On a dreary Monday morning, as Charms and Herbology classes commenced, hardly anyone seemed to be paying attention. Instead, the halls were abuzz with whispered conversations about the mysterious events that had taken place on Saturday. The students exchanged hushed speculations, their curiosity piqued by the unsettling incident involving Professor Lockhart. Even Hermione, renowned for her unwavering focus in class, appeared visibly unwell and lacking her usual energy.
The questions surrounding Professor Lockhart's condition lingered, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the lunchtime discussions. No one seemed to have a definitive answer as to whether the professor had an alcohol allergy or if foul play was involved. The lack of concrete information only served to intensify the intrigue and fuel further gossip among the Hogwarts community.
It was during this state of suspense that the Heads of Houses descended from the professor's podium, their expressions grave and their movements hurried. They made their way through the murmuring crowd, ensuring that every student caught wind of the shocking news. The second class of the afternoon would be none other than Defense Against the Dark Arts, and it would be held in the Great Hall, combining the first and second-year students from all four houses. The heads of the houses, eager to relay this unexpected change, dispersed among the younger students, their voices a whisper amidst the rising anticipation.
Ron, caught off guard by the sudden shift in schedule, looked at Percy with surprise etched on his face. He turned to Seamus, sharing his astonishment and was voicing his suspicion that someone must have poisoned Lockhart. "Wait a minute," Ron said, his brow furrowed. "If I remember correctly, the second class this afternoon was supposed to be History of Magic!"
Percy, ever the dutiful student, responded with a tone of certainty. "According to Professor McGonagall," he said, "if you have any questions, you can go and ask her yourself." With that, Percy quickly made his way past Harry and the others, his eagerness to relay the news evident as he sought out Ginny and the rest of their group, who were congregated near the entrance hall.
In the afternoon, after their Transfiguration class, Harry and his friends rushed to the Great Hall. Despite their exhaustion, their curiosity had been ignited, and they couldn't help but be intrigued by what awaited them. As they entered the hall, a sense of wonder washed over them, for it had been transformed into an entirely different space. In the center stood a circular platform, encircled by a vast expanse of desks numbering nearly one hundred and sixty to seventy. The first and second-year students from the other three houses had already gathered, their conversations filled with excitement and speculation about this innovative approach to class and speculating about what Professor Watson would teach them next.
"This reminds me of bad memories," Harry muttered to himself. "I just hope this isn't a large-scale stage play!" Nevertheless, curiosity got the better of him and his friends, and they took their places at the desks, exhausted yet eager for what was to come.
The passing minutes saw the desks gradually fill with students from all four houses, the room buzzing with anticipation. Finally, as the last empty desk was claimed by a young wizard. As Bryan made his grand entrance. The crowd erupted with a cacophony of excitement as he gracefully descended from the marble staircase, agilely leaping over the students and landing on the central platform. Standing amidst the sea of expectant faces, he offered a warm and enigmatic smile. His first sentence ignited an intense roar of excitement, shattering the silent hall.
"Now, everyone, put back Professor Lockhart's book from your desks. You won't need it in my class."
"Oh, yeah!"
The proclamation triggered an outpouring of joy and relief, with Hufflepuff's McLaggen being the first to cheer. His exclamation served as the catalyst, and soon the Great Hall reverberated with cheers and howls of enthusiasm from all sides. The resounding energy was so powerful that even the large chandeliers overhead seemed to tremble under the weight of the young wizards' exuberance.
"Can you believe it? I've been waiting for this for over half a year!" Dean exclaimed, throwing his book 'Break with the Banshee' into his bag and laughing happily. Ron seemed to want to express similar sentiments, but Harry, with his mouth half open, stopped him and discreetly pointed at Hermione, who sat between them, looking bewildered. They exchanged a quick glance and suppressed their excitement as they put away their books.
The continuous cheers lasted for several minutes, gradually subsiding after Bryan Watson let out a heavy cough, drawing the attention back to him. The hall fell into a hushed silence as the young wizards eagerly awaited his next words.
