HP: The Duelist of Hogwarts - 411

Chapter 412: Conspiracy

The second period in the afternoon was Defense Against the Dark Arts.

In his disguise, Professor Joros Jobbins cut a striking figure. He had a sharply handsome face and a tall, powerful build, which very neatly captured the hearts of the fifth-year girls. Even Hermione took a liking to Professor Jobbins. So long as he was not another Gilderoy Lockhart, and so long as he had real ability, he would quickly become the most popular professor among the girls at Hogwarts.

When Sean arrived, he found the front rows mostly occupied by girls, while the boys drifted toward the back. Only a handful, Blaise among them, held seats near the middle. Thanks to Blaise, Sean snagged a spot toward the front of the middle section.

“Professor Jobbins is popular.”

“If you looked like that, you would be too.”

That made Sean think of a piece of news he had seen at Castelobruxo in Brazil. A wizard had secretly obtained a Muggle celebrity’s hair and used Polyjuice Potion to assume the star’s appearance, then prowled about at night for conquests.

People mistook the wizard’s behavior for the celebrity’s, but the star happened to be on live television at the same time, which caused quite a stir. The wizard was reportedly imprisoned after that, and he had a wife and child.

Shaking off the thought, Sean looked back to the dais at Gavin.

Class had begun.

“You are all fifth-years now,” Gavin said. “As you know, the biggest challenge waiting for you this year is your O.W.L. exams. The exam includes both written and practical components. So this year, I will divide each lesson accordingly. The first half of each class will focus on the written portion of the material. The second half will focus on practical skills.

“Let us begin by reviewing spell incantations, wand movements, and effects for the most commonly used charms and counter-curses, starting with those most useful against low-level Dark Magic and jinxes.”

Sean watched, surprised at how quickly his grandfather had taken to the Defense post. He taught from the basics upward in a way that suited a Hogwarts crowd not known for diligent study. Blaise, for example, had a shaky foundation, especially for written exams. If he sat a first-year paper right now, fifty percent would be a good day.

When the written overview ended, the practical segment began.

Gavin’s explanations were precise. On the first day, he covered the use of the Stunning Spell, Stupefy, and, along the way, demonstrated clever applications for two minor hexes. By the end of a single lesson, Gavin had won over most of the Slytherin and Gryffindor girls. Some of the boys as well, though they were won by his ability and presence more than his looks.

The fifth year was busy, and Sean was splitting his time between classes, Life Alchemy research, and potion work targeting the werewolf virus. On the very first day, he found himself back in a third-year rhythm: living with the Time-Turner, second-generation Mental Restoration Potions, and Energy Potions as casually as water.

In the library, Sean uncorked three vials of the second-generation Mental Restoration Potion with his teeth and swallowed them down. He let out a breath, rested a moment, then bent over his sources again.

After his adjustments to the Wolfsbane Potion, his understanding of the werewolf virus had deepened. He no longer needed to inch along step by step. He could dive straight into the more complex parts of the research.

To confirm that infection in werewolves was truly viral, he would need a werewolf willing to cooperate, and he would need to collect samples at the full moon. Unfortunately, the werewolf from last year was dead. Otherwise, there would be no reason to look elsewhere.

At that thought, a name rose immediately in Sean’s mind.

Remus Lupin.

As the sun set, Sean packed his things and went straight to the Headmaster’s office. With the Time-Turner, he could always choose a time to return and attend class. Before that, he could pour his energy into the research.

“Fizzing Whizzbees.”

The password was correct, and Sean entered the Headmaster’s office.

Seeing him, Dumbledore asked at once, “Sean, is there something the matter?”

“Professor Dumbledore, there is no need to be alarmed. I am not here about Voldemort or the Death Eaters. I am here to ask a favor.”

“A favor? How can I help?”

“I want to find a werewolf to assist with my current research. I would like to invite Professor Lupin to cooperate.”

“Remus…” Dumbledore looked at Sean. “Sean, is your research in Alchemy, or…”

“In Potions, Professor.”

“And the focus of the research is…”

“To resolve werewolf infection completely and restore werewolf wizards to ordinary human wizards.”

At that, surprise showed plainly on Dumbledore’s face. He studied Sean, eyes bright with astonishment. “Sean, if your research succeeds, it will be a rebirth for many people, Remus most of all. I know his pain. I believe he will be very willing to help you.”

“Good. Thank you, Professor Dumbledore.”

“Sean, what do you make of Umbridge?”

“Fudge’s hand pushed into Hogwarts. But you still hold a measure of authority and position, Professor. Fudge will not dare go too far. So either he has Umbridge stir up intrigues within Hogwarts, or he finds a way to weaken your position and power, then lets Umbridge encroach on school governance. Those are the only two real possibilities.”

“And which do you consider more likely?”

“The second.”

“Very well. Thank you.”

“I am a member of the Order of the Phoenix. It is only right that I do this, is it not?”

Bidding Dumbledore farewell, Sean headed to the Great Hall, where Jensen and Blaise were already waiting.

At the same time, at the Ministry of Magic.

With a blank face, Order of the Phoenix member Sturgis Podmore stepped out of a Floo hearth. He glanced at the passing witches and wizards, then turned and took the lift, descending toward Level Nine, the Department of Mysteries.