Master class

Master class

Einar entered the classroom with steady, composed steps, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing as he looked over the students already seated. Once he confirmed that everyone was present and in order, he spoke in a clear and direct voice:

"Grab your things. Today we're having a practical lesson."

A spark of excitement lit up the students. That day's class was shared between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, which meant it would be a lively, cheerful, and somewhat chaotic session. But what truly thrilled them was the fact that it was a class with Professor Einar. His lessons were famous for being intense, realistic, and—above all—unlike anything else at Hogwarts.

Einar led the group through the corridors, while the students followed, chatting quietly among themselves. They knew he didn't mind talking during transitions, as long as they remained respectful and serious when it mattered. He wasn't strict for the sake of it—he valued discipline, yes, but more than that, he valued readiness.

Their destination was the newly renovated training field. Once a rough patch of earth and logs, it had been completely transformed by Einar himself, with the help of Sirius Black. Now cleared of all accusations and fully in control of his family's fortune, Sirius had decided to invest in the security and education of Hogwarts' students. He had become the official patron of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. As a newly appointed member of the school board, he used the influence of the Black name not only to protect Harry but to keep a close eye on Dumbledore—and the growing interference of the Ministry.

As the group approached the exit leading to the field, a shrill, unpleasant voice interrupted them:

"Oh! Professor Einar, is it already time for your lesson? Because according to school policy, students should be in their classrooms..."

The voice belonged to Dolores Umbridge, though it sounded more like that of a spoiled child than a Ministry official. Her over-the-top pink outfit, with a matching bow perched in her hair, clashed grotesquely with her powdered face and authoritarian demeanor.

Einar turned slowly. His expression, as always, was unreadable.

"We're about to begin the lesson," he said in a neutral tone.

"I'm sorry, Professor," Umbridge replied, forcing a sweet smile for the students' sake, "but as the new High Inquisitor and Security Officer of Hogwarts—appointed directly by the Ministry—I must know exactly what subjects will be taught outside the classroom."

"Self-defense," Einar answered with a muted sigh, barely concealing his annoyance.

"Oh, I see! But surely you've received the new official textbooks from the Ministry, with the proper guidelines to ensure the students are taught in a safe and authorized way?" Dolores pressed, either missing—or ignoring—the tension in his voice.

"I have seen them. And only a complete idiot could have written such drivel," Einar replied with perfect calm, though his words sliced through the air like a blade. "They're useless. My students need to learn how to defend themselves. How to take the head off any monster… even if that monster smiles and hides behind a friendly face and an official title."

His words landed hard. Umbridge's smile faltered as her expression tightened.

"I'm afraid I can't allow that, Professor. Students are to be taught inside a safe classroom. And even if you disagree with the Ministry's curriculum, you are paid to follow it—not to do as you please," she said sharply, letting her true hostility show.

Einar stared at her silently for a few seconds. Then he turned to look at his students. He saw their attentive faces—some confused, others curious—and in that moment, he knew it was time to teach them something beyond spells and dueling.

"Very well," he said at last, utterly calm.

"Very well?" Umbridge echoed, caught off guard, believing she had won.

"Yes. If you want me to teach them nonsense, I'll do just that," he said in a dry tone before turning around and walking calmly back toward the classroom.

The students exchanged confused glances. Einar was… acting strange.

Back in the classroom, he sat at his desk without missing a beat and addressed the room:

"Take out the precious Ministry books. Today, we're going to learn how to face a dangerous world… by politely baring our necks and preparing to be murdered with manners."

The irony in his voice drew muffled laughter from the students. Even the Hufflepuffs, normally more reserved, couldn't help but grin as they flipped open the absurd official texts.

"Read silently," Einar instructed, picking up his own copy of the book between two fingers like a piece of garbage. He casually tossed it into the waste bin beside his desk. "If you have a question, ask."

Umbridge stood stiffly near the back, lips pressed tight. She looked like she was chewing chalk. But when she saw the students opening their books and pretending to read, she smiled faintly, convincing herself she had won.

"Professor, I have a question," Harry said, raising his hand with resolve.

Einar nodded, resting his elbow on the desk.

"Why does the book say we live in a world free of danger? Why does it insist there's peace everywhere?"

"Because your government wants you weak and obedient. That way, they can rule without resistance. Next question."

The answer was so blunt that several students looked at him with a mixture of shock and admiration.

"Ahem!" Umbridge interrupted, her high-pitched giggle forced and trembling. "Allow me to clarify. There is no danger outside Hogwarts. That is what the Ministry and Aurors are for—to ensure all citizens live safely and happily. There is nothing to fear."

Einar leaned back in his chair, silently scanning the classroom. If his students believed that, he'd be sorely disappointed.

But no.

Their skeptical expressions, raised eyebrows, and subtle eye-rolls said it all. They weren't buying the lie.

And that, honestly, gave him hope.

