A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts C.354: Stay Vigilant at All Times

"The heads of the four magical schools and carefully selected competitors will arrive in October, and the Champions' selection ceremony will take place on Halloween."

"In addition to bringing honor to their schools, the winners will also receive a prize of one thousand Galleons each."

"However, only students aged seventeen and above are allowed to enter, as the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament remain challenging and dangerous. No matter how many precautions we take, students below sixth and seventh year wouldn't be able to handle them."

"The delegations will be spending a significant portion of this school year with us. I hope you will show enthusiasm and friendliness. For this purpose, we have prepared some exchange activities..."

Dumbledore concluded the dinner amidst controversial and noisy discussions. The students were full of complaints, all due to the seemingly arbitrary age restriction.

"Are we just supposed to sit idly by?" Ron stomped the stairs and headed toward the common room.

Hermione said gravely, "This is for our protection, to prevent us from recklessness and overconfidence that could lead to danger. Remember, the Triwizard Tournament was discontinued in the past because of many deaths."

Ron wasn't really paying attention; he muttered, "But it's a thousand Galleons." He looked at Fred and George, who were walking ahead of them, discussing the effectiveness of Ageing Potions.

"I think a drop or two should do it. We're just a few months away from being of age, George..." Fred pondered seriously.

Ron said sourly, "Still half a year to go, but I do hope they succeed." He turned to Harry, "What do you think? If Fred and George manage it, I mean, I wonder if we've learned enough..."

Harry shook his head, pushing away the vivid images in his mind. He couldn't help but imagine himself fooling the age restriction set by the headmaster, winning the Triwizard Tournament, and lifting the trophy amid cheers and screams...

"Yeah, I think the same. It feels a bit lacking." Ron misunderstood Harry's head shake, thinking he was answering his question. He held up his fingers, "Despite having dueling lessons, study groups, and the Magical Languages Club..."

He sounded somewhat disheartened, "Unless Professor Harp secretly teaches us some powerful ancient magic, there's no way we'll outmatch those sixth and seventh years. We can't just rely on using Lumos to blind our opponents, can we?"

In this discussion about the Triwizard Tournament, Ron talked the most, more like an emotional release. He knew the likelihood of being chosen was slim, but his words silenced Harry and Hermione beside him.

Harry thought of Professor Harp demonstrating the Disillusionment Charm twice in front of him. Once was in second year in the Forbidden Forest; they suspected the new Professor Harp was related to the Chamber of Secrets and followed him to see him practicing magic. Though it had been impressive at the time, it had faded from Harry's memory. The other time was during the Quidditch World Cup, just recently, and it was a real combat situation. Professor Harp used the Disillusionment Charm to trick hundreds of trouble-making wizards, their eyes couldn't follow his movements!

'What if I could do the same? I'm already skilled in Dark Arts Defense, and in terms of Disarming Charms, no student in the school can surpass me. Add the Disillusionment Charm to that...' Harry's heart warmed up.

Meanwhile, Hermione thought of the ancient magic Professor Harp had taught her during the summer break. Golden flames leaped at her fingertips, transforming into a sea of fire in an instant... Of course, it was a demonstration by the professor, she hadn't mastered it herself.

Hermione tapped her head, wondering what she was thinking. She wasn't going to try breaking the age restriction.

On the other side, in the hall, the professors remained.

Dumbledore and Moody were in conversation; Moody answered gruffly, loudly, "Right, Arthur and the others arrived just in time, got up early and scared off the attackers!"

Professor McGonagall looked surprised, "You were attacked this morning?" She suddenly realized, Moody had been facing trouble since his retirement, often suspecting dark wizards were after him. Even if someone walked alongside him for a short distance, he would suddenly draw his wand on them and demand why they were following him.

This kind of incident had happened not once or twice, forcing Moody into isolation, living in a secluded place, even in a Muggle community.

McGonagall began to suspect he might be overly sensitive.

"How could it be fake!" Moody roared, "A bunch of scoundrels, trying to attack me while I was asleep. But who am I? I was prepared, they ended up cornering me at home. I had no choice but to blow up two trash cans to get their attention."

He said loudly, his magical eye spinning in its socket, making people feel uncomfortable. Only a few professors looked at him directly.

