Tangmu Lideer's "education" showed results. Laisi Zhasini, Saiodo Luosiai, and Kasal Nuote woke early, silent, terrified of disturbing him again.
After breakfast, Slymerins joined Ravenclaws for Charms.
Professor Fei'erwei, a short, part-goblin wizard and former dueling champion, was a skilled spellcaster. Tangmu suspected his size—nimble, hard to hit—gave him an edge.
Fei'erwei's teaching was indisputable.
He introduced Charms' daily applications, dazzling pupils with spells before teaching fundamentals: wand grip, gesture precision, and magical force channeling.
Tangmu earned 20 knowledge points via system acquisition, not house points.
That afternoon, Defense Against the Dark Arts excited first-years—except Tangmu.
He knew Qiluoluo would disappoint, not dazzle—a waste of time.
Qiluoluo anticipated the lesson; his master, the Dark Lord, wanted to observe Halili Butei, the boy who survived, nearly destroyed him, and shared his cursed name.
Qiluoluo entered, reeking of garlic—for "vampire warding"—his turban a "gift" from a Blackmoor prince for banishing a ghoul.
Pupils believed it. Tangmu didn't.
He raised his hand high.
"L-Lideer…" Qiluoluo stammered, disturbed by the name. "Q-question?"
The Dark Lord raged in Qiluoluo's mind. That surname echoed his despised Muggle heritage.
Tangmu stood. "Professor, books say garlic repels vampires, but this is Hogwarts, with Dengbuliduo, the greatest wizard. Can vampires dare harm you here?"
Pupils laughed, nodding.
Even Muggle-borns knew Dengbuliduo was an unshakable mountain.
"I-I fear curses," Qiluoluo flustered. "Lideer, never underestimate dark creatures. Stay vigilant."
"Good point. Five points to Slymerin."
"Thank you, Professor," Tangmu sat.
As expected, Qiluoluo handed out points like a sheep offering wool.
The lesson was useless—Qiluoluo paraphrased the textbook, teaching nothing substantial, disappointing pupils.
After class, Mafoi picked a fight with Halili, ignoring Tangmu, Slymerin's true oddball.
Days passed calmly for Tangmu.
He split time between Hemin Gelanjie, who dragged him to the library or quiet spell-practice spots, and Dafuni Gelingelasi, who explored Hogwarts' secrets with him.
No other friends. Slymerins scorned his blood status; other houses despised Slymerins. Tangmu admired Slymerin's talent for universal dislike.
Sifu was partly to blame. Slymerin surged in house points—not from earning more, but Sifu's vicious deductions from others.
"He can't keep getting away with this!" Hemin protested after Sifu deducted two points from Ravenclaw girls for walking too fast. "He's using a magnifying glass for faults!"
"Grateful it's a magnifying glass, not lies," Dafuni retorted sarcastically.
Tangmu admitted—Dafuni was a model Slymerin. Victory justified any method.
Sifu's deductions were technically fair, enforcing strict rules. Harsh, not unjust.
The Ravenclaw girls were collateral—Sifu glared at Tangmu moments before, and they passed between.
"They'll starve me with this bickering…" Tangmu sighed.
Hemin and Dafuni, natural rivals, clashed daily over minor issues.
"Come, Tangmu, Astronomy tonight. Eat more," Dafuni tugged him to Slymerin's table.
Hemin bit her lip, returning to Gryffindor's table silently.
After memorizing star names through telescopes, pupils left the Astronomy Tower, exhausted.
Late, Tangmu's roommates slept. He cast a Stunning Spell, then a Disillusionment Charm—his first midnight stroll began.
[^1]: In the Wizarding World, Charms, taught by Fei'erwei, manipulates objects' properties. Defense Against the Dark Arts counters dark magic, but Qiluoluo's teaching is ineffective.