"Now, I believe it's time for an explanation," Bryan began, his voice resonating with authority and warmth. He nodded to the audience below, acknowledging their curiosity. "I suppose you must all be wondering why I chose this method of teaching you."
Bryan cleared his throat, capturing their attention as he continued, "The Defense Against the Dark Arts class has suffered from unstable staffing for various reasons. Due to frequent changes of professors, the teaching quality of this subject at Hogwarts has been consistently criticized. Even in my case, I'm afraid my tenure as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor won't be too long. Therefore, in order to improve your practical defense skills within our limited time, I had to make some changes."
"Professor Watson!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Seamus raised his hand enthusiastically. He looked at Bryan Watson on the platform and said loudly, "Give us a self-introduction, Professor. Of course, we all know you were sent by the School Board to investigate the Chamber of Secrets, but before that, what were you doing?"
The question hung in the air, and Bryan Watson scratched his head, observing the dozens of curious eyes fixed upon him. After a moment of contemplation, he raised an eyebrow and began to respond.
"That's an interesting question, Mr. Finnigan," Bryan Watson scratched his head, looking at the dozens of curious eyes below. After thinking for a moment, he raised an eyebrow and said, " Well, I can tell you this much. Before coming to Hogwarts, I was what you might call a... freelance worker. I made a living by running errands for people, finding magical ingredients, and delivering goods. Ha, I was just an insignificant nobody, nothing compared to the famous Professor Lockhart!"
Ron leaned toward Harry, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I can't say I entirely believe that," he whispered, and Harry nodded in agreement, a hint of skepticism lingering in his gaze.
However, Bryan Watson's lackluster self-introduction didn't satisfy the young wizards. The air in the hall grew slightly colder, and a palpable tension settled among the students. They were still waiting to hear what Professor Watson had to say next.
"I understand that you must be curious about what I'm going to teach you," Bryan finally acknowledged, his smile captivating the audience below. "But let me turn the tables on you. What do you hope to learn from me?"
The question hung in the air, perplexing the young wizards as they exchanged uncertain glances. However, one student, Blaise Zabini, a second-year Slytherin, wasted no time in raising his hand and voicing his desire.
"I hope to learn powerful spells, Professor Watson," Blaise declared confidently. "Because I believe that only powerful spells can resist dangerous and intriguing dark magic."
The young wizard's words struck a chord with his peers, resonating with their shared yearning for strength and protection. Even the Gryffindor students, known for their dislike for Slytherin, found themselves hesitating, nodding in agreement with Blaise's sentiment.
Professor Watson nodded approvingly, acknowledging Blaise's response. His eyes scanned the circle of young wizards, his voice lowering in intensity as he prepared to impart his wisdom.
"Since you're all interested in powerful spells, let's explore that avenue," Professor Watson suggested. "Now, who can tell me which category of spells can be considered immensely powerful?"
The young wizards exchanged glances once again, uncertain of how to respond to this intriguing question. Many eyes turned expectantly towards Hermione, knowing her penchant for knowledge and academic prowess. As expected, Hermione rose from her seat, her hand raised high.
"If I understood your question correctly," Hermione began, her voice confident, "the category of spells that can be considered immensely powerful would be ancient magic, most of which have been lost in the present day."
Bryan's interest piqued as he fixed his gaze upon Hermione. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "Can you explain why, Miss Granger?" He asked with great interest, staring at Hermione.
"Ancient magic—known for its immense power—refers to the spells invented and created by previous wizards during the tribal era up until about eight hundred years ago. In those times, people relied on a harsh natural environment, and many now-extinct dangerous magical creatures were still active during that period. To defend against threats from the cruel natural environment, the highly intelligent ancient wizards developed a series of spells primarily focused on seeking power."
Hermione's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she delved deeper into her explanation. "However, with the development and growth of both Muggle and wizarding civilizations, humans tamed nature, and the role of magic gradually shifted from defense against danger to serving everyday life. Simultaneously, the rapid advancement of wand-lore and its strong compatibility with modern magic made casting spells simpler, which led to the rapid abandonment and eventual loss of ancient magic, which was immensely powerful but complex, obscure, and required a high level of magical ability."
