For students living at Hogwarts, the weekend is undoubtedly a good time.
On weekends, everyone can relax and have fun without worrying about being late for class. They can also sleep in until they naturally wake up and have no worries about what they might encounter in class. They can relax and unwind from the stress of the week, allowing students to take a breather in their busy academic lives.
Early in the morning, the Weasley brothers' beds were already empty. The two got up early and went out to plant garlic in a sunny clearing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
This was a location they had gone to great lengths to find; it was sparsely populated and they didn't have to worry about being discovered.
Frankly, Albert couldn't understand what Fred and George were thinking. Was all that time and effort they put into growing garlic really just to make that ridiculous amulet?
Maybe!
Anyway, their thought processes are quite unique, so nothing they do is strange.
Fred and George returned before Albert finished breakfast. Their robes and hands were covered in mud. After quickly washing themselves in the washroom, they talked to him about planting garlic.
Listening to the two of them chattering away, Albert had been wanting to complain for a long time. Did they not even have the concept of planting garlic in flower pots?
After politely declining Lee Jordan's invitation to train at the Quidditch pitch, Albert reached out and knocked on the wooden door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts office on the second floor of the castle precisely as the clock struck ten.
Speaking of which, the last time I entered Professor McGonagall's office, I had to dismantle the wooden door.
It's quite unbelievable that they weren't punished by Professor McGonagall back then!
The wooden door opened from the inside, and Professor Badbrod looked at Albert standing outside, smiling as he invited him into his office: "It's just ten o'clock, you're very punctual!"
"I hope I haven't disturbed you." Albert entered Professor Broad's office, surveying the extremely comfortable room. Several soft sofas were laid out, with a bronze carpet underfoot. Several bookshelves lined the walls, crammed with books of all kinds—surely over a hundred. Blue silk curtains hung by the windows, offering a view of the castle courtyard. Students were currently strolling, chatting, and sunbathing in the courtyard.
Just a quick plug: [Mimi Reading app] is really great, worth installing, especially since it allows you to cache books and read them offline!
"What would you like to drink?" Brod asked.
"Milk tea." Albert asked curiously, "Professor, if I may ask, did you graduate from Ravenclaw?"
"Yes, it's not hard to guess, is it?" Brod winked at Albert, raised his wand, and tapped the empty teacup in front of them. The cup immediately released a rich aroma of milk tea.
Albert added a few sugar cubes to his milk tea and stirred it slowly with a spoon. After a moment, he picked up his cup and took a sip. "I've heard that the eagle-shaped bronze door knockers in Ravenclaw are quite interesting."
"Yes," Professor Brod nodded. "As long as you can answer the question about the eagle-shaped bronze door knocker, the Ravenclaw common room will be open to you."
Albert smiled without saying a word, and shook his head almost imperceptibly.
Although Professor Brod said so, he did not believe that Ravenclaw students would welcome a stranger into their common room.
People are always xenophobic, so if students from other houses went to the Gryffindor common room, the outcome was not hard to predict.
Professor Brod pointed to the desserts on the table and said, "Freshly baked pumpkin tarts, you might like them."
"I also like pumpkin pie, it tastes great when it's hot!" After taking a piece of pumpkin pie that was still steaming, Albert started talking about the book he had read recently: "By the way, Professor, I just finished reading 'Simple Alchemy,' and that book gave me a very special feeling…"
He organized his thoughts for a moment, hesitated, and then continued, "It's hard to imagine that what's described in that book is alchemy. Do you know anything about it?"
"I don't want to pretend to be an expert in alchemy; quite the opposite, my knowledge of alchemy is limited to what I read in books," Professor Brod shook his head. "I suppose you didn't come here today to discuss alchemy with me, did you?"
Albert knew it was time to end the topic of alchemy, so he steered the conversation toward "Dark Powers: A Guide to Self-Defense," discussing some of his questions about the book and mentioning the spells described within.
"I'm glad you've brought this up," Professor Brod said cheerfully. "Yes, that's right. As you can see, there aren't many useful defensive spells listed in 'Dark Powers: A Guide to Self-Defense,' but do you know why this book is a required reading for Defense Against the Dark Arts class?"
"I know." Albert nodded. "This book can help us understand the dark creatures that exist in this world and teach everyone how to deal with them when they encounter them."
"Yes, you're right. In fact, this book is certainly not enough for a gifted student like you." Professor Brod put down his teacup and said, "However, the Ministry of Magic doesn't really like students being exposed to spells that are moderately aggressive."
"Yes, it's not hard to see." Albert picked up another pumpkin pie, took a bite, and continued, "If I want to learn more about Defense Against the Dark Arts, do you have any good suggestions?"
