Page 277
Ryan went straight to the Quidditch pitch, while Kyle took the stairs all the way to the eighth floor, walking up and down a corridor three times.
"I need a room to hide things." Kyle said to himself.
Finally stop in the middle, facing the wall opposite a tapestry.
The door to the Room of Requirement appeared quickly, as if it had always been there in the wall.
Kyle walked in and closed the door with his hand.
There was silence all around. He stood in a room as big as a hall. The items hidden by previous Hogwarts students were piled together to form high walls.
Below were piles of broken furniture, crumbling and tumbling, and thousands of books.
However, these books are basically of no value, and some banned books are dangerous. Once opened, you may be cursed. They are already classified as dark magic items.
Of course, there are certainly useful books, but Kyle doesn't have the time and is too lazy to identify them one by one. Those in the library are enough for him to read, and there is no need to waste time here.
Further down were winged slingshots and fanged flying saucers, some of which were still hovering feebly... broken bottles containing solidified potions... clothes and hats... opals... eggshells... rusty iron swords...
Kyle walked through these alleys made of garbage...or treasures, and soon found a specimen of a troll.
The giant monster, which is more than ten feet tall, is quite conspicuous even among this pile of treasures.
"It should be around here." Kyle looked around, walked along the passage in front of the troll, and finally stopped in front of a pile of ugly statues.
They were all of the same style, and each was uglier than the next. Compared with them, Old Tom of the Leaky Cauldron would have looked handsome.
Among several wizard statues that look like house-elfs, there is one that is the most special. Although it is not the ugliest one, it has a rusty crown hanging diagonally on its head.
Ravenclaw's diadem.
Kyle took a deep breath.
He had been here once when he was in the first grade, but at that time he just took a look from a distance and left without even getting close.
According to Kyle's original idea, when Dumbledore started looking for Voldemort's Horcrux, he would just find a reason to throw this thing to him.
It wasn't until June that he suddenly changed his mind.
Mostly because of Rowena Ravenclaw.
When in the secret room, the founder could be said to be the most frugal with words among the four. Usually, the other three spoke while she just watched from the side.
The only thing was that she reminded herself to practice Occlumency more and mentioned the crown at the end.
If Kyle remembered correctly, her original words were that she would only truly have mastered the art of Occlumency when she could wear the crown without being affected.
This sentence didn't sound strange at the time.
After all, strictly speaking, increasing intelligence is another form of magical invasion, which naturally falls within the scope of brain occupation.
But a few days ago, after seeing the Sorting Hat in the principal's office, Kyle suddenly felt something was wrong.
A sword is protected so well, what if it is replaced with a crown that can increase wisdom...
Putting aside all other factors, even if the crown was not stolen by her daughter Helena, and was not made into a Horcrux, but remained in the school...but such an important thing, could a student like him use it just by saying so?
Moreover, if Ravenclaw really wanted to use the crown to practice brain block, it would definitely not be used just once or twice, but frequently.
This is simply impossible.
Giving the Ravenclaw diadem to a student practicing Occlumency?
Unless Rowena Ravenclaw came in person, probably no headmaster would agree to such an outrageous request.
Dumbledore might, but only him...
It's impossible for Ravenclaw to guess the character of the headmaster of Hogwarts a thousand years from now.
In addition, there are so many ways to practice and test Occlumency, such as Legilimency... Confusion Spell... even finding a Charm Doll will do, why do you have to use a crown? Isn't this standard too high?
It's like you want to practice boxing, but someone directly puts out a 10-centimeter-thick steel plate and says that you will succeed when you break through it...
That's fine, but is it really necessary?
With Rowena Ravenclaw's intelligence, it should be impossible for her not to think of this, but she still said it.
Is there any other meaning in this...
After hesitating for a few days, Kyle decided to come over. No matter if he was overthinking it or not, at least he wanted to take the crown first.
With his current Occlumency skills, he should be able to resist the effects of the Horcrux.
I guess so……
Kyle put on his spell-proof gloves and carefully picked up the crown.
There is no curse, nor any trace of mental magic. However, after being made into a Horcrux, the crown has lost its original luster and become rusty.
If it were put in a junk shop in Diagon Alley, I'm afraid no one would buy it even if you priced it at a single Sickle.
