Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Defense Against the Dark Arts
Having gotten nothing out of Snape, Eda had no choice but to leave, followed by a little "tail." As Eda's figure disappeared, Snape left the underground classroom and headed toward the seventh floor of the castle, thinking it was time for a serious talk with Dumbledore.
Eda walked ahead, with the house-elf Winnie following respectfully behind.
"Winnie, how long have you been at Hogwarts?" Eda turned around to chat with the house-elf Winnie.
Winnie lifted her head, her large, tennis-ball-sized eyes blinking. She replied, "Miss, Winnie has been at Hogwarts since birth, for eleven years now."
"Then tell me, has Professor Snape always been like this?"
"Miss, Winnie is useless; Winnie doesn't know about Mr. Snape's situation. Winnie only handles cleaning duties at the school," the house-elf Winnie replied self-reproachfully, her large head drooping, as if she might start crying at any moment.
"It's not your fault. Snape really is hard to understand. If he were like Hagrid, he'd just give me a straight answer, and I wouldn't have to guess," Eda said.
"Hagrid always leaves the castle in a mess..."
Eda also thought of Hagrid's usual demeanor. It was perfectly understandable that the house-elves didn't like him. However, Snape's greasy long hair might also be something that bothered the elves.
Upon entering the common room, the house-elf Winnie handed Eda a tray filled with food and a jug of juice. After bowing to Eda, she left.
On Saturday, Gryffindor's Quidditch match began. Gryffindor students gathered together, holding various banners and making loud noises to cheer for their team.
Eda and the twins mingled with the crowd, shouting their cheers and giving their all.
The match was thrilling and intense.
Thanks to Charlie's efforts, Gryffindor's offense was smooth, securing an early lead. Charlie, as expected of the captain, not only displayed exceptional skills, scoring on his own but also used his presence to create opportunities for his teammates.
He effectively commanded the other players, bringing the whole Gryffindor team together as a cohesive unit.
Goalkeeper Wood also had an outstanding performance, blocking numerous difficult shots from Ravenclaw and keeping the goalposts safe. It was thanks to his stellar play that Gryffindor maintained their lead throughout the match, never allowing Ravenclaw to overtake them.
Every player contributed in their way, playing their respective roles in the game.
After two hours, the Golden Snitch was finally caught by Gryffindor's Seeker, securing the victory for the unified Gryffindor team. The Gryffindor students in the stands erupted in cheers and stomping, celebrating enthusiastically.
Luckily, the stands were sturdy enough to withstand the excited crowd. Even Professor McGonagall was elated, clenching her fist in a rare show of joy, her usual stern demeanor gone.
Gryffindor students surrounded the team as they returned to the castle, jumping, joking, and laughing all the way, celebrating their victory. Amid Gryffindor's celebratory atmosphere, the Hogwarts kitchen was "raided," with house-elves bowing as they bid farewell to the triumphant young lions.
In these days, Eda hadn't forgotten about Fawley, who had been unwell. She had been keeping an eye on his every move, not out of concern for his health but because all her suspicions pointed toward him.
Especially with recent events, Fawley had ample time during the incidents of forced entry into the four common rooms.
After he stopped patrolling the castle, the theft in Ravenclaw occurred. When Slytherin was robbed in March, Fawley had already left the hospital wing. With his health restored, he could easily have committed the act.
When Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were visited by an unwelcome guest, Fawley was in the hospital wing, which could slightly clear him of suspicion.
However, since Eda knew Fawley's secret, this fact only increased her suspicions rather than alleviating them. Moreover, considering that Fawley's injuries during that time were not severe enough to hinder his actions, and given his caliber as an outstanding wizard, Eda couldn't believe he lacked methods or trump cards.
Eda was unsure about who attacked Daniel and who exactly entered the Forbidden Forest.
That was why she questioned Snape, but he gave her no answers. Eda could only focus her suspicions on Fawley, the most likely suspect, and whether he was actually guilty was not her concern.
She hadn't gone to Dumbledore to complain, nor had she written to the Ministry of Magic or the *Daily Prophet*, so it couldn't even be considered slander.
After all, suspicion doesn't need to be supported by evidence.
During this time, Fawley kept a low profile, rarely seen outside of Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Eda wished that the Marauder's Map, besides its real-time tracking function, could also record changes over a period.
Unfortunately, the map couldn't fulfill Eda's wish, and she couldn't keep an eye on it 24/7. If Fawley's actions happened when Eda wasn't watching the map, she wouldn't catch him.
In Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Eda pretended to read a book while occasionally glancing at Fawley on the platform.
Fawley looked pale, either from constant injuries or lack of rest.
The once handsome and charming professor appeared quite haggard.
Since Benedict Fawley was accidentally injured by a student in class, all practical exercises in Defense Against the Dark Arts had been canceled. While Fawley hadn't explicitly forbidden students from using wands, his classes no longer had any practical components.
Fawley stood at the lectern, monotonously reading from the textbook, a stark contrast to his previously humorous and engaging persona. He was rapidly becoming more like Professor Binns.
Recent Defense Against the Dark Arts classes had either been canceled due to his injuries or, like today, had been rather perfunctory.
While some students complained, seeing his pitiable state made many of them soften their attitudes.
All hearts are made of flesh, so the students felt guilty about pressing the unfortunate Fawley too hard. As a result, the class had become a dull, lifeless affair.
The students were busy with their own activities—some sleeping, some doing homework, and others engaged in various tasks.
Fawley stood at the front, a detached reading machine, much like the History of Magic class, where neither side interfered with the other.
However, Fawley's ability to put students to sleep was far inferior to Professor Binns's. Those who chose to sleep found the quality of their naps lacking compared to History of Magic.
After class, the weary-looking Fawley called out to Eda, who was about to leave.
"Miss Twist, please wait a moment."
Eda was surprised to be called and almost felt like she was in Potions class. She turned back and said, "Professor Fawley, is there something you need?"
"Could you come with me? I need your help with something," Fawley said as he walked into a small room within the classroom.
Eda frowned, unsure of what Fawley was up to.
She wondered if he had discovered her eavesdropping earlier. However, since Fawley had stopped her in front of everyone, he probably wouldn't do anything untoward.
Eda followed Fawley into the small room, concealing all her emotions so Fawley couldn't read her expression.
"I borrowed two books from the library a while ago but haven't returned them due to my health," Fawley said, taking two books from a shelf in the small room. "Since you often visit the library, could you return them for me?"
"Of course, Professor," Eda replied, taking the books. "Please take care of yourself. Everyone supports you." Eda put on an act, pretending to be a supporter of Fawley.
"Thank you all, I'll be careful," Fawley said with a smile. "My work isn't finished yet, so why would I give up?"
"Professor, is there anything else?" Eda asked, holding the books to her chest. Fawley's words had given her a few ideas.
"Nothing else. You may go," Fawley said, weakly resting on a table as he sat down.
Eda began walking out with the books, feeling that Fawley's words were layered with meaning, as if he was probing her.
As Eda reached the door, Fawley, still seated, called out, "I heard you were wandering around the castle a lot recently?"
Eda felt a cold sweat forming on her forehead, but she tried to keep her voice steady as she replied, "The whole of Gryffindor was doing it at the time. I just followed them around the castle."
"I'm not blaming you. You were trying to do something for the school," Fawley said. "Go ahead, just be sure not to take the wrong path when returning those books."
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