"But what happens if we run into dark wizards… or curses during the holidays? Werewolves, vampires?" Harry asked again, frowning, his voice unwavering.

"As I said, the Ministry will handle those things. You just need to stay away from danger," Umbridge replied immediately, reciting the official slogan almost like a spell.

"During my last trip to Egypt, with friends, my godfather, and one of my professors, we came across an ancient wizard who had awakened and put our lives at risk. We were trapped inside a pyramid for hours, with no way out. In situations like that, what exactly are we supposed to do?" Harry pressed, this time with more conviction.

The tension in the room thickened. Umbridge shifted uncomfortably, her patience rapidly wearing thin.

"You shouldn't be poking around places you don't belong. If you followed the rules, these things wouldn't happen," she snapped coldly.

"And what if the Death Eaters—"

"Mr. Potter!" Umbridge cut in sharply, raising her voice louder than necessary. She had stopped pretending to be calm.

Einar, who had been calmly leaning against his desk until now, straightened up and took a few slow steps toward her. His gaze was sharp as a blade of ice.

"It seems," he said coolly, "that as the professor in charge of this class, I have every right to teach it as I see fit… even if I'm using the ridiculous books your Ministry sent. So unless you plan to answer these questions calmly and respectfully, I suggest you leave my classroom. Questions are part of learning. Curiosity is not punished here—it is encouraged."

Umbridge narrowed her eyes with barely contained fury, unable to reply without further losing face in front of the students. After a tense pause, she shot Harry a murderous look and turned on her heel, marching out of the classroom.

As the door closed, Einar allowed himself the faintest of smiles.

"Well done, Potter. Keep asking questions," he said as he returned to his desk. His voice wasn't mocking—it carried genuine pride. Harry hadn't just challenged a corrupt authority figure; he had done it with reason and poise.

With Umbridge gone, the atmosphere lightened considerably. Hands started going up across the room, now emboldened by their newfound freedom.

"Professor," Neville asked, "if we don't learn to use defensive spells… how are we supposed to protect ourselves if we ever get attacked?"

Einar looked around at his students, his expression serious but steady.

"Then you'll have to find the answer on your own. For now, toss those books. We won't be holding practical lessons while the Ministry keeps sticking its nose in. But I'll use theory to drill into your heads how to face real threats. You'll have to train on your own. Outside of class. Understood?"

Everyone nodded with quiet determination. They weren't going to be passive victims of a system that wanted them defenseless.

…

After class, as the rest of the students filtered out, Harry, Hermione, and Neville stayed behind.

"Professor… why did you accept what Umbridge said?" Harry asked, still confused. "You're not usually one to follow orders so easily. Even during the trial, you brought powerful warriors… but kept to the sidelines."

Einar crossed his arms and looked at the three of them with his usual unreadable expression.

"Because it's time you started learning something that has nothing to do with muscles, or spells, or swords. Political power. Psychological power," he said with a calm that didn't stem from indifference—but from control.

"Right now, sure—we could fix everything with brute force… but you wouldn't learn a thing. You'd only learn to be like me."

Harry frowned, confused.

"And what's wrong with that?"

Einar smiled—but it wasn't a warm smile.

"You're not me. I'm strong. Far stronger than you realize. That's why I'm not afraid. But you… you have something to lose. Families. Friends. Roots in this world. I don't."

The three young students lowered their gaze, slowly beginning to understand the weight of his words.

"If you act impulsively—if you push too hard without understanding the consequences—you won't be heroes. You'll drag everyone you love into the fire with you. That's why you need to learn something more important than just casting a spell: knowing when to use it. And when not to."

Einar sat down again, this time more relaxed.

"Don't worry. While you're under my watch, I won't let anything destroy you. But you need to understand something—no one can always be there for you. You must become your own guardians. Masters of your choices… and of your fate."

Hermione, Neville, and Harry nodded slowly. For the first time, they understood that the greatest danger wasn't the visible enemies… but the invisible ones. The system. The rules. The politics. And they had to learn how to play the game.

Harry and Neville left in silence, deep in thought. But Hermione lingered.

"Professor… are you going to leave?" she asked in a shaky voice, as if afraid of the answer.

Einar looked at her calmly.

"No. At least… not for now. But I didn't come here for a holiday, Hermione. I came because something's stirring. Something that shouldn't be. And if the time comes… I'll have to act."

Hermione opened her mouth to ask more, but Einar was already gazing out the window with a serious look—as if he were seeing something far beyond the castle.

He was thinking of him.

The Daedric prince who had given Dumbledore his power. Akatosh had hidden him away so he couldn't be found—but those who hunted him wouldn't stop just because Einar vanished.

Maybe he'd have to do what he did last time: offer a piece of cheese he'd found in an ancient ruin. The plan had been ridiculous… and yet, somehow, it had worked perfectly.

And somewhere in the chaos, the Prince of Madness was smiling—waiting for the perfect moment to make his next move.

Because on this chessboard… even madness could be part of the strategy.