Chapter 151: Ariana
"So you called me here just for these nobodies?"
Hode was choking a Wizard by the neck, looking at Moodywith deadpan eyes.
Moody stunned the last Dark Wizard with Stupefy, then sighed.
"There is no other way. After Voldemort and his Death Eaters died, although the wizarding world is not so dangerous, some Dark Wizards still pop up from time to time. Mainly because this bunch hides too well, so I can only rely on you."
"Hmm..." Hode tilted his head, looking at the Dark Wizardin his hand who was on the verge of asphyxiation, and couldn't help nodding.
"They really did a good job hiding their Magic!"
Hode used Legilimency to start searching the Dark Wizard's memories, and after finding out it was just a family-inherited hiding magic, he threw him onto the ground.
"Since they are all resolved, I am leaving."
After Hode finished speaking, he teleported away...
"As expected of... the strongest..." An Auror behind Moodyswallowed hard.
He witnessed with his own eyes Hode instantly arriving beside them, and then after listening to Moody's words, immediately taking them to teleport to this group of Dark Wizards' base.
Finally, Hode instantly grabbed their boss, while they arrested the remaining Dark Wizards.
"All right, hurry up and take all these guys away! Tonks—stop grinning stupidly at your phone! Get to work!"
Tonks, who was called out, immediately ended her chat with Lupin, and then started working.
Hode returned to the suitcase, where Hermione was reading the Magic Book written by Hode.
"How is it? Is what I wrote plain and easy to understand enough?"
Hermione was holding the book in her hands, which Hodehad spent several days writing.
It was filled with some magic he had invented himself, although most of them were spells with powerful aggressiveness.
"This is not something you can learn just by understanding it! All these spells you created extremely test talent and control over Magic! This is not something ordinary people can learn!"
Hermione closed the book, and then said with a straight face: "And there are so many astonishingly lethal spells in here, it is completely unsuitable for Wizards to watch! In case someone with ulterior motives uses these spells to do bad things..."
Hermione didn't say anything more; she also knew that magic should not be divided into good and bad, only the people who use it are divided into good and bad!
But no one could guarantee that no one would use these spells invented by Hode to do bad things!
Hode nodded; he also understood that this book he wrote was indeed not suitable for large-scale viewing by people.
"Then we can just put it in the Restricted Section of Hogwarts when the time comes."
Hode lay down on Hermione's lap and said indifferently.
————
The summer vacation seemed to have been accelerated by Made in Heaven, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day to start school.
"Hode! Hermione! Dating is fine, but do not do things you cannot do at your age, oh!"
After Mr. and Mrs. Granger drove Hode and Hermione to King's Cross Station, Mrs. Granger reminded the two, while Mr. Granger in the driver's seat already had a look of helplessness.
Their family's raised cabbage really had been plucked away!
Mr. Granger: (╥﹏╥)
"Mom! Hode and I won't do it so early... Oh my, we are leaving!"
Hermione stamped her feet, then took Hode's hand and darted into Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
As soon as the two entered, all the Wizards who saw them quieted down.
Nowadays, Hode could be said to be a household name!
Easily defeating Dumbledore, and then driving away the legendary Death!
Even the students who had been classmates with Hodeknew that Hode had a pretty good temper, but with such a humanoid deity, how many people did not have a little fear in their hearts?
Hode did not care about the crowd who had stopped their actions, holding Hermione's hand as he walked towards the Hogwarts Express.
"Hode, Hermione! You are here!"
The two had not walked a few steps when they saw Ariana waving at them! And Aberforth following behind.
"Ariana! Are you coming to Hogwarts to study?"
Facing Hermione's curiosity, Ariana nodded.
"Yes, I originally wanted to go last year! But brother said I had to lay down some basics first, so I am enrolling this year!"
Hode asked from the side: "Then which grade are you starting from?"
"Same as you guys, Fifth Year!"
Hearing Ariana's answer, both Hode and Hermione were somewhat surprised.
"Fifth Year? Then you will have to take the N.E.W.T. Exams this year! I remember it seems you have never been to a magic school at all!"
Hermione said in surprise, she could not believe Arianahad not even systematically studied at a magic school, yet was directly entering the grade to take the N.E.W.T. Exams!
"Yes, my brother said my basics are already enough, as long as I study hard this year it will be completely fine!"
Aberforth also proudly praised Ariana from the side.
"Ariana is very talented! A mere exam is of course no problem!"
"All right, let us get on the train first!"
Hode noticed that the surrounding students were glancing at them from time to time, so Hode took Hermione's hand and took the lead in entering the Hogwarts Express.
Then Ariana also stepped into the train, and then waved to Aberforth.
"Goodbye, brother!"
"Goodbye, Ariana! Remember to write to me if anything happens! If you get bullied, look for Hode! Remember to let Albus arrange the best dormitory for you!"
Aberforth similarly waved hard, and kept instructing Ariana, fearing that she would be bullied at school.
Surrounding students: We are not deaf, thank you.
The surrounding students also had strange expressions.
What do you mean by a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl shouting brother at a white-haired old man?
What do you mean by looking for Hode if she gets bullied?
What do you mean by that old man directly calling the Headmaster by his name?
What do you mean by letting the Headmaster arrange the best dormitory for her?
Accidentally intruding into the celestial realm~
Persuading me to put down the sand in my hand~
Aberforth: Look, singing again!
Because the three of them came in early, they quickly found an empty compartment.
Then Hode expanded the compartment several times over, and Hode walked into the compartment first, sitting in the seat by the window.
Then, Hermione naturally sat by Hode's side.
Finally was Ariana; seeing Hermione pat the empty seat beside her, although Ariana did not understand, she still sat next to Hermione.
Soon, Ariana knew why Hermione wanted her to sit beside her instead of opposite.
Because after a while, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Draco all came into the compartment and sat opposite them.
"Ariana! I did not expect you to come to school this year too!"
Harry and the others said in surprise; when Hoderesurrected Ariana along with James and Lily, the few of them had already met.
Later at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade, Ariana also often helped Aberforth do some odd jobs, and the few of them naturally became familiar.
"Yeah! And I am also in the Fifth Year just like you guys!"
Harry and the others: "Ah???"
Chapter 152: Hode: Am I acting like a ruffian?
Harry and the others looked at Ariana in surprise, unable to believe that Ariana had skipped straight to the Fifth Yearwithout ever attending school before.
Faced with Harry and the others' surprise, Ariana had no choice but to repeat what she had just said to Hermione.
"Oh ~ I see!" × 4
Harry: "Ariana, are you going to put on the Sorting Hat for the Sorting Ceremony, or what?"
"My brother told me to join the first-year students; after all, Hogwarts' traditions cannot be forgotten."
Hearing Ariana's reply, everyone nodded.
At this moment, Luna and Ginny also walked in.
The two naturally sat down next to Ariana, and then Ginnytook a few hot flatbreads out of her bag.
"Harry, my mum made this, try some quickly!"
"Alright!"
Harry took the flatbread and took a bite, "Mmm! It's so delicious!"
Ginny said with a grin, "As long as you like it!"
At this time, the train began to move slowly.
Ron watched the intimate interaction between the two and immediately said uncomfortably, "Mum didn't even make any for me! Ginny, I'm your brother, won't you share some with me?"
Ginny didn't even care about Ron, just keeping on talking to Harry.
This scene made Neville, Draco, and Luna burst into laughter.
Especially Draco, who immediately began to mock.
"Oh! Our poor Little Ronnie has become an unloved little wretch! Hahahaha!"
Then the two started bickering and messing around again, but because they were still in the compartment, they chose to solve the problem with cards.
In the end, Draco's Blue-Eyes White Dragon proved superior and won the victory.
