Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 291 Christmas is Coming
The course content was actually not much different from what Melvin taught in his weekend tutoring classes, except that detailed and interesting facts were added, and several professors provided on-site guidance and correction. In addition, the course cleverly used euphoria, and the students' feedback was very good.

These types of courses are always very interesting, with a fun and educational element. Time flies by, and before you know it, it's almost ten o'clock.

"Lights out time is coming soon, that's all for today's practice."

"According to the original course schedule, students who condense a physical guardian spirit are selected to go on stage to face the Dementors, but unfortunately no one has successfully summoned a guardian spirit yet."

The flickering candles stopped, and a soft light spilled into the auditorium. Professor Levent's figure was spread across the podium, with a black briefcase at his feet containing a genuine Dementor.

Harry scratched the back of his neck, exchanged a glance with Hermione, and couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

They studied the longest, but they couldn't directly summon physical guardian deities.

"Alright, most of you have already summoned your Silver Mist. So today, let's try facing the Dementors together. I'll drive the Dementors off the stage and through the four academies. You will then summon your Silver Mist and manipulate it to drive them away."

"Attention, leaders at all levels."

"Percy, organize yourselves! The Gryffindor students, engage the enemy head-on!"

Percy squeezed his way to the front of the Gryffindor students, gripping his wand tightly, his palms sweating, but still mustered the courage to stand in front.

A group of people stretched out their wands and pointed them at the podium. The black box trembled slightly, and cold white mist escaped from the cracks. A faint ripple spread from the box, which everyone felt.

The box suddenly burst open!

The Dementor burst out of the box and hovered in the auditorium, not only sensing the alluring joyful mood but also receiving the order to attack.

The wide cloak rushed toward the nearest young wizards, instantly enveloping them in darkness, and a long, chilling inhale came from its throat.

A dazzling silver glow began to appear, wisps of silver mist merging together to form a solid wall. The two brightest wisps of silver glow came from Harry and Hermione, and their curved outlines could already be faintly seen.

It's like the summer morning mist melting under the sunlight; the cold mist touches the silvery light and instantly dissipates, leaving the white mist behind to gather along the carpet.

The Dementors, like prey being stalked, frantically search for a chance to escape.

He was surrounded by students on all sides.

The Dementor's mouth let out a shriek, and the silver mist made it very uncomfortable. It quickly gave up fighting against the radiance of the Patronus Charm and slipped its cloak into the box.

"Great!" Harry exclaimed. "I didn't faint this time!"

The students were still somewhat reluctant to leave.

"The Patronus Charm is an extremely difficult ancient spell, but I believe you have already grasped its slippery tail. As long as you practice diligently, you will soon be able to master it completely. I guarantee this in Merlin's name."

Melvin paused briefly, then said, "Congratulations on defeating the Dementors."

The auditorium fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers. Everyone raised their hands and jumped for joy. The girls hugged each other excitedly, and the boys clapped and shouted.

Harry cheered and high-fived with his classmates, and then he saw Cho Chang standing in the Ravenclaw line, nodding and smiling at him.

He suddenly became delighted, thinking that Qiu Zhang must have seen his performance just now and had developed a liking for him.

……

It was Saturday evening, December 18, 1993.

The Muggle Research Office is very busy.

The air is filled with the scent of cedar wood and ink. This is the new winter product from Wenrenju Quill Pen. The scent is faint when you open the ink bottle, but it gradually spreads as you write.

The third-year students' papers, which were submitted last week, already had Professor Levent's brief comments next to them, but Hermione couldn't resist writing even smaller, more detailed notes next to them, usually recommending reading materials, down to specific chapters.

Why do weekend tutors help professors grade assignments?
Is this considered tutoring or a form of confinement?

Why are you still being confined after copying so much material?

However, reviewing papers can also deepen one's understanding of knowledge, consolidate one's foundation, and broaden one's thinking. In addition, Professor Levent's key points and the introduction of wizarding thinking can make Muggle things that one has been accustomed to since childhood come to a new look.

I've been spending my Saturday evenings like this during tutoring sessions lately, and it's been pretty good.

Hermione pondered and wrote down annotations. On the table to her right was a cup of hot cocoa, the sweet aroma of chocolate and the scent of cedar wood ink lingering in the air. The crackling of firewood in the fireplace and the falling snowflakes outside the window made everything feel pleasant.