"Did you see who it was, Alastor?" Dumbledore asked softly.

"No, I'm getting old, Albus." Moody patted his prosthetic leg, saying resentfully, "If this had happened a few years ago..."

His two eyes' gazes finally converged, locking onto Felix, calming down, "Now all I can do is offer suggestions, drawing on my past experiences."

Felix calmly glanced back, soothing his somewhat restless kneazle, Snuffles. Today was the first time he had seen Moody in person; he had only heard the famous, thunderous name before.

It could be said that Alastor Moody had contributed to almost half of Bartemius Crouch Jr.'s notoriety. He had been Crouch's sharpest sword, the most outstanding wizard in the history of the Ministry of Magic specializing in apprehending dark wizards. Half of Azkaban's cells had been filled by his efforts.

Just as he had left psychological scars on many dark wizards, he had also left a strong personal mark in the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic.

However, after experiencing a lot of danger, he had become somewhat paranoid, even delusional, but that didn't stop him from being the idol of all Aurors at the Ministrya position equivalent to that of St. Mungo's former headmistress, Doris Purkiss.

Of course, with his rough, irritable, and non-compromising nature, he had indeed offended many people, making it difficult for him to hold administrative positions at the Ministry.

Formidable, brave, tested through time, now becoming sensitive and paranoid, even a bit neurotic...

This was the impression Felix got after a brief encounter with the "Mad-Eye" Moody. There was a saying he was known for

"Constant vigilance!" Moody suddenly roared, startling others. However, he walked around the hall as if nothing had happened.

Felix looked at Dumbledore, "Headmaster, you mentioned some exchange activities just now?"

"Ah, yes." Dumbledore had been listening quietly all this while, and now he seemed to have snapped out of his thoughts. His cheerful gaze swept across everyone, "This is also why I've kept you all here."

He nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "Both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are participating in the Triwizard Tournament for the first time. This makes... them feel like young individuals with even more passion. Not content with being busy preparing for the tournament for nearly a year, Beauxbatons' headmistress hopes that students from different schools can have closer interactions."

"Exchange students?"

"It's quite close, Felix." Dumbledore nodded, and his twinkling eyes turned to everyone, "However, it's one-sided this time. They hope to audit Hogwarts' courses. Besides that..." he smiled, "I believe they're also planning to have some friendly competitions with Hogwarts students."

The professors exchanged glances. Did this mean their classrooms would be open to students from other schools?

As Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall had more thoughts. She pursed her lips, her eyebrows knitted together, and she said seriously, "Dumbledore, when you say 'friendly competitions,' you don't meanthis is a blatant provocation!"

Dumbledore shook his head slightly, and his silver beard trembled, "Minerva, there are many aspects to compare, not just physical strength. That's the worst option." He smiled and added, "I'm rather welcoming of this. It will give our students a chance to see the world outside and broaden their horizons."

"I remember, seven or eight years ago, we had contact with Castelobruxo Magic School. Many students from both sides formed strong friendships. Felix, you should have some impression of that?" He asked with a smile.

Felix shrugged, "I don't have any pen pals from Brazil."

...

After the professors dispersed, Felix and Snape left the Great Hall. Snape's face was gloomy. "You have to be careful around that man, don't let him fixate on you."

"You mean Professor Moody?" Felix asked with curiosity. "He seems quite straightforward"

"He's a lunatic, he can hex you on suspicion for no reason at any time." Snape said coldly, "He's never come out of it! He still treats every day as if it's wartime!"

"I don't understand why Dumbledore brought him in. Even another Lockhart would be better than him."

Snape waved his sleeve and walked away briskly.

Felix watched Snape's receding figure. In the distance, Moody was limping forward. Snape was faster, but they didn't meet. In the entrance hall, Snape turned into the dungeons while Moody clumsily ascended the stairs.

As he lifted his arm, aside from the curved flask hanging at his waist, Felix also noticed half a wand sticking out of Moody's sleeve, strapped to his arm.

"Constant vigilance, huh? He really practices what he preaches."

...

The next day.

The storm had finally subsided, leaving clear skies after the rain. Hogwarts welcomed a new school year.

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