Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 291 NEWT Course

This was perhaps the first time in so many years that Dumbledore delivered his opening banquet speech in a very serious tone.

The effect was very good; the vast majority of people felt a sense of urgency. But it's hard to say whether it was because of the speech or the attack a few hours earlier.

One by one, the benches were pushed behind them with a jarring sound as the students began to leave the auditorium and head towards their dormitories.

Hermione left first to fulfill her duties as prefect, leading the newly assigned Gryffindor students back to their dormitories. This allowed Ron to stay with Harry, who was reluctant to leave first.

Of course, he also had something to say to Harry.

"Hermione hasn't said a word, Harry," Ron said.

"What? She just said that." Harry was a little confused.

"I mean, when we were at Hogsmeade Station," Ron said cautiously, glancing around at the people around him. "I think she's preoccupied..."

"Ron, that's obvious."

"I know, but what I'm trying to say is that we may have underestimated the influence that person had on her..." By this time, most of the people in the Great Hall had left, and Ron and Harry whispered as they walked out.

"Ike?" Harry nodded thoughtfully, but quickly shook his head. "Ron, it's not appropriate for us to talk to her. Perhaps Ginny could?"

"Maybe, but there are some things we just can't talk to Ginny about..."

"Hey, Harry!" Just then, a voice rang out from behind them. Turning around, they saw Hagrid.

"How are you guys? Oh my god, I was so worried when I found out!"

"Thankfully, Madam Pomfrey's treatment went very well; there's just a bit of bruising left." Harry showed him his arm and then asked, "I noticed you were a little late earlier. What were you doing?"

"I'm with Grop, you remember him, right?" Hagrid said. "He has a new home in the mountains now, arranged by Dumbledore, a beautiful cave, which he loves, much happier than in the Forbidden Forest... That's why I didn't have time to rescue you."

"You...you won't blame me, will you?"

"How could that be, Hagrid!" Harry shook his head, trying to reassure him. "Nobody expected Voldemort's henchman to do something so insane..."

"I hope you won't say that name again, Harry," Hagrid interrupted Harry immediately, speaking sternly.

Harry, however, disagreed and stubbornly insisted, "Dumbledore calls me by my first name!"

“Yes, but you said it yourself, that was Dumbledore,” Hagrid said. “And, based on what I just heard, I think we should also avoid mentioning the name of the person who attacked you today…”

"Hagrid, isn't this a bit too serious?" Ron asked, puzzled. "He's not quite at the level of the Mystic, is he? I saw it with my own eyes; Dumbledore gave him a deep gash in the stomach!"

"But apart from Dumbledore, none of you are a match for him, are you?"

Harry was about to retort when Hagrid stretched out his right hand and blocked Harry's path, interrupting him.

"I know what you're trying to say, Harry, but just in case, listen to me, especially when you're not at Hogwarts."

After saying that, Hagrid's face broke into a smile again. He patted the two of them on the shoulder and said happily, "Alright, that's all for now. See you tomorrow!"

"Come early for your first class this afternoon!"

He raised one arm, shook it at Harry and Ron, then turned and walked out of the hall, leaving Harry and Ron staring at each other in bewilderment.

"You're not going to take the Magical Creatures Protection class, are you?" Harry asked.

Ron shook his head and asked, "You're not choosing either, are you?"

Harry shook his head as well.

"Perhaps Hermione is the only one who can choose this one. I think she might want to take on the challenge of getting all twelve NEWT certificates."

"Maybe..."

They looked at each other, both with expressions of helplessness. They sighed in unison and headed back to their dormitory.

After a good night's sleep, they met in the common room before breakfast the next morning, but only talked about course selection for the new semester. Neither Harry nor Ron mentioned what happened yesterday; they hadn't figured out how to bring it up yet.

They walked toward the Great Hall chatting, and Harry told Hermione about his conversation with Hagrid the night before.

"I'm not going to Magical Creatures Protection class anymore," Hermione said, picking up an egg sandwich at the Gryffindor table. "The Ministry of Magic no longer has a Time-Turner, so I can't finish all my classes like I did in the previous two years."

"Furthermore, even if I were to get a Time-Turner, I'm not going to take the Magical Creatures Protection class anymore."

“Yeah,” Ron said between bites. “We like Hagrid, so we work the hardest and are the most enthusiastic in his class, but who would have thought he would think we like that stupid course.”

"Who do you think would choose his class?"

Harry and Hermione both shook their heads. Everyone knew that no one in the entire sixth grade liked Magical Creatures Protection class, and no one wanted to take it again. Last year's experience was too terrible; no one wanted to go through it again.

As they were talking, Hagrid left the professor's seat, waving enthusiastically to Harry, his friend, and his companion. The three of them felt a little awkward and simply waved back briefly.

After breakfast, they didn't leave but remained seated, waiting for Professor McGonagall to arrive. Sixth-grade courses were complicated because each professor had different NEWT requirements for their subjects. Professor McGonagall needed to first confirm each person's OWLs exam scores to ensure they met the minimum requirements for the chosen NEWT course.

Hermione's path was the easiest; her twelve O grades met the requirements for all courses, and the specific courses she would take were entirely up to her. So it was quickly decided: Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbalism, Divination, Ancient Runes, and Potions. She would continue studying everything except History of Magic, Astronomy, Muggle Studies, and Magical Creatures Protection.

Still very busy, probably the busiest sixth grader ever, but much better than the previous two years.

"It's a good choice. Actually, if you had continued to take all the courses, I would have advised you to drop some of them." Professor McGonagall handed the finalized schedule to Hermione and said, "It's fine as it is now."

She flipped through her notes again, glancing at Harry as she did so.

"Next up, Potter..." she said, "Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbalism, Transfiguration... as long as you meet the requirements, that's fine."

"But why don't you continue studying Potions? I remember your dream was to become an Auror."

"Yes, but you told me I had to get an O in Potions," Harry said.

"That's true when Professor Snape taught this class," Professor McGonagall said. "But Professor Slughorn is very willing to accept students who achieve E grades, so would you like to continue taking Potions?"

"I'm willing, but I didn't buy the textbooks and materials..."

"That's alright, I'm sure Professor Slughorn can lend you some." Professor McGonagall handed Harry the confirmed class schedule. "By the way, twenty students have already applied to join the Quidditch team. I'll give you the list later, and you can arrange the selection when you have time."

A few minutes later, Ron's schedule came out, and it was the same as Harry's.

After receiving the class schedule, they left the auditorium together.

(End of this chapter)