The gathering at Hog's Head Pub lasted even longer than Kael had anticipated.
It took about two hours before people started coming out one after another.
Fred, George, and their friend Lee Jordan were the first ones out, rushing away from Hog's Head Pub and quickly heading toward Zonko's Joke Shop.
Following them were Gryffindor's Colin, Angelita, Hufflepuff's Ryan, Mikel, Justin, and three Ravenclaw boys whose names Kael couldn't remember...
The surrounding people were stunned; they probably never imagined that the least popular Hog's Head Pub would attract so many patrons.
It wasn't until everyone had left that Cedric and a few others came out of Hog's Head Pub together.
Through the window of Three Broomsticks, Kael could clearly see Cedric standing on the main road, looking angrily around as if searching for someone.
"He wouldn't be looking for you, would he?" Conna asked softly. "Did you tell him you weren't going to Hog's Head Pub today?"
"Uh... I forgot," Kael said.
Actually, it was when he saw the Greengrass Sisters at Gladrags Wizardwear that he realized he should be supporting Fudge now and shouldn't involve himself too much in things that opposed the Ministry of Magic.
"Are you going to wait for him here?" Conna asked.
Kael thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Forget it, he's probably pretty angry right now; we'll talk when we're back at the castle."
He immediately stood up, taking advantage of Cedric not noticing them yet, and with Conna, they weaved through the round tables to the other side of the pub, pushed open the door, and slipped out of Three Broomsticks.
The two of them went to the clothing store again, picked up the finished thick robes, and left Hogsmeade.
It wasn't until evening that Cedric returned to the castle, his hair messy and looking more anxious than usual.
Kael found an opportunity to explain to him why he hadn't gone to Hog's Head Pub today.
Although Cedric believed Kael's explanation, he still seemed somewhat displeased.
"Do you know how many people went that day?" he said in the common room, dissatisfied. "Fifty-three people, and those original patrons thought this was Dumbledore's tactic against Hog's Head Pub and all fled!"
"Isn't that perfect?" Kael said, "You don't have to worry about anyone eavesdropping."
"But the problem is, I can't teach that many people."
Cedric said, "Fifty-three people, almost the same as a regular class size, but I'm not a real professor. What if I mess up?"
Saying that, he couldn't help raising his voice a bit, looking at Kael with some resentment, "I originally wanted you to help share some of the burden, but you didn't even show up that day."
"You can find someone else," Kael said.
"It's the only option." Cedric thought for a moment, "What do you think of Hermione? I remember she's always been top of the year and is also a prefect."
"If you want to improve test scores, Hermione is indeed a good choice," Kael said, "but your goal in self-studying Defence Against the Dark Arts is to improve self-defense abilities, which makes Hermione somewhat unsuitable.
"To be honest, her Defence Against the Dark Arts test scores are high, but her skill in charm use isn't particularly outstanding.
"I think you could consider Harry Potter."
"Potter?" Cedric was a bit surprised.
He wasn't particularly familiar with Harry, except knowing that he had a great talent for Quidditch, but didn't know much else.
"That's right." Kael continued, "Sirius, including Moody, have both said he has a talent for Defence Against the Dark Arts, being skilled with both the Disarming Spell and the Iron Armor Spell."
"If that's the case, then it's definitely worth considering." Cedric pondered for a moment.
The Iron Armor Spell and the Disarming Spell have a wide application range and are most effective when facing an enemy.
Thus, if they want to self-study Defence Against the Dark Arts, these two spells are a must-learn.
"Then I'll find him tomorrow." Cedric was still somewhat anxious, "Fifty-three people, hope it doesn't get messed up..."
...
For the rest of the weekend, there was an expectant atmosphere throughout the castle, like when Sirius first came to Hogwarts, everyone was eager to witness his class.
Early the next morning, Cedric left the Hufflepuff Common Room to wait for Harry at the auditorium.
Kael originally wanted to tag along and watch, but before he even reached the auditorium, someone suddenly appeared, stopping him.
Kael remembered this person, Gryffindor's Dennis Creevey, a member of the Harry Potter fan club.
"Kael..." He seemed to have run all the way, panting as he spoke, "Umbridge wants you to come to her office."
"When?"
"Now."
"Alright, I understand." Kael nodded.
After Dennis Creevey left, Kael looked at the auditorium nearby and sighed, "I should have come earlier; maybe then I would have had breakfast."
"Why is Umbridge looking for you now?" Conna was a bit worried, "Should I go tell Professor Sprout?"
"No need." Kael said, "I guess she found out about yesterday's Hogsmeade incident."
"Umbridge found out so quickly?" Conna immediately thought of something, "Someone must have snitched!
"Last night Leticia said Zacharias Smith was always questioning Harry's news about You-Know-Who's revival, even saying Cedric was too dumb and got fooled by him."
"Zacharias?" Kael knew the person naturally, both he and Zacharias were Hufflepuff sixth-year students, and in second year, Zacharias had also competed for the Chaser position.
However, Kael's performance was so perfect at that time that there was no room for anyone else. As a result, everyone competing for the Chaser position was eliminated during the selection stage.
To be fair, his personality wasn't great; he was arrogant and self-centered and liked to attract attention by contradicting others.
Many believed Zacharias shouldn't have been sorted into Hufflepuff; Ravenclaw or Slytherin would be more suitable for him.
So it's not surprising he would express doubt, Kael wasn't surprised at all. In fact, he had repeatedly demanded that Harry and Dumbledore provide evidence of Voldemort's comeback.
"And Terry Boot from Ravenclaw."
Conna mentioned another name, "Leticia said he was always laughing, treating the gathering like a ridiculous stage play.
"The informer is very likely one of them."
"It's not surprising, after all, we can't guarantee we won't misjudge or draw the attention of someone with ulterior motives."
Kael said, "Plus, fifty or more people heading to a bar that students usually don't frequent would inevitably attract attention."
"You don't think she'll give you a hard time, do you?" Conna was still worried.
"Don't worry, I have a way to deal with it." Kael said, "No need to involve other professors; their involvement might only complicate things."
He then asked Conna to go to the auditorium first while he turned and walked toward the stairs.