He was bewildered, bemused and suspicious of life as he watched a group of small wizards, cheering, leave the classroom. But he finally realized why the headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall could not tolerate Loftard's teaching method!
This might just be an isolated case---thought Ammosta as he wandered in a daze on his way back to his office.
But over the next few days, the harsh reality proved to him that Lohtard's teaching method was as absurd as it could be!
"Dumbledore how did he find such an oddball?"
On Thursday morning, as Ammosta left the first-year classroom for the dining hall, he couldn't help but feel sympathy for the young wizards. When he was studying at this school, the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts changed every year and was uneven in quality, but at least those professors were teaching with dedication. They were nothing like Lohtard, who forced the course to be a recitation and a performance class.
Speaking of performances, that was yesterday afternoon. It was his first time teaching Potter's year, and he still had some expectations beforehand, hoping Lohtard would be more restrained in front of the 'main character'. But the result left him speechless.
For a full two hours, Ammosta played the role of an incredibly grateful, simple villager from the foothills of the Himalayas, while Lohtard coerced Potter to play the snowman and took on the role himself.
"Do something, Professor Blaine!"
As the Defense Against the Dark Arts class ended, Harry, who had been jumping around nervously because of Lohtard's constant harassment, accidentally fell off the table and hurt his leg. He looked at Lohtard with despair, holding his leg in pain.
"I will be eternally grateful to you!"
Ron was covering his mouth and trying not to laugh, but he quickly bit down on a scream as Hermione, with several of Lohtard's books in her arms, stepped on his foot.
"I think your performance was absolutely brilliant, Professor Blaine!"
Hermione glared at Ron fiercely, then blushed and said something quickly to Ammosta before running off.
The performance was brilliant? Is that the point, Miss Granger?
Ammosta stared in amazement at the little girl who ran out, with a perplexed expression on his face.
"Her views differ from ours, Professor Blaine--"
Dean Thomas said rationally to Ammosta, "Hermione admires Professor Lohtard greatly. She has been trying to convince everyone that the absurd adventures described in his books are real, but she's never been able to provide evidence. Now, however, she's found a fan of Lohtard's teaching—someone with 'weight...'."
"Who?" Ammosta raised his eyebrows inquisitively as he asked.
"It's you, Professor Blaine."
Harry secretly observed Ammosta's expression and spoke in a cautious tone, "Hermione told me that she heard Professor Lohtard say you were his biggest fan—"
Ammosta rolled his eyes in disbelief and pondered seriously on the advice that Snape had mentioned last time.
At lunchtime, while Lohtard was droning on to the endlessly patient Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall leaned her head over and gave Ammosta a stern stare, speaking in a near-whisper.
"Professor Blane, Hogwarts doesn't pay you to follow him and perform for the young wizards...bring out your true abilities, Amostar! You promised me!"
Ammosta put down his lemon meringue tart and gazed at the crowded dining hall. He saw Draco Malfoy from Slytherin staring at him puzzled, and several girls from Ravenclaw pointing at him and laughing as they shook their heads.
"Headmaster Dumbledore--"
Ammosta blinked his eyes and spoke calmly.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Amostar?"
As if he had no connection to the matter, Dumbledore shook his beard and returned his focus from dealing with a cauldron-shaped cake.
"If I were to invite Professor Lohtard to drink alcohol, and accidentally add something to his cup during the drinking that causes him to have to rest on a bed for a while, would you be against it?"
At last, Snape, who had kept his head low, stopped being thrifty with his gaze. His lips curled into a slanting smile, and the empty eyes gained some color.
" -- Do you remember what I taught you in your first year, Amostar?"
"Adding violet root powder to the essence of mugwort will produce a very strong sedative. It's a life-and-death drink. In normal circumstances, it can make people drowsy and stay in bed for a week."
"But if taken with high concentrations of alcohol and without proper treatment, it will cause a person to remain in a state of severe confusion, in which they have great difficulty speaking. The state will last for two months."
Ammosta nodded to Snape without any concern.
"As you know, Professor Snape, my memory is very good...what do you think, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
"Cough cough, Amostar--"
At this moment, Dumbledore suddenly looked up and began to study the patterns on the chandeliers above the dining hall. His deep blue eyes were no longer piercing but rather dreamy and unfocused.
"I am already one hundred and twelve years old...time's power is truly terrifying. I have recently felt that my legs and feet are not as nimble as they used to be. My eyes have started to see things less clearly, and my ears are a bit deaf. So, I didn't quite catch what you were discussing with Severus and Millicent--"
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips tightly and stared at him, half in dismay and half in anger.
But Dumbledore didn't give Professor McGonagall a chance to complain. He stood up directly, told the group planning to harm a renowned author and professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts that he was feeling unwell and needed to go back to his office for rest, and then left immediately.
"By nine tonight, I will have the things you need delivered to your office."
Professor Snape also stood up, his departing back looking as if he could hardly wait.
"Bob!"
In Ammosta's meaningful gaze, Professor McGonagall turned her head with a touch of shame and anger to look at Pomfrey who was eating soup.
"If you have time tonight, could you come to my office? I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately--"
"Oh, no problem, Millicent, I'll be there on time!"
Excited and bright-eyed at the thought of a raise, Pomfrey readily agreed.
"Cough cough, Professor Lohtard--"
After Professor McGonagall left, the faculty table, which was previously packed, was already half empty. Flitwick took the opportunity to quickly run away as Ammosta spoke to Lohtard. His agile movements were reminiscent of the championship duel of his youth!
"Aha, Ammostar, you want to get my Valentine's Day card early like Philip? Oh! That really puts me in a difficult spot, but..."
"Actually,"
Ammosta interrupted Lohtard's long speech directly.
"Actually," Ammosta cut off Lohtard's long-winded speech, "I learned from Miss Granger that your favorite birthday gift is a case of Ogden's aged flame whisky... Oh, it's truly fortunate that I happen to have a bottle of over eighty years old that was given to me by Headmaster Dumbledore. Do you think it would be an honor if I invited you to the Three Broomsticks for a drink this Saturday?"
"..."
"Now, what do you have to say?"
At the Gryffindor table, Hermione, who was stretching her neck to eavesdrop on the professors' conversation, glanced at Harry and Ron, who were looking at each other in shock, and proudly lifted her chin.
"He's just his fan!"
