The afternoon's Defense Against the Dark Arts class certainly did not disappoint.
Professor Bard Brod, a witty and humorous old man, said the following to everyone on the first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts class:
You may not know this, but the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is cursed. No one can stay in this position for more than a year, and I think I will be no exception. Before I leave, I will teach you the knowledge you need to master.
Such a statement is truly shocking.
"Professor, even you can't break this curse?" Roger Davis asked, raising his hand.
"I'm afraid…it won't work!" Professor Bard Brod shook his head and said, "In the past few decades, many Defense Against the Dark Arts professors have tried, but they have all failed. And if even Dumbledore couldn't do it, I don't think I can. It's important to know your own limitations. Alright, turn to page five of 'Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense.' Class is about to begin."
Professor Bud Brod had barely finished speaking when he veered off-topic, recounting events from his travels, such as how he used a bloody lollipop to subdue a thirsty vampire.
Professor Brod tells everyone that vampires don't actually need to drink blood; they just crave the smell of blood.
"Girls need to be especially careful when they encounter vampires, because most vampires prefer to target young women," Professor Brod said jokingly.
Of course, most vampires and werewolves are currently registered with the Ministry of Magic, but that doesn't mean there aren't any who slip through the net.
When discussing werewolves, Professor Bud Broad advised everyone to keep their distance.
Being bitten by a transformed werewolf will turn you into one. Werewolves are ostracized by wizards, find it difficult to find decent work, and many even go astray.
"If I were to encounter a werewolf in its transformed state outside, the first thing I would do is immediately use my phantom form to escape." Professor Brod believes it's best to avoid any entanglement with werewolves in their transformed state, as that would mean the risk of being bitten.
Being bitten by a werewolf after it transforms will result in something far more cruel than death—becoming a werewolf yourself.
"Professor Brod, what should we do if we encounter werewolves?"
"Given your current situation, it's unlikely you'll encounter a werewolf. Of course, if you do, you'll have to save yourself. In densely populated areas, you can use a locking charm to lock the door from the inside. As magical creatures, most wizards or Muggles who become werewolves will lose their minds, lock the door, and then signal for help by shooting red sparks."
"What if you're in the wilderness or on a plain, and there's nowhere to hide?"
"In that situation, I think you can only pray to Merlin," Professor Brod said helplessly.
"Can't we use a wand to subdue the werewolf after it transforms?" someone asked again.
"Yes, a powerful wizard can do it," Professor Brod nodded. "But I would never tell you to try to challenge a werewolf in its transformed state. That would be an incredibly foolish idea, a death wish. If bitten by a werewolf in its transformed state, you will definitely die if you don't receive timely treatment. Even if you survive, you will face something far more terrifying than death."
"That means you'll turn into a werewolf," he repeated.
"What if you get bitten by a werewolf that hasn't transformed?" Albert suddenly asked.
"That's a good question." Bud Brod looked at Albert and nodded. "Being bitten by a human who hasn't turned into a werewolf won't completely transform you into one, but you will develop some werewolf characteristics. The bite wound is also very difficult to heal. Treating werewolf wounds requires a mixture of silver powder and white cinnabar."
Bud Brod clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the whole class. "Why don't we write these down?"
"Note that staying vigilant at all times and avoiding being bitten by werewolves is the best way to protect yourself."
Before the Defense Against the Dark Arts class ended, Professor Brod taught everyone two spells: how to use a wand to shoot red and green sparks into the sky.
Red sparks generally symbolize danger or an emergency call for help. Green sparks, on the other hand, can represent gathering, finding a target, or an agreement among others.
As Professor Bud Brod spoke, everyone quickly jotted them down in their books.
As for the Defense Against the Dark Arts homework, it was, of course, practice with the two types of sparks.
He is a reliable defense-against-dark-magic professor.
This is Albert's assessment of Professor Bud Brod. The old man was witty and humorous. He didn't teach them according to the content of "Dark Powers: A Guide to Self-Defense," but instead shared his own experiences, which were very practical.
"I really wish Professor Brod could teach us some useful spells." Albert had heard people complain like this more than once, looking like they wanted nothing more than to rush up and fight the werewolves.
They had no idea of Professor Brod's good intentions!
"Don't be too greedy. You haven't even fully mastered the Light Charm yet, and there's still Transfiguration and the Lockpicking Charm." Albert didn't hold back in pouring cold water on George. "Right now, you also need to practice how to use your wand to shoot red and green sparks."
The three of them immediately wilted like frostbitten eggplants.
Yes, they still haven't fully mastered many spells, and even if Professor Brod teaches them useful spells, it will be difficult for them to learn them in a short time.
This reality is far too cruel for the three of them, no, for most of the freshmen.
"If you want to learn magic, I have a book called 'Practical Defensive Magic and Its Countermeasures Against Dark Magic' that I can lend you." Albert said to the three of them with a smile as they turned the corner. "The Ironclad Charm we used this morning was found in that book. It's a very useful book."
Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately lit up, as if they couldn't wait to start learning. As for what had just been said, they had already forgotten about it.
"Practical Defense Magic and Its Countermeasures Against Dark Magic" is a book about defense magic. All the anti-curses and anti-poison spells in it are illustrated with colorful animated diagrams. As Albert said, it is a very practical book, but of course, it is not cheap.
The three of them could hardly take their eyes off it.
"You've learned it all?"
Not only Lee Jordan, but even the twin brothers looked at Albert expectantly, seemingly planning to ask him to teach them the spell when they had some free time.
Yes, teach yourself.
Because of the magic Albert displayed, the three believed they could learn other spells from him.
As for self-study, that's quite difficult.
"How could that be? I haven't even learned a few myself," Albert said irritably. "And you two, weren't you planning to master the Lockpicking Charm first?"