A classmate from the tutoring class was sitting on a chair next to him, wearing old, narrow-rimmed glasses, with bright green eyes.

She couldn't sit still any longer. While copying the materials, she kept looking around, glancing at the professor reading not far away, then at her next door, then at the snow outside the window, and the occasional glimmer of silver light, as if there were nails under her butt.

Hermione knew why he couldn't sit still.

After last week's open class, everyone has been practicing the Guardian Charm diligently, striving to be the first in the entire school to condense a physical Guardian Charm. Some students have found that practicing in pairs is more effective and creates a more intense atmosphere.

Tonight, the Toad Choir, the Drama Club, and the Gobstone Club organized student activities, with half the school's students gathering in the courtyard to practice Patronus Charms.

Flitwick and Sprout provided on-site guidance, while older students shared tips and experiences. George and Fred offered to contribute two colorful firecrackers soaked in euphoria, which they had secretly kept from the last dueling club event.

Many students believe that someone will definitely materialize a Guardian Spirit tonight, most likely Cedric of Hufflepuff.

"Hurry up and review them."

Hermione picked up a quill, dipped it in ink, and looked at Harry, giving him earnest advice.

Harry felt that the way he was being looked at was like a professor looking at a student, especially Professor McGonagall and Professor Levent, full of the expectations of an elder for a younger person.

But he didn't dwell on it; he was thinking about Ravenclaw's Seeker, whom he had bumped into several times in the hallway in recent days and greeted each time.

The girl spoke slowly and softly.

Her guardian angel will probably be the nightingale.

“Hehe…” Harry stared blankly at the parchment.

Ten minutes ago, Parvati's paper was placed on top.

Ten minutes later, Parvati's paper was still on top.

Fortunately, Hermione is still working diligently and can finish grading the third-year students' homework, ensuring that the detention will not be extended, or at least the little witch's detention will not be extended.

The tutoring session ended quickly.

Four colleges, nearly a hundred papers, classified according to different ratings.

Gryffindor had a much larger number of excellent papers, stacked high above the rest. Harry glanced at the professor out of the corner of his eye, feeling slightly guilty, as he had secretly helped a few friends improve their grades.

Slytherin House was noticeably smaller. Hermione kept her eyes straight ahead, not deliberately making things difficult for her, but simply carefully pointing out her classmates' mistakes and spending more time on those papers.

Melvin remained calm, quickly flipping through the papers. He then pulled out a few from the Gryffindor stack and placed them aside, including those by Ron, Seamus, and Dean, all bearing the glaring letter A.

"..."

Harry remained silent. His abilities were simply limited, and he had overlooked some points when grading papers.

Hermione pretended to pick up the white porcelain teacup and take a sip, as if she was thirsty from reviewing her papers, but her eyes showed a slight panic.

"Professor, I still don't understand why I'm being confined?" the little witch began to change the subject.

The trick was crude, but it worked very well.

"You'll find out later, it won't be long."

Melvin's answer was extremely perfunctory, but Hermione didn't mind; she had already achieved her goal.

"What about me?" Harry asked, looking rather silly.

"You were caught wearing an invisibility cloak and sneaking out at night, trying to eavesdrop on the professor's conversation, and even breaking into Remus's office."

"Was it you, Professor, who pulled me in there?" Harry protested angrily.

"Want to go and debate with Headmaster Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall?" Melvin glanced at him indifferently. "I'm available anytime."

"No, sir."

“Then let’s go back. We can still catch the courtyard activities.” Melvin put away his paper.

Two students from the tutoring center left the office, saying goodnight at the door before leaving. They then carefully closed the door behind them, speaking softly, creating a harmonious atmosphere between teacher and students.

Melvin simply nodded and smiled, without responding.

……

Harry leaned against the outer railing of the corridor and glanced outside, taking in the lively scene in the courtyard. His expression gradually fell.

"What did you see? The look on your face... Malfoy has materialized a Guardian Angel?"

Hermione walked next to Harry and nudged his elbow. "Don't worry about it too much. He probably practiced at home beforehand. Relax. Patronus is closely related to your mood."

