Higgs frowned, deep in thought. The memory of Alex’s skill and posure during Charles’ training fshed in his mind. Slowly, he nodded. "Alright, what do you need from me?"

  "For now, nothing," Alex said, his tone casual. "All we o do is wait."

  "Wait?" Higgs raised an eyebrow.

  "Slytherin values ing and self-preservation above all else," Alex expined, a sly grin f. "As long as they’re not directly affected, most people will sit on the sidelines. But ohese pure-blood radicals push too far, the half-bloods in our house will iably start resisting."

  Higgs seemed to cat. "You’re right. There are plenty of half-blood wizards in Slytherin. Even though they e from respected families, they won’t tolerate being looked down on forever."

  "Exactly," Alex said. "When the backsh begins, that’s when you’ll step in. You’ll act as a voice of reason, rallying the half-bloods and stabilizing the house. Leave the radicals to me."

  Vivian chimed in with a nod. "That makes sense. Most Slytherins are pragmatic. They won’t blindly follow a cause that risks their own standing."

  "But are you really sure about this?" Higgs asked hesitantly. "There are seven pure-bloods in the sixth ah years, led by Yaxley. They’re no pushovers."

  Alex’s calm demeanor didn’t waver. "I kly who I’m dealing with, and I’ve prepared accly. Just stay low for now. They won’t try anythireme while we’re still under Dumbledore’s roof."

  Then Alex g both Higgs and Vivian. "Also, I’d like you to join my training pn. Strength is the foundation of everything. What do you think?"

  Vivian tilted her head curiously. "Training? Like the one Charles is doing?"

  "Exactly," Alex replied.

  Charles, standing to the side, eagerly interjected. "You don’t know how effective it is! I’ve only been training for a year, and look at me now!" His grin turned mischievous as he thought to himself, ‘If I have to suffer through this, you’re not getting off easy either.’

  Higgs and Vivian exged gnces, both recalling the strength Charles had dispyed earlier. After a moment, they nodded in agreement. "Alright," Vivian said, "when do we start?"

  "Tomorrow," Alex firmed. He turo Charles with a smirk. "Since you’re so enthusiastic, you hahe basics for them."

  Charles gulped but nodded enthusiastically. "Got it!"

  After dismissing the group, Alex returo his room, letting out a long breath. He had successfully secured their cooperation, but he knew he couldn’t let them meddle in his pns. Timing and strategy were everything. ‘Dumbledore... what are you pying at?’ Alex thought to himself. It feels like you’re deliberately allowing these pure-bloods to act out. But if that’s your move, I’ll turn it to my advantage.

  The day, Hogwarts bustled with its usual energy. Alex attended his first Defense Against the Dark Arts css of the semester alongside Vivian and Charles. The professor, whom they had briefly seen at the openi, stood at the front of the . His u appearand tired expression made him look like he hadn’t had a good day in years.

  "Good m," the professan, his voice monotone. "I’m Guilume Genti, your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this year. Although teag is tedious aitive, I do o pay the bills, so here we are. Let’s just get this over with."

  The css fell silent, every student staring at him in shootig their expressions, Professenti blinked. "What? Is there something on my face?"

  A brave girl raised her hand. "Uh, Professor, you don’t seem... happy. Maybe you should ask Professor Snape for a bottle of Euphoria Potion?"

  Professenti sighed, his to. "Thank you for the suggestion, but fake happiness won’t solve anything. Still, I suppose it’s the thought that ts."

  The girl gave an awkward ugh, unsure how to respond. Audent chimed in nervously, "Professor, I could cast a spell to make you ugh! Would that help?"

  "Ah, the so-called Cheer-Up Charm," Genti replied. "A waste of effort. F someoo ugh when they’re miserable is just another form of torture."

  His words cast a heavy silence over the room. Sensing the awkwardness, Genti forced a wide, toothy grin that looked more terrifying than cheerful. "How about I teach you something useful instead?"

  The students perked up instantly, their enthusiasm returning. "Yes, please!" "What kind of magic?"

  The professor smirked faintly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Ah, it’s a spell that ensures none of you bee professors in the wenty years. In other words, the kind of magio one appreciates until they for survival. Cherish it—it’ll e in handy when job hunting.”

  The fell silent again, the oppressive atmosphere nearly tangible. "Alex," Vivian whispered from her seat, leaning slightly toward him, "don’t you think something’s... off about our new professor?"

  Alex nodded subtly, his eyes fixed on the despo man at the front. "Off? That’s putting it lightly. His ivity feels like it’s trying to suck the air out of the room."

  The wo hours dragged on endlessly. Professenti's droning voice filled the as he monotonously read from the textbook, punctuated by his own grim entary. “Why bother? None of this knowledge matters in the grand scheme of things. Still, it’s tradition to waste time like this, so let’s tinue. Who am I to disrupt the system?” Occasionally, he muttered lines like, “Every sed brings us closer to the iable,” and “True bravery is sitting through this without breaking down.”By the time the bell rang, the students were utterly drained.

  “Alright, css dismissed,” Genti said, his voice as lifeless as ever. “And here’s your homework: write a two-foot essay on today’s topiot that I’ll read it—it’s just another pointless exercise. But professors love following traditiht? Wronging yourself for survival is just human nature, after all.” He turned on his heel and shuffled out of the room without waiting for a response.

  Vivian shivered as they left the . “That was... horrible. I feel like my soul just g out ao dry.”

  Charles slouched o her, rubbing his temples. “Does he always talk like that? I was ready to burst into tears halfway through.”Even Alex, usually unfppable, sighed as he stretched his neck. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t actually cast a depression spell on us ime.”

  That evening, Alex pushed the gloomy atmosphere aside and packed for the Charms Club meeting. When he arrived at the meeting room, many older students were already there, chatting animatedly. Unsurprisingly, the topic of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor domihe versation.

  “Have you been to his css yet?” a seventh-year girl said, her voice filled with disbelief.

  “It’s terrifying. Sitting through it feels like being cursed to relive your worst memories.”

  “Right?” audent chimed in. “I heard he used to be a curse-breaker fotts. He was brilliant—one of the best at ter-curses. But apparently, something happened, and he just... fell apart.”

  Sherly Lenister, a seventh-year with a keen i in curse-breaking, added thoughtfully, “I’ve read some of his papers. His insights into ter-curse theory were groundbreaking, but four years ago, he suddenly stopped publishing. Rumor has it he started failing at even basic spells.”

  “Do you think he’s cursed?” someone else asked.

  “It’s possible,” Shirley replied, her brow furrowed. “He did a lot of work i. Maybe he triggered something ahere. It would expin his current state.”