Ever since Professor Lupin took up the post, Defence Against the Dark Arts immediately became a popular class among the students.
Starting from the second lesson, there were practical sessions on dangerous magical creatures such as Red Caps and Kappa, and his explanations were clear and he treated students kindly.
However, Draco still could not bring himself to be honest, and whenever Professor Lupin passed by, he would make snide remarks in a prickly tone to cover up his softer feelings.
"Look at the state of those robes. They look like my family's house-elf's clothes."
"Shut it, Malfoy."
In contrast, the Gryffindors seemed fully prepared to defend Professor Lupin.
Ron, looking furious, ignored Hermione's warning to "leave it alone" and picked a fight, which only made Malfoy all the more delighted as he taunted them in his usual affected voice.
"That figures. Even clothes like that must look like bespoke finery to you lot."
"Go on, Malfoy, say one more thing. I won't let you get away with it."
When Ron pulled out his wand, Harry followed suit. Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles and the entire scene was a tinderbox ready to explode. Hermione and Malfoy had not touched their wands yet, but the way their fingers hovered nervously was straight out of a Wild West gunslinger standoff.
Daphne and I were watching them with great interest. Pansy and Millicent stood right behind us, and on Harry's side, Seamus, Lavender, and others had gathered after hearing the commotion.
"Who do you think will win?"
"At this distance, Crabbe's right hook might be faster."
Personally, I wanted to side with Harry and the others when it came to Professor Lupin, but the Hippogriff incident had happened recently, and I did not owe anyone enough to volunteer as peacekeeper every time they got into a pointless fight.
I figured I would step in if someone looked like they were about to get seriously hurt. I had just settled into spectator mode when a firm voice cut in from the side.
"Excuse me, if I may."
We turned to see Astoria standing there, hands on hips, chin lifted indignantly. Flanking her like Crabbe and Goyle were the Carrow twins. It was a familiar sight, like watching a smaller, polished version of the same pure-blood formation.
And just as Daphne loved to boast, Astoria had skill to match her pedigree. She had already established herself at the top of the first-year hierarchy and was something of a minor celebrity in Slytherin.
"I had no intention of listening in, but I could not help overhearing something rather troubling."
"You absolutely intended to listen," Draco muttered bitterly, but Astoria ignored him and looked challengingly up at the upperclassmen moments away from dueling.
"I heard everything. Something about Professor Lupin's appearance."
Then Astoria said something unexpected.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but to be perfectly honest, Professor Lupin's appearance is unacceptable."
Astoria declared it without yielding an inch, and the Carrow twins nodded along vigorously.
At those words, Ron's anger spiked visibly, and Malfoy's face stretched into a wide grin. Hermione had her arms wrapped around Ron to keep him from lunging.
But Astoria did not show the faintest sign of fear. She pointed sharply toward Harry and the others.
"Hogwarts is a school of magic with proud history and tradition. Naturally, the teachers who represent it must be suitably presentable. That being the case, such attire is completely out of the question. I am saying that Professor Lupin should pay more attention to his appearance!"
"Huh, that direction…?"
Draco's expression shifted as if he sensed the conversation going somewhere he had not expected. Harry and the others stared in stunned confusion while Astoria shook her head in exasperation.
"It is truly shameful! He teaches such wonderful lessons and yet his clothes are worn, his robe is shabby and patched all over, his trunk is falling apart, his face is pale and exhausted, and though he is still young, his tawny hair is mixed with grey! I simply cannot overlook this as a student!"
"You can't say it like that…!"
Astoria stepped forward, frowning, toward Hermione, who tried to protest.
"Then let me ask you in return. Miss Granger, if your sibling or your father spent every day dressed like that, or if the man you fancy or a senior you admired arrived for dinner dressed in that state, how would you feel?"
"Well… that's…"
"I would kick him."
Astoria was apparently far more combative than expected.
"I am not demanding that he become some impeccably dressed, dashing gentleman dripping with charm. However, standing at the podium with at least one properly tailored suit is the minimum responsibility of a teacher who should serve as a model for students."
"Ugh…!"
