The days at Hogwarts

The next moment, he appeared in the same place again, with his index finger and middle finger standing side by side, holding a somewhat dry and yellow leaf.

Loren's eyes and eyebrows showed the unique arrogance of a teenager. He handed the leaves to Professor Flitwick and said, "Professor, I give you autumn as a gift."

"Are you bribing me?"

Loren smiled brightly.

……

The notice about the change in subject content for the second and fourth grades was posted on Monday morning. A group of Gryffindor wizards gathered around the notice board in the common room to read the posted content, and the discussion went on for a long time.

"The compulsory part is based on the knowledge related to the OWLs and NEWTs exams. The non-exam content of the old version of the teaching content is included in the optional part, and it provides more advanced knowledge for young wizards who want to explore in depth..."

Neville read out the contents of the notice word by word, with a confused look on his face. He turned to look at his friends, "What does this mean?"

"Woohoo!" Seamus cheered, jumping up and bumping into Neville's fat body, then bouncing back, "This means you don't have to memorize 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi' anymore! We can save half the lessons from the Big Bat."

Neville couldn't help laughing, but he felt that it was not good to arrange the professor in this way. He pursed his lips, his cheeks flushed with joy: "You have to memorize it, you have to memorize it. This book will also be used in the Herbology class. I like the Herbology class very much."

Arriving at the auditorium, similar discussions were taking place at every long table in the academy.

"Will we learn a lot less knowledge after the reform?" asked a little Ravenclaw witch, her brows knitted together, anxiously trying to get an answer from their class leader, Penelope Clearwater.

Penelope Clearwater was also in a dilemma. She didn't know what impact this reform would have.

Seeing her embarrassment, Percy at the next table took the initiative to take over the conversation and help his girlfriend solve the problem. He answered in a steady voice that matched the class leader: "No, although the required part has reduced the content, the elective part has increased the content. If we want to learn, there will be more and more advanced knowledge for us to choose from under the new teaching system."

"Praise Professor McGonagall! She reduced the torture time of the bat demon by half!" Lee Jordan immediately took over Percy's words.

In the past, at such times, the twins would always stand up and cheer, but surprisingly, this time the twins did not move. Instead, they looked back and forth at Percy and Penelope with suspicious eyes.

The two of them huddled together, whispering in a voice that no one else could hear:

"You know what I'm thinking, right?"

“I think they look alike, too.”

"but……"

While they were whispering to each other, the girl who first asked Penelope the question was still confused:

"In that case, why not just add the more advanced content to the original textbooks, so that they can't be learned as before?"

Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff joined the conversation: "Because there are still some young wizards who are not good at learning theoretical knowledge, reducing the required teaching content will allow them to spend time on professional skills and practical training."

Cedric is a student in the same grade as the twin brothers. He is gentle and not rigid, with the typical kindness of Hufflepuff. He is one of the stable sources of answers for the twin brothers' homework. He is also good at Quidditch and has a good relationship with almost everyone.

As the recognized next Hufflepuff prefect, everyone listens to what he says and follows his train of thought.

Penelope is of Muggle-born background and once worried about her future path. The wizarding world is not big, and there are not many careers for her to choose from. She has also been exposed to practical training in professional skills magic.

After hearing what Cedric said, her eyes lit up: "Yes, after graduation, a lot of theoretical knowledge will not be used at all. If this time is used for some practical training of professional-related magic, it will benefit many people."

The little wizards around started chatting along this line of thought:

"Just like Quidditch players, if they choose to become professional players, practice is more important."

"There are also clerical jobs in the Ministry of Magic, which require learning how to read spreadsheets and write reports."

"Aurors should be practicing Defense Against the Dark Arts and Combat Charms."

"My dad asked me to help out in the store after I graduate, and I won't be able to use the magic I learned in school!"

George and Fred looked at each other, surprise shining in their eyes. They certainly understood what more spare time meant.

After the discussion of their respective speeches, everyone gradually understood the benefits of the reform. Compulsory courses ensured that students passed the OWLs and NEWTs exams, and elective courses expanded their advanced knowledge. Young wizards who were not good at studying would also have more time to prepare for their professional careers.

This argument was recognized by everyone as soon as it appeared, and spread quickly amid the chattering of the little wizards, and soon reached the ears of the professor in the guest of honor seat.

"Senior students really think more about it," Professor McGonagall said with a gratified smile, "I mentioned the reform to Loren and Hermione, but they didn't think of it."

"After they graduate from Hogwarts, they will have to face the world. Some students will even get married soon and take on family responsibilities. School should not only teach them knowledge. I did not realize this." Dumbledore's eyes were full of regret and disappointment. He sighed, "Minerva, you are better and more qualified than me."

A cheerful and confident voice interrupted the conversation, "Professional skills. I don't think there is a better professor than me to teach this."

Lockhart, who was wearing a golden dress with green stripes, came over and said, "Principal Dumbledore, I can start another professional club."

