Upon hearing the order to dismiss, the students almost eagerly rushed out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Vid stayed behind under Michael's gloating glance.
Even if it's extra tutoring, most people wouldn't envy the students who receive special treatment from Professor Moody.
Once everyone had left, Moody spoke to Vid in a somewhat softened tone: "Your spell skills are quite good, but you'll have more opponents in my Defense Against the Dark Arts class... Are you afraid?"
Vid said, "Of course not."
"Good kid." Moody grinned: "Leave an hour each Sunday, I'll show you what those illegal Dark Magic spells look like and how to deal with them."
Vid asked curiously, "You don't plan to teach this in class?"
"In class? For those kids who don't even have the instinct to protect themselves?" Moody snorted and shook his head.
Vid hesitantly said, "Actually... they're not that bad, right?"
He truly thought so, because many had just managed to use the Disarming Spell, and several could cast the Iron Armor Spell.
Vid remembered in the original story, many people only learned these spells in the fifth year with Harry—even senior students like Cho Chang.
"Their spells are stronger than I anticipated, but seeing their eyes, I know these are just a bunch of little wretches pretending to wear adult clothes. Truly throw them onto the battlefield during our times, they wouldn't have lasted two rounds."
Moody said disdainfully, "Have they seen death? Can they suppress their screams when injured and counterattack immediately amidst the pain? Have they experienced the power of Dark Magic and resisted the temptation, not getting curious and addicted?"
Moody propped his cane, hooked a chair over with his bird-like prosthetic leg, sat down, and unconsciously let out a breath.
He slowly said, "Some doors just shouldn't be opened. I've seen many young people unknowingly fall into darkness, and then either become disabled, go crazy, or end up in Azkaban... Taking a swift death would be more blissful."
Vid asked, "Aren't you worried I'll also be tempted?"
Moody glanced at him and said, "I can tell from your eyes, you've seen darkness but absolutely won't enjoy it... I bet you think Voldemort is an idiot?"
Vid smiled but didn't reply.
"Arrogance can be very dangerous." Moody muttered, "But it's better than being both stupid and greedy."
He uncorked a bottle, raised it, and took a big swig.
Vid sniffed, feeling like he caught a whiff of Magic Potion.
He instinctively looked at the top of Moody's head again and felt reassured.
Moody noticed Vid's small action and grinned: "This isn't alcohol... it's the cost, Vid."
"Cost?"
"Some of the damage caused by Dark Magic is incurable, kid. It's not just a scar left on your body."
Moody's facial muscles twitched slightly, and he said gloomily: "The pain is constant, like ants gnawing in your bones, like someone scraping your nerves with a dull blade... Magic Potions help me suppress the pain and stay lucid."
Vid looked at Moody's face covered with scars and hands, and his nose which was missing a big chunk, recalling how this man like an angry lion always seemed to struggle painfully even standing up from a chair.
"Is there no other way?" Vid asked with concern: "Phoenix and unicorn willing to give their tears, or dragon blood..."
Moody laughed and said: "Go home, kid, don't forget to come for class on time."
Evidently, he had tried all sorts of solutions and now held no hope for any cure.
Moreover, as a seasoned Auror, would he have less knowledge than Vid, a student?
Thus, Vid silently exited the classroom.
...
In the afternoon when there were no classes, Vid brought homework and books, and visited the Umbrella House after a long absence.
As soon as he entered, he heard Padma talking to Hermione about today's class experience.
"... Then I used a Trip Jinx, dealt with Pansy and hadn't even had time to catch my breath, when Michael, this despicable guy, ambushed me from behind..."
"Sorry, the spot you were standing was just too convenient." Michael said with a laugh.
Neville said with a pale face: "Does that mean... when we take Defense Against the Dark Arts class, we have to duel like this too?"
"Neville!" Harry placed a hand on Neville's shoulder, saying: "Haven't you gone through mazes many times? How is this different from dealing with maze insects?"
"It's very different, okay?" Theo said speechless beside them: "Insects sometimes chirp before attacking!"
"Are you afraid too, Theo?" Michael raised his voice.
"Michael." Leian suddenly asked: "Why did you only mention the second time? What about your first duel? Why didn't you mention it?"
Michael: "..."
He was secretly gathering his thoughts, pondering how to embellish the truth, and suddenly saw Vid entering the room, immediately jumping up and shouting: "Vid, you ambush!"
"Sorry." Vid smiled and said: "The spot you were standing at that time was just too convenient."
Michael: "..."
Padma "pfft" burst out laughing, followed by everyone laughing aloud.
Writing essays, practicing spells, before realizing it was already dinnertime.
After dinner came the arranged Magic Spell tutorial session.
Anthony moved quickly, during the afternoon he announced on the Friendship Book saying he'd arranged the club classroom; to apply for the classroom, he even named it with a simple "Magic Spell Study Group."
Even though Vid thought the SSC members didn't need to attend this Magic Spell Study Group, as it was the first session, everyone came along to join the fun.
They climbed up to the fifth floor of the main castle, made a few turns, then saw a long corridor lined with doors to classrooms marked with various signs, some under enchanted decorations, others simply bearing names.
Vid saw names like Gobstones Club, Wizard Chess Club, Magic Potion Research Society, Magical Creatures Enthusiasts Group, Magic Spell Innovation Association, and even a sign reading Baking Magic Club, crafted in the shape of a cake, emitting a sweet aroma.
Only upon reaching the very end did he see the name "Magic Spell Association."
A temporarily crafted wooden sign, the ink hadn't fully dried, surrounded with intricate patterns upon close inspection, revealing spiraling silver snakes.
Vid paused slightly, Anthony didn't even have time to write the club's name, yet had the thought to add this little decoration?
This sign... Could it have originally been there, but he just changed its name?
Vid pointed his Magic Wand at the wooden sign, uttering softly: "Trace, reveal!"
Underneath the ink emerged a faint silver glow, gradually forming a string of characters—
[Midnight Society · V].
Vid stared at the final "V," thinking about the vaguely familiar font, his mouth twitched subtly.
This "V," could it be Voldemort's "V"? (Lord Voldemort)
Anthony's request for the club activity room was originally a secret society created by Voldemort during his student years?