“How is that possible? I don’t think even a dark wizard like Malfoy could conjure a Patronus.” Harry waved his hand impatiently. “It’s not Malfoy, it’s Cedric. He seems to have formed a complete outline, although we can’t see what it is, but everyone is gathered around congratulating him.”

Among them was Qiu Zhang. They stood very close together, talking and laughing, looking very intimate.

Harry felt increasingly upset.

"It's alright, it's alright. We've already formed the outline, but we still need to practice regularly." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

“I know… my Patronus can see the outline now, I just…” Harry didn’t know how to explain it.

Hermione peeked out and could only see a lively courtyard, nothing special.

She stared at Harry, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

With some time still before lights out, students gathered in the circular corridor of the courtyard, which was decorated like a snow-themed amusement park. Crystal lamps hung on the stones in the courtyard, with candles and kerosene wicks, like little flowers blooming in the snow.

Several student club banners hung on the two granite wizard statues, and groups of students dressed in wizard robes practiced together. Two professors wandered around giving instructions, and Percy followed along, counting the number of students staying on campus for Christmas.

"Harry, Hermione, what about you? Are you going home for Christmas this year?" Percy asked, holding the registration form and wearing the student president's badge on his chest.

"Going back to the Dursleys for Christmas? Oh, never mind, I'd rather use the wonderful Christmas holidays to gather my Patronus." Harry shrugged.

“I’ll stay at school too.” Hermione signed her name on the registration form.

"And you?" Percy looked at a group of familiar Gryffindor friends beside him.

“Do you even need to ask me?” Ron sighed. “Mom and Dad are going on a skiing vacation. What are we going to eat when we get home? Snow in the yard, frozen goblins, ghouls banging on pipes on the roof? Of course, we’ll stay at school and enjoy a sumptuous dinner.”

Neville, Seymour, and the others chose to go home.

"Okay, I have some good news for you."

Percy put away the registration form and patted them on the shoulder: "Madam Fat has almost recovered and will be back at work after Christmas. She won't have to memorize Sir Cardogan's crude commands anymore..."

With the upcoming Christmas holidays, the students in the courtyard were even more excited, and the atmosphere during practice was much more lively.

"Did anything unusual happen in the courtyard while you were practicing?" Hermione asked, her eyes sparkling.

"It is nothing special."

Ron counted on his fingers, "Still no one has summoned a physical Patronus. Professors Flitwick and Sprout are in charge of guiding them. The prefects are taking stock of the Christmas returnees. Percy hasn't noticed that his badge was switched by George and Fred. Cedric's Patronus is starting to take shape..."

"Besides these?" Hermione traced a silver ball of light with her wand, through which a small, cute creature could be vaguely seen.

"A group of people gathered in the courtyard to practice spells. It's not a duel, so what's so special about it?"

Ron suddenly stopped, gestured toward the corner of the corridor, and whispered, "Does Snape's sudden appearance count?"

"Professor Snape?"

A group of people turned to look.

That expressionless face appeared, with greasy hair hanging down on both sides, a sharply defined aquiline nose, and a glint of light in his dark gray eyes. A dark green robe was wrapped around his tall, thin body.

Standing at the boundary between shadow and light, he looks like a demon lurking in the dark.

"Doesn't he spend all his free time researching poisons in the basement? How come he's here?" Ron retorted sharply.

"Have you noticed that we keep running into old bats lately?"

"He must be plotting to poison someone!"

“In fact, he might be stalking me…” Harry hesitated for a moment before recounting his recent experiences.

I've been running into Snape a lot lately, even more often than I've run into Cho Chang.

Aside from Potions class each week, I would always see Snape's cold face as I passed through the corridor during breaks. And every time I looked up at the head table during meals in the Great Hall, I would meet Snape's gaze.

“At first, I thought he wanted to deduct my house points, but Slytherin's house points were higher than ours, and I found it a bit strange that he was maintaining this abnormal level of attention.”

Harry frowned.

"He must have some ulterior motive... What could it be?"

Ron rested his chin on his hand and frowned. "It would be great if we could track him down instead, but we have class, and this old bat is too wary; it keeps staring at us."

Hermione unconsciously reached for the necklace around her neck: "Perhaps... I can help."

(End of this chapter)