Chapter 288: Defence Against the Dark Arts Class
At noon, everyone finished class and rested in the courtyard outside Hogwarts Castle, while some went directly into the castle to eat lunch early.
Just then, Malfoy held up the Daily Prophet, which contained Rita Skeeter's article about Ron's father, generally disparaging and critical. Malfoy used the Daily Prophet article to belittle Ron, and during their verbal sparring, he also disparaged Ron's mother.
Ron was fuming with rage at Malfoy's provocation. At this point, Harry gave him a taste of his own medicine, disparaging Malfoy's mother in retaliation.
People like Malfoy found it amusing when they disparaged others.
But when others disparaged him, Malfoy could never tolerate it.
Hearing Harry disparage his mother, Malfoy watched Harry turn to leave, drew his wand, and prepared to cast a spell at Harry's back.
However, before Malfoy could utter an incantation, Sean's spell had already reached him.
"Expelliarmus!"
Bang!
Malfoy was sent flying backward.
His wand traced an arc through the air and landed at Sean's feet.
Walking to Malfoy's side, Sean looked down at him lying on the ground and said coldly: "If you had duelled Harry directly, I would have thought you had at least some pure-blood wizard pride. But you chose to cast spells from behind. Such despicable and base tactics are something only the trash in Knockturn Alley would do.
Your Malfoy family has always branded itself with pure blood, yet I see none of the pride and nobility of pure blood. I only see you using the pure-blood name to bully wizards from ordinary families. I only see you speaking of pride while acting basely. I only see you too cowardly to duel, casting spells from behind. Pure blood has been completely debased into a vile term by you people.
You've thoroughly disgraced Slytherin!"
Sean's words made Malfoy's face, and even some surrounding Slytherins' faces, flush red and pale. Some wanted to refute something, but the words stuck in their throats because they knew very well that what they wanted to say was too pale and weak compared to Sean's words.
Malfoy suddenly raised his head, staring intently at Sean: "You're just the offspring of two Squibs. What right do you have to discuss pure blood!"
"So you're not convinced." Raising his wand, the wand that had fallen behind him instantly flew to Malfoy's side, which he caught. At this point, Sean stepped back three paces and said to Malfoy: "Now, please tell me what pure-blood pride looks like. Pick up your wand and let me see!"
"Sean Bulstrode, you're mad! If my father finds out about today, he absolutely won't..."
Before Malfoy could finish, Sean waved his wand again.
A whirlwind lifted Malfoy up and threw him heavily to the ground, making him cry out in pain.
At this point, Sean walked to him again: "Is invoking your father and calling out 'daddy' whenever you encounter trouble your pure-blood pride? If that's really the case, then it's truly ugly."
"Sean Bulstrode!"
Malfoy suddenly stood up. He gripped his wand but hesitated to raise it.
Seeing Malfoy's state, Sean shook his head: "If you could raise the wand in your hand, I'd think more highly of you."
No longer looking at Malfoy, Sean turned and left with Blaise and others waiting in the distance.
Watching Sean leave, the wand in Malfoy's hand trembled slightly, but ultimately he still didn't raise it.
Seeing Sean leave, Goyle and Crabbe hurried over. Regarding Goyle and Crabbe's concerned enquiries, Malfoy didn't say much. He just lowered his head slightly and left with Goyle and Crabbe.
"Sean, thank you."
Shaking his head with a smile, Sean said to Harry: "Harry, I've lost count of how many times you've thanked me. When you're in danger and I see it, isn't it natural for me to help?"
The group entered Hogwarts castle and went to their respective house tables for lunch.
Sitting at the dining table, Sean frowned slightly.
He hadn't seen Moody earlier.
According to Sean's memory, in that situation Moody should have come to rescue Harry and used fourth-level Transfiguration to turn Malfoy into a white ferret as punishment.
However, when Sean had acted earlier, he hadn't seen any sign of Moody.
So there was a problem here.
Moody's absence. Was it due to Sean being a butterfly effect, or had Voldemort's side changed their plans?
If it was the former, that was still acceptable, but if it was the latter, that would be troublesome.
Of course, it was also possible that Sean was being too sensitive. In any case, this matter required vigilance.
Thursday.
The first Defence Against the Dark Arts class of the semester.
Mad-Eye Moody was a famous wizard. A former Auror who had sent countless dark wizards to Azkaban.
His abilities were unquestionable, definitely not like someone like Lockhart who was just going through the motions.
So everyone was looking forward to seeing whether Moody could, like last year's Lupin, teach them something truly useful.
Sitting in the classroom, Sean looked at Mad-Eye Moody standing at the podium. His desk was covered with various insects and small creatures, like experimental animals for research.
Moody looked at the students in the classroom and said directly: "Put away your textbooks. You won't need them. I received a letter from Professor Lupin. I know you've already learnt how to deal with dark magical creatures, but regarding how to handle curses and dark magic, you haven't learnt enough. Nowhere near enough. So this semester I'll teach you how to deal with those curses, even dark magic."
At this point, Moody suddenly looked toward Sean.
"I know you, Sean Bulstrode.
Lupin mentioned you in his letter. He said you're a very, very talented child and that your abilities far exceed your peers. So I'm planning to find a teaching assistant. At least when Gryffindor and Slytherin have class together, you'll serve as my assistant. What do you think?"
Looking at Moody, who suddenly wanted him to be a so-called assistant, Sean frowned slightly and refused decisively: "Sorry, Professor, I don't want to be your teaching assistant, and my abilities are actually quite low. Not as good as Professor Lupin said."
"Oh... I see. Then I can only deduct fifty points from Slytherin for not following the professor's instructions. This is truly regrettable.
Next class, I'll ask you again. If you still refuse, I'll have to continue deducting fifty points from Slytherin, and it will continue like this!"