Umbridge's Theory-Only Lessons, Bowtruckles

Do you think you'll be attacked in my class?

"No, but..."

"You should raise your hand, Thomas first," Umbridge interrupted. "I have to say, your class has encountered some irresponsible teachers."

"A being half-human, half-beast is dangerous enough on his own, but the knowledge he teaches you is also extremely complex."

"Professor Lupin is the best teacher we've ever had," Hermione said, somewhat angrily.

"Raise your hand, Miss Granger," Umbridge emphasized. "As for my predecessor, he was even more outrageous. He gave you all three Unforgivable Curses and even experimented on you."

"We found out he was a madman, didn't we?" Dean raised his right hand this time. "But then again, we learned quite a bit from him!"

Upon hearing this, a surge of anger rose in Umbridge's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

"That's what the Ministry of Magic thinks," Umbridge forced a flamboyant smile. "Mastering the theoretical knowledge is enough to handle all the exams."

"Of course, aren't you all here at school to take exams?"

Parvati raised her right hand. "Is there no practical component in our Defense Against the Dark Arts exam?"

"As long as you master the theory thoroughly, there is no reason why you won't be able to cast spells under the strict examination conditions."

Aaron scoffed; he had never cared about this course at all.

You teach yours, I'll learn mine, we'll keep to ourselves, but I still can't help but laugh when I hear such absurd remarks.

If learning magic were as easy as she said, he wouldn't have had to draw four Magic Array in a row.

Umbridge frowned slightly and asked with a forced smile, "Gaius -senpai, is there a problem?"

"No problem, absolutely no problem." Aaron waved his hand. "I was just thinking of something funny, it has absolutely nothing to do with the professor."

Umbridge wanted to curse, but remembering her boss Fudge's instructions, she forced a fake smile and said, "Then pay attention in class."

"Professor," Parvati pressed, her voice filled with disbelief, "You don't mean we first cast those spells during an exam, do you? Don't we need to practice?"

"I'll say it again, as long as you master the theory..."

"How can we fight off external threats with just theoretical knowledge?" Harry couldn't help but interrupt Yu.

There's no threat outside, darling.

Who do you think would attack a child, like someone like you?

"Oh! I don't know, maybe... Voldemort!" Harry said casually, but the classroom erupted in an uproar.

Many students were terrified of Voldemort, and even when they called him, they only dared to cautiously say the three words "You-Know-Who." For Harry to directly say Voldemort's name was no less than dropping a depth charge.

Ulimci's face twitched, and his fake smile became very stiff. "Let me make things clear to you. Someone told you that a certain Dark Wizard has once again gotten away with it, but that's a complete lie."

"This isn't a lie, he really came," Harry said breathlessly.

"Gryffindor, deduct 10 points."

That's utter nonsense, Mr. Potter.

"No, I saw him with my own eyes."

"Solitary confinement for a week," Umbridge said coldly. "Come to my office tomorrow afternoon at 10 o'clock."

Okay, everyone, please continue reading from where you left off.

When the bell rang, Umbridge grabbed her handbag and left the classroom, followed by most of the other students.

Their expressions as they looked at Harry varied, some doubtful, some mocking, and some affectionate.

Aaron put away his little trinkets and woke up Abei, who was dozing off on the table.

He stopped as he passed by Harry Potter, who was looking dejected and being comforted by Hermione and Ron. "I admit it's nice to tell the truth sometimes, but you should at least think about the consequences!"

A week of confinement will definitely make you suffer.

"I did nothing wrong," Harry said stubbornly.

"Of course you're not wrong, you're just too stupid." Aaron shrugged indifferently. "But some things aren't about right or wrong, otherwise why would we all remain silent?"

Do you know what it means when circumstances are stronger than people? You should understand the principle that when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

You knew perfectly well who sent Umbridge, yet you still went to cause trouble.

"I'm just stating the facts," Harry said angrily. "Voldemort has indeed come."

"Do you think she doesn't know?" Aaron retorted. "The problem is you have no evidence, and she won't admit it."