"Hahaha! Tough! Invincible! Strongest! Crush! Destroy! Grand applause!"
Draco covered his face with his right hand, then laughed behind his face.
Finally, under Ron's despairing gaze, he spoke the widely spread classic line.
"How truly boring! Ron, I think I'll forget you in the next second!"
Absolute template! Replication born from this! What taught you to use memes is...
Seeing Draco's arrogant look, Luna also got interested.
"Draco, how about a match between us?"
As soon as these words came out, Draco finally recalled the fear of once being dominated by Luna!
"Uhm... Um... I suddenly have a stomachache, let's do it next time!"
After saying that, Draco ran towards the toilet.
Then Luna looked at Ron...
"Uhm... My stomach hurts a bit too! It must be that inherently evil Draco who cast some curse on me! I need to go deal with it too!"
After saying that, Ron also ran out without looking back.
Seeing that both had run away, Luna lost her interest too, then looked curiously at Hode.
"Hode, why have Wrackspurts appeared on you again?"
When Luna first met Hode, she found that Hode had fewer Wrackspurts on him than anyone else!
And by the second year, no Wrackspurts could be seen on Hode at all!
Until now, they have appeared on Hode again.
"Yeah, after all, I've been observing this world all this time; even with enough divine power, mental fatigue is inevitable!"
Hode pinched the space between his eyebrows, in order to find Death, or rather, to wait for Death to show a flaw.
After all, if Death wants to recover quickly, it must need Souls, and dead Souls will all automatically go to the Underworld; it must absorb the Souls at the very instant a person dies.
Therefore, Hode is observing this world every second, waiting for the appearance of Death.
"What? Observing the entire world?!"
Harry and the others said in surprise, then immediately thought of something, and bashfully covered their bodies.
Hode looked at their appearance and twitched the corner of his mouth.
"I don't have the hobby of peeping! I'm just observing the whole world to see if Thanatos will appear whenever someone dies!"
Hearing Hode's explanation, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
However, observing an entire planet and whatnot was still very shocking.
"Hode... Why don't you stop doing this..."
Hermione looked at Hode with a worried face, afraid that Hode's mind couldn't bear it.
Hode just shook his head, saying he could still hold on; if he really couldn't bear it, of course he wouldn't do this anymore.
After listening to Hode's words, Luna started rummaging through her bag.
"Found it! Here you go, Hode."
Luna took a black eye mask out of her bag and handed it to Hode.
"What is this?"
"My eye mask. Because wearing it makes me sleep very soundly every day, I'm giving this to you. Sleep well, okay!"
Looking at the black eye mask in his hand, Hode couldn't help smiling.
"Ha! Now this really looks too much like it!"
Hode put on the eye mask, then faced his face towards everyone.
"How is it? Am I acting like a ruffian?"
Harry: "So ruffian-like! This is simply a ruffian look!"
Ron: "As expected of Hode! Just putting on an eye mask can make him look this handsome!"
Listening to everyone's praises, Hode laughed and struck a pose.
"Sigh, boys..." Ginny and the others facepalmed.
The Hogwarts Express moved forward unhurriedly as usual.
It wasn't until dark that everyone arrived at Hogwarts.
"Then I'll go to Hagrid's first."
Ariana waved to everyone, and then walked towards Hagrid along with the first-year students.
"Have you guys heard who the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is this year?"
The few got into the carriage, and Ron began to ask.
"No, but since Voldemort is dead, the curse of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class has also disappeared. I suppose someone with genuine substance will be willing to come and be the Professor for this class!"
Harry expressed his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Hode and Hermione on the side looked at Harry with mysterious smiles.
"This year's Professor is someone we are very familiar with, oh ~ especially Harry!"
Hearing Hode's words, Harry and the others began to recall people they were familiar with, but still couldn't think of anyone.
Soon, several of them walked into the Great Hall.
Not a single Professor on the staff table was extra; they were all familiar ones, except for the departed Moody.
Then they saw Snape, whose face was as black as a lump of coal, and the grinning Dumbledore.
"Has the new Professor not arrived yet?"
Ron asked after sitting down at the Gryffindor table.
"Look at Snape's face, you can tell at a glance that his dream for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class has been dashed again!"
"Hey, Hode, what kind of look is this?"
"Pretty unique!"
The Weasley Twins looked at Hode, who was wearing a black eye mask, and couldn't help saying.
"Did it make you feel ruffian-ed? Little sister?"
Hode used his finger to hook a corner of the eye mask, revealing one eye.
"So ruffian-like!" the two said in unison.
After a while, McGonagall walked in with Ariana and the first-year students.
Then the Sorting Hat began to sing the lyrics it had thought about for a year.
After singing, McGonagall took out the roster of first-year students and began to read.
"Euan Abercrombie."
A little boy stumbled and sat down on the chair, and then McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Gryffindor!"
Gryffindor burst into applause.
Soon, it was Ariana's turn.
"Ariana Dumbledore!"
(The author of this book thought about it and decided to just finish writing through this month, to get the full attendance award, hehe!)
Chapter 151 Gryffindor: We have Dumbledore!
"Ariana Dumbledore!"
Professor McGonagall's voice rang through the Great Hall.
In an instant, all the students quieted down, then watched as Ariana walked toward McGonagall.
Another Dumbledore!
Everyone looked at Ariana, then at Albus, and finally turned to look at Hode.
The fame of the Dumbledore surname was self-evident, and as for people bearing this surname, they only knew Albus Dumbledore and Hode Dumbledore Grindelwald.
As for these two people, one was the former strongest in the world, and the other was the current strongest.
Now that another Dumbledore had come to Hogwarts, how could this not shock people!
Under everyone's gaze, Ariana sat down on the chair next to McGonagall, and then McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Ariana's head.
"Gryffindor!"
The moment the Sorting Hat touched Ariana, it shouted Gryffindor aloud.
"Nice!!! We have Dumbledore! We have Dumbledore!"
The Weasley Twins burst into laughter, and the Gryffindorstudents also began to cheer.
Meanwhile, the students of the other three houses all wore constipated expressions.
Hode, Harry, and now another Ariana! Gryffindor was truly monopolizing everything!
It was so agonizing; Gryffindor nowadays could be said to be at the zenith of its power.
Boasting Hode, the strongest in the world, as well as Dumbledore, The Savior was also in Gryffindor.
It could be said that Gryffindor's fame and popularity far exceeded those of the other three houses.
When Ariana learned that she had been sorted into Gryffindor, she immediately hopped and skipped over to sit down beside Hode and the others.
Ron: "I knew it! How could a Dumbledore possibly not be in Gryffindor?"
The others also welcomed Ariana one after another.
After the sorting of all first-year students was over, Dumbledore tapped his goblet and then stood up.
"Welcome to all first-year students! And welcome to all older students! Welcome to Hogwarts!"
The students applauded one after another.
"Before enjoying the feast, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor to everyone!"
Dumbledore said mysteriously, while Snape sitting next to him looked even gloomier.
"Welcome! Our——Professor James Potter!"
Harry: "What?"
Harry listened to Dumbledore's words with a dumbfounded expression, and then saw James walk out from the back of the Great Hall, waving to the students.
"Harry, your dad actually became a Professor! Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Ron looked at Harry in puzzlement, wondering how he could let them guess for so long, only for it to turn out to be Harry's dad.
"I don't know either! None of them told me!"
Harry defended himself desperately, then looked at James, who was smiling and greeting the students at the staff table.
"Turns out the person Hode mentioned was actually my old man; he never once mentioned anything about becoming a Hogwarts Professor."
Hode patted Harry on the shoulder, "Perhaps he wanted to give you a surprise."
Hearing this, Harry scratched his head.
"It really is a surprise! But I can already imagine what will happen between Snape and my old man; a war is about to begin..."
