#157: Professor Lupin is not addicted to chocolate and I will stop implying that he is.
So dementors have come to Hogwarts. They are so annoying, because the Marauders-point-two have to work five times as hard to keep everyone's spirits up. Seriously, rude.
On the plus side, Professor Lupin has recommended that each classroom be stocked with plenty chocolate to help students who've come too close to a dementor. Most other professors have listened, but the classroom with the largest supply is Lupin's.
The boys and I walk into Defense Against the Dark Arts and George notices Lupin slipping some chocolate out of his drawer and into his mouth. When everyone is seated, Lupin opens his mouth to lecture.
"Sir?" someone interrupts before he can begin.
"Yes?"
"Why's chocolate so important?" the person asks. "It's just sweets."
"Ah, yes. But chocolate is very useful in warding off the ill effects of encounters with dementors. I, for one, find it very comforting to have around." Lupin starts. "That chocolate works against dementors was discovered by wizards. How it works was discovered by Muggles, believe it or not." He paused. "What dementors do is feed off happiness. They literally devour any peace, hope, or joy near them. Chocolate works oppositely, releasing endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are nature's happy drug. I won't quiz you on the term but you should try to remember it. In terms of Muggle science, dementors absorb endorphins faster than the brain can produce them, and chocolate replenishes endorphins quickly. That's how it works. Now, for today's lesson-"
"Sir?" I raise my hand but don't wait to be called on. "Sir, you said it was a drug?"
"Yes, that's what I said. Are you going somewhere with this, Jones, or may I move on?"
"No, I'm not going to mention the supply of drugs you keep in your classroom. Carry on."
Lupin looks at me a moment in frustration but ignores my comment and begins his lecture. The students, however, caught my insinuation and stifled giggles bounce around the class. I don't think anyone takes his planned lecture seriously now.
After class, the boys and I set to work. Skipping our homework tonight, we sit and make pamphlets.
Next time we have DADA, we come early and prepared. Lupin isn't in the classroom, which is perfect. We spread the brochures on his desk and hurry back out of the classroom. We can't just ruin our reputation for near-tardiness.
When we reenter the room, many people are already seated, but the teacher still is absent. We take our seats grinning. Lupin walks in a moment later. "Class, open your books to the page we left off on last time."
We oblige as he goes to his desk. The boys and I pretend to flip pages when really we're watching for his reaction. He slowly scans the mess we've made of his desk, then picks up one of our masterpieces. "Alright. Who did this?" he asks, then reads aloud a few choice phrases. "'The first step is to admit you have a problem.' 'Chocolate can be an addictive drug if misused.' 'Ill use of chocolate can lead to severe consequences that affect one's family and friends as well as oneself.'" He looks up at the class. Everyone is giggling, and one poor soul is literally shrieking in laughter and that just makes it more hilarious. "I am not addicted to chocolate, Jones, and I'll take fifty points if you keep implying I am. For now, however, I'll give you five points for creativity. These pamphlets are lovely." His smile stretches across his scarred face.
"Oh, thank you sir. I knew you were my favorite professor for a reason." I reply, grinning just as wide.