"I recommend you take a look at the book 'Practical Defense Magic and Its Countermeasures Against Dark Magic'," Professor Brod said, taking a book from the shelf and handing it to Albert. "However, this set of books is a bit expensive, and the school library doesn't have it yet. If you'd like to read it, I can lend it to you."
"Oh, what a coincidence, I just happened to have bought this set of books. I think the Ironclad Charm and the Disarming Charm are quite effective." Albert quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe his greasy palms and reached out to take the book that Professor Broad handed him. "Of course, the Stunning Charm and the Barrier Charm are also good. Unfortunately, I don't know much about dispelling charms."
"No, no, Mr. Anderson, it's already quite remarkable that you've mastered so many spells in such a short time." A flicker of surprise crossed Professor Brod's eyes as he smiled and asked, "I've heard that Professor McGonagall has a high opinion of your skill with Transfiguration spells."
"I think I have a pretty good talent for magic, and with my diligent practice, my speed is naturally not too slow," Albert said after thinking for a moment. "It's never a bad thing to learn more; it might come in handy in the future."
"Greed for knowledge is not a fault," Professor Brod suddenly said with an exaggerated expression. "Merlin's beard, to be honest, you're more like Ravenclaw than Ravenclaw. The Sorting Hat would definitely let you choose!"
"Yes, the Sorting Hat thinks I'm suitable for any house except Slytherin." Albert blinked and said, "Actually, I don't have any particular prejudice against other houses, but I chose to go to Gryffindor because I met my current friends on the train."
"Yes, yes, it's a good thing to be unbiased; many people find it difficult to do that." Professor Brod's eyes revealed an appreciative smile.
"The day you finish studying 'Practical Defense Magic and Its Countermeasures Against Dark Magic,' your level in defense against dark magic will reach OWL level." Professor Brod said to Albert with some regret, "Because this course was cursed by a certain wizard, the very important defense against dark magic course has become dispensable, and most students are not very good at it."
"Professor, is the person who gave the Defense Against the Dark Arts class the curse still alive?"
"I'm afraid so," Professor Brod nodded. "Otherwise, Dumbledore would have tried his best to lift the curse, since it's quite a hassle to find a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor every year."
"I heard from my roommate that the Ministry of Magic has a profession called Aurors, and they are all experts in defense against the Dark Arts. Why doesn't Headmaster Dumbledore invite Aurors to teach students?" Albert asked curiously.
To be honest, this was also a question Albert had in his previous life. Retired Aurors are undoubtedly very suitable to become Defense Against the Dark Arts professors. They have a wealth of experience, and even a little bit of their experience can greatly benefit the students of the school.
"Many people are afraid." Professor Brod blinked, and Albert could swear on his life that he had seen contempt in Professor Brod's eyes for a fleeting moment.
"Fear"
"They consider this profession unlucky, fear it's cursed, and very few professors leave this position safely." Professor Brod showed no concern for his safety because of his position. "Besides, the Ministry of Magic is actually not too keen on seeing this happen."
"Professor, I have another question," Albert said.
"What's the problem?"
"Has Headmaster Dumbledore ever considered... discontinuing Defense Against the Dark Arts and choosing a new course, or changing the name of the course?" Albert voiced his thoughts from his past life. Since Voldemort had cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts, perhaps the curse would disappear along with the course.
As for the name of the class, it can be completely changed. It can be called Defense Class, Self-Defense Class, or anything like that. It's just a name.
Professor Brod laughed, a very happy laugh, as if he had heard something amusing.
"You make a good point. Defense Against the Dark Arts is just a name after all, and it's not impossible to abandon it if necessary." Professor Brod nodded in agreement with Albert's point of view. "I think Dumbledore must have thought about this as well, but the wizard who cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts is still alive. If we abandon the name, he might curse the new course again."
While the explanation was reasonable, Albert felt it was just an excuse. However, he didn't ask any further questions and ended the conversation.
"If you learn the spells in 'Practical Defensive Magic and Its Countermeasures Against Dark Magic,' you can borrow 'Defense and Deterrence Spells' from the library. This book introduces many powerful defensive spells, which should satisfy your needs," Professor Brod continued. "However, there are some things you need to know. What you see is only the surface of magic. The wonder of magic lies in its subtle changes that occur according to your imagination. Powerful spells don't mean everything; sometimes a simple incantation can easily solve a problem."
While Albert was still pondering the meaning of those words, Professor Broad said, "Well, it's almost lunchtime, and you'd better not miss it. It's a pleasure to chat with you. Most students are in awe of professors and rarely sit down for a proper conversation like you and I do."
"I have also benefited greatly, and I look forward to the next chat." Albert nodded slightly to Professor Broad in acknowledgment, then turned and left the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.