There was hope and desperation in Neville's eyes, as though he had just grabbed hold of a lifeline.
But the more desperate he looked, the less Audrey could bring herself to give a definitive answer. "Neville, what I said was that it's worth a try."
"Then…then that means there's still hope?"
Audrey nodded. "I'll do my best."
"Thank you, thank you! Can I tell my gran?"
Trying to treat the Longbottoms would of course require the consent of Neville's grandmother, so Audrey said, "Of course you can."
"Thank you, Miss Hall!"
Neville thanked her once again, then ran off eagerly.
Edward let out a soft sigh. "I really hope you can cure his parents. To the wizarding world, Frank and Alice Longbottom are heroes. But to Neville…he doesn't need heroes—he just wants his mum and dad."
"You can tell," Audrey said with pursed lips. "I only realised yesterday that Neville is still using his father's wand. A wand that's been through countless battles, nearly falling apart."
"He refuses to replace it because he believes that only when he's holding that wand can he feel connected to his parents."
After breakfast, the two went off to their respective classes—one as a student, the other as a substitute teacher.
And Edward, coincidentally, was substituting for third-year Transfiguration—Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw—his own class.
———
Elsewhere—
Lilith and Susie were crouched in a corner outside the Headmaster's Office, eyes fixed on the stone gargoyle at the entrance.
"Miss Lilith, isn't this kind of…not okay?"
"What's wrong with it? We're just borrowing a few feathers from Big Bird. Don't you want to grow bigger?"
Susie shook her head. "Not really…"
Lilith immediately turned her head. "Hmm?"
"…I do."
"Exactly! Only when you grow bigger can you become stronger. And only when you're stronger can you better protect Edward and Audrey. Got it?"
"Got it!"
Just then, Lilith's ears twitched. "Someone's coming. Get ready to sneak in!"
"Okay!"
Soon, Professor McGonagall walked up and, after saying the password "Honeydukes," ascended the spiral staircase into the Headmaster's Office.
"Go!"
At Lilith's command, the two tiny creatures were just about to dash out—when Susie suddenly stopped Lilith.
"Wait!"
"What's wrong?"
Lilith turned back in confusion.
Susie stared unblinkingly at the office entrance. "Just now, a beetle flew in right behind Professor McGonagall."
"Huh?"
Lilith tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"That beetle…had a human aura!"
———
When Edward stepped onto the platform holding his textbook, most of the students—Cedric included—looked blank. Except for a few who had already heard, everyone else was baffled: Why are you standing there, Edward?
"Hello, everyone! I'm sure you all know me, right? Even though I'm extremely, extremely low-key, we've shared classes for two or three years. If you don't know me by now, I must've done something wrong."
Cedric leaned back in his chair. "Edward, what are you doing?"
Edward smiled. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'll be your substitute teacher for Transfiguration today—and for the next while, I'll be in charge of this class."
"???"
Cedric was stunned. "You're serious?"
"Hahaha, have you ever seen Professor McGonagall show up late?"
True—on any normal day, Professor McGonagall would arrive before most of the students.
So, your dormmate is now your teacher?
What a…surprising development.
The Hufflepuffs in the room were a bit shocked, but not overly fazed. Their general attitude was something like: My classmate is now our substitute teacher? Wow, unexpected but impressive! Though he's a few years older than us, so…makes sense, I guess.
Edward glanced at the textbook McGonagall had left him. "Today's lesson will continue from where we left off: turning teapots into turtles. I'll let you in on a little secret—this year's Transfiguration exam will apparently include this spell."
"So, everyone better work hard today."
He waved his wand and sent a teapot to each student. "As third-years, you all probably know the basics of Transfiguration better than most, so I won't go into the theory…"
"Then don't."
A sudden voice cut in.
It came from a Ravenclaw girl with long blonde hair and a haughty expression. "We've always thought Transfiguration is useless. You can just sit there quietly until the period ends—don't get in the way of our real studying."
Cedric turned to look at her and scoffed, "Hima, did you forget that Transfiguration is part of the O.W.L. exams in fifth year?"
"Oh, is it?"
She casually waved her wand, transforming the teapot in front of her into a slowly crawling turtle.
"To be honest, Transfiguration isn't hard for me. I've already got the skills to pass the O.W.L.s. I just think this subject is pointless."
She paused, then looked straight at Edward. "Besides, I don't think a classmate of ours is qualified to teach us. Even if he's a few years older."
"She's right."
"I'd rather study on my own."
"If being older made you qualified, he shouldn't even be in our year."
The other Ravenclaws chimed in in support.
Edward raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. A faint smile played on his lips. "So basically, you just don't think I'm fit to substitute teach?"
He nodded slightly. "Fair enough. I've always trusted the Ravenclaws' ability to learn independently. Like I said just now, today's class is about turning teapots into—"
As he said this, Edward lightly touched his forehead. "Oh right, Miss Hima's Transfiguration spell just now was quite well done. One point to Ravenclaw."
"Since everyone doesn't seem to like me, I'll just wait outside in a bit. Let's pretend Professor McGonagall came in, assigned the lesson plan, and then had to leave for urgent business. That sounds alright?"
Don't be fooled by the two most prominently featured Ravenclaws in the original books—Cho Chang, a romance-driven character, and Luna Lovegood, a delightful eccentric. In reality, Ravenclaw students could be even more prideful and arrogant than those from Slytherin—some of them practically saw themselves as superior to the world.