Professor Watson's applause echoed through the Great Hall, filling the space with a sense of admiration and appreciation. "Fantastic, Miss Granger!" he exclaimed. "I don't think anyone would object if I award Gryffindor ten points for that insightful explanation."
Blushing with pride, Hermione returned to her seat, a contented smile playing on her lips. Ron, unable to contain his excitement, leaned towards Harry and whispered, "Did you see that? Hermione really knows her stuff!"
Harry nodded, equally impressed by their friend's vast knowledge.
Ron stared at Professor Watson with hopeful eyes. "Professor Watson," Ron spoke up, "are you saying that you will teach us those mysterious ancient magics?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE : The Explanation about ancient magic mentioned in the chapter are outside the canon and the wizarding world, They are only theories.
I may introduce some OC background characters like McLaggen; Henry and grace in the earlier chapters. They won't have much affect on the story.
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In the face of Ron Weasley's eager gaze, Bryan smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He didn't directly answer Ron's question but instead redirected the topic back to the course at hand, capturing the attention of the young wizards.
"The Defense Against the Dark Arts course, I prefer to call it Danger Defense," Bryan began, his voice resonating through the lecture hall. "It is a comprehensive course where everything you learn in this school, from spells, transfiguration, herbology, potions, to magical creature protection, can be applied. In order to skillfully handle any incoming danger, you must possess three qualities: skill, method, and courage!"
The young wizards listened intently, drawn in by Bryan's charisma and the importance of the subject matter. Even those who weren't particularly fond of studying found themselves paying full attention to Professor Watson's lecture. The prospect of attending a proper Dark Magic Defense class at Hogwarts was considered a rare occurrence, and this opportunity was not lost on the students.
Meanwhile, Hermione Granger diligently wrote down every word Professor Watson said in her notebook, her hand moving quickly across the pages to capture every bit of knowledge imparted.
Bryan's gaze shifted back to Ron, his smile widening. "I won't be teaching you any powerful ancient magic or charms, Mr. Weasley—" Ron's hopeful expression faltered, disappointment evident in his eyes. But before Ron could say anything, Bryan addressed the entire class.
"As for the reason, first of all, I am not the professor of the Charms class. Teaching charms is Professor Flitwick's job, not mine," Bryan explained, his voice clear and calm. "Secondly, there was a time when I was indeed obsessed with the power of ancient magic. But as my research deepened, I found that the majority of ancient magic has completely vanished in the river of time. Even if I were to exhaust all my life's efforts, it would be impossible to find a complete system of offensive and defensive ancient magic. Therefore, I am not particularly proficient in 'authentic' ancient magic."
Bryan's words hung in the air, and the young wizards listened intently, absorbing the knowledge he imparted. Some looked puzzled, unable to fully grasp the significance of his explanation.
Observing their confusion, Bryan pondered for a moment, his mind racing to find a solution. He decided to put on a demonstration, believing that seeing was better than hearing. He took out his wand, the polished wood glinting in the light, instantly capturing the attention of the young wizards who loved this part the most.
A buzz of excitement filled the auditorium as the young wizards eagerly awaited the demonstration. This was their favorite part of any magical class, a chance to witness the power and finesse of experienced wizards.
"Well," Bryan's gaze wandered across the room, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let me do a demonstration. Who can tell me the spell you are most skilled at?"
The auditorium erupted into chaos, resembling thousands of buzzing bees. The young wizards engaged in spirited discussions, their voices blending into a symphony of excitement.
"The Leg-Locking Curse, Professor Watson, I'm good at that!" Gryffindor's Lavender Brown eagerly raised her hand, her enthusiasm evident.
"The Bat-Bogey Hex!" Ginny exclaimed, her voice soft yet hopeful. However, her words were drowned out by the noisy crowd, and Bryan didn't hear her at all.
