Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 295 A New Experience in Potions Class (Part 1)

Hermione, burdened with her own thoughts, pushed open the door to Snape's office. Stepping out, her face had returned to its usual expression.

After passing through the basement corridor and going straight up the spiral staircase to the eighth floor, he confiscated the Weasley Wizarding Tricks toys from the two first-year students at the entrance to the common room, and then pretended to be fierce to scare them like quails.

Returning to the common room after giving the command, Harry and Ron were struggling with the Defense Against the Dark Arts homework left by Snape at the table. I peeked over and saw that they hadn't even finished a third of it.

"You're back." Ron dropped his quill as soon as he saw Hermione and asked, "How did it go? Did that old bat give you any trouble?"

"No." Hermione shook her head and sat down next to the two of them. "He just tossed me a book and told me to read it there, and then told me to come back when it was time."

Hearing this, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He felt that Hermione's detention was because of him, and it would bother him if she suffered any more because of it.

He sighed, his gaze casually sweeping over what Hermione was holding, and asked, "How many more freshmen did you catch violating the rules just now?"

Hermione casually placed the toy she was holding on the table, and Ron immediately took it from her. She didn't seem to mind, and said to Harry, "Dumbledore said that Weasley Wizardry stuff isn't allowed in the school. Oh well, what can I do? I saw it."

He then shrugged.

"Although I also find Fred and his friends' stuff interesting, school rules are school rules."

As a habitual offender of school rules, Hermione's words sounded a bit harsh and made Harry uncomfortable, but he wouldn't argue with Hermione over such a trivial matter.

Why do something that's impossible to win?

They chatted for a while longer before Hermione returned to her dormitory. Parvati and Lavender had already washed up and were sitting cross-legged on their bed, chatting and laughing.

Hermione greeted them and went to wash up. When she came out, the two were still chatting. Listening closely, it was all about love.

Without saying a word, Hermione sat down at her desk, took two small notebooks out of her robe pocket, tapped them on the paper, and they immediately grew larger, knocking a bottle of ink to the ground.

"Snapped!"

Parvati and Lavender looked over at the sound and saw Hermione wave her hand and cast a Restoration Charm, sending the ink bottle flying back to the table unharmed. They glanced around and saw the two thick, large notebooks.

"Newly acquired?" Lavender asked.

Hermione hummed in agreement, without turning her head, and casually flipped to the top of the book. Lavender, seeing this, raised an eyebrow at Pavati, and then continued their previous conversation.

Their relationship wasn't exactly close, especially since last year, when it was basically limited to polite greetings. At the time, Hermione was preoccupied with all sorts of magical knowledge, and even with the Time-Turner, she was always incredibly busy.

Even close friends can feel awkward if they drift apart for a while, let alone Hermione and her friends.

Gradually, they developed a tacit understanding: Hermione would go about her own business, and Lavender and Parvati would not disturb her.

Or perhaps it could be described as ignoring it.

This does have one advantage: at least Hermione doesn't have to worry about her belongings being rummaged through. However, she hasn't forgotten to take precautions, since many of her things are things that can't be exposed.

For example, those two resurrected Dementors in the suitcase...

When lights out, Hermione put down her notebook, cast a spell, and climbed into her bed. Lavender and Parvati were already fast asleep. She slept soundly and was the first to wake up in the dormitory.

No longer feeling tired or sleep-deprived, Hermione has gotten used to this routine.

After a quiet wash, I used a shrinking spell to put the two notebooks into the pocket of my robe, selected the textbooks I would need for the morning, and left the dormitory.

Harry and Ron came over yawning after reading for a while in the common room.

Seeing their disheveled clothes, Hermione waved her hand and used magic to straighten them up, the tightening of their collars instantly making them look more refreshed.

"Hermione, I really don't know what I would do without you," Harry said, adjusting the collar. "Of course, it would be even better if it were lighter."

"If you're too gentle, you won't wake up at all." Hermione stood up, carrying a thick stack of books, and walked with them toward the Great Hall.

They weren't together for the first class in the morning, but they were together for the second Transfiguration class.

Many people are still choosing Polymorph, even more than those taking Defense Against the Dark Arts. At first glance, the number isn't much less than in previous years.

Professor McGonagall remained strict, and the advanced class was significantly more difficult. After one lesson, only a handful of students didn't feel like they were listening to gibberish and managed to keep up.

"Passing the OWLs exam isn't the end; the NEWTs exam is crucial for your future employment!" Professor McGonagall said sternly after assigning a huge amount of homework.

"Don't think that fewer courses will make things easier. NEWTs and OWLs are completely different in difficulty! All in all, you only have two years!"

"Get ready, students!"

Harry and Ron felt dizzy and fled the Transfiguration classroom as if they were running away. They didn't recover until after lunch and a nap.

"So, neither of you has touched your homework?" Hermione asked, looking at the two of them.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances, then shook their heads in unison. Seeing this, Hermione simply sighed softly and let it go.

Over the years, she had long since gotten used to it.

"Make sure you bring everything you need for Potions class, and don't forget anything," she instructed, before the two of them hurriedly turned and ran back to their dormitory.

Of course, only Ron went back to get his things; Harry had nothing at all and was still waiting for Professor Slughorn to sponsor him.

They arrived at the Potions classroom via a route they knew intimately from the past few years. A dozen or so students had already gathered in the hallway outside. Four were Slytherin, including Harry's archenemy, Malfoy. His two henchmen, Crabbe and Goyle, were nowhere to be seen; presumably, their Overwatch League (OWL) grades hadn't met the requirements.

There are four Ravenclaws: Michael, Anthony, Terry, and Mandy, who are acquaintances of Harry and his friends and participated in the D.A. last year. The Hufflepuffs member is even closer: Ernie Macmillan.

After exchanging greetings and chatting for a few moments, the classroom door opened, and Professor Slughorn, heavily pregnant, came out and invited them in.

The classroom was filled with steam and all sorts of strange smells. Apart from the podium, there were only three large tables, each with a large, covered crucible that emitted a fragrant aroma when you got close.

(End of this chapter)