"There is still plenty of speech time, so let's enjoy the feast first!"
Dumbledore spread his arms wide, and all kinds of food began to appear on the five tables.
Afterward, everyone began to eat.
Ron: "Hali, ni baibai ying gaihui zhaogu zhaogu wo meng ba! (Harry, your dad should take care of us, right!)"
Ron said unclearly while gnawing on a chicken leg. Although Harry didn't understand, he still admired Ron for being able to speak even when his mouth was completely stuffed.
Seeing Harry's puzzled expression, Ron swallowed the food in his mouth and continued speaking.
"I mean, can you talk to your dad and let us not have to write Defense Against the Dark Arts class homework and stuff."
"No way! How can you openly practice nepotism for personal gain!"
Hermione immediately spoke up to stop him.
"Oh come on, this is no big deal. Besides, isn't Hode like that? He goes to class when he wants, skips when he doesn't, and always sleeps in class! Even Snape doesn't care!"
Ron immediately stood up for himself and Harry, leaving Hermione speechless. After all, Hode's Japan was indeed living very comfortably.
"Hehe, the reason I go to class when I want is because they can't teach me anything to begin with. But you guys are different; don't think you're amazing just because you're strong compared to your peers. A true master always retains the heart of an apprentice!"
Hode stroked his non-existent beard and said with an unfathomable expression.
This made Ariana applaud wildly on the side.
"Alright, stop clapping. If you keep clapping, he'll really start treating himself like some reclusive expert!"
Hermione stopped Ariana.
Retaining the heart of an apprentice, my foot! He went around shouting things like "Heaven and earth, I alone am honored" every day.
Hermione looked at Hode, who said one thing and did another, but didn't expose him, only looking at him with doting eyes.
After everyone finished eating, Dumbledore began his speech.
It was still the same old three things: no entering the Forbidden Forest; Filch's new rules; Quidditch tryout days.
Just when everyone thought it was about to end, Dumbledore smiled and glanced at Hode, then looked at the crowd.
Although Dumbledore glanced at Hode for only a fraction of a second, it was still noticed by Hode, and then Hodesensed that something was wrong.
"I believe everyone knows about some things that happened this summer vacation!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Hode and began to whisper among themselves.
Of course they knew what major event happened during the summer vacation! Or rather, not many Wizards in the whole world didn't know!
People who missed that live broadcast really ought to invent a time machine.
Dumbledore also paused deliberately, letting the students discuss for a moment before continuing.
"I presume everyone should know about the match between Hode and me. That's right—I lost, and I lost thoroughly!"
Dumbledore said indifferently, as if the person who lost wasn't himself.
"So I have decided, I hope classmate Hode will serve as the Dueling Club President to improve the students' dueling strength!"
"Oh!!!!!"
As soon as these words were said, they instantly aroused applause and cheers from the students.
Hode: "No way! I don't want to be any Dueling ClubPresident! I couldn't be bothered to teach them!"
Dumbledore: "Aren't you already planning to become the Headmaster? Of course you need to practice well on how to teach students, and you wouldn't want Durmstrang or Beauxbatons to win the next Triwizard Tournament either, would you!"
Hode: "Where did you learn that Japanese-style speech?"
Dumbledore: "What Japanese-style speech?"
Hode: "...Never mind, it's fine, I agree."
The two communicated using Legilimency, and in the end Hode agreed to Dumbledore to become the Dueling ClubPresident.
Chapter 152 Harry: I am going to tell my dad!
Back in the Common Room — —
Along the way, Ariana chatted with the other first-year students.
"What? The Headmaster is your brother?!"
"Yeah, because I died once and was resurrected a bit late, so we look kind of like a grandfather and granddaughter."
"Resurrected late?"
Those first-year students simply felt that the Wizarding World was a bit too magical!
Before long, Professor McGonagall came to the Common Room and asked who wanted to serve as a prefect.
McGonagall originally looked at Hode, but seeing him shake his head, she then looked at the others.
In the end, Ron couldn't help himself and, just like in the original book, became a prefect.
As for the girls' side, because Hermione didn't want to waste her spare time on others and preferred to stay by Hode's side,
Parvati ended up serving as the prefect instead.
Then Professor McGonagall posted the class schedules for each grade on the bulletin board and called Ron and Parvati to go to a meeting.
"Let's go, Dueling Club President~ We should go to sleep."
Hermione patted Hode on the back and said with a giggle.
"Please, stop mentioning that title."
After saying that, Hode took Hermione back into the suitcase.
— — — —
Over the next few days, everything was very peaceful.
There were no Voldemort plots, and no one was messing around at Hogwarts (except for the Weasley Twins).
Everything was at peace; with Voldemort's Death, every day at Hogwarts made everyone feel peaceful.
Harry touched the lightning scar on his forehead; it hadn't hurt for three months.
Hode had once asked him if he wanted help getting rid of the scar, but Harry refused.
Because he wanted to constantly remind himself not to forget history, the heroes who sacrificed themselves to fight Voldemort, and the adventures he had experienced.
When Wednesday arrived, everyone finally welcomed the long-awaited Defense Against the Dark Arts class!
Harry and Ron arrived at the classroom early.
"Harry! You're here! Hahaha, sit down quickly!"
James immediately pulled Harry and Ron to the desk closest to the podium.
"Uncle James, look, Harry is your biological son!"
"Yeah, so what?"
"And I am also Harry's best friend! So..."
Seeing Ron's ingratiating look, James seemed to realize something.
"So you want me not to assign homework to you guys?"
Ron nodded immediately, "Yes, yes!"
James immediately smiled mischievously.
"Sorry, precisely because Harry is my son and you are Harry's best friend, I will assign extra homework to both of you, enough to help you grow into upright Wizards!"
Hearing James's words, Ron felt as if the light of the future had vanished! His whole body slumped onto the desk.
"You guys arrived really early!"
At this moment, Hode, wearing a black eyepatch, walked into the classroom holding Hermione's hand.
"Hi! You two!"
James greeted the two of them.
Afterwards, students slowly walked into the classroom and looked at Harry and James.
There was no help for it; they looked too much alike! Except for the eyes, they looked like they were carved from the exact same mold!
After Ariana, Parvati, and the others also came in, seeing that all the students had arrived, James immediately began to speak.
"Ahem! Students! I am your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor this year! I believe everyone knows me, but I still want to introduce myself! My name is James Potter! And I am Harry Potter's father."
Everyone applauded one after another; they naturally knew the relationship between the two.
Then James continued: "I have already coordinated with Professor Moody and Professor Lupin! Although your Professors in the past two years were blockheads, fortunately Lupin and Moody made it up for you! So now — — I will lead you in learning Defense Against the Dark Arts class!"
James's teaching style was very similar to Professor Lupin's; it was all about joyful education! Moreover, neither of them assigned much homework (except to Harry and Ron).
After a class, everyone praised James endlessly.
But when Friday came, everyone recalled the fear of being dominated by Snape!
"Potter! I think your brain is just like that grinning father of yours! Not a single shred of knowledge can fit in!"
Harry and Ron had just accidentally made a mistake with the Polyjuice Potion when Snape instantly materialized behind the two of them and began spewing venom!
"And you! Mr. Weasley! What? Just because you became a prefect, do you think your pathetic Potions Class Professorisn't worthy of teaching you anymore? Do you want to prove that you can invent a brand-new Polyjuice Potion?"
Snape could be said to have released all the venom he had accumulated over the summer vacation, making Harry and Ron feel that they might just be poisoned to Death in the Potions Class classroom.
Hermione whispered to Hode: "I bet it's because Harry's dad snatched Snape's Defense Against the Dark Arts class position, which is why he's targeting Harry again!"
Hode nodded in agreement.
