Malfoy's odd behavior left Harry and the others puzzled.
Evan, however, understood what was happening; the affinity talent was surprisingly effective, though he wasn't sure how long it would last.
Evan's brief happiness was overshadowed by Malfoy's bad news, which made him realize time was running out.
"What should we do now? The Ministry people are coming today! What about Charlie? Has he replied?" Harry panicked, his voice low in the hall.
"Not yet, I don't know when Charlie will write back," Ron said, also anxious. "Maybe we should just hide Norbert secretly."
"But Norbert is so big, there's nowhere to hide him," Hermione frowned.
"Maybe we can sink him in the lake!" Ron suggested confidently. "I mean, we could put a reed in Norbert's mouth so he wouldn't drown."
Evan gave him a strange look,
Ron, you clever little fox!
But Ron was right about one thing—if Charlie didn't arrive in time, they would have to hide Norbert.
Considering Norbert's size, sinking him in the lake was an option.
If Dumbledore could cast a massive Bubble-Head Charm and convince the merpeople to be neighbors with a sleeping dragon for a few days.
Perhaps Dumbledore would find using the Disapparition spell simpler?
Evan wanted to吐槽, wondering why the Aurors always arrived after everything was over to clean up.
When did the Ministry become so efficient?
After a hasty breakfast, Evan joined the others for today's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, despite Professor Quirrell's sudden disappearance. They hadn't been told the class was canceled.
It was clear another professor would be substituting.
As Evan expected, a familiar figure in a black robe entered the classroom just before class started.
Seeing Snape, Harry felt this class was doomed.
However, no matter how much Harry disliked it, Snape smoothly walked to the podium, placed his textbook, scanned the room, paused briefly on Evan, and then announced:
"Your Professor Quirrell is suspected of killing a unicorn, stealing potions, and attacking the gamekeeper. The Ministry has issued an arrest order, and I will temporarily take over Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for first to third years until the end of the term!"
The sudden revelation caused an uproar among the young wizards.
What? Professor Quirrell is the culprit? How is that possible?
Quirrell had always been portrayed as a timid, kind-hearted man, making it hard for many students to accept his transformation.
How could such a person be a dark wizard? He was so scared he fainted at the Halloween feast...
"So, the first lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts is not to be deceived by appearances. Many evil dark wizards are skilled liars... You'd better be more cautious," Snape said harshly, not caring if it scared the children.
Several Gryffindors turned pale, as they had thought Quirrell was easy to bully and had teased him during class, now fearing Quirrell might seek revenge.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were surprised but quickly accepted the news, having already sensed something off about Quirrell.
Evan, of course, already knew what Quirrell was like and was somewhat surprised that Dumbledore had so quickly convinced the Ministry to label the missing Quirrell as the culprit, wondering if any critical evidence was found in Quirrell's office.
"Silence!" The noisy classroom made Snape frown, and he raised his voice to interrupt the discussions.
"Now, let's start our first class. Take out your books, we'll be studying the third chapter on page nine today..." Snape paused, then added,
"Also, I need to inform you that the first-year Transfiguration class this afternoon is canceled..."
Hermione raised her hand, wanting to ask why, but Snape harshly scolded her.
"Don't ask me why; it's none of your business!"
...
Evan was quite satisfied with the morning's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, as Snape was a much more competent professor than Quirrell. At least he genuinely taught relevant knowledge instead of just reading from the textbook like Quirrell.
Evan learned from Hermione that the affinity talent he emitted seemed to be weakening or becoming more subtle, at least not as obvious as in the morning.
This was good news for Evan, as the previous talent, though powerful, was noticeable even to Harry and Ron, not only ineffective but also likely to arouse suspicion.
At noon, another piece of good news came: Ron had received Charlie's letter, stating he would come with a few friends at three o'clock to take the dragon away, saving Norbert from being sunk or "disappeared."
Fortunately, the afternoon Transfiguration class was canceled, allowing them time to send Norbert away.
By the time they finished lunch and arrived at Hagrid's hut, it was already two o'clock. Norbert was still sleeping by the fireplace, showing no signs of waking, likely due to Professor McGonagall reinforcing the spell.
Fang stayed outside the hut, too scared to enter, and upon seeing Evan, immediately rushed over, whining about Norbert taking over the house.
Evan comforted Fang and checked the injury on his leg, which was bandaged, indicating Madam Pomfrey had treated him.
Just before three o'clock, Evan saw six figures on brooms flying towards them from the sky.
"It's Charlie, he's here!" Ron excitedly waved his hand.
The group in the sky quickly descended after seeing Ron. The leader had fiery red hair, freckles, and tanned skin, clearly weathered from working in Romania.
Dragon research was no easy task; it required extensive knowledge of dragons, endurance, and sometimes physical strength...