"I think these young wizards who are about to enter the society must be very confused. They need a mentor who is knowledgeable and proficient in various professional skills to lead them out of the fog." Lockhart said in a friendly tone, revealing a dazzling smile that fully demonstrated his good teeth.

……

A strange sentiment is gradually gaining popularity among young wizards: choose a career, practice professional skills, and only learn the required content.

In the corridor, everyone excitedly discussed various professions, their future lives, and what they would do when they grew up.

If you want to be a Quidditch player, practice more. If you want to be an Auror, practice Defense Against the Dark Arts well. If you have a shop or industry at home, you can have fun.

Hermione frowned when she heard this, thinking that this shouldn't be the case, but she couldn't tell what was wrong.

The girl was wearing a plain magic robe, with a white shirt underneath the black robe. Her fair little face was tense and she was biting her lips in worry.

Like a slightly cool autumn breeze, it blows into people's hearts clearly and causes ripples on the calm water surface.

Loren has been worrying about one thing for the past few days. Apparition is forbidden within Hogwarts. He is thinking about how to trick Hermione out of the castle, and then show her Apparation in front of her to let her understand. Who is the big brother.

It has been almost a week since the trial run of the reform for the second and fourth grades. Hermione has plunged into the elective advanced knowledge, and he has been unable to find an opportunity.

"I want to make candy at Honeydukes!"

"I want, too!"

Walking past were two new students who had just enrolled.

Hermione couldn't help wondering and asked, "Loren, which one is the right choice, knowledge or professional skills?"

Looking at the house emblem on their magic robes, it was indeed the Hufflepuff badger. Loren smiled and said, "It depends on the person. For you, knowledge is definitely more important. For Seamus, perhaps skills are more important."

"But..." Hermione looked at the disappearing figures of the two newborn badgers, "How can they be sure that they have chosen the right career?"

"No one can guarantee that the choice is right," Loren paused for a moment and thought about how to word it. "However, knowledge will give us more choices in the future. A student who has mastered all subjects can use the knowledge of Defense Against the Dark Arts to become an Auror, and can switch to a clerical job if he finds it unsuitable. If he doesn't like this, he can use the knowledge of Potions to make magic candies."

Hermione's eyes lit up and she nodded continuously.

"Shall we go see Hagrid this Saturday?" Loren said casually.

"Yeah, okay!" The girl didn't notice anything unusual.

……

On the second floor of Hogwarts Castle late at night.

Most of the lights in the corridors and hallways were turned off, and the hanging magic portraits were turned upside down, with the canvases facing the walls, and the portraits fell into a deep sleep. The whole castle was silent, and the shadows concealed Filch and Mrs. Norris who were on night watch, as well as other unknown things.

Dumbledore walked down the stairs slowly. He couldn't sleep again. He always felt empty inside without a cup of hot cocoa. Just like in his school days, he walked all the way to the kitchen.

"Salute to the great Slytherin!" A low, hoarse and unpleasant voice was heard, and a not-so-tall figure disappeared into the abandoned girls' bathroom.

Dumbledore's lazy eyes suddenly opened, a gleam of divine light flashed, and a meaningful smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

He had only known about the secret chamber and the basilisk a week ago, and had only some rough plans. He had not had time to make a thorough plan and deal with it. Unexpectedly, he encountered such a surprise late at night.

Dumbledore continued to walk towards the kitchen. He was not in a hurry. He had learned a long time ago that he did not need to grasp the details of every matter. As long as he could sort out the context, the rest would be easy.

Being stared at by the basilisk will lead to death, which is too dangerous for students. However, if a part of it is taken away with the Deluminator, only the petrification effect should be left, and the plan can proceed. The last thing to pay attention to is the fangs...

"Hot cocoa is a great thing." The soft murmur dissipated into the castle's night like the wind.

Chapter 168: Winds from All Directions

The second grade Transfiguration class has begun to implement the revised teaching plan.

The knowledge before the reform was mainly detailed and comprehensive basic principles and applications of Transfiguration. After the reform, most of the principles were deleted from the teaching content, and the teaching goal became to enable young wizards to have a basic understanding and mastery of Transfiguration.

The focus of the lectures has been removed from long sections of theory and principles, and has been replaced by detailed explanations of the key points of casting, how to stabilize deformation, and the applications of deformation.

Just like math classes no longer explain the derivation of formulas and theorems, but directly teach students how to use them and how to solve problems.

Even the example questions are not changed word for word. The swimming pool that is draining water while letting it out in class will not become engineering team A and team B, and the two people chasing each other back and forth on a road will not run in circles.

Professor McGonagall no longer required everyone to transform objects to be nearly perfect and without flaws, and no longer required everyone to perfect the details to the point of exquisite beauty.

The basic transfiguration techniques demonstrated in class were simplified a lot. The buttons made with beetles no longer had exquisite patterns or layered colors. They were just ordinary black two-hole buttons.

Before the change, Hermione's notes were half the depth of her pinky knuckle, measured from the outside of the ink bottle, but now they were less than half of what they were before. After a class, Hermione's notes were more than half shorter than before, and the extra time even made her feel a little overwhelmed.