"I..." Harry opened his mouth, but was speechless.

"You should really learn from Dumbledore. Our headmaster was definitely the most anxious when Voldemort resurrected him, and he received just as much criticism as you, but he didn't complain about it."

I'm sure he didn't care about the Daily Prophet; he was just doing his best to stop Voldemort from regaining his former power.

The three looked at each other in bewilderment. During their Summer Holiday, they had been taken to Dumbledore's secret organization— the Phoenix Society —and were well aware that Dumbledore was indeed preparing to fight Voldemort.

"Let's think about how to pass the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam first!" Hermione changed the subject. "If you only learn the theory and don't practice, not many people can pass the exam."

"That's easy, just practice more," Aaron said nonchalantly.

"It's not as simple as you say. Learning by yourself and being taught by a teacher are two completely different things."

Aaron clicked his tongue and hesitated before saying, "If you have any questions, you can come to me."

"You?" Ron, somewhat surprised. "Are you sure?"

"What? Don't you trust me?" Aaron chuckled. He was now Grand Archmage, and he had already taught himself all the spells he needed to learn from level one to seven through the libraries of Hogwarts and Gaius Castle.

Perhaps there's still some gap between him and a true master in areas like Potions, botany, Astronomy, but he's more than capable of teaching a few novice-level students.

"This is the only good news," Harry forced a smile.

"But you're out of the question."

"Huh?" Harry asked, puzzled. "Why?"

"Your performance in the Triwizard Tournament has already proven your ability, and passing the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam will definitely not be a problem."

Harry:...

The next day, during Transfiguration Class and Potions Class, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick specifically emphasized the importance of the OWL exam.

They taught the Vanishing Charm and the Summoning Charm separately, and then tacitly assigned a large amount of homework.

This is what frustrates fifth-year Warlock; the Ordinary Wizarding Level exam is the biggest hurdle they've faced since starting school.

Teachers are even more anxious than students. In order to get good grades, they usually assign more homework than before, in addition to a full schedule.

At this time, the privileges of outstanding students will also be reflected. If the Vanishing Charm and Summoning Charm are used correctly in practice, homework can be exempted.

Aaron succeeded on his first try, which greatly pleased the two professors.

While others were diligently practicing spells and struggling with homework, he spent four years hunched over his desk, inscribing Magic Array day after day.

In the afternoon, there was a Care of Magical Creatures. Aaron left his dormitory and headed towards Hagrid's Hut with the fifth-year Slytherin students.

"Is that big, dumb guy...?"

"Ahem!" Aaron coughed, interrupting Pansy who was speaking.

"Alright! Professor Hagrid, that's enough!" Pansy said somewhat reluctantly. "I wonder what Professor Grubbly-Plank will teach us this time."

"It certainly won't be a big, dangerous monster," Draco chuckled. "But Mr. Potter's favorite professor of Care of Magical Creatures is missing; he must be in a bad mood."

"Should we offer some words of comfort?" Crabbe suggested.

"Mind your own business," Aaron said irritably. "If you had spent half the time you spent teasing and making fun of Harry Potter on studying, you wouldn't be worrying about exams now."

"They can't compare to you," Draco said speechlessly. "Besides you, Granger is the only one who got exempted from homework, and even she had to try several times before she could successfully cast those spells."

"To be honest, it's a good thing you're from Slytherin, otherwise our class would probably be completely overshadowed by a Gryffindor."

"Excuses!" Aaron rolled his eyes. "You can make up for a lack of talent with hard work, but mocking Harry Potter takes up a lot of your time."

If you want to get good results in next year's OWL exam, you'd better do your best!

"Did you two hear that?" Draco looked at Crabbe and Goyle with exasperation. "Don't embarrass me."

"We'll try, boss," Crabbe and Goyle said guiltily.

"And you, or rather, all of you," Aaron cautioned. "Don't embarrass Slytherin."