There was no help for it; who told Dumbledore to love watching the drama unfold.
You clearly knew that Snape and James didn't get along, yet you still made James the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Isn't this just messing around?
Harry felt that every second in Potions Class was like a year! I don't know how long passed, but Harry finally heard the class-ending bell.
Harry felt that this bell was like the singing of angels transmitted from heaven! Hearing it refreshed his entire person.
But of course Snape wouldn't let Harry off easy, and immediately said.
"Today's assignment is to write down your understanding of the Polyjuice Potion, and it must fill three sheets of parchment! Furthermore, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley— — because of your mistakes, the two of you have yours increased to five!"
Harry and Ron looked at Snape in disbelief. Fill five sheets of parchment?!!
Never mind five sheets, even three felt like a life-or-Deathmatch to them. As a result, Snape's single line of five sheets made the two of them already see Death.
Walking out of the Potions Class classroom, Harryimmediately said angrily.
"No way! Snape is too detestable! He is settling a personal score under the guise of official business! We can't just let him get his way like this!"
Ron scratched his head and asked in confusion: "Then what should we do?"
The corners of Harry's mouth ticked up slightly.
"I'm going to tell my dad!"
Ron: "What kind of Draco speech is that?!"
No sooner said than done, Harry and Ron immediately ran to the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's office.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
"Coming."
James opened the door and saw Harry and Ron with aggrieved expressions.
"What's wrong with you two? Did someone bully you? Let's see who dares to bully my son!"
James immediately pulled the two into the office and closed the door.
Afterwards, Harry recounted everything that had happened in Potions Class.
"How dare he!"
James slammed his desk hard and said angrily.
"That stinky Snivellus! How dare he treat you this way! Isn't it just because the position he's been yearning for was snatched by me? Instead of coming after me, he takes it out on you! Let's go! We'll go teach Snape a lesson together!"
Chapter 153 Still Following the Formula
Just like that, James didn't say another word and led the two of them toward Snape's office.
Along the way, students who saw the three of them immediately took out their mobile phones to take pictures and posted them in the Hogwarts group chat.
Then, with the explanation of some insiders, everyone learned that Snape had been frantically targeting Harryand Ron in Potions Class.
Therefore, they were certain that James was going to avenge Harry!
Thus, word spread quickly. Soon, a large group of students followed behind the three of them, all wanting to see the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor VS the Potions Class Professor!
The last time there was a showdown like this was three years ago, which was Gilderoy Lockhart VS Snape. However, because Gilderoy Lockhart was a complete fool, Snape easily won the match.
But this time, James was obviously not a good-for-nothing like Gilderoy Lockhart! He was The Savior's father! All the students were looking forward to the two of them meeting!
"Bang, bang, bang!!!"
"Open the door! Snivellus! Open the door!!!"
James pounded heavily on the door of Snape's office, and Harry and Ron behind him, not wanting to miss the fun, also egged him on.
Harry: "That's right! Dad! Just like that! That Snivellustreating me like this, isn't that slapping you in the face?!"
Ron: "Exactly! Everyone's a Professor here, let's not lose face!"
Students watching the commotion from behind: "Right! Keep your spirits up! Well done!"
Encouraged by everyone's 'encouragement', James became even more confident.
James: "Behind me are my lovely son and the students who have been oppressed by Snape! I cannot lose!"
Soon, Snape opened the door with a gloomy face, and then saw that face he detested so much.
"James Potter! You better have a good reason! Otherwise..."
Snape said as he looked at Harry and Ron behind James.
"Heh, I was wondering why you came to find me. So it's to stand up for your son!"
Hearing Snape's contemptuous voice, James flew into a rage, pointed at Snape's nose, and said:
"Snape! Today I am going to get justice for Harry and those students you've bullied!"
"Just you? Fine, bring it on!"
Just as the two of them were at daggers drawn, Hodesuddenly appeared.
"I smell the scent of war!"
"Hode? Why did you suddenly appear here?"
Harry looked at Hode in surprise, completely puzzled as to why Hode came here.
"Since I have become the Chairman of the Dueling Club! I have the right to manage all duels taking place in Hogwarts! So, you two—are you sure you want to fight?"
James: "Of course! I'm going to let this Snivellus, who doesn't understand the gap in strength, witness the fangs of my lion!"
Snape: "Hmph! Where did this maggot come from? I'll let you understand what true power is!"
Seeing the determination of the two, Hode nodded.
"Then—let's go!"
Hode stretched out both hands and clapped hard—clack!
James, Snape, Harry, Ron, and the crowd of students watching the commotion behind them only felt the scene before their eyes shift, and then they found themselves at the edge of the Forbidden Forest!
Then, Hode snapped his fingers—
A dueling platform the size of a football field suddenly appeared, surrounded by three-meter-high spectator stands!
"Come on! Everyone, the stage is set, are you ready?"
Everyone was shocked by Hode's trick, but they quickly returned to normal. After all, given Hode's abilities, anything he did was completely normal.
James hooked the corners of his mouth up and laughed arrogantly: "I've been ready to beat up this Snivellus at any moment!"
Snape snorted disdainfully, "Hmph, I should be the one saying that!"
After saying that, Snape walked toward the dueling platform.
And those students watching the excitement all took out their mobile phones to take pictures, and then sent them to the Hogwarts group chat.
Soon, the entire chat group exploded!
Fred: "What? Snape is going to duel Harry's dad!!! Damn it, George and I were busy making prank items and actually missed so much!"
George: "Don't start fighting yet! We're rushing right over!"
Professor McGonagall: "Fred! George! You are already in your Seventh Year now! Your most important task is to pass the O.W.L. Exams!"
But obviously, the two of them didn't care about Professor McGonagall's advice at all.
Because Hode had already seen the Weasley Twinsrunning over toward him in a flurry, followed by a large group of students.
Including but not limited to Neville, Luna, Ariana, Seamus, and so on.
Students from every house rushed over.
However, the students of Slytherin walked toward Snape, while the students of the other three houses were in James's camp.
After all, the students of the three houses had suffered greatly under Snape's venom, and they eagerly hoped to see James beat Snape up fiercely!
"Dad! Your aura is so scary!"
Hearing Harry's words, James froze for a moment, then immediately understood what Harry meant, and laughed out loud as he took off his robe.
"Hahaha, bring it on!"
James pointed his right thumb at his back.
Harry also laughed heartily and patted James on the shoulder!
After that, Ron and the other students were no longer restrained, and with relaxed smiles, they offered their blessings to James.
Ron: "Go! Uncle James! Avenge Harry and us!"
Neville: "Don't lose face! Keep your spirits up! Well done!"
Luna: "Go prove that you are stronger than Snape!"
Ariana: "You have to win, Uncle James!"
Weasley Twins: "Make those inherently evil Slytherins understand the might of us Gryffindors!"
And the man entrusted with everyone's hopes responded to all the cheers with a confident—
"Alright!"
————On the other side.
Draco and other Slytherin students stood beside Snape.
Draco: "Godfather, your aura is so scary!"
Snape was stunned for a second, then quickly understood Draco's meaning, the corners of his mouth turning up by a single pixel, and then he took off his robe.
Draco instantly understood, and then gently patted Snapeon the shoulder with his hand.
The other Slytherin students were no longer restrained either, and one after another offered their blessings to Snape.
Draco: "Let that Potter family know the might of Slytherin!"
Astoria: "Go prove that you're not someone who only knows Potions!"
Daphne Greengrass: "Don't lose face! Keep your spirits up! Well done!"
Blaise Zabini: "Let those inherently evil Gryffindors see the might of us Slytherins!"
And the man entrusted with hopes by the Slytherinstudents responded to all the cheers with a confident—
"Alright!"
