Hermione was giving me a knowing look, but there was no way I was going to admit to what I had done.
Even the Patronus Charm, the ultimate anti-Dementor spell, could only drive them away. How could anyone believe that a mere student had devoured them?
If I just played dumb, the matter would be easily dismissed.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about. If anything, shouldn't I be the one thanking you? You protected me, Hermione."
At my words, Hermione flinched. Her cheeks flushed as she looked at me with narrowed eyes. Then, she licked her lips and nodded.
*Wait, why is she licking her lips?*
She then gave me a sly, meaningful smile and said, "Whatever you say, I was grateful, so I'm thanking you. Aisen, if it weren't for you, I would have had a terrible time with the Dementors."
"That's not it. The Dementors ran away because they saw your Patronus Charm, didn't they?"
"If that's the case, then I should be even more grateful."
"…Why?"
"…Because if you hadn't been there, I wouldn't have even thought of using the Patronus Charm in the first place?"
I stared at her smiling face for a moment before turning my head away.
"Why do you suddenly turn away when we're talking? More importantly, can you use magic properly now?"
Still looking away, I flicked a finger and lifted the cup.
It occurred to me too late that I had just used magic without a wand, but it seemed Hermione was no longer surprised by such things. A relief, I suppose.
She nodded, seeing me use magic, and then continued with another question.
"Come to think of it, Aisen. Can you cast a Patronus?"
"I can now."
"Hee, then I can rest easy next time."
"There's no guarantee we'll be surrounded by Dementors together next time, is there?"
"That's true… Then, teach me the Patronus Charm next time."
"The Patronus Charm?"
I thought for a moment, then nodded. She had been halfway successful last time, so she would only need a little help.
At my agreement, Hermione giggled, but her smile seemed somewhat chilling. It was probably just my imagination. Probably.
Then, as if a thought had just struck her, Hermione asked, "By the way, what's the form of your Patronus?"
Her academic curiosity seemed to have been reignited, her eyes sparkling. At times like these, she had a persistent streak and wouldn't be easily put off.
Just as I was about to give a vague answer, Harry came down, rubbing his eyes.
"S…huh? Hermione, Aisen. You're up early. What were you talking about?"
Harry had no idea that he was the very reason we were up so early.
Hermione's attention now shifted to Harry as she asked, "Ah, Harry. You're awake. We were just talking about the Patronus Charm. Perfect timing!"
Normally, a Patronus's form is fixed and rarely changes. Harry's, however, which constantly shifted its shape, was more than enough to capture Hermione's interest.
I chuckled as I watched Harry being bombarded with Hermione's questions, then stretched as I looked out the window.
***
No matter how big an incident occurred, classes at Hogwarts continued.
I could bet that even if a wizarding war broke out, classes at Hogwarts would go on. Or maybe not.
In any case, what that meant was that I was now on my way to class.
"Ugh. I hate Dementor Lord Tom Riddle so much…"
On the way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Harry muttered with a weary expression, clearly having had some bizarre dream during the night.
My heart warmed as I saw his face briefly light up when we passed Ginny. I was, however, taken aback when Harry gave me a strange look for the fond smile on my own face.
In any case, we were now sitting in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, waiting for the professor.
Ron, looking exhausted, slumped over his desk and mumbled, "So tired… too many things to worry about…"
"What do you have to be so worried about? Did Voldemort show up in your dream riding a Dementor palanquin too?"
At Harry's question, Ron recoiled in horror.
"What? Riding a Dementor pala—what? No, besides, don't say his name so casually."
"Ron, you really need to get over that fear. Anyway, what's on your mind?"
Ron put on a somewhat condescending expression and said, "Give it up, Harry. You're too young to understand the world of adults."
Harry stared blankly at him, clearly bewildered. It was obvious he was thinking, *'You can't even say Voldemort's name, and you call yourself an adult?'*
Then, he looked at me, the one with the mind of a true adult.
He was probably signaling for me to say something as a fellow grown-up, but I just shrugged my shoulders.
Because there was someone else who would lecture Ron.
"Weasley, 'the world of adults.' How amusing. In that case, I shall grant you the opportunity to share your trivial experiences with me, an adult."
At the sound of a voice no one expected to hear in this classroom, not just Ron, but every student in the room froze like a mouse before a snake.
The person casting a contemptuous gaze upon Ron was none other than Snape.
"P-p-p-professor?"
Ron, faced with the sudden appearance of Snape, could do nothing but hiccup. Snape sneered, one corner of his mouth lifting.
"Hmm, Weasley. I am truly curious as to what you consider an adult to be. It will undoubtedly be something pathetic, but I can only hope my expectations are proven wrong."
According to the students, Snape attended Hogwarts purely for the joy of tormenting Gryffindors. There was no way he would miss an opportunity like this.
However, Ron too had been through his fair share of troubles. He gulped and was about to open his mouth when Snape cut him off.
