On the first day of the Christmas break, Tver rose early as usual. He skillfully poured himself a cup of Pumpkin juice while gathering the precious papers scattered across the floor. Only then did he leisurely glance out the window.
It was a clear winter day. The heavy snowfall that had lasted all night had ceased, but its task was successfully accomplished—Hogwarts was now blanketed in a thick layer of snow.
This year, more students chose to stay at school for the Christmas break, significantly more than last year. Tver was no exception. Given Lupin's condition, the next full moon was just two days away. To research the new generation of werewolf bracelets, he decided not to go home for now.
Yes, just temporarily. He dared not skip family gatherings during holidays like Christmas, especially now that he'd been reappointed Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Otherwise, Brenda would definitely send him a Howler...
Before long, several young wizards had taken over the empty snowy field—a rare sight—and started a snowball fight. Of course, they were using wands to control the snowballs. This game was simple enough for first-years to manage, so Tver had naturally promoted it throughout the school. Demonstrations, of course, were essential.
Recalling how disheveled the students had looked during their snowball fight before the holidays, Tver couldn't help but laugh aloud. Even if the entire class attacked together, he could easily bury them under a deluge of snowballs!
The reason he had free time for games was that this year's course load was unexpectedly light. Though Lupin would vanish for periods now and then, even so, he still handled more teaching duties than his two predecessors combined. And when Lupin took a break, there was always Snape!
Though the students clamored for Professor Fawley to take over, it was clear Tver wouldn't grant them that wish! This meant Snape, despite meticulously preparing lessons for the students, had to endure their veiled accusations—they believed Snape had forcibly snatched the teaching duties, leaving Professor Fawley no chance to substitute for Lupin.
So now, Tver only needed to choose between Duelling Theory and Practical Duelling each day, then leisurely guide the students. The rest, Lupin would reluctantly but flawlessly cover for him. As for the Duelling Tournament—that was a distant prospect, scheduled for the second half of the year!
For a time, the students felt a complex mix of love and hate toward Professor Fawley. The love, of course, stemmed from his consistently high-caliber duelling instruction. Even during squad-based combat drills, the professor offered personalized, expert feedback to each student.
This included pinpointing their strengths and weaknesses, along with tailored training methods. Progress earned not only the professor's praise but also access to more advanced instruction!
After months of practice, they clearly felt their abilities improving. Where they once trembled casting spells, now they engaged in fierce, back-and-forth magical duels! Thus, the simplest way to resolve disputes in the castle became a duel on the dueling grounds!
There, protective enchantments cast by Professor Fawley ensured that the grounds remained intact—at least beyond the students' destructive capabilities. This meant that whenever Malfoy tried to taunt Harry, the frustrated wizard would angrily counter with a duel.
One-on-one, Malfoy wasn't afraid—he'd even welcome such a challenge. But to maintain relative team balance, the dueling grounds' rules always required matches to be fought in teams.
So, glancing at Ron and Hermione behind Harry, then at Goyle and Crabbe behind himself, he regretted his arrogance for what felt like the hundredth time—he'd thought that since he aimed to be as powerful as the professor, he could defeat any opponent even with two deadweights in tow.
But these deadweights were truly dragging him down! Yet abandoning them? The pureblood pride within Malfoy's heart wouldn't allow it. Thus, Malfoy had no choice but to shift his strategy, settling instead for glaring at Harry with resentment.
The moment Harry returned the glare, he'd swiftly avert his eyes, feigning innocence. Regardless, the students' combative nature stemmed partly from their rising abilities—they craved the chance to show off before their peers.
Moreover, such high-quality instruction left even Professor Flitwick sighing in admiration upon learning of it:
"Why didn't I have such an excellent teacher back in my day?"
If Professor Flitwick could achieve such formidable strength without such a teacher, then with the professor's guidance now, wouldn't they surpass even Professor Flitwick himself?
This thought sent the students' already high spirits soaring even higher.
As for questions of talent or effort? Those were naturally not considered by the students.
But Professor Fawley wasn't always conducting dueling lessons!
Whenever he deemed it necessary, he would postpone the dueling session and replace it with a tedious theory class!
Theoretical sessions that could last two entire class periods!
Thus, students in third year and above now experienced a thrill akin to opening a blind box during lessons.
Before each class began, they had no idea what the professor would teach them that day.
If it was a theory session, even while in the dueling grounds, they had to sit at tables and chairs conjured by the professor and listen obediently!
Fortunately, the professor's magic kept the snowstorm and biting cold outside at bay. Otherwise, combined with their bleak spirits, half the students might have fallen ill before Christmas.
Were it not for the professor's strict prohibition, the Weasley twins could have earned more Galleons through their bets on theory and practical lessons than their family vault held!
Thus, the students' admiration for Professor Lupin skyrocketed.
Now, not only did no one in the school look down on his tattered robes, but if anyone dared mock Professor Lupin, Harry would be the first to glare them down.
Of course, that was only because the mocker was Malfoy…
Tver, naturally, was delighted by this turn of events.
This year's research was far more complex. Soul-alteration alone had deepened the dark circles under his eyes, let alone the elusive Limbo he still couldn't fathom.
Beyond that, there was the external mask business, Cynthia and Marvolio's Ministry of Magic maneuvers, and Lucius's courting of other pure-blood families.
Fortunately, everything was progressing at an ideal pace.
At least much better than he had planned.
In a cheerful mood, Tver downed the last of the Pumpkin juice in his office.
Actually, this was the very last cup…
Shaking the empty bottle, he decided to make a trip to the kitchen before breakfast.
After all, breakfast could wait, but Pumpkin juice was non-negotiable!
...
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