Hermione looked as if she had taken a blow.
"Daphne, your sister's amazing."
"Told you."
"The younger Greengrass might have a point…"
Even the other girls besides Hermione were beginning to look convinced, and the atmosphere started to shift.
"Just imagine it. Professor Lupin dressed sharply in a stylish suit like a true gentleman!"
"Whaaa—!?"
Within the fierce imaginations of a group of adolescent girls, Professor Lupin was suddenly transformed into a suave, handsome gentleman straight out of a British spy film, impeccably dressed and breathtakingly refined. They could not help but want to see it, even once. That shared fantasy united their hearts completely.
"Astoria is absolutely right!"
"Hermione!?"
Harry and Ron stared at Hermione as though she had been struck by lightning. But Hermione spun around to face them with fierce determination.
"Ron, Harry, I simply cannot stand the idea of a gentleman like Professor Lupin being disadvantaged because of his appearance!"
"Ehh…"
Harry and Ron looked utterly lost. Forgetting the argument from moments earlier, they turned toward Malfoy as if begging for help, but Malfoy turned away pointedly, refusing eye contact as if to say "Don't look at me."
"Well, Astoria sort of has a point."
"Professor Lupin really does wear the same clothes all the time."
"As a normal person, that's kind of unacceptable."
"He's a great teacher, but it is a bit rough."
In response, Millicent, Daphne, Pansy, and I fully agreed with Hermione. Lavender and Parvati were nodding as well.
Seeing the tide shift, Astoria extended one finger like a conductor calling attention.
"The first thing a gentleman needs is a proper suit."
Naturally, it must be tailored, she added. The Gryffindor boys wore expressions that clearly read "Ready-made is fine," and Astoria placed her hands on her hips in exasperation.
"Clothing is the first step in conveying one's inner self to others. A suit represents a man's dignity above all. Wearing one demonstrates seriousness at a glance, along with confidence and earnest intent."
While Harry, Draco, and the other boys looked bewildered, we girls united beyond house lines, shouting "Exactly!" and "Say it louder!" as we hung on Astoria's speech.
"The finest kind of wizard, in my view, is not merely one who can perform advanced magic. A truly excellent wizard carries the traditions of our magical world within themselves and shows them outwardly to others. Therefore, no matter how powerful a wizard may be, neglecting one's appearance is unacceptable."
Wizards are the knights of today, and a suit is the armor of the modern age.
Astoria concluded, and a roar of applause rose from the delighted girls.
"She's absolutely right!"
"Daphne, you have a wonderful sister!"
"I know, she really is!"
"What kind of suit would look best on Professor Lupin?"
Slytherin and Gryffindor girls were buzzing with excitement, completely leaving the boys behind. Even Pansy's earlier bluffing had only been to match Draco. Deep down, they had very high regard for Professor Lupin's classes and personality.
Still, because Draco's critique of Lupin's appearance held a bit of truth, no one had been able to defend him openly. But now Astoria had provided the perfect solution.
"Well then, sister?"
"Leave it to your big sis!"
Responding to Astoria's subtle signal, Daphne puffed out her fairly ample chest with pride.
"Everyone! Shall we make Professor Lupin's makeover our mission for next weekend's Hogsmeade visit?"
"Ohhh!"
＊＊＊
And so on Saturday, under a clear sky in Hogsmeade Village…
There stood Professor Lupin, completely bewildered and surrounded by a large crowd of girls who had somehow caught wind of their plan.
"Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but…"
Professor Lupin wore a helpless smile.
"I am embarrassed to admit that I do not have much money on hand…"
"You can pay us back when you are able. We will cover it."
"Well, these things are restricted by school policy…"
"We asked Prefect Farley, and he obtained special permission from Headmaster Dumbledore."
"…"
Presented with a pouch full of gold coins and an official permission document, Professor Lupin could no longer protest.
"What on earth is Dumbledore thinking…"
"He's always been a bit crazy, hasn't he?"
Ron and Draco muttered from a distance, but we ignored them and charged onward toward the main street.
At last, the shopping spree began.
(End of chapter)
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