and the new professor alone in the blink of an eye.
"Nice spell usage... But I've heard your previous two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors weren't great?"
Professor Abigail didn't seem to mind the fleeing students, circling to find an opportunity to attack, while questioning.
"I have a serious and responsible private tutor," Vid said.
"If given the chance, I would like to meet them."
As Professor Abigail spoke, she quickly flicked her Magic Wand. Vid immediately blocked the incoming spell but suddenly stumbled.
Goyle's arm became an unexpected obstacle, causing Vid to stagger and, before he could steady himself, he felt as though he'd been struck by an iron hammer in the abdomen and was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the floor.
"An instant of carelessness in a duel can be fatal," Professor Abigail said with a smile, "Looks like your private tutor forgot to teach you to be aware of your surroundings in a fight."
"Same to you!" Vid said painfully.
A willow branch, which had grown at some unknown time, swayed slightly and suddenly whipped out, causing the professor raising her Magic Wand to fall forward, rolling twice on the ground before stopping.
"Good kid!"
Professor Abigail knelt on one knee, throwing another spell in a stylish pose, but her ear was suddenly hit by a loud roar—
"Stop it!"
She looked up to see Madam Pomfrey standing in the open doorway, breathing heavily with anger, her wand hand trembling slightly.
Her fury seemed tangible, causing the rebellious smile of Professor Abigail to involuntarily turn her gaze away.
Several students peeked from behind the school nurse, nervously yet excitedly watching the scene inside the classroom.
Soon after, the angry roar boomed out!