Because of Professor Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes at Hogwarts had become something of a joke, and George had to put in extra effort to help Harry and the others catch up.
Since investigating the Philosopher's Stone incident, they had uncovered a terrifying plot: "Members of the mysterious man's group were attempting to steal the Stone to help him return." Both Harry and George had intensified their Defense Against the Dark Arts training in response.
"You've performed exceptionally well. I'm confident that you three are among the top first-year students in Defense Against the Dark Arts—perhaps not just among first-years," George said, looking seriously at Harry and the others, encouraging them.
"Except you!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione said in unison, laughing at their unspoken understanding of one another.
George chuckled quietly. It was difficult for him to fully adopt the role of a first-year, and he often forgot his own identity.
"I saw Professor Quirrell today again—he looks paler, thinner. That mysterious man's group is really starting to overwhelm him," Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes.
"I can't help but want to encourage him, but I don't know what to say," Harry added. Lately, every time he saw Quirrell, he would smile at him. He even felt compelled to go up and embrace Quirrell, to give him encouragement.
"I've told everyone not to make fun of Professor Quirrell—but it didn't work," Ron shrugged, his face showing helplessness.
"Fortunately, Snape's temper has been awful lately. The Philosopher's Stone should be relatively safe," Hermione said, looking to George for guidance.
"What is the best defense?" George didn't respond to Hermione's concern directly but asked what seemed like an unrelated question.
"An armor spell?" Harry had been practicing this spell recently, and he spoke reflexively, immediately realizing George was asking about defense. Embarrassed, he scratched the back of his head and smiled wryly.
"The best defense is to avoid being attacked?" Hermione thought for a moment and gave a reasonable answer. Though she didn't know why George suddenly asked this, she knew she should cooperate and wait for his final answer.
"The best defense is offense?" Ron, recalling a story about knights, offered his own bold answer.
"And then you actually tried to attack me!" George glanced around, finally settling his gaze on Ron.
Ron picked up his wand and tentatively cast a spell at George: "Legs Stiffen to Death." The instant he finished the incantation, he felt the world spin as George waved his hand, leaving him floating helplessly.
"Bang!" He hit the ground with a long thud, rolling twice instinctively to ease the pain.
"You still think the best defense is offense?" George's voice made Ron uneasy.
"Beautiful…and painful," Hermione whispered. She hadn't cast a spell, yet with a simple flick of her wand, Ron was lifted into the air, a little envious. Then he crashed back down, his eyelids barely lifting.
"Poor Ron… but I still don't understand," Harry observed. Seeing Ron singled out, he realized George thought Ron's answer was completely wrong. Yet Harry himself didn't know what the right answer was. To avoid Ron being punished, he developed the habit of asking, "If I don't understand, I'll ask."
"The knight team thinks Ron's answer is completely wrong. I don't expect you to grasp the correct answer, but I want you to understand what consequences a standard, absurdly wrong answer can bring."
"Ron, do you still insist on your answer?" George asked, staring at him seriously.
Hermione and Harry looked at Ron urgently, silently urging him to admit his mistake. Ron quickly acknowledged it. George was usually gentle, but during training or battle, he was like a madman—strict and unyielding, never letting mistakes slide.
Ron sat up, looking into George's serious eyes. Flustered, he knew from their training that he had to stay calm. "I'm not stupid. I clearly can't win against you. I surrender, I surrender." He raised his hands in defeat.
"You really surprised me!" George said, somewhat amazed at Ron's candid admission. He also felt a bit helpless, unable to continue showing the negative teaching material. He had become too fond of them to make them angry.
Seeing George shift from criticism to praise, Hermione and Harry felt they understood something. They exchanged glances, silently communicating.
"The best defense is admitting failure?" Harry tentatively offered.
Hearing Harry's answer, Hermione and Ron's eyes lit up. Compared to their previous answers, it was unusual—even strange—but it made sense. If you can't defeat your opponent, the best defense is to acknowledge your failure.
"George, are you telling us that facing such a powerful enemy, we must surrender?" Hermione quickly reconsidered, recalling George's earlier critique of Ron and the praise he gave after Ron's surrender.
"You've caught me off guard again—it's just a bit sudden. Your answer is brilliant, but I don't want to explain it right now," George said, scanning the group, analyzing silently. He enjoyed this method of interaction.
Seeing their thoughtful and receptive expressions, George continued: "There's no single best method in the world. Everyone has to do their best to live their lives."
"Rather than falling into despair, live like a normal person. As wizards, you mustn't lose your reason. Don't expect all problems to have simple, brute-force solutions."
George's tone grew more intense: "Many simple, brute-force wrong answers—like Ron's offensive approach—can lead to the worst consequences."
Listening to George without giving a definitive "correct answer," the students felt something strange. They were used to uniform answers in class, or uniform expectations at home. But George had enlightened them: there is no standard answer in life, which made them slightly uncomfortable.
"Do you want to know what defense is better than surrender?" Seeing Harry and the others confused, George felt he had gone off track and tried to steer them back.
Harry and the others responded immediately. They already understood that against a powerful enemy, they had to recognize reality and admit failure. Hearing George say there was an even better way piqued their curiosity—they were eager to hear what he would say next.
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