Afternoon, Hogwarts grounds.
Leaning against the air beside him, Evans waited for the young wizards to gather while recalling his lunchti conversation with Harry.
Regarding the claim that there was so monster in the castle preparing for slaughter, he actually found it quite credible. Because from not long after this sester began, he had always felt sothing in the castle was stalking him.
But that premonition wasn't particularly strong, which ant that even if there was danger, it wouldn't cause him too serious harm. Otherwise the pixies' danger sense would definitely notify him, not remain as silent as it was now.
Moreover, he still frequently visited the library and Great Hall, yet hadn't encountered any attacks.
However, just because it couldn't cause him much harm didn't an it was harmless to those young wizards.
A creature that could make him feel stalked must be a very powerful dark creature, at least on the level of Acromantulas. Such creatures would be completely undefeatable for young wizards.
But recently Dumbledore seed to have been busy all the ti. Ever since he reported Hermione's acquisition of the compass, he hadn't seen him for several days.
Shaking his head and noticing the young wizards had all gathered, Evans buried his concerns.
It was ti to prioritise the pixies' danger talismans. He had planned to make these things before, just hadn't found much ti.
Before going with Hagrid to send off Norbert on Saturday, he'd better create a prototype of that thing.
Thinking this, he reached out to support the air beside him and looked around.
Today's Care of Magical Creatures class was for fourth-year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students.
Among the young wizards present, more than half had obvious confusion on their faces, not knowing why Professor Kahn's hand was suspended in mid-air as if supporting sothing.
A small portion seed to have thought of sothing, their eyes showing deep anticipation.
Seeing these young wizards' expressions, Evans smiled slightly.
"I'm glad I don't see fear on your faces, which ans you've never experienced certain terrible or tragic events."
With that, he gently stroked the air beside him.
"Can anyone guess what I'm going to teach today?"
After a few seconds of silence, a hand raised.
"Is it Thestrals, Professor?" Cedric said softly. "I've read about these creatures in books. They seem to be invisible."
"Correct, five points to Hufflepuff." Nodding with a smile, Evans continued:
"But saying they're invisible isn't entirely accurate. To be precise, only those who have faced death directly can see Thestrals."
"I heard they represent ill ons." Angelina Johnson looked at where Professor Kahn was supporting, no fear in her eyes, just so worry about the rumours she'd heard.
Hearing this, Evans shook his head.
"They don't bring bad luck or anything like that, but a creature that can only be seen by those who have faced death will naturally spawn such rumours."
Having said this, he patted the air beside him again and softly explained the creature's characteristics.
"Thestrals are actually very gentle creatures. They're intelligent and loyal. As long as you don't harm them, they'll never attack you proactively."
"Normally, Thestrals' eyes are pure white, but when necessary, their eyes can turn pure black. In this state, they can directly perceive magic and death."
"Actually, you've encountered them many tis. Hogwarts carriages are pulled by Thestrals. It's only because you can't see them that you're so unfamiliar with these creatures."
"However, they do look rather frightening."
With that, Evans drew his wand.
"Adjust your mindset a bit. Next, I'll let you see what it looks like. Not through facing death, of course."
Seeing several young wizards whose eyes showed terror, Evans explained helplessly: "Just so clever thods."
Hearing Professor Kahn's explanation, those overthinking students gradually relaxed.
But having just said only those who faced death could see Thestrals, then imdiately saying he'd let them see it, anyone would overthink that, right?
Looking around and waiting for all the young wizards to adjust their mindset, Evans gently waved his wand.
"Are you ready? Please try not to show too intense fear. It would make it very sad."
As his words fell, a trace of pure white powder appeared in mid-air.
More and more powder appeared, beginning to drift slowly toward the ground. A few seconds later, against the backdrop of the powder, a vague outline materialised out of nowhere.
Sounds of swallowing echoed continuously; most young wizards' faces turned pale, and so even unconsciously stepped back half a step.
Though Professor Kahn had given advance warning, the outline revealed by the powder... was indeed sowhat frightening.
It was a monster that made one's hair stand on end just from a glance. It was extrely large, with a dragon-like face and bat-like wings, yet not a trace of flesh could be seen on its body. Thin skin clung to bones, along with those huge eyes, making it look like death's ssenger.
Perhaps because the powder falling on its head was sowhat uncomfortable, the giant beast shook its head and snorted, scaring several nearby young wizards into retreating several steps, nearly falling to the ground.
However, besides those who were afraid, there were a few excited exceptions.
Looking at the huge monster revealed under the powder, George and Fred excitedly shrieked:
"Whoa! Cool!"
"Where's the scary part! This is absolutely aweso!"
Nearby, Lee Jordan was also full of excitent.
"I've always wanted to see those horses pulling the carriages!"
Amid the noisy calls of several Gryffindors, other students' fear also subsided sowhat, and curiosity surged again.
Sotis troublemakers didn't just bring chaos to the classroom. When used properly, their ability to liven the atmosphere was unmatched.
Nodding lightly, Evans spoke:
"Now then, it's ti for the practical session."
Having overco their initial fear, the young wizards began lining up, approaching one by one to interact with the Thestral.
Though their interactions remained very cautious, compared to their initial terror it was much better.
Seeing the practical lesson on track, Evans finally had so leisure and ti to observe the strange auditor who had co to the grounds at the start of class and been quietly crouching nearby.
She was a girl who looked sowhat dazed, with dishevelled, waist-length blonde hair. She wore Ravenclaw robes, had very pale eyebrows, a wand tucked behind her ear, and a necklace made of cork stoppers around her neck.
Perhaps sensing Evans's gaze, the girl tilted her head slightly, her tone ethereal, her voice dreamlike.
"Good afternoon, Professor Kahn."
Showing a smile, Evans spoke softly:
"Good afternoon, Miss Lovegood."
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