Hode: "...Don't you guys have your own lines? Why do you have to use mine?"
Narrator: "This wasn't yours to begin with!"
Chapter 154 James: I'll win!
Before long, more students rushed over.
Among them were Ginny and Hermione, who had been in the Library.
Hermione: "Hode! Is this because you were fanning the flames behind the scenes?"
Facing Hermione's suspicion, Hode immediately raised both hands to show his innocence.
"I've been wronged! Although I had this idea, they started acting up before I even put it into practice!"
"Fine, I believe you. But who on earth provoked it?"
Hearing Hermione's words, Hode turned his head to look at Harry and Ron.
The two of them immediately turned their heads away and started whistling.
Looking at Harry and the other, Hermione had nothing more to say, and then pulled Ginny toward the spectator stands.
Seeing Hermione and Ginny walk far away, the two of them finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Harry immediately came to James's side and then asked:
"Dad, are you nervous?"
James nodded.
"Of course, after all, if Severus is serious, it will be very tricky!"
"Will you lose?"
James looked at Harry, the corners of his mouth curving up, his eyes resolute.
"I'll win!"
——
Soon everyone was seated in the spectator stands, waiting for the duel between James and Severus!
Inside the Headmaster's Office ——
"Aren't you going to stop them? Albus!"
Minerva had originally come to hand over some financial reports to Dumbledore so he could get some money from the Board of Governors.
As the Headmaster, Dumbledore always left these matters to Minerva to do, and now because of Hode's existence, the Pure-blood families had all become incomparably well-behaved and sensible.
Now whenever Dumbledore said they were short of money, the School Governors would excitedly run over to deliver money.
Then Minerva learned about the upcoming duel between James and Severus; she could even see the dueling platform set up by Hode from the window of the Headmaster's Office!
Dumbledore took a lively cockroach from the Cockroach Clusters and put it into his mouth. As soon as it entered, the cockroach was melted by the heat into a pool of sweet chocolate sauce.
Dumbledore savored it while winking at Minerva.
"Minerva, I think we should give them enough freedom to do what they want to do."
"Only you would think that, Albus!"
Minerva helplessly covered her forehead; she had run out of ideas regarding Dumbledore's laissez-faire attitude.
Besides, she shouldn't have had any illusions that Jamesand Severus would get along peacefully!
But she still didn't go to stop the two of them, because she also wanted to see the two's duel.
Soon, both James and Severus had finished warming up.
Hode pulled out a microphone from goodness knows where, and then shouted loudly:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today! We are going to welcome a very major match! I think everyone already knows!"
Hode deliberately paused for a moment, and the audience's gazes all turned toward James and Severus.
"That's right! Let's welcome our two competitors! James Potter and —— Severus Snape!"
As soon as Hode's voice fell, the audience burst into enthusiastic cheers.
Some shouted for James, while others shouted for Severus. But James's cheers were obviously louder; after all, apart from Slytherin, there was no one else who would cheer for Severus.
"Did you hear that, Snivellus? It seems your fans are really pitifully few!"
"Hmph! After you lose, I can already imagine their disappointed expressions."
The two of them continued trash-talking each other.
"Very well! It seems our two competitors are ready! Then —— please draw your Wands!"
Accompanied by Hode's voice ringing out, James and Severus impatiently raised their Wands and aimed at each other.
The audience was so nervous that they stopped breathing, and everyone waited quietly.
"The match —— start!!!"
Just as Hode's voice ended, James and Severus moved instantly!
"Expelliarmus!" × 2
Two red bolts of lightning instantly shot out from the two's Wands, and in the blink of an eye, they collided together.
But soon, Severus deflected the spells first, and his Wandmade a quick swipe.
"Sectumsempra!"
James was well prepared and immediately used the Shield Charm to protect himself.
"Clang——!"
Severus's Sectumsempra carved an obvious crack on James's shield.
Seeing that his magic was blocked in time, Severus did not stop.
"Let's see how long you can block!"
As he spoke, Severus fired a few more Sectumsempraspells.
But James wouldn't foolishly take a beating passively! James was seen maintaining the Shield Charm while stealthily casting Transfiguration.
The ground beneath Severus's feet instantly turned into a swamp, causing him to lose his balance.
James's move came very suddenly, forcing Severus to stop his attack.
Seeing that his Transfiguration took effect, Jamesimmediately began his counterattack.
"Confringo!"
"Protego Totalum!"
Although James's move was very sudden, Severus reacted quickly, instantly using Protego Totalum, and then immediately broke free from the swamp.
"To avoid any misunderstanding on your part, I'll give you a reminder."
James extended the index finger of his left hand, pointing at Severus, and laughed loudly:
"You —— are the challenger!"
"Ha! Truly as sickening as ever! You're just a fish on the chopping board! I'm going to pluck all your scales clean!"
Severus smiled dismissively.
"Fiendfyre!"
"Confringo!"
Severus held nothing back, and his Wand instantly gushed out red Fiendfyre!
Meanwhile, James's Blasting Curse directly hit the Fiendfyre that was transforming into a fire serpent.
"Boom——!"
The two spells met, directly causing a powerful explosion!
The resulting shockwave made everyone feel the scorching heat!
"Sectumsempra!"
Taking advantage of the explosion, Severus immediately followed up with a Sectumsempra.
The invisible slash tore through the flames, rushing toward James.
But James had long since vanished from his spot, circling toward the edge of the dueling platform.
"Obscuro!"
As the words fell, thick fog gushed out from the tip of the Wand, quickly shrouding the dueling platform!
"We can't see! Please, think about our feelings!"
Fred shouted from the spectator stands, and Georgebeside him also said loudly:
"Boring! I want to see rivers of blood!"
Harry nervously watched the dueling platform obscured by the mist, his tightly clenched fists already soaked with sweat inside.
Ginny hugged Harry's arm, "Trust Uncle James! He will definitely win!"
Harry nodded, looking at the dueling platform with resolute eyes, as if he could see his own father.
"Yeah! He will definitely win!"
Meanwhile, James in the mist immediately cast the Shield Charm on himself, and then chanted: "Point Me!"
The Wand placed flat in James's hand began to spin, its tip pointing to a position, which was precisely the direction where Severus was.
The corners of James's mouth curved slightly upward, and then he gripped his Wand tightly.
"Reducto!"
James unhesitatingly used the Reductor Curse, striking toward Severus's direction.
Then James didn't rush to check, but instead began moving closer in an arc centering around Severus's direction.
Next, James saw Severus, who was shrouded by the Protection Charm.
"You don't think these little tricks can defeat me, do you?"
Severus looked at James and said.
Chapter 155: That's right! James won!
"It really isn't that easy!"
James sighed without too much hesitation, pointing his Wand at Snape again.
Then the smoke around Snape began turning into countless sharp stones shooting toward Snape.
But Snape merely waved his Wand, and all the sharp stones were blocked by a barrier. Then Snape chanted:
"Serpensortia!"
Unlike the few cobras summoned by Draco, Snape directly summoned dozens of various poisonous snakes!
Every single one of them rushed toward James at an extremely fast speed.
"Incendio!"
James summoned blazing flames to burn all the snakes to death, and the flames instantly engulfed Snape.
Meanwhile, the crowd in the spectator stands could only see a fiery red glow lighting up in that area.
Snape used the Protection Charm again to protect himself, then gave his Wand a gentle twist, and a fierce gale instantly spewed from the Wand tip.
In just an instant, all the smoke summoned by James was blown away.
"It can be seen now!"
Ron exclaimed, and everyone looked toward James and Snape.
Snape looked at James with contempt. "Are you trying to use this smoke to cover up your ugly failure?"
Facing Snape's taunts, veins bulged on James's forehead, and he also began spewing trash talk.
