0340 The Incident

0340 The Incident

The classroom was abuzz with anticipation as Professor Black strode purposefully towards an intriguing covered object, resembling a birdcage, stationed on a shelf adjacent to the front of the room. Many inquisitive students had noticed peculiar movements emanating from beneath the concealing cloth, striking against the cage, as soon as they entered the classroom, yet curiously, not a single audible sound could be heard.

Sirius nimbly lifted the shrouding fabric, unveiling the cage's contents to the collective gaze of the assembled class, his face adorned with a self-assured smile.

"Can anyone tell me the name of this creature? Of course, it's alright if you're unsure. Strictly speaking, this creature is not part of the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum."Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

Inside the cage was a large, vividly colored bird with a bizarre-looking beak. The bird seemed quite startled, huddled in a corner of the cage, staring in terror at the nearby Sirius and screeching desperately, though curiously, no one could hear its cries.

"Oh, a Fwooper," Hermione said, her neck craning forward showing an interested expression.

[[AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the mistake about the name of bird it has been changed to 'Fwooper bird' as it is in canon and Fantastic Beasts movies. It's NOT 'Augurey' its "Fwooper", I have edited previous chapters with this bird's now OG name Fwooper, Sorry for the mistake. ]]

"Precisely, five points to Gryffindor!" Sirius acknowledged with an approving nod, his arms folding across his chest in a contemplative manner.

"Tell us everything you know, Hermione, if you want to earn another five points for Gryffindor!"

Hermione's face immediately flushed red. She took a deep breath and stood up to speak.

"These creatures largely inhabit the African continent. Wizards deeply admire them for their vibrant feathers, and Fwooper's feathers have long been coveted for use in the crafting of exquisite, high-quality quills for extravagant feather pens. Similar to the cries of infant Mandrakes that induce unconsciousness, the Fwooper's twittering songs have similar effect, capable of driving those who hear them to the brink of insanity.

"Uric the Oddball, once tried to persuade the masses that the Fwooper's cry was, in fact, beneficial to one's well-being. To prove that, he subjected himself to its calls continuously for three months without any break. Upon the conclusion of this self-imposed experiment, he presented his findings before the Wizengamot, only to be met with resounding disbelief and incredulity. As when he arrived at the Assembly he wore nothing on his head except a small wig – which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a deceased badger!"

Neville stared admiringly at Hermione's back, while Ron muttered,

"Since it's not in the curriculum, where does she learn all this bizarre knowledge?"

The Gryffindor students were once again stunned by Hermione's vast knowledge, while most Slytherin students looked contemptuous. Pansy Parkinson mocked Hermione's peculiar tone of voice, causing Draco who had recently reconciled with her to laugh hilariously.

"Do you find this amusing, hmm?!"

Hermione pursed her lips tightly, her face flushing with embarrassment. Sirius strode over, looking as though he might grab Malfoy and Parkinson and toss them out of the classroom.

"Flaunting your ignorance and shallowness to mask your jealousy, are you, Malfoy, Parkinson?" he challenged, his voice resonating with authority.

Sirius's Defense Against the Dark Arts class had truly become a veritable paradise for the young Gryffindor wizards. Even Neville, often-cited as a shining example of failure by professors across various subjects, mustered the courage to answer a handful of questions.

And in the end, Malfoy had to be carried out of Sirius's class. He had attempted to secretly cast a spell to remove Harry's protective earmuffs while Harry was tending to the Fwooper, but Sirius, enraged by this swiftly petrified Malfoy, punishing him to stand immobilized for the majority of the lesson.

"Just carry him out like that!" Sirius growled as the bell signaling the end of the period reverberated through the chamber. He fixed Crabbe and Goyle, who were trying to move the petrified Draco, with a stern gaze. "Take him to Snape and let us see what that greasy-hair has to say about causing trouble in my class!"

He then arched an inquisitive eyebrow towards Harry and the others before striding out of the classroom.

"Sirius is really too rash. This is merely his first week teaching this class. Snape definitely won't let this go unanswered," Hermione said worriedly, her brow furrowing with concern.

"Harry, we need to find a way to prevent any conflict from erupting between him and Snape."

"Are you insane, Hermione?" Ron exclaimed in disbelief. "Doesn't Harry desperately yearn to witness Snape receiving a well-deserved thrashing from Sirius?"

"Compared to Snape's attitude towards Gryffindor students in Potions class, Sirius has been quite mild!" Harry agreed unreservedly.

"This is different, Harry!" Hermione insisted, her tone tinged with urgency.

The Gryffindors still had Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs scheduled for the morning, and they dared not miss Professor McGonagall's class just to witness Malfoy's misfortune.

Hermione hastened her pace, voicing her worries, "Don't you remember the turmoil the Hippogriff incident caused Hagrid? If Malfoy's father catches wind of how Sirius treated Malfoy, he most probably won't let this go."

"But Lucius Malfoy can't possibly pin anything on Sirius," Ron countered immediately. "The Ministry has declared Sirius innocent in the eyes of the entire wizarding world. Those officials won't make fools of themselves over some paltry Galleons!"

Hermione's concerns did manage to instill a bit of worries within Harry, especially when he failed to catch sight of Malfoy at the Slytherin table during the luncheon hour, and neither Sirius nor Snape appeared at the staff table. Professor Watson was also conspicuously absent from his usual seat.

Just then, a commotion emanated from the entrance hall, drawing the rapt attention of the students, who hastened towards the source of the disturbance. To their astonishment, they discovered that Filch had tumbled down the stairs. Many students, failing to grasp the gravity of the situation, erupted into boisterous laughter at the comical spectacle of Filch's undignified fall. However, Harry had a sudden premonition that something had happened.

Filch's face was as pale as on that dreadful night over a year ago when he had discovered Mrs. Norris had been petrified by the Basilisk.

"They're fighting!" Filch scrambled to his feet, his appearance disheveled, neglecting to tidy himself as he roared towards Dumbledore, who had already taken note of the commotion unfolding in the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Professor Black and Professor Snape!"

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