"I know," Draco said sheepishly, then changed the subject, "But we won't get good grades in our Defense Against the Dark Arts exam. Dolores Umbridge only teaches us theory."

"If you have any practical problems, you can come to me," Aaron said irritably.

"You... have time?" Pansy asked, somewhat surprised. The other Slytherin were also a little taken aback.

They used to ask Aaron for help when they encountered problems in their studies, but they didn't know when he started having a notebook in his hand, and he often wrote and drew in it.

They didn't dare to ask too many questions, and were even more embarrassed to bother him. Over time, they would subconsciously assume that Aaron didn't have time.

"Well, that's what happens when I'm the Prefect!" Aaron said with a hint of helplessness. "Since I'm in this position, there are some things I can't just ignore."

It is also the Prefect's duty to help students resolve their learning difficulties, as it involves a reward of 1,200 Magic Points. He can't spare much time to guide a few students.

"That's wonderful!" Draco exclaimed, and the rest of the Slytherin also showed expressions of surprise and delight.

Seeing the gleam in their eyes, Aaron couldn't help but frown, adding, "However, my time is limited. It's best not to ask me for small things that you can handle yourself."

A few minutes later, Slytherin stopped in front of Hagrid's Hut, where the fifth-year Gryffindor were also present.

Professor Grubbly-Plank stood behind a long shelf table, on which were placed many fine branches.

"Looks like everyone's here," Professor Grubbly-Plank said, pointing to the thin branches. "Can anyone tell me what this is called?"

"The Bowtruckle," Aaron said, "Is a Fantastic Beasts that protects trees."

"That's right, Slytherin gets five points."

As soon as he finished speaking, the thin branches on the table suddenly sprang up.

They have two brown eyes, are only seven or eight inches tall, and have thin, long, branch-like limbs.

Many students looked at the wooden House-elf with interest, and they unconsciously compared Hagrid and Grubbly-Plank, feeling that the latter was more suitable to be their Care of Magical Creatures professor. Even Harry and his friends had to admit that Hagrid was a little less skilled in teaching than Grapple.

"Bowtruckle typically live on trees whose branches can be cut down to make Wand," Professor Grubbly-Plank said. "Does anyone know what they eat?"

Hermione quickly raised her right hand and replied, "Insects, especially ground beetles, are their favorite."

"Very good, Gryffindor gets five points."

The Bowtruckle is a gentle and extremely shy animal.

If you need to obtain materials from the trees they inhabit, it is recommended to offer them ground beetles, which can appease them.

If the tree it inhabits is threatened, it will leap down and use its long, sharp fingers to gouge out people's eyes; I'm sure you don't want to try it.

"If you'd like to come closer, you can come here and get some earthworms to get a Bowtruckle."

There should be a maximum of three people sharing one, so that they can be studied more carefully.

Before class ends, each student should submit a sketch showing every part of the Bowtruckle's body.

Aaron was the first to cross the path, grabbed a handful of burrs and threw them at the best-looking Bowtruckle, then stretched out his right hand to it.

The Bowtruckle hesitated for a moment before jumping onto Aaron's palm.

Other students followed suit, but they focused on the larger Bowtruckle, which were easier to draw.

Aaron gently poked the Bowtruckle's fingers in his palm and carefully placed it on his shoulder.

A hint of resentment flashed in Abei's eyes. It used to perch on its owner's shoulder, but ever since it got fat—no, since it grew up—that spot has become a bit cramped for it.

"Is it really necessary? Look at your pathetic self." Aaron chuckled, making Abei squat down and holding the Bowtruckle in his right paw.

After getting into position, he took out a large sheet of parchment and a carbon pen from Abei's pocket.

He hadn't studied painting much, but he had drawn Magic Array for four years, so his foundation was much better than others.

In no time, a lifelike sketch was completed, except that the silly and cute Holy Dragon took up most of the area, Bowtruckle only occupied a small part in the upper left corner.

"This homework is barely finished," Aaron murmured, while Abei nodded in satisfaction, his clear eyes narrowing into crescent shapes.