"Hehe, I just wanted to hide your corpse. Since you want to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone so badly, I'll grant your wish!"
With that, James once again increased the output of Incendio.
Snape smiled disdainfully, "Fiendfyre!"
Fiendfyre appeared once again, and Snape's Fiendfyredirectly swallowed all of James's flames!
"It seems you've made a blunder, Potter!"
Snape manipulated the Fiendfyre to transform into a fire snake several meters high, and then headed toward James.
"Hehe, you really like using Dark Arts! But I'm sorry! I—am the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor!"
Snape: Always provoking me! (▼dish▼#)
"Aguamenti!"
James immediately circulated the Magic within his body, summoning a massive amount of clean water to envelop the Fiendfyre.
"Water Prison Charm!"
Harry looked at his father in surprise. He had learned about this Magic from Moody.
The Water Prison Charm was achieved precisely by casting Aguamenti at a higher level and reinforcing its form!
Harry had naturally learned it too, but he still couldn't control such a massive amount of water like James to trap the Fiendfyre.
"How is that? Isn't this a good move?"
James shouted loudly, and the giant water prison instantly extinguished the Fiendfyre and moved toward Snape.
Snape didn't hesitate at all, immediately using Transfiguration to begin breaking down James's Water Prison Charm.
Then everyone saw James's water prison quickly begin turning into Bubble forms and dispersing.
"Sectumsempra!"
At the moment of breaking down the water prison, Snapeused his signature magic once again, slashing a deep wound visible to the bone on James's left arm before he could react!
"Dad!"
Harry shouted anxiously.
The other audience members supporting James also grew anxious.
"Hahaha! What kind of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor? Isn't he still not as awesome as our Head of House! Why don't you hurry up and give up the position!"
Seeing James fall into a disadvantage, how could the Slytherin students let this opportunity go? They immediately began taunting the students in James's camp.
Hearing this, Ron couldn't hold it in any longer and said angrily, "Naturally evil Slytherin! What are you acting so arrogant for? You haven't won yet!"
However, it was obvious that Ron's words couldn't make Slytherin care at all; they still arrogantly taunted the students supporting James.
"Snap————"
Suddenly——a Dungbomb fell from the sky, landing right in the middle of the Slytherin students.
Then...
"Ah————!!!"
In an instant, the Slytherin students let out screams like butchered pigs.
"Who!!! Who on earth was it!!!"
While roaring hoarsely, the Slytherin students hurriedly used Scourgify to clean the dung off their bodies.
"It must be those two Weasleys! Catch them!"
As for the culprits, the Weasley Twins, they had bolted early after throwing the Dungbomb, and there was simply no finding the two of them.
Back on the dueling stage, James looked at his continuously bleeding left arm, his heart sinking involuntarily.
"You really are amazing! But don't think you've won the match just because you hit me!"
James raised his Wand without the slightest bit of timidity.
Snape smiled disdainfully, "Hehe, I said it before, you are just a fish on the chopping block! I will peel off your scales piece by piece!"
"Expecto Patronum!" × 2
The two of them used the Patronus Charm simultaneously, and then two Patronuses appeared instantly.
Seeing two white deer crawl out from both of their Wands, the audience couldn't help being stunned.
"How come their Patronuses are both deer like yours?!"
Ron looked strangely at the two white deer confronting each other.
Harry explained, "My father's Patronus is a Stag just like mine! And Snape's Patronus is a doe just like my mother's!"
Hearing Harry's explanation, the people around them finally wore looks of realization.
Ron couldn't help sighing, "Snape is really devoted! But that still doesn't change the fact that he's a guy who likes other people's wives!"
Meanwhile, James on the dueling stage also looked at Snape with a constipated expression.
"You guy! You really are a pervert!"
Hearing James's words, Snape could no longer control his emotions! The veins on his forehead looked like they were about to burst through his skin, and his entire face began to contort hideously.
"You're the pervert, you * * *! You're nothing more than an opportunistic petty thief! If it weren't for you guys! If it weren't for you!!!"
Snape was so angry he couldn't even speak clearly! He immensely regretted saying those words "Mudblood", and he immensely resented the bullying inflicted on him by the James quartet that day.
If James and the others hadn't used Levicorpus on him that day, or if he hadn't been fighting multiple opponents alone that day, perhaps everything would have been different.
But what happened had happened! Therefore, he would never forget the harm the James quartet brought him! He had never let it go, but he still held back his murderous intent.
And James undoubtedly completely stirred up Snape's hidden hatred now!
Snape roared, "Sectumsempra!"
Different from the previous slashes, this time Snapeconjured several larger-scale, faster slashes striking toward James.
But James already had a countermeasure.
James raised his Wand and drew a circle in front of him, then chanted: "Total Counter!"
Then a semi-blue, semi-transparent circular shield manifested in front of him.
The slashes that were originally flying toward James were instantly bounced back after touching the shield conjured by James!
Looking at the slashes whose speed hadn't decreased at all, Snape simply didn't have time to block them.
Ron watched this scene excitedly, the corners of his mouth curling up rapidly.
That means...
Harry nodded.
"That's right! My dad won!"
The strongest battle record, engraved in Hogwarts!
Chapter 156 Heading North
James opened his eyes and found that he seemed to have arrived at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Damn it! Where did this bring me? Is this still Hogwarts?"
James looked at the station, which was a vast expanse of white all around, with nothing except a single bench.
"Yo——!"
Suddenly, an uninhibited voice sounded from behind James, startling James into jumping up, and then looking back—
"Hode?!"
That's right! The person who came was none other than Hode!
Hode was seen walking over to the only bench and sitting down, then clasping his hands behind his head.
"Where is this? Why am I here?"
Faced with James's eager inquiry, Hode answered very casually:
"A revolving lantern."
Hearing this, James was stunned at first, then slowly came to terms with it, and finally, just like Hode, sat down on that bench.
Hode looked at James, "Half-Blood Prince, how does it feel?"
James smiled with relief: "It's truly strong! I didn't expect that he could progress to such a level of strength over the years!"
James scratched his hair, and then his expression sank.
"And... I feel like he hasn't even used his full strength... I even feel a bit guilty!"
Hode raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by James's words.
James looked at his tightly clenched right fist and couldn't help smiling gently.
"That was an exhilarating fight!"
Hearing this, Hode laughed out loud.
"I didn't expect you would actually say such words!"
James felt the same way; he also felt that this didn't sound like something he would say.
"So do you regret fighting this match with Snape?"
Hode asked again, and James only gently shook his head.
"No! I don't regret it! What we did before was indeed excessive, so Snape and I had to fight this match! Our issues should be resolved by ourselves! We shouldn't let Harry and the others bear our grievances!"
James said firmly, and Hode suddenly felt that Harry and James were really alike.
Hode couldn't help starting to imagine who the child of him and Hermione would look more like.
Hmm... As expected, it's better to look like Hermione!
He himself was indeed not as diligent and eager to learn as Hermione, but it would be best if the talent was like his own.
Hode thought to himself, while James looked at the distracted Hode and couldn't help asking.
"Then what should I do now?"
James's words pulled Hode's mind back, and then he said: "You should know what happened to your body, right!"
James nods, "Before I opened my eyes and came here, I vaguely sensed that my waist seemed to have been cut off by Snape..."
"That's right, in reality you have already become 2.5 James! You are about to die!"
James was stunned for a moment, and opened his mouth.
"...Lily and Sirius can take good care of Harry... And... And Harry has already become mature and steady! He said he wants to be an Auror, and I believe he will definitely become the most outstanding Auror!"
Hode glanced at James, and then spoke: "Is that so? Then do you choose to head south? Or head north?"
James tilted his head in puzzlement, "What does that mean? What head south? What head north?"
Hode stood up, walked to the edge of the platform, and looked at the tracks below.
