Setting aside whatever useful spells and combat techniques Harry Potter and his friends might learn from Lupin, the truth was that Lupin was an excellent teacher. Especially when compared with the previous Defence Against the Dark Arts professors, his competence stood out sharply.
As time went on, Defence Against the Dark Arts had become one of the most popular subjects among the young wizards. His classes were never just dull textbook recitations or mechanical wand drills. Under Lupin's instruction, students often had the chance to deal with magical creatures themselves.
Take the Red Cap, for example. This troublesome little creature, resembling a goblin, was classified as XXXX by the Ministry of Magic. During that lesson, Lupin not only taught the class how to drive them away but also demonstrated the skill expected of a capable professor.
After the Red Cap, they were introduced to another XXXX-level creature—the Kappa. Compared to other magical subjects, Lupin's lessons were undoubtedly more lively and engaging. Gradually, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor earned the affection of many young wizards.
Except, of course, for the Slytherins who couldn't help but notice his tattered robes...
After that incident during Defence Against the Dark Arts, Draco's followers had already sent people to look into Remus Lupin's identity and background. But, much like Lupin's understated appearance, Draco's side hadn't been able to uncover much useful information for the time being.
All they learned was that Lupin had been a classmate of Snape's during his years at Hogwarts—and a close friend of Harry Potter's father. That, at most, explained his special regard for Harry Potter. It didn't explain why he seemed to hold such hostility toward Draco...
…
Wizard Duels.
Though called "two-person duels," they were essentially fought in a one-on-one format. The second could only take the field once their partner was incapacitated, and victory was only achieved when all opponents could no longer fight.
That made Harry Potter and Vincent Crabbe, who had been chosen as seconds, figures of considerable importance.
In fact, the Gryffindor lions didn't seem to place their hopes on Ron Weasley himself, but rather on his second—none other than the famous Harry Potter.
However, before the duel could begin, something unexpected gathered all the students in the Great Hall...
"What's going on?"
"No idea, but it looks like something happened."
"Even Headmaster Dumbledore's here?"
When Draco entered the Great Hall—its long tables and benches already cleared away—the air buzzed with similar murmurs all around him.
Pansy, having just come down from the girls' dormitory, quickly spotted Draco and hurried to his side, asking curiously, "Draco, do you know what's happening? Why did they suddenly call us all here?"
"Not sure," he replied. "But I think the Gryffindors might know something. And try to wake up, will you?"
Still half-drowsy from being woken in the middle of the night, Pansy blinked sleepily. Following Draco's gaze, she then noticed the strange expressions on the Gryffindors' faces.
Compared to the confusion among the other three houses, the little lions' faces looked far more tense and alarmed.
Once everyone had gathered, Dumbledore finally spoke from the platform.
"I regret having to wake you from your sleep," he said. "But someone has attacked our dear Fat Lady. Therefore, the professors and I will be conducting a full search of the castle."
The news seemed to shock everyone, and the once-noisy Great Hall fell abruptly silent.
Unsurprised, Dumbledore went on, "For your own safety, I believe you'll need to spend the night here. I want all prefects to take turns standing guard at the entrance to the hall. The Head Boy and Head Girl will stay to maintain order. If anything happens, report to me at once."
Without allowing any questions, Dumbledore turned to leave. Just before departing, he gave a casual wave of his wand. "Sleep well."
In an instant, hundreds of purple sleeping bags appeared on the floor. The hall immediately filled with murmurs as students from other houses tried to find out what had happened from the Gryffindors.
Everyone knew that the "Fat Lady" Dumbledore mentioned was the portrait guarding the entrance to the Gryffindor common room...
"Everyone into your sleeping bags! Quickly, no talking! Candles out in ten minutes!"
Percy Weasley, excited to assert his authority as Head Boy, tried to sound commanding, but it was obvious that no one was in the mood to obey him.
"Did you hear? The attacker was Sirius Black. He hurt the Fat Lady while trying to break into Gryffindor Tower."
"Sirius Black? The one who escaped from Azkaban? The Daily Prophet wrote about him!"
"How could he be at Hogwarts? What's the Ministry of Magic doing, letting such a dangerous criminal get this close?"
"Are we in danger?"
"It should be fine. Dumbledore's here, after all. He'll catch him soon enough."
The rumor spread quickly, and within moments, the entire Great Hall was filled with whispers about Sirius Black's attempted break-in. Almost every student was talking about it. Even the Slytherins, usually isolated from the other three houses, now knew why Dumbledore had gathered everyone together.
After all, an escaped Azkaban prisoner was hiding somewhere inside the castle...
Unlike the other noisy houses, the Slytherins remained unusually quiet.
Draco glanced at Pansy, who was clutching her sleeping bag and looking at him with hopeful eyes. With a silent sigh, he shifted to make space beside him.
He could tell that Pansy didn't seem the least bit concerned about Sirius Black.
At that thought, Draco's gaze drifted toward the Gryffindor side of the hall.
Was there something there that Sirius Black cared about?
Surely he knew he'd be caught doing something like this...