Chapter 13

William had always been a lover of gothic architecture. The dark, brooding towers, the intricate stone carvings, and the eerie silence that often accompanied such structures had a way of transporting him back to a different time, a different life. So, when he walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom for the first time, he felt a strange sense of nostalgia. The room was dimly lit, with shadows dancing along the stone walls. Old, wooden desks were arranged in neat rows, each with its own small cauldron and stack of parchment. Ancient tapestries depicting various dark creatures and famous duels hung from the walls, adding to the room's ominous atmosphere.

William's housemates, Chris and Minny, were already deep in conversation about the rumored curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Every teacher who had taken the role since the mid-twentieth century had mysteriously left after just one year. Some had suffered terrible accidents, others had abruptly resigned, and a few had simply vanished without a trace.

Chris, with his usual curiosity, leaned over to Minny. "Do you really think the curse is true?"

Minny shrugged, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Who knows? But it's definitely interesting. Maybe we'll get to see some real action this year."

William smiled inwardly at the pair. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their banter always lightened the mood. However, his smile faded when the Slytherins entered the room. Their expressions were cold and sneering, a constant reminder of the pureblood supremacy that many of them upheld. Professor Snape, their head of house, looked preoccupied, his mind likely occupied with thoughts of Lily. The Slytherins' disdainful gazes landed on William, and he felt a familiar chill run down his spine. The incident in the Potions class had clearly not been forgotten, and they seemed intent on holding a grudge.

Just as the tension in the room reached its peak, the door swung open, and Professor Conretin Bellerose entered. He was a striking figure, with dark hair and a sharp, angular face. His robes were immaculate, and he carried himself with an air of quiet confidence. There was something distinctly foreign about him, a certain je ne sais quoi that marked him as different from the other professors.

"Greetings, students," he began, his voice carrying a slight French accent. "I am Conretin Bellerose, your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

He paused, allowing the students to take in his presence. "This class is one of the most important you will take during your time at Hogwarts. The wizarding world is full of dangers, from dark creatures to dark wizards. It is my duty to prepare you to face these dangers, to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need to protect yourselves and others."

Professor Bellerose then launched into a detailed briefing on the curriculum. He spoke of the various dark creatures they would study, from werewolves and imps to ghosts and poltergeists. He emphasized the importance of understanding these creatures, not just in terms of how to defeat them, but also in terms of their nature and behavior.

"Take werewolves, for example," he said, pacing the room. "A werewolf bite is one of the most dangerous injuries you can sustain. It can lead to lycanthropy, a condition that transforms you into a werewolf during the full moon. The treatment for a werewolf bite is complex and must be administered quickly. You must apply a powerful potion called the Wolfsbane Potion, which can suppress the transformation if taken regularly."

He went on to describe imps, small, malevolent creatures that delighted in causing trouble. "Imps are not particularly dangerous, but they can be very annoying. They are mischievous by nature and enjoy playing pranks on wizards and witches. However, they can be dealt with easily using simple spells."

Finally, he touched on ghosts, a subject that seemed to captivate the students' attention. "Ghosts are the souls of deceased wizards or witches who have chosen to remain in the mortal world rather than moving on to the afterlife. They can be both benign and malevolent. Understanding their motivations and the reasons for their presence can often help in dealing with them."

Despite the professor's engaging delivery, most of the class was theoretical, and William could sense his classmates' growing restlessness. Even he, who understood the importance of this knowledge, found his mind wandering. As the class finally drew to a close, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Professor Bellerose. The curse on the position meant that the professor's time at Hogwarts was likely limited, and William doubted he would last more than a few months.

As the students filed out of the classroom, Chris and Minny caught up with William. "That was... okay," Chris said, his tone noncommittal.

"I believe boring would be the right word," Minny added, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "I thought we might see some cool magic, but it was all theory and talk."

William shrugged. "It's only the first year. Plus, Professor Bellerose might not be around much longer due to the curse."

Chris and Minny nodded in agreement. With the Defense Against the Dark Arts class being their last for the day, they now had free time until curfew. The dinner was still a few hours away, and Minny turned to William with a question. "So, William, where to?"

"Library," William answered without hesitation.

"I guess I will be joining you then," said Chris.

"Me too," added Minny. "Do you know where the library is?" She asked Chris.

"Thank you, my lady. I thought you forgot to ask," mocked Chris.

Minny gave him a deadpan look, and William rolled his eyes.

Chris just shrugged, but seeing their expression signed in surrender. " Alright, alright. I am sorry, okay. Now, Follow me, guys," he said. The trio went to the library.

The sight that greeted them was awe-inspiring. Thousands of bookcases lined the walls, filled with tens of thousands of books. The library was enormous, rivaling even the Great Hall in size. William felt a sense of exhilaration at the sight of so much knowledge, readily available and waiting to be explored.

Irma Pince, the stern librarian, was present, overseeing the students with a watchful eye. William quickly found a spellbook and began writing down various spells, intending to master them later in the Room of Requirement. Chris, ever the history enthusiast, took out a book on magical history, while Minny delved into a herbology text.

They worked in silence, each engrossed in their own studies, until dinner time arrived. The meal, as always, was a feast of culinary delights, and the students enjoyed every bite. After dinner, they returned to their common rooms for a night of rest, games, or gossip. As curfew began, the prefects took on their duties, patrolling the corridors alongside Argus Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris.

That night, while everyone else slept soundly, William lay awake, his mind racing. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he would find himself at Hogwarts, not even in his second life. But now that he was here, he was acutely aware of the storm brewing on the horizon. A storm that could threaten his new, beautiful life. He couldn't let that happen, not when he had the power to change it. With these thoughts swirling in his mind, he finally drifted off to sleep, determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead.