Hogwarts: Don't Starve in the Forbidden Forest Chapter 80 80: Me against Kane? For Real?

Soon, they were in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Due to certain "unavoidable circumstances," Hermione and Ron had decisively abandoned the pair of brothers-in-misery, Kane and Harry.

After all, if they split up and sat with the duo, four people would suffer. But if Kane and Harry sat together, only the two of them would have to endure the storm.

The rest of the Gryffindors were practically vibrating with silent gratitude toward them.

Just as Kane and Harry were fidgeting in the back corner, Snape swept in, his black robes billowing behind him like a gathering storm cloud.

"Use your ridiculous magic to clear your desks and chairs to the sides of the room. Defense Against the Dark Arts is for practice, not for reciting from a textbook like parrots," Snape announced from the podium. His single sentence made Kane and Harry's eyes light up.

Honestly, if Snape's teaching style focused on practical application, they could handle a bit of verbal abuse. A few insults were a small price to pay for actual magic.

The class was quickly divided into two rows. Snape marched between them like a drill sergeant, beginning his lecture.

"Perhaps Professor Quirrell spent his ti telling you colorful... let think... fairy tales about vampires and bedti lullabies about Red Caps.

But unfortunately, that is the extent of your learning. I do not believe that in over half a term, you have acquired a single truly useful spell."

"After all, even he managed to end his own 'not-so-glorious' adventure with a pop, decorating the wall with himself."

"It seems Snape holds quite a grudge against Professor Quirrell," Kane whispered to Harry, his voice barely audible.

"Of course, certain famous boys, and those with... eccentric fashion senses, peculiar study habits, and abstract Potion talents... I am talking to you, Mr. Heiss! Stop playing dumb! And why, pray tell, did you bring a stool to class?"

Kane had been trying to blend in, leaning forward and looking around confusedly like everyone else, until Snape materialized directly behind him.

"Is there a second Mr. Heiss in this room?"

Kane jumped as a hand hit his shoulder. "It's a chest, Professor! And a pet."

Snape gave an impatient flick of his wand, banishing Little Pumpkin out the door. But before he could resu his grand speech, the pumpkin duang-ed its way back into the room, hopping rhythmically.

Kane peeked at Snape's face. It seed a shade darker—probably just an illusion, considering the man usually looked pale enough to fit right into the cast of Twilight if he just added so fangs.

Snape glared at the pumpkin crouching near Kane. He realized the opening monologue he'd spent all night preparing was losing its impact.

Fine. Let's just start the lesson.

But first...

Snape stomped over to Little Pumpkin and unceremoniously kicked it behind Kane. A loud clatter-clink-clash echoed through the room.

In an instant, every eye was on the floor behind Kane. A literal sea of gemstones had spilled out, covering half the floorboards.

So of the Slytherins hadn't even seen this many gems in their family vaults, yet here they were, scattered like common gravel.

"Oh? How did those fall out?" Kane squatted down awkwardly, stuffing the gems back into Little Pumpkin's mouth. He gingerly patted the boot print on the pumpkin's side. It didn't do much physical damage, but it hit Kane right in the heart.

Snape spoke through gritted teeth. "...If you are quite finished... we shall... begin... the lesson!"

At this mont, Snape felt that the DADA position wasn't quite as glorious as he'd imagined. He'd had a beautiful vision: though Kane and Harry were catastrophic in Potions, they showed promise in combat. He'd pictured himself as the wise ntor finding two "thousand-mile horses."

Now? He just wanted to turn one of those horses into glue.

Once the students were ready—and once Snape had regained his composure—the real lesson began. Snape tapped the blackboard sharply, writing a spell in jagged chalk strokes.

"The Knockback Jinx. This should have been taught after Halloween, but due to Quirrell's... physical condition... he failed to do so. That task now falls to ."

"Now, why are you not chanting the incantation and attempting to cast it? Are there no training dummies provided in this room?" Snape barked.

The students scrambled like old tractors suddenly coming to life, hunting for dummies for fear of Snape's vitriol.

Snape began to prowl the room. The Knockback Jinx was relatively simple—comparable to the Levitation Charm. As long as a student wasn't a Squib, they could learn it with effort.

This was why Snape had always wanted this job; DADA was less reliant on innate "feel" than Potions, which ant less stress on his cardiovascular system.

For instance, students who were "humorous" in Potions were now successfully knocking back dummies. And then there were the outliers.

While their Potion work could ruin Snape's reputation, their DADA performance might make him legendary.

He stood behind Kane, nodding almost imperceptibly. He knew Kane had studied with Quirrell, but to see a first-year casting non-verbally... powerful. Truly powerful.

Snape finished his rounds and gathered the students into two lines: Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

"There is no need to waste your energy on inanimate dummies. Your opponents are standing right across from you. I expect you not to disappoint ."

The room erupted. Opposite them were Gryffindors/Slytherins! The chance to legally and officially blast their rivals across the room? It was beautiful. Even losing points to Snape would be worth it.

Except for one person.

Malfoy looked at Kane standing opposite him with absolute dread. He looked at Kane, then at Snape.

? I'm supposed to hit Kane? For real?

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