Holiday time always passed in a blur. Before the young wizards could properly savor their wonderful break, they discovered with mounting dread that the return to school loomed imminent.
Reluctantly bidding farewell to their families, they boarded the Hogwarts Express and journeyed back to the castle.
Unlike university students returning from break—souls crushed and spirits shattered—these young wizards didn't arrive as emotional wreckage. After briefly mourning their departed holidays, they immediately launched into animated conversations with friends and classmates.
Their discussions naturally centered on the unavoidable saga of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, alongside lamentations over Professor Lupin's resignation due to his rather sensitive lycanthropic identity.
But the young wizards, giddy with excitement from days of separation and bursting with gossip to share, remained blissfully unaware of what awaited them.
This cheerful atmosphere persisted until the evening feast.
Before the meal commenced, Professor Dumbledore rose from the staff table, cleared his throat meaningfully, and surveyed the hall. Two sharp claps commanded the chattering students' attention.
He then began addressing various matters concerning future instruction.
"...Fourth, our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Lupin, has resigned his position due to certain circumstances. I deeply regret this development. Though the teaching post stands vacant once more, Defense Against the Dark Arts instruction must continue. Therefore..."
As the young wizards quieted and absorbed Dumbledore's words, an ominous premonition crept through their hearts.
"...Professor Snape will serve as interim Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor."
We knew it would come to this! AHHHHHHHHH!
Every student shuddered as the sinister figure in black robes rose from the staff table, his lips curving in an unmistakably wicked smile. His malevolent gaze swept over them like a predator surveying prey. Their expressions mirrored someone who'd bitten into a booger-flavored Bertie Bott's bean.
"Professor Snape appears quite pleased," Hermione observed dryly.
Among all present, probably only Glenn and Hermione understood that Snape's current demeanor wasn't his usual theatrical intimidation of students. The Potions master was genuinely delighted.
"Understandably so," Glenn replied quietly. "He vented considerable accumulated rage on Peter Pettigrew, secured the Defense position he's always coveted, and watched Remus Lupin—whom he despises—depart due to exposure. Plus, he's freed from brewing Wolfsbane Potion monthly."
Glenn found Snape's satisfaction entirely predictable. If anyone had emerged as this period's greatest victor, it was undoubtedly Severus Snape.
Snape had truly won everything. His mood hadn't been this elevated since the entire affair began.
Dismissing thoughts of Snape's continued gloating as he mentally catalogued future punishments for his "dear students," Glenn refocused on Hermione.
"Regarding that matter—what's your decision? I'm inclined to participate, and you've anticipated this opportunity for ages."
"Well, yes, but..." Hermione's face scrunched in conflicted anguish. She'd wrestled with this dilemma since receiving the notification, unable to properly weigh the competing interests.
"I don't want to miss either continuing classes at Hogwarts or participating in the Beast-Finding expedition at North China Sorcery School's Beast Master Academy!"
Frustration mounting, Hermione buried her fingers in her hair, transforming her already unruly curls into complete chaos.
"Why was an activity originally scheduled for summer vacation moved up by months?!"
Her quiet wailing drew Glenn's sympathetic understanding. He found the timing change equally puzzling.
The Beast-Finding expedition was a specialized program designed to help young sorcerers studying Beast Mastery locate their magical creature companions. Several instructors would guide groups into secret realms inhabited by magical beasts, facilitating interactions that might lead to recognition and bonding contracts. The two-month undertaking typically occurred during extended summer holidays.
Glenn had consulted his grandmother through correspondence. Lin Yingqing explained that scheduling wasn't fixed—expeditions adjusted according to the creatures' natural rhythms in targeted secret realms. However, previous years had finalized dates before announcements. This mid-term rescheduling was unprecedented.
More intriguingly, Glenn detected magical encryption in his grandmother's reply. After collaborative decoding with Hermione, the letter's text dissolved and reformed, revealing hidden content:
"The schedule change relates to a covert operation. Glenn, Hermione—you're not bound by confidentiality restrictions, so I'm providing advance warning.
"This exceeds what I can reveal while circumventing secrecy agreements. I cannot disclose additional details, though I suspect Professor Dumbledore might offer explanations.
"The expedition itself remains sound, but participants may encounter danger. You and Hermione should evaluate whether to proceed based on circumstances.
"Participation remains viable—your abilities suffice for self-protection during emergencies. The final decision rests with you both.
"Reply once you've decided."
These magically concealed words contradicted the original letter, where Lin Yingqing had discouraged their participation. Perhaps this represented her method of assessing their current capabilities.
Another troublesome situation, evidently. Yet Hermione had anticipated this expedition for months, harboring tremendous enthusiasm. Despite potential dangers, Glenn resolved to participate.
Absolutely not because he was eager for action.
Really.
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