"Ah, and it goes without saying, but if you lie, it's detention. Not that you would dare to lie in front of a professor, would you?"
Faced with Snape's thoroughly malevolent smile, Ron began to sweat profusely as he tried to speak.
"Ahaha, of course not. It's, um, well…"
But strangely, it wasn't Ron who was speaking, but several of the girls in the classroom who blushed. Then, as if surprised to see each other blushing, their eyes went wide.
*…Seriously?*
Whatever he had been thinking, Ron tried to appeal to Snape with a lame smile. Naturally, it had no effect and only served to annoy Snape further.
"Weasley, unfortunately for you, I am not here for amusement. I doubt you will learn anything by attending, but I must nevertheless teach a class… and as no one is particularly interested in your sordid little tales, why don't you wipe that look off your face and answer?"
Of course, contrary to Snape's words, the students were very much interested in Ron's sordid little tales. In the end, Ron just stammered, his mouth completely dry.
"Professor! What do you mean, class? This is the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, not Potions, sir."
Unable to watch any longer, Hermione finally raised her hand and questioned Snape.
Snape turned his head toward Hermione as if he had found new prey, but I, sitting behind her, shot him a glare and made a small gesture.
*That's enough.*
As if he understood the meaning behind the gesture, Snape flinched slightly, then clicked his tongue in displeasure before answering.
"Granger. I am not a dunce like Weasley, so I am, of course, well aware of that fact. If you are waiting for Professor Lupin, I'm afraid he is ill today. I will be taking his place. If you have any complaints, take them to the Headmaster."
At his words, a murmur went through the students. Though he had only taught a few classes, Professor Lupin was already firmly considered a "professor they liked."
Considering the previous Defence Against the Dark Arts professors, this was hardly surprising.
In their first year, there was the Dark wizard Quirrell. Although he hadn't taught Dark Arts in class, his stuttering act meant he was incapable of teaching properly.
In their second year, there was the fraud Lockhart. He had managed to procure some decent supplementary materials from somewhere, but since he himself couldn't perform magic as well as Harry, he was in no position to teach anything. His classes consisted of him boasting about himself, so it was impossible for any student to like him.
…Ah, come to think of it, didn't Hermione used to like Lockhart?
In any case, Snape had no reason whatsoever to be considerate of the students who were dismayed by Professor Lupin's absence.
This was especially true given their relationship during his school days; it wouldn't have been strange at all for him to use Dark Arts on Lupin. If he hadn't been able to abandon his old nature and had tried something, I could have executed him on the spot. A shame… wait, that's not right.
Had Snape, surprisingly, forgotten his grudge from back then?
"Open your textbooks to page 31. Today, we will be covering werewolves."
That thought vanished one second after Snape opened the book.
*What do you expect from a Dark wizard?* That's how all those petty, narrow-minded bastards were. If it had been me, I would have beaten his little group to a pulp back in our school days. But this dark lot always tries to get their revenge in such insidious ways later on.
Since I already knew all of this, I just spaced out and let my mind wander during the class. When I came to, Hermione was tapping my shoulder.
"Aisen, class is over."
"…Huh? Already?"
"What do you mean, already? It was a two-hour class. Harry and Ron already left."
Apparently, they had run off while asking what that "world of adults" was all about.
A faint look of shock was etched on Hermione's face as she said this.
"What's with that look?"
"Huh? Oh? What? Is my face weird right now? Is there something on it?"
"No, it's just… you look like you heard something you shouldn't have."
"…Oh, I thought you meant something else."
She quickly tried to cover her face, then lowered her hands and pouted.
"It's just, Professor Snape was really emphasizing werewolves today. And Professor Lupin is out sick… plus, today's a full moon. …It's probably a coincidence, right?"
Even as she said it, Hermione seemed half-convinced it wasn't a coincidence. Knowing the full story, I couldn't help but be impressed.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I clapped my hands together.
"You are really sharp."
*But please, I beg you, stop trying to use that deductive reasoning to figure me out…*
I swallowed that small wish and spoke. Hermione's eyes lit up as she asked, "What, do you know something?"
"Uh… well. If you mean do I know, then yes. Hmm, I suppose I can tell you. Professor Lupin is actually a close friend of Harry's father."
"Aha… so that's how you knew."
"The Headmaster knew everything when he hired him, so there's no need to worry."
Hermione nodded, then waved her hand at me.
"Alright. Well, I'll be off then, Aisen!"
"Huh? Ah. You're going to use it right in front of me?"
"You already know all my secrets, so what does it matter?"
With a mischievous smile, Hermione turned the clock on her necklace and vanished.
Left alone in the classroom, I stared at the dragon fossil on the ceiling for a moment, then clasped my hands behind my back and walked out.
*Hmm, Harry and Ron are gone. What should I do?* I thought for a moment, then a grin spread across my face.
*Right, it's the perfect day to go get Blackwing.*
***