The classroom sat deep in the dungeon, even darker than the Potions classroom.
The torches flickered weakly.
Shadows clung to the stone walls.
And the smell…
Was overwhelming.
Garlic.
So much garlic it felt like breathing through soup.
Students covered their noses subtly as they sat.
At the front stood Professor Quirrell — turban wrapped tight, posture nervous, voice faint.
He cleared his throat.
"G-Good morning, class. I am Professor Quirrell… your Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor."
After introductions, he began the lesson — basic dark creature identification.
Alexander raised his hand halfway through.
Quirrell flinched slightly.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Chen?"
Alexander spoke calmly.
"Why does it smell so much like garlic in here?"
Several students snorted quietly.
Quirrell adjusted his turban nervously.
"I… I was chased by a vampire before coming to Hogwarts. Garlic makes me feel… safer."
Alexander already knew the real reason.
The thing hiding on the back of Quirrell's head.
The noseless parasite.
But he kept his expression neutral.
"We're at Hogwarts," Alexander said. "We're safe from dark creatures here, right, Professor?"
Quirrell paused — visibly stunned for half a second.
Then forced a smile.
"Y-Yes… Hogwarts is very safe. B-But I still prefer garlic."
Alexander nodded lightly.
"Understood."
Quirrell cleared his throat quickly.
"A-Alright, enough questions. Let us continue."
Despite his nerves…
Quirrell wasn't actually a bad teacher.
He spoke about dark creature traits, habitats, and identification markers.
He used visual charts.
Gave practical examples.
He stuttered often…
But the content was solid.
Alexander compared him mentally to last year's professor.
Quirrell was timid — but far more competent.
The class passed without incident.
Though Alexander spent most of it quietly thinking.
Planning.
Calculating.
A way to annoy him later.
As students packed up, Cho looked at him carefully.
"I know that look."
Alexander slung his bag over his shoulder.
"What look?"
"The 'I'm planning chaos' look."
He smiled slightly.
"Nothing. I just find Professor Quirrell… really interesting."
She narrowed her eyes.
But still followed him to the next class.
Professor Flitwick greeted them energetically as always.
"Today we refine levitation control!"
He demonstrated:
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
Multiple feathers lifted simultaneously, floating in formation.
"This is a foundational step toward advanced applications — object redirection, projectile casting, and shield interaction."
Students began practicing.
For now, it was still feathers only.
Multiple-object lift required concentration and wand precision.
Alexander and Cho completed the exercise smoothly — feathers hovering in stable orbit.
Flitwick clapped delightedly.
"Twenty points to Ravenclaw!"
He then moved on to assist struggling students, particularly those whose feathers either spun wildly or refused to rise at all.
After lunch was free period.
During free period, Alexander would usually take a nap, but ever since he got a girlfriend.
Cho dragged him along to the library to study together.
Notes organized.
Spell diagrams reviewed.
Barrier theory is refined further.
Homework essays completed to perfection.
Dinner passed peacefully.
Just normal house chatter.
Then—
Detention.
Again.
Routine by now.
Followed, as always, by their nightly hide-and-seek game afterward.
By the time Alexander returned to his dorm, the castle was silent.
Lay back on his bed.
Another full day complete.
But lingering in the back of his mind—
Garlic.
And the timid professor is hiding something behind that turban.
What fun we three will have soon.