"Heading south means turning back into your former self, while heading north means becoming a brand-new self! Most people will choose to head south, so which one do you plan to choose?"
Hearing Hode's explanation, James also stood up and came to the edge of the platform.
"The former self and a brand-new self, huh... Since most people choose to head south, then I——choose to head north!"
Hode raised an eyebrow in some surprise.
"Why?"
"One of the things I, James Potter, love doing the most is making choices opposite to others!"
"A bit interesting! Then—"
As Hode spoke, he immediately snapped his fingers.
"Snap——!"
Soon, James heard the sound of a train slowly coming from the south.
Hode: "Go! Head north!"
The Hogwarts Express stopped, and the carriage doors slowly opened in front of James.
James hesitated for a moment, but finally stepped up.
"Hode, is all this happening as a fantasy in my mind... or..."
"Of course it's happening in your mind! But why can't it be real?"
Hode smiled at James, and then the carriage doors closed rapidly.
James watched the scenery in front of him flash by quickly—those were the scenes he had experienced throughout his life!
——
Back in reality, Harry looked out of his wits at the upper body of James lying on the ground!
At this moment, James had been cut in two from the waist, and his lower body was standing motionless on the dueling platform... while his upper body had fallen backward, and blood flowed continuously from his waist and mouth, staining the surroundings blood-red!
Everyone else also looked at this scene in disbelief!
Everything happened too suddenly!
When James bounced back all of Snape's slashes and also hit Snape! Everyone thought James had won!
Yet in just the blink of an eye, James was suddenly split in two, completely losing all movement!
Meanwhile, in the distance, Snape, who had been scratched by his own Sectumsempra with blood violently spraying from his body, didn't show a shred of pain; instead, he began to laugh wildly.
Just when everyone thought Snape had gone mad, they saw Snape's body begin to blur and slowly disappear.
"Snape is gone!"
Someone shouted, but soon, a figure slowly materialized behind James!
That was none other than Snape!
Snape looked at James lying on the ground, revealing a victorious smile.
"Just like I said, you really made a blunder, Potter!"
Snape walked unharmed in front of the half of James, the smile on his face unstoppable no matter what.
"I really didn't expect that you would choose to use the mist! So at that time, without hesitation, I used this move Dumbledore once taught me—the Doppelgänger Spell!"
"Although I am not yet proficient, it's very easy for people to spot which one is the real body when making a duplicate, but your mist gave me the best opportunity!"
"Right after creating my duplicate, I immediately used the Disillusionment Charm to hide myself, and then used various large-scale magics, just to make it impossible for you to perceive me!"
"And when you confidently used that Spell I had never seen before, I knew the opportunity had arrived!"
"Although this is a coincidence, but—it truly is a good template!"
The corners of Snape's split mouth curved upwards wildly, looking down condescendingly at the severed upper half of James lying on the ground.
Harry stood in the stands, clenching his fists tightly, completely oblivious to the blood flowing from his palms.
Harry gritted his teeth, glaring furiously at Snape. Ginny by his side grabbed Harry's shoulder, trying to make him calm down first.
"Truly delightful, Potter! I suppose I'll never forget you for the rest of my life!"
Chapter 157: Harry: "Revive, my father!"
"Snape!!!"
After Snape finished his victory speech, Harry could no longer suppress the anger in his heart.
He roared Snape's name, stamped his feet hard, and used the Wand in his hand to cast a Levitation Charm on himself, allowing him to fly into the air briefly!
There was no time to mourn James!
Entering next was — The Savior: Harry Potter!
Harry executed a perfect 360-degree grand rotation in the air and landed neatly beside James.
"Dad!"
Looking at James, whose eyes had lost their luster, Harryimmediately looked anxiously at Hode.
"Hode! Please save my dad!"
Hode looked at Harry, whose face was filled with helplessness and pity, and nodded earnestly.
"Of course! But I need you to shout that spell out once more."
"Okay! Hurry up and start!"
Harry didn't hesitate at all; this was no longer the time to worry about whether it was awkward or not!
As long as his father could be saved, he would do anything.
After receiving Harry's reply, Hode immediately sprang into action.
The divine power within Hode's body began to circulate, establishing a connection with this.
"Hurry and shout!"
Hode spoke up suddenly, and after merely hesitating for a moment, Harry immediately called out:
"Revive! My father!!!"
Hode stretched out his right hand and tapped emptily toward James's body in the void.
Then Harry watched as James's upper and lower body slowly reversed, just like time flowing backwards!
Soon, James's body merged back into one, and the fading light in his eyes slowly returned.
"Harry!"
"Dad!"
Seeing that James had truly come back to life, Harrygrabbed and hugged James, weeping in his arms.
Snape behind them curled his lip unhappily; naturally, he believed it was impossible for Hode to let James truly die, but seeing James come back to life still felt extremely aggravating.
"Dad... wuwu... I really thought you weren't coming back... wuwu..."
Looking at Harry crying in his arms, James gently stroked Harry's hair.
"Sorry to have worried you... Harry, Dad won't leave you again!"
Seeing James resurrected, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief as well.
James noticed the unhappy look written all over Snape's face behind him, and smiled with relief.
"Sorry, Severus... For everything Sirius and I did before... I am truly sorry!"
Snape looked at James in some surprise; he hadn't expected James to say these things to him the moment he was resurrected!
He had thought James would spew trash talk or talk about fighting another round or something.
"Heh! You don't think a single apology can make up for the harm you guys inflicted on me before, do you!"
Snape did not appreciate it; he would never forgive the things the four-person group of James did!
James shook his head. "I'm not begging for your forgiveness; I know no matter what I do, I can't make it up to you. But I hope you won't bring the grievances of our generation onto Harry and the others! They shouldn't suffer for us!"
James made his words very clear; he only hoped Snapecould agree to this one thing for him.
After listening to James's words, Snape just looked at him quietly...
After a moment of silence, Snape turned and left without a word.
Seeing their Head of House leave, the Slytherin students stopped exchanging insults with the Gryffindor students and immediately followed.
Draco ran to Snape's side. Looking at Snape, who was expressionless—or rather, inherently carried a somewhat gloomy appearance—Draco hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
"Godfather... You won, you know! Are you just going to leave like this?"
As he walked, Snape glanced sideways at Draco and said in a low voice:
"Potter was cut in half by me, and I also won what I wanted! That's that!"
Although Draco was puzzled, he seemed to notice the corners of Snape's mouth curve upward slightly by a fraction, so he didn't say anything more and just followed quietly.
As the other three houses watched Snape disappear, even though Snape won the match, they didn't seem to realize that James had successfully persuaded Snape to stop targeting them.
As for the duel... whatever, forget it! It was just a match anyway.
Harry wiped away his tears; crying in front of so many people truly made him a bit shy.
"Sorry, Harry... I couldn't beat Snape."
Hearing James apologize to him once more, Harry hurriedly shook his head.
"No! It doesn't matter! It was just a match!"
Hearing Harry's comfort, James laughed heartily, reached out, and patted Harry's head, messing up his hairstyle.
"Hahaha! That's right, just a match!"
"Harry! Uncle James!"
Ron, Ginny, and the others came down from the stands, calling out to the two of them as they ran up onto the dueling platform.
Ginny: "Uncle James, the match was truly wonderful!"
Ginny didn't say anything about it not mattering that they lost; instead, she praised how wonderful their match was, minimizing the importance of winning or losing.
James likewise laughed heartily and patted Ginny's head.
"Thank you, Ginny! If this rascal Harry makes you angry anywhere, remember to tell me, and I'll definitely teach him a good lesson!"
"Dad! How could I possibly make Ginny unhappy!"
Harry retorted with dissatisfaction.