"Professor Watson, let me go," Draco Malfoy sneered, his gaze fixed on Harry. He stood up, his voice loud and commanding. "The Tarantallegra!"
Crabbe and Goyle burst into laughter, their eyes gleaming with delight, while Harry's competitive spirit ignited, refusing to be outdone by his rival.
The young wizards continued to speak up, each mentioning a different spell they considered their specialty. Spells such as the Tooth-Ache Jinx, the Baldness Curse, and the Tongue-Tying Curse filled the air, leaving Bryan increasingly perplexed. These spells touched upon his knowledge blind spots, unfamiliar and peculiar to him.
Growing increasingly puzzled, Bryan raised his hand to his forehead, a black line forming. He decided to interrupt the chaotic chatter, commanding attention with his authoritative presence. "Wait!"
His voice echoed through the auditorium, causing the young wizards to pause and look at him with curiosity and anticipation. Bryan cleared his throat, his tone slightly exasperated yet filled with a hint of amusement. "Ahem, can't anyone say a spell that's a bit more... normal?"
The young wizards exchanged glances, realizing the peculiarity of their choices. They quieted down, their voices hushed. Finally, Ron Weasley, trembling slightly, raised his hand. "Um, the Levitation Charm, Professor Watson, I'm fairly proficient at that!"
Bryan's relief was palpable as he smiled, his eyes conveying encouragement. He walked up to Ron, standing beside him, and nodded approvingly. "Very good, Mr. Weasley! Let everyone see your Levitation Charm."
Ron's face turned slightly red, a mixture of nervousness and excitement evident on his features. His voice stuttered as he mumbled something in response. Harry and Hermione understood Ron's concern, their supportive voices joining together in a flurry of reassurance.
Bryan listened attentively, his gaze focused on Ron. He understood Ron's doubts and wanted to help him overcome them. "Is your wand broken?" Bryan raised an eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "Can you show it to me?"
With a hopeful expression, Ron took out his wand, which was haphazardly taped together with magical tape to prevent it from snapping into two pieces. The sight of the damaged wand caused Malfoy to burst into loud laughter, taunting Ron with his ridicule. "Let's pick someone else, Professor Watson. Weasley's wand might kill everyone here!"
The laughter of the Slytherins echoed through the room, casting a shadow of embarrassment over Ron. His face, flushed with embarrassment, turned as red as if scalded by boiling water.
Bryan's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting towards the Slytherins. His tone remained calm, but a stern undertone laced his words. "I fail to see what's so funny, Mr. Malfoy. Mocking others doesn't showcase your sense of humor."
As Bryan turned his head and looked at the Slytherins, his unwavering gaze bathed them in a figurative bucket of cold water in the middle of winter. They fell into silence, unable to utter another word, their smirks wiped off their faces. Even Draco Malfoy, known for his arrogance, was silenced, unable to meet Bryan's gaze.
Returning his attention to Ron, Bryan extended his hand, gesturing for the wand. "Can you fix it, Professor Watson?" Ron asked hopefully, looking at Bryan with a glimmer of expectation in his eyes.
Bryan didn't reply immediately. Squatting down, he carefully placed Ron's wand on the ground, his eyes flickering with a faint light. He focused his magical energy, channeling it into the damaged wand.
"Reparo!"
The broken wand on the ground immediately shook rapidly, its fractured pieces floating and swirling in the air. A burst of shiny red sparks erupted from the broken end, the fragments aligning perfectly as they were firmly stuck back together. The wand was restored to its original state, appearing as if it had never been damaged.
"You fixed it, Professor Watson!" Ron's eyes lit up with joy, his voice filled with gratitude. "I asked many people, and they all told me that this wand was completely useless!"
"Their assessment is not entirely wrong, Mr. Weasley," Bryan responded, his smile warm and understanding. He carefully examined Ron's wand, running his fingers along its surface. After a brief moment of inspection, he looked up, his eyes meeting Ron's. "A wand is a very delicate alchemical tool. Although I forcefully restored it to its original state with magic, the internal damage remains unresolved. You can use it for now, but you should know that it won't last long. So I still recommend that you get a new one from Ollivander's during the summer break—"
Before Bryan could finish his sentence, Ron's delighted expression overshadowed any concerns. His gratitude and happiness were evident on his face, grateful for Bryan's help in salvaging his beloved wand.
