"The spell to deal with Billywigs is quite simple, but it requires concentration. When casting, you must focus completely and have a clear target in mind, without any distractions. Billywigs fly very fast, and they won't give you a second chance to cast the spell."
After Professor Oren explained these important points, he continued.
"Let's practice the incantation without wands first. Please repeat after me — Relashio!"
"Relashio!" The young wizards chanted in unison.
"Very good." Professor Oren said with satisfaction, "Now it's time to test the effectiveness of your spells."
He had the class line up in single file to take turns casting spells at the Billywig in the cage.
First in line was Kanna. She had been in the middle of the queue originally, but her Gryffindor fans quickly pushed her to the front.
Ever since the professor had taken attendance, these little lions had been eager to see what was so special about this young witch who had managed to win over Snape.
"Brave girl." Oren smiled, "Your name is Kanna, right?"
"Yes, Professor."
Practice makes perfect — with her previous two experiences, she was doing much better now.
Though still nervous, she could at least communicate normally, and her first instinct was to answer the professor's question rather than turn and run.
"Don't be afraid, it's just a simple spell." Professor Oren said patiently, "Remember what I said earlier — focus your concentration. You can do it, believe in yourself."
Kanna took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and thrust her wand forward forcefully.
✭ Re-Relashio ➜ Revulsion Jinx ✭
{T/N: She stuttered...}
Whoosh!
The sound of air being sliced cut through the room.
Professor Oren instinctively took a small step back. With that much force, she could have stabbed the Billywig to death without even needing a spell if she'd been close enough.
Still, the result was good. As the spell ended, the Billywig in the cage collapsed.
"Well done, one point to Hufflepuff." Oren announced loudly, while bringing out a second cage.
Yesterday, being inexperienced, he had brought only three Billywigs for the Ravenclaw and Slytherin class.
He'd thought that would be enough, but it proved insufficient — sometimes before the first one had recovered, the third was already down. Each time this happened, the young wizards from both houses would stare at him intently, creating quite an awkward situation.
To prevent this from happening again, he'd brought ten Billywigs today — definitely enough.
"Next up, Santos, your turn."
Called upon, Santos hurriedly stepped forward and began casting the spell.
"Relashio..."
Nothing happened. The Billywig in the cage continued happily spinning in circles.
"Relax, don't be so nervous." Oren said gently as he walked to his side, "You must pronounce the spell clearly. Your last syllable was too soft. Let's try again."
Santos nodded and raised his wand again.
✭ Relashio ➜ Revulsion Jinx ✭
This time it worked.
"Very good, next..." Professor Oren brought out another cage.
After two successful attempts, the others grew more confident and could hardly wait to try.
However, in their overconfidence, some students completely forgot the professor's earlier instructions. When their turn came, they cast the spell at the cage without even looking. While the Billywigs remained unaffected, their cages fell apart.
Professor Oren had to remain extremely vigilant, ready to restore the cages at a moment's notice.
But soon, he realized he had underestimated the situation.
A Gryffindor first-year at the back of the line, impatient with the wait, began quietly practicing the spell. He merely wanted to rehearse for his upcoming turn — but he'd forgotten he was holding his wand.
By the podium, Professor Oren, in the middle of casting Reparo, suddenly felt his legs give way and collapsed to the ground.
If it had just been a fall, it wouldn't have been serious — he was, after all, a healthy adult wizard, and at worst would have gotten a scrape easily fixed with a dab of Dittany.
But the problem was that his Reparo had been interrupted.
A Billywig escaped its cage and angrily charged toward the young wizards. It had been waiting for this moment — after being made weak and helpless since yesterday, it was finally time for revenge!
Faced with this situation, some young wizards began running around the classroom in panic, while others raised their wands.
✭ Relashio ➜ Revulsion Jinx ✭
✭ Relashio ➜ Revulsion Jinx ✭
✭ Relashio ➜ Revulsion Jinx ✭
...
Over a dozen spells crisscrossed through the air. Though they missed the Billywig, they managed to halt its advance...
The young wizards, thrilled by this discovery, eagerly raised their wands again, ready to take another shot at the flying target.
"Everyone stop!" Oren shouted from his position on the ground.
He pulled out his wand and, as the Billywig flew overhead, called out loudly:
✭ Petrificus Totalus ➜ Full Body-Bind Curse ✭
Catching the paralyzed Billywig as it fell, he returned it to its cage before struggling to his feet.
He rubbed his aching back. There was definite truth to what people said about the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts being a challenging job.
Wincing through his discomfort, Professor Oren surveyed the young wizards with concern, "Is everyone alright? Did anyone get stung?"
"No, Professor."
Everyone shook their heads.
"Good." He sighed with relief. After repairing the podium, he added, "Let's continue the lesson. Oh, and... everyone except the person at the front, put your wands away."
Everyone complied obediently.
Though slightly reluctant, after witnessing their professor's anger, none dared to disobey. After all, no one wanted to experience the Petrificus Totalus firsthand.
With this new attitude, almost everyone mastered the spell on their first attempt, and the lesson progressed much more smoothly.
Yet Professor Oren remained on edge — if anything, he grew more tense. When class ended, he left without even assigning homework, departing the classroom without a backward glance.
The lesson had utterly drained him, and he couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
Back in his office, Oren drew the curtains and took a satisfying sip of tea.
At last, it was finally over. Despite the mishaps, everything had been brought under control, and all ten Billywigs were... hm?
Wait, why were there only nine?
He quickly set down his teacup and counted carefully twice more.
Indeed, one was missing. One cage stood empty, with a fist-sized hole in it.
"Merlin's beard..." Oren rushed back to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, but found nothing there, "It must have been those first-years' spells hitting the cage!"
Looking at the open window in the classroom, he lamented in frustration.
"Fifty Galleons, just gone like that!"
✭✭✭
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