Edward had no intention of lowering himself to argue with a bunch of brash teenagers.
"That's not it!"
The Ravenclaw girl named Hima shouted, "I genuinely think Transfiguration is useless!"
Tch. So you're hellbent on slapping my face, huh? What grudge do you have against me?
I'm just subbing for a class. Was this really necessary?
"Well then, when you say it's useless, which part are you referring to?"
Edward casually waved his wand, transforming the lectern into a chair and plopping down on it. With another flick, his outfit shifted to a different ensemble. "Actually, I think Transfiguration is one of the most practical types of magic in everyday life."
"And what are you going to do when you meet a Dark wizard or an enemy? Turn a chair into an invitation to tea and beg for mercy? Or change your outfit and hope they don't recognise you?"
Several Ravenclaws chuckled at that.
"Didn't expect so many combat pragmatists in our year of Ravenclaws," Edward said mildly. "I'm sure Headmaster Dumbledore would be absolutely thrilled."
Hima frowned. "You still haven't answered my question."
Edward tilted his head in thought. "Alright then. How about this: try attacking me—use any and all spells you know."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over all the Ravenclaws. "No, actually—why don't all of you attack me at once?"
The room went still.
Cedric gaped. "You're serious?"
Immediately, the Ravenclaw students bristled with indignation. If there was one thing they couldn't stand, it was being called bookworms who only knew how to study. Edward's challenge struck a nerve.
"You sure about this?"
Edward gave a small smile. "I'm sure."
"Heh, you say that now, but don't come crying to us if you get hurt."
Edward gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, who were watching in fascination. "They can be our witnesses. Everything I'm doing is part of the lesson."
He opened his arms. "Go ahead—if you really think Transfiguration is so useless, show me."
Hima glanced around, and after confirming everyone's agreement with nods, she drew her wand and said seriously, "Then get ready. I'll count to three. Don't worry—we won't use spells that can actually injure you."
"Gee. Thanks."
"One…two…three!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"Stupefy!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
"Locomotor Mortis!"
"Relashio!"
In an instant, spells of all sorts shot toward Edward.
At the same moment, a desk flew up in front of him, transforming into a steel plate that blocked every incoming spell.
A flurry of thuds and clangs echoed through the classroom.
"You see? A simple Levitation Charm combined with Transfiguration can render all your spells completely ineffective," Edward's voice came calmly from behind the steel plate.
The Ravenclaws reacted swiftly, leaping from their seats to flank Edward from both sides, continuing their assault. Hima even teamed up with a friend to levitate herself and attack from above.
But once again, the steel plate transformed—this time into a full steel dome that covered Edward entirely, rendering every angle of attack useless.
"You're just going to sit in there like a coward?" Hima shouted. "What if we switch to fire spells? We could heat that metal dome and roast you alive!"
"Oh? So you're saying you want me to attack?"
"In that case…allow me to oblige. Vermiculus!"
In the blink of an eye, every Ravenclaw's wand turned into a length of rope that shot toward their own bodies. Some reacted quickly, tossing their wands and dodging back—but then they realised their clothes were changing too!
Several girls shrieked in panic, "I surrender! I surrender!"
Everything froze.
The Ravenclaws were stunned, faces pale and wide-eyed:
Transfiguration...how could it be this terrifying?
He actually—at that very moment—transformed not only our wands, but our clothes, and even attempted to bind us! All at once!
How is that even possible?!
Just then, Edward gently restored the desk to its original form and placed it back in front of him. Folding his arms, he said coolly, "What you just witnessed—that was offensive Transfiguration. I can turn your wands and robes into chains to bind you…or into weapons sharp enough to pierce your throats."
His gaze swept over the stunned Ravenclaws.
"That is the practical use of Transfiguration."
Hima opened her mouth, paused, and then bowed deeply.
"You're right…no—your Transfiguration is what's powerful. I apologise, Professor Edward. We were wrong earlier."
"Sorry!"
The rest of the Ravenclaws followed suit, bowing in unison.
Cedric finally shook off his shock and, grinning, raised his hands to applaud—only for Edward to bark, "No applause in this classroom!"
The Hufflepuffs, who had been about to join in, froze mid-motion—then discovered with horror that they literally couldn't clap. Their hands refused to come together, as if cursed.
Cedric yelled, "What the—what kind of spell is this?!"
"Eh, just think of it as a...sound-blocking spell."
Edward waved his wand, returning all the desks to their proper places. "Take your seats."
He turned to Hima. "Now then, Miss Hima, I'd like to ask you something."
Smiling, he continued, "I completely understand the discomfort of being bossed around by a classmate who's usually a nobody. But surely that alone doesn't justify the level of hostility you all showed toward me today, does it?"
The Ravenclaws might be proud when it came to academics, but they weren't stupid—especially not stupid enough to openly challenge a substitute teacher.
No—this hadn't been just a challenge. Even after Edward clearly backed down, they had pressed harder and harder, as if deliberately trying to provoke him into failure…to make him lose respect.
———
[Note]: Enjoy the Extra Chapter~ And sorry for the delay. I thought I posted the chapter but I forgot. Lol. 280 Powerstones for another one tomorrow (today).
And if you are like me and want to read 40 Chapters in advance of the current story right now, you can support me on my Patreon. Thank me later~
Link - (P)atre(o)n.c(o)m/ Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]