Tver's explanation to Hagrid spread among the students—who still grumbled. After all, no matter how much he explained, feeding Flobberworms was never going to make them happy. But deep down, there was finally a flicker of hope. They started to hope that Care of Magical Creatures might get better.
However, compared to Hagrid, the students' main focus was on tonight's event. That's right—the first meeting of the Defence Against the Dark Arts Club was tonight!
"If I could join the club, I'd gladly sit through Divination every day and listen to Trelawney's ominous ramblings."
Ron watched the Weasley twins boast in the common room with envy, while Percy stood off to the side, resigned.
"Actually, we not only have to suffer through Divination, but we can't even join the club," Harry propped his chin up, his eyes also filled with longing.
Ever since Professor Trelawney made that ominous prophecy during the first Divination class, Harry's mood had been affected—though Professor McGonagall insisted it was just part of the annual tradition. Especially since Professor Trelawney stared at him tearfully every lesson, as if a giant black dog were about to pounce on him—that black dog was the omen she had foretold. It was enough to make him lose focus on his homework.
Now, the only thing keeping him going was the classes with the two Defence Against the Dark Arts professors. How could such outstanding professors only teach one subject? They should each teach one—no, two—subjects! Ideally, both Potions and Divination should be taught by Professor Fawley and Professor Lupin!
"Stop daydreaming. It would be worse if you can't even finish your homework," Hermione said as she sat down beside them, looking utterly exhausted.
Ron and Harry jumped in surprise, almost knocking their homework into the fireplace.
"When did you get here?" Ron asked, still startled.
"Just now, obviously," Hermione replied dismissively, pulling out a thick stack of homework, much larger than theirs.
Ron frowned, but his surprise grew when he saw the mountain of work.
"How are you going to finish all that? And I thought you were with us in Defence Against the Dark Arts today? Wasn't that you who disarmed three people?"
"Of course it was me," Hermione said without even looking up.
"Then how do you have time for Muggle Studies homework? Those classes overlap!"
This time, she didn't answer, burying herself in her assignments. All of this, of course, was thanks to the Time-Turner. But she had promised Professor McGonagall she wouldn't tell anyone—not even her closest friends!
Ron pouted but didn't say anything. After all, they were depending on Hermione to help them with their homework.
"Let's start with the Divination homework. That's the one subject Hermione can't help us with," Ron suggested.
Harry nodded in agreement. "What should we write?"
"Simple. Just add 'ominous' to all your prophecies, and you'll definitely win Trelawney's favor!"
"..."
But before they could come up with any prophecies, they were interrupted by George and Fred's cheers.
"Oh, it's already 6:50! Sorry, guys, we need to hurry or Professor Fawley will be mad."
George pretended to act coy, only to get a sharp smack on the head from Fred.
"Seriously, can you act normal? I can't even watch this," Fred said, annoyed. The classmates nodded in agreement. "Save some energy for showing off when we get back!"
Gryffindor: (≖_≖ )
By the time the two were chased out of the common room, time was running short. Percy, unable to stand their antics, had already reached the classroom.
"Professor?" he asked, staring at the room in disbelief. This was Room 11, where they'd had lessons before. But now it was empty. The desks and chairs were gone, and even the lectern had disappeared.
Professor Fawley stood in the middle of the room, wand raised, his back to the door. The entire classroom was filled with his magic, so thick it almost felt suffocating. It was terrifying!
Percy took two steps back, moving away from the doorway before he could breathe easier.
Sensing the movement, Tver finally turned around.
"Oh, it's Percy. Is it time already?" He glanced at the clock that had suddenly appeared on the wall. "Come in and sit down, then."
Percy swallowed hard, sensing that the magic still filled the room, but the oppressive weight had lifted. Only then did he cautiously step inside, like a child about to learn to swim.
The professor's magical power was immense. Even though Percy had mastered many advanced spells and was far stronger than other students, he still couldn't withstand the professor's pure magical force. The spell in the Chamber of Secrets had probably not even been the professor at his full strength.
Percy walked in somewhat dazed. But it was only when he reached the professor's side that he realized—
There was no chair?
The moment this thought flashed through his mind, a comfortable, plush stool materialized before him. It was the most common type found in the common room.
But how on earth had the chair appeared?!
He stared at the professor in shock.
Yet Tver did not explain, nor did the other students who arrived later. They discovered to their astonishment that any chair they imagined would appear! Sofas, wooden stools, long benches...
They frantically tested what seating could materialize. The Weasley twins even conjured a seesaw!
Naturally, they earned a scolding from the professor and were sentenced to sit on the seesaw all evening...
Tver watched them with satisfaction, not because of the students, but because his experiment had succeeded—just a little. This was the result of his attempt to mimic the Room of Requirement. Every chair had been conjured by his own Transfiguration.
And, of course, there was the Legilimens peering into their thoughts. But building a true Room of Requirement was still beyond his current capabilities.
"Alright, everyone, sit properly... You two, stop messing around and get back to your seats!" Tver glared at the Weasley twins, beginning to regret selecting them.
Once the twins transformed the seesaw into a bench and sat down obediently, Tver looked over the rest of his students again.
"A very warm welcome to all of you. In many ways, you're all exceptionally gifted—or uniquely eccentric wizards," the Weasley twins exclaimed, high-fiving each other. "You two fall into the latter category!"
The twins immediately slumped, shadows seeming to settle over them as they exuded a defeated aura.
Tver pursed his lips, ignoring their antics.
"Therefore, I believe you are all capable of participating in additional activities—delving deeper into the study of magic."
"That is the very purpose of this club—research!"
"I won't be teaching you new spells here. Instead, I'll guide you in researching existing magic."
Disappointment washed over them. They had hoped to learn the professor's impressive and powerful fire magic, only to find themselves studying the same old spells.
Tver chuckled softly.
"Well then, tonight's task is to try inventing a new spell!"