But when Kyle looked closely, he could barely make out the tiny words engraved on it: Extraordinary wisdom is mankind's greatest wealth.
Kyle took off the anti-curse gloves again and held it directly in his hand, but there was still no reaction.
Although they are both Horcruxes, there are still some differences between the crown and the diary. At least it is not that active.
Kyle took out the box he had prepared in advance and put the crown in it.
This box was given to him by Nicolas Flamel. Last year it was used to hold his diary, and this year it was used to hold his crown, so it can be considered a perfect match for his profession.
……
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 373 Substitute Teaching
The process of getting the crown was uneventful, but Kyle didn't know what to do next.
For a long time, every time he tried to study the crown, he would end up staring at it in a daze.
Now that this thing has become Voldemort's Horcrux, even if Rowena Ravenclaw has hidden some information in it, she won't be able to see it.
How about trying it on?
Kyle raised the crown and gestured above his head for a while, but finally gave up this suicidal decision.
Still no results this time.
……
When Kyle put the box away and returned to the common room, he ran into Kanna who was looking for him.
"Class is about to start. I thought you had already gone."
"No, just something else." Kyle shook his head, took out a pile of textbooks and asked, "What class is next?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Kanna said with some anticipation.
Since the professor changed and there were no more textbooks and stage plays to read, Defense Against the Dark Arts suddenly became interesting and also became the favorite course for most people.
Except for some Slytherins, like Malfoy...
His thoughts were very pure. Whatever Harry liked, he hated, that was all.
But he was only mocking Professor Lupin's shabby clothes, with only a half-decent robe, instead of saying that his classes were boring.
"I wonder what we'll learn today." Connor said as they walked along the road. "We've already learned about the leprechaun and the leprechaun. Next should be new magical creatures."
"It would be great if he could teach us how to deal with Dementors," she said hopefully. "On my way to Herbology class yesterday, I just looked at them from a distance and I felt cold all over."
"Professor Lupin probably won't teach you this." Kyle shook his head. "But if you want to learn, I can teach you the Patronus Charm."
"Is that the spell you used on the train?" Connor asked.
"That's right." Kyle said, "The Patronus Charm is also recognized by the wizarding world as the most effective way to deal with Dementors. How about learning it?"
"Okay..." Kanna said without any hesitation.
Kyle raised his eyebrows, "Then call me Professor Kyle and I will teach you."
"You wish!" Kanna kicked Kyle's calf angrily and turned around to give him a slap on the back of his head.
The two walked all the way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
But surprisingly, the person waiting here was not Professor Lupin, but Snape.
He noticed Kanna's angry look, then looked at Kyle. He didn't know what he was thinking of, and his face suddenly became gloomy.
Kyle quickly put away his smile, lowered his head, walked into the classroom silently and sat down under Snape's murderous gaze.
Kangna also came and sat next to him.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Kyle always felt a chill on his neck since she sat down.
Fortunately, the bell for class rang not long after.
Snape strode to the front, turned to face everyone, and said in his usual tone:
"Unfortunately, your Professor Lupin is feeling unwell today and cannot come to class, so I will be filling in for him."
"What's wrong with him?" someone asked with concern.
"You need to raise your hand to ask questions in class, and Ravenclaw will deduct five points!" Snape looked coldly at the student who was speaking, scaring him so much that he quickly shut his mouth.
"There is no danger to life." Snape's tone seemed a little regretful. "Also, if anyone speaks without permission again, ten points will be deducted."
The classroom was so quiet that even the breathing became much quieter.
"Professor Lupin did not leave any record of what you have learned..." Snape continued: "It must be said that this kind of teaching without rules is too amateurish."
"Professor Lupin teaches very well..." someone couldn't help but mutter in a low voice, and other students also expressed their agreement.
"That's because you are too easily satisfied... I think first-year students should be able to deal with leprechauns... deduct another ten points from Ravenclaw."
The classroom fell silent again.
"We're going to learn something different today!" Snape said in a calm voice, "Everyone, turn to page 394!"
Although everyone felt a little puzzled, due to Snape's reputation, they could only whisper to each other while flipping through their textbooks.
"Werewolf!" said Snape. "Can any of you tell me how to tell the difference between a werewolf and a real wolf?"
Several students raised their hands.
"Miss Prince!"