The Weasley Twins didn't know where they had crawled out from, and likewise arrived beside the group.
"Uncle James, your performance was truly dazzling! Those Slytherins who were cursing you just now were all sorted out by our Dungbombs!"
"Thanks."
James wiped away cold sweat. When he and Sirius and the others were young, even though they often bullied others, they really hadn't thought of Dungbombs as such... bizarre and underworld-like gadgets.
Dungbombs didn't deal high damage, but their humiliating nature was extremely strong!
Moreover, they had a powerful psychological effect.
Anyone hit by a Dungbomb, even if they used Scourgify to clean themselves, would still feel utterly disgusted all over, feeling as if they weren't clean at all.
James patted the two of them on the shoulders and offered a final piece of advice.
"Dungbombs are indeed a decent invention! But it's best to throw fewer of them!"
The Weasley Twins looked at each other in puzzlement, and then asked in unison:
"Why?"
"Because doing that really draws a lot of hatred!"
After speaking, James didn't explain further to the two of them, instead turning his head to look at Hode, who was chatting with Hermione.
"Hode... Do you know what happened in my mind?"
Hode likewise looked at James, and then nodded.
"Of course. Without me, you wouldn't even have been able to choose between heading south or leaning north."
Hearing Hode's words, Harry said oddly: "Heading south! Leaning north! Wasn't that what you said in my mind back then?"
James also looked at Harry in surprise, not expecting Hodeto have said that to Harry as well!
Then he asked curiously:
"So why did you make us choose between heading south and leaning north? Was it because if we didn't choose, we couldn't be resurrected?"
Facing James's guess, Hode unhurriedly shook his finger.
"It was just for fun!"
Chapter 158: Dumbledore: Good thing I am clever!
Just for fun???
Harry and James thought that Hode telling them to go south or north was some extremely important choice! It turned out to be purely for fun!
The two of them sighed at the same time, seeing a helpless look in each other's eyes.
"Alright, alright, since it's over, let's head back too!"
James spoke up, then glanced at the dueling platform and the spectator stands.
"Hode, aren't you going to put these away?"
Hearing James's question, Hode nodded.
"Of course I will, they will naturally disappear after everyone leaves."
Thus, everyone began to return inside the castle.
When the last student left, just as Hode had said, the spectator stands and dueling platform instantly vanished, as if they had never appeared in the first place!
Even the grass that had been covered stood up lushly! There wasn't a trace of it being bent down.
In the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore watched the match finish with a full smile on his face, then said to the Minerva beside him.
"That really was an exciting match! Wasn't it, Minerva."
But McGonagall merely glared fiercely at Dumbledore.
"Still exciting?! James was killed by Snape!!! If it weren't for Hode being there..."
Dumbledore stretched out his palm, interrupting McGonagall's words.
"I know, it's precisely because Hode was there that Snapedidn't hold back. Isn't this quite good? They resolved the issue very well."
McGonagall rolled her eyes; she certainly couldn't see what problem James and Snape had resolved.
Dumbledore shook his head and smiled, saying nothing, instead turning and walking over to his chair, snatching the Cockroach Clusters that Fawkes was eating and eating them.
Fawkes: I * * *
While savoring the Cockroach Clusters, Dumbledoreshook his finger at Fawkes.
"Old friend, you should eat less of these, it's bad for your teeth."
Fawkes: Damn it! I don't even have teeth, damn it! You're just hogging all the food by yourself!
However, before Dumbledore could eat a few, McGonagallsnatched away the Cockroach Clusters and all the other candies on the desk.
"You have the nerve to talk about Fawkes! I heard Snapecomplain that he has to brew several bottles of tooth-strengthening potions for you every week! You need to know when to stop!"
With that, under Dumbledore's reluctant gaze, she hugged a pile of sweets and left.
After McGonagall left, Dumbledore instantly changed his expression.
"Good thing I am clever!"
As Dumbledore spoke, he opened the drawer of his desk.
Inside were impressively various sweets that Dumbledorehad stored!
"Screech!"
Fawkes cried out in dissatisfaction from the side.
"Alright, this one is for you, but only this one!"
Hearing Fawkes's dissatisfaction, Dumbledore took out a Sherbet Lemon and put it into Fawkes's beak.
Dumbledore took out a few candies from the drawer to eat himself, and locked the rest firmly back away.
The next day ————
Harry, Ron, and Neville, on their first holiday at Hogwarts, unsurprisingly slept in.
By the time they got up and walked to the Great Hall, it was already noon.
Seeing Harry and the others, James immediately stepped down from the staff table, then placed his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"You guys woke up way too late! Harry!"
Harry said somewhat helplessly: "Today is Saturday, we just wanted to sleep in a bit."
James shook his head, "That won't do! Harry, your mom told me to supervise you properly! And Ron and Neville, your mothers also asked me to supervise you!"
James's words made Ron and Neville feel despair; who could understand the pain of having one's teacher and parents be good friends?
As long as they made the slightest mistake, their parents would know immediately! They also had to act extremely serious every day, otherwise they would get chewed out by their parents again.
James looked at them, then said earnestly: "Your parents asked me to strictly instruct you so that you can pass this year's exams! So after you finish eating later, come to my office, I'm going to give you some tutoring!"
Ron instantly put on a mournful face, "No way! We joined Hode's Dueling Club, and we have to attend activities this afternoon!"
As soon as Ron finished speaking, Hode and Hermionesuddenly appeared on the bench.
"It doesn't matter, I originally organized it for students other than Seventh Year and Fifth Year students. You guys should study hard and strive to get an excellent grade this year!"
Hearing Hode's words, Ron widened his eyes, looking at Hode with a betrayed expression.
"No————! We're good brothers!"
Hode ignored him, instead continually feeding food into his mouth with his hands without stopping.
Seeing that looking to Hode for help was useless, Ronimmediately changed his expression, looking at James with a full smile.
"Hehehe, Uncle James, look at the three of us—our grades are in the top ten of the entire grade! We probably don't need tutoring..."
James shook his head, "No way! Even if your grades are very good, I promised them, so of course I have to give you tutoring! And Harry, aren't you trying to become an Auror? I must teach you some Defense Against the Dark Artsproperly; if you get hurt in the future, your mom will definitely be heartbroken!"
James's words made them give up resisting, and they could only eat their lunch slowly, hoping to enjoy the present time a bit more.
Afterwards, under Hode's encouraging gaze, Harry and the others were led away by James to his office.
Ariana happened to brush past Harry and the others.
When she sat down behind Hermione, she asked what was going on with Harry and the others.
Upon learning of their predicament, Ariana covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Right, Hode, are we gathering outside at two o'clock this afternoon?"
Ariana had naturally also joined Hode's Dueling Club and was very looking forward to it.
"That's right, I reckon Aberforth taught you a lot of combat-type magic; I estimate your strength is not inferior to theirs."
Ariana nodded; her brother had indeed spent the most time teaching her about combat.
Coming to two o'clock in the afternoon, Ariana, Luna, and Ginny came to the place where James and Snape had fought yesterday.
Hode had long since temporarily set up a stage for practice and combat here.
Looking at this place, Ariana and the others saw that except for most of the Fifth Year and Seventh Yearstudents who hadn't come, almost all the other students had arrived.
Ginny said in surprise: "So many people actually came?"
And Luna softly spoke, "Most of them probably came because of Hode."
When people had all arrived more or less, Hode and Hermione suddenly appeared, followed by Flitwick.
Then Hode took out the draft Hermione had written and read it aloud, after which he and Flitwick began teaching everyone some simple yet efficient dueling magic and techniques.
Because the magic known by students of each year varied greatly, Hermione taught the lower-year students, Flitwicktaught the middle-year students, and finally Hode taught the Fifth Year and above students.