Chapter 554: Black Defense Class Taught by Auror
In the following period of time, discussing spells and study sessions gradually became a new trend in Hogwarts.

Vader had heard more than once someone pretending to be modest say: “My armor spell is not very good yet. It has just been formed and can’t resist many powerful spells at all.”

Before he finished speaking, the student cast a spell and created a transparent barrier. The other students curiously cast a small evil spell, watching the light of the spell spread or bounced on the barrier, exclaiming in surprise and admiration.

Someone else said to the person next to him at the table: “I just asked my father. Of course he knows the Shield Charm, but no one else in his office knows it! The level of the Ministry of Magic’s staff in recent years is really worrying. If it were twenty years ago, I doubt they would have survived for a few days.”

He looked concerned about the country and the people, as if he would soon run for Minister of Magic and work hard to change this situation.

Some people also complained to Harry and the others: “So you guys in SSC have been eating so well? You kept it a secret from us. I was wondering, no wonder even Neville can cast the Happy Charm.”

Neville looked up blankly when he heard his name and said, “I didn’t hide any food… Uh, do you want some potatoes?”

He took a baked potato from the plate in front of him and gave it to the other person.

Although Neville’s grades in all aspects were not top-notch, they were always in the middle. Since Snape stopped bothering him so often, Neville’s grades in Potions class had improved slightly.

Therefore, he is now much more generous and frank. Even though he knows that many people are actually laughing at him, he does not cower and lower his head.

“By the way, have you noticed?” Harry asked others while doing homework in the Umbrella House: “I think Snape is a little afraid of Professor Moody.”

“It’s Professor Snape, Harry,” said Hermione without looking up.

“Snape is always avoiding Moody’s eyes, isn’t he?” Padma said, directing the quill to dance on the table with her wand. “I think that’s normal. I don’t dare to look at Professor Moody’s face.”

“That’s different,” said Harry.

But he couldn’t tell what the difference was. However, even if he thought with his fingernails, Harry felt that the reason why Snape was afraid of Moody couldn’t be the same as Padma.

Others were not interested in the relationship between the two professors. No matter who they were, they were intimidating. However, in comparison, they would rather talk about the recent Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Moody never taught in a routine manner. He always set various challenges in each class, and a duel between two people was the most common and normal one.

Sometimes he would set up various magic traps, some of which even had some slight traces of black magic, for students to crack. Those who failed to crack and violated the trap would suffer some pain.

Sometimes he would bring dangerous magical creatures into the classroom without telling the students about their existence until they suddenly attacked, once even breaking Lisa’s arm, and another time Zabini’s nose was nearly cut off.

Of course, none of these injuries were caused by dark magic, and Madam Pomfrey restored them to their original state in just two or three strokes.

Moody never took students’ complaints and tears seriously. If anyone cried loudly in his class, they would be scolded as if being born was a mistake.

As for the yelling letters sent to him by parents, to Moody they were more like fun candies every morning, which he would solve in various ways before they were even opened.

Students all discovered that Moody would hardly open anyone’s letter directly – even if it was sent to him by an acquaintance, he would put the letter far away and then use magic to open it.

Because of this caution, he avoided two attacks of the pus from the Babo tuber and a curse of unknown effect.

“Stay alert, kids!” Moody would shout loudly every time he resolved an attack: “In this world, just surviving is a difficult challenge! Accidents always come suddenly when you think nothing will happen!”

Students: “…” They murmured silently in their hearts: None of us is as hated as you!

But after that, everyone became much more cautious when opening packages or letters.

All in all, no matter how parents and students protested and objected, Moody was not removed from his position as professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Once, Hagrid was so desperate that he seemed like he was about to jump off the Headmaster’s Tower because Malfoy was injured.

But to Moody – a little wound that could be healed? That was no problem! The whole family yelled at him for this, it was just looking for trouble!

He firmly adhered to his own teaching methods and did not waver. He even wrote to old friends and borrowed a lot of dark magic props seized by Aurors to teach students how to identify the differences.

Michael said tangledly: “Professor Moody’s Defense Against the Dark Arts course is scary, but it is useful and sometimes interesting… but it is indeed a bit scary.”

Theo sighed and added: “It is also accompanied by various injuries and pains from time to time, and sometimes life-threatening.”

He touched his neck with lingering fear.

“Theo was almost strangled to death by a scarf today.” Ryan told everyone: “In the school infirmary, we heard Madam Pomfrey and Professor Moody quarreling. I have never seen that lady so angry.”

“Why didn’t the Ministry of Magic cause any trouble for Moody?” Harry asked puzzledly. “Several times I was worried that he would go to Azkaban like this.”

“You’ve seen the scars on his body,” Wade said. “It is said that half of the cells in Azkaban were filled by him. He has been an Auror for many years and has made outstanding contributions. Even though he has retired now, he is still the best Auror.”

“So is it just our luck that he can pass on his life experience to us?” Michael said with a bitter face.

Vader nodded: “That’s it.”

Harry was hesitant. Being an Auror had always been one of his ideals, on par with being a professional Quidditch player. But looking at Moody’s expression, Harry felt that he needed to think about it again.

“Ah, I’m done!” Hermione suddenly dropped the pen in her hand, took out her wand and tapped the parchment, copied what she had just written several times, and stood up to distribute them to everyone.

Harry held the parchment and said in confusion, “Vomiting Initiative? What does that mean?”

“It’s not ‘vomit’, it’s the SPEW House-Elf Rights Promotion Society, a society I’m going to create.”

Hermione looked at Padma with a rather intimidating look, then looked at the others and said, “You will join, right?”

Everyone was silent for a moment, and even Michael did not actively respond to Hermione’s call this time.

“That’s a good idea.” Wade said, “But I have a few questions.”

“Sure, go ahead.” Hermione raised her head proudly.

(End of this chapter)