Professor McGonagall finished explaining the key points of the spell and demonstrated it, leaving the rest of the time for everyone to practice freely. Hermione successfully conjured a button last time, and this time she succeeded in one try.

The grapevine wood wand moved on the button bit by bit. Hermione looked at the button with yellow-green stripes on the side and hollow relief on both sides. Her little face was full of complexity and melancholy.

For the first time, Hermione found the class a bit boring.

In front of them, Harry and Ron also transformed the buttons into basic shapes, and now they were using the buttons as marbles, hitting each other's buttons with their fingers. When they accidentally knocked each other's buttons out of the desk, they would smile smugly, as if this was a big deal.

Extremely childish.

Looking to the side, Loren, my classmate at the same table, was also playing with his deformed buttons.

It's just that the shape of this button is a little special. The bottom, which should be flat, has three small wheels. Loren is using his magic wand to control the button tricycle to cruise on the table.

His lips curled up and he would occasionally hum a low imitation of the beeping of a horn.

"Childish!" Hermione muttered softly.

She waved her wand gently, and a few more wheels appeared on the button in front of her. The button swayed forward for a distance, and after slowly stabilizing, the button mini remote control car instantly accelerated and sped towards Loren's car.

The two buttons hit each other, making a slight clicking sound.

Loren raised his eyes, and their gazes met. For a moment, their eyes met, and an invisible flash of light burst out at the midpoint where their eyes met.

Soon, the two button cars were fighting each other, and the battle was fierce...

On the other side of the Transfiguration classroom, the group of Slytherin little wizards was much quieter, and the atmosphere was not as lively as that next to them.

Draco sat next to Goyle, trying to turn the buttons into the style of the cufflinks on his wizard robe, and was slowly adjusting the arc of the corners.

On Goyle's other side, Vincent Crabbe sneered, flicked his button in front of Draco, and said arrogantly, "Do you want me to teach you how to change?"

His buttons had become the shape Draco wanted, with a smooth surface, neat shape, and beautiful curves. They even had the Slytherin snake logo more than the original ones on the robes.

Goyle, who was sitting in the middle, did not notice the strange atmosphere. He exclaimed in admiration, causing several little wizards around him to turn around and join in the praise.

"You practiced secretly, didn't you?"

"I feel like I can already give Professor McGonagall some extra points."

Draco took a deep breath, put down his wand, and followed suit, smiling and praising: "I think next year's magic robes can use buttons of this style. It will definitely stand out more than other colleges."

Draco joked with them, talked about Quidditch, and laughed and belittled the brooms of other houses. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Not normal, this Crabbe is definitely not normal.

Last year, Crabbe and Goyle were at the bottom of the class. It was as if they were missing half of their brains in their studies. Sometimes people even felt that they had brought shame upon the pure-bloods.

Some young wizards in Slytherin almost called the two of them idiots, and now, Crabbe was learning Transfiguration faster than him.

Thinking back to the conversation in the locker room, Draco found that the uncomfortable feeling about him became stronger.

He glanced to the side casually and met Crabbe's gaze. There was no scarlet bloodshot or pale pupils, but those eyes were strangely indifferent and a little bit vicious.

Crabbe gave him a terrifying grin.

Draco felt a chill, and the pores on the back of his neck and arms contracted, and his hairs stood up.

"By the way," he asked casually, "have you told Goyle about Quidditch next week?"

The sinister look paused, and the strong feeling of discomfort gradually faded away. Crabbe seemed to have become the Crabbe he was familiar with again - tall but stupid, with a bit of irritability...

The next day, the news that Draco Malfoy's father, school director Lucius Malfoy, was stopped outside the castle gate by Filch spread throughout Hogwarts.

Draco was a well-known rich young man in the school and many students knew him. At the beginning of the first grade, his arrogant character and bad words offended many people. It was not until after Christmas that his reputation died down a little.

In addition, as a first-class pure-blood family, the Malfoy family has business dealings with many young wizards' families, and many young wizards even rely on the Malfoy family for food. Before Draco entered school, many young wizards were told by their parents to be good friends with Draco.

So the news of Lucius's failure spread quickly. He was stopped in the morning, and the news spread throughout the school during the break of the first class.

"Ha, the arrogant Malfoy finally got his comeuppance, and the school board can't control the school's affairs anymore!" As Draco's mortal enemy, Harry was very happy to hear the news.

He thought that if it had been Hagrid who was guarding the gate at the time, he might have thrown Malfoy's father out.

Although he had received help with the dragon, he still disliked Malfoy after what happened at Flourish and Blotts before school started.

Seamus and Ron were playing the Button Chariot game. Yesterday after Transfiguration class, they saw the game Hermione and Loren were playing and they both thought it was very interesting.

The result is that all the Gryffindor boys have a button missing on their clothes today.

Seamus was down two, his first one having been won by Ron. He maneuvered his "Thunderbolt II" into Ron's "Charlie Rocket", accompaniment by a "bang" sound.