Encouraged by the positive atmosphere, Bryan redirected the focus back to the demonstration. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he exclaimed, urging Ron to showcase his skills. The room held its breath, eagerly awaiting Ron's performance.
With newfound confidence, Ron took a deep breath and focused his concentration. He carefully waved his repaired wand, enunciating the incantation with precision. The feather on the desk in front of him slowly lifted into the air, floating delicately.
"Very good, Mr. Weasley," Bryan applauded, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "A successful Levitation Charm."
The young wizards clapped and cheered, their enthusiasm infectious. Ron beamed with pride, his earlier nervousness replaced with a sense of accomplishment.
"Now, try injecting more magical power," Bryan encouraged, his voice resonating with a gentle yet motivating tone.
Eager to impress, Ron nodded, determined to push his abilities further. He closed his eyes momentarily, channeling his magical energy. With a surge of power, he directed it towards the feather, attempting to amplify the Levitation Charm.
Boom!
The room was engulfed in a sudden explosion, startling everyone present. The feather disintegrated into a flurry of floating debris, the remnants swirling in the air before gently descending onto Ron's confused face.
There was a collective gasp of surprise, and a momentary silence followed. Ron's expression turned sheepish, a mixture of disappointment and embarrassment evident on his features.
However, Bryan remained unfazed by the mishap. He stepped forward, his gaze reassuring. "Very well, Mr. Weasley. You have earned two points for Gryffindor."
Ron's eyes widened, a spark of excitement rekindling within him. The disappointment melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of determination.
"Now, let me show you mine," Bryan declared, his voice resonating with a hint of excitement. He gestured for Ron to step down, allowing him to take the center stage.
The young wizards fixed their gaze on Bryan, their curiosity piqued. The air was pregnant with anticipation as he raised his arm, his wand firmly gripped in his hand.
With a low shout, Bryan's wrist suddenly shook, and his voice reverberated through the auditorium, filled with power and intent.
"Canrady Leviosa!"
In an instant, the atmosphere transformed. The fragile, limp feather burst into a crisp, metallic clang, its transformation leaving the onlookers awestruck.
Bryan swiftly raised his arm, a surge of white light shooting forth like a cold lightning bolt. The light rapidly engulfed the surrounding space, weaving and flickering within and around the intricate metal frame of a chandelier suspended above the auditorium.
Before anyone could react, the light returned to Bryan's palm, leaving behind a profound sense of wonder. The chandelier remained intact, defying gravity and the laws of physics.
Buzzing clang!
A sudden realization struck the students as Hannah Abbott, her voice filled with despair, shouted, "Professor, run! The chandelier is about to fall!"
Panic seized the young wizards, and they scattered in all directions, their terrified screams echoing through the air. The room transformed into a scene of chaos, filled with the desperate attempts of students to escape the impending danger.
However, Bryan found the situation rather amusing. His laughter rang out, a joyful sound amidst the chaos. He raised his wand again, his movements precise and effortless.
As if time had suddenly flowed backward, the large metal chandelier reassembled itself mid-air, defying the laws of nature. It returned to its original position under the ceiling of the auditorium, as if the calamity had never occurred.
Amidst the relieved sighs of the students, Bryan's gaze shifted towards Blaise Zabini, who had been pinned down by Crabbe. He stepped gracefully to the edge of the stage, his smile gentle yet filled with unwavering authority.
"A powerful spell is right beside us, Mr. Zabini," Bryan stated, his voice carrying a weight that demanded understanding. He locked eyes with Blaise, ensuring his words penetrated deep into the young wizard's consciousness.
"Now, do you understand this lesson?"
Author's Note : The mention of the magic system like ancient magic and improving spell by adding magic power are all fictional and may also be true to canon. It will be Further explained in the upcoming chapters.
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