Chapter 31: The-Classes-Most-Dull
"Good morning, students. Welcome to the first year Charms class! I am Abigail Clark and all of you will call me ma'am or professor. While I want to start teaching you how to cast Spells, there is something all of you should know before you start casting. That is what we will be learning today but before that, let's deal with the introductions" Abigail clapped her hands with a cheerful smile on her face as she pointed at one of the students sitting at the front.
With that, all of the students started to introduce themselves one by one and when they were finally done, Abigail started to explain the important aspects necessary to cast a Spell. Harry simply tuned her off after a few minutes as he was already aware of the facts she was explaining. All one hundred and fifty students were present in the class, so it was simply impossible for any Professor to keep an eye on all of them at the same time.
So, Abigail didn't even notice the fact that Harry has long stopped listening to whatever she was saying… In Ilvermorny, students from all four Houses shared their classes together. Not only did it make it easier for the Professors to teach, but it also made it easier for them to prepare the timetable and give the students a lot of free time to finish their studies and have some fun with their friends.
Just like Harry, a lot of students were happy with this arrangement, but unlike Harry, they weren't reading other books. After an hour, the class finally came to an end, and all the students started to leave as they needed to make their way to the Defense Against Dark Arts class which was going to start in ten minutes…
"So, you are reading in advance?" Brittany asked while walking beside Harry.
Harry smiled sheepishly and nodded his head. "Yeah… I was kind of excited and I finished the first year books as quickly as I could" Harry explained and Brittany hummed before nodding her head.
"Think you can help me?" Brittany requested, looking a bit uncomfortable.
Harry simply smiled after hearing her request and nodded his head. "Sure, I will help you out. Simply tell me where you are having problems and I will explain it to you" Harry answered with a smile.
"Thank you" Brittany thanked Harry with a grateful smile marring her face.
The duo along with the other first years finally arrived at the Defense Against Dark Arts classroom. Harry and Brittany decided to sit at the back as Brittany didn't have a preference and Harry decided to sit at the back so that he could avoid the eyes of the Professor. Brittany also followed Harry's example and started to read in advance, but unlike Harry, she wasn't reading a second year book. She was simply reading the first year Transfiguration book in advance.
Harry also met with Danny before the Charms class, but they didn't get to talk much and Danny also seemed to have made friends with his housemates. Though Harry was quite grateful that students weren't trying to mob him… Yes, he was getting looks from a lot of his classmates, but all of them were yet to approach him. Harry was glad that he could study in peace.
The rest of the class quickly filled up as the other students also started to trickle inside the class. Owen gave him a glare before he went to sit with some of his other housemates, but what Owen didn't know what the fact that Harry didn't even register him as he was busy reading his book. After some time, the teacher finally arrived and closed the door to garner everyone's attention.
"Welcome to the first year of Defense Against Dark Arts class. My name is Desmond Price and all of you will refer to me as sir or professor. Now before we start, let's get over with the introductions. You" The man started speaking with a stern look on his face and pointed at the girl sitting at the corner of the front table. "Start" The man added and the girl immediately stood up and introduced herself.
With that, everything was put into motion, one by one all the students started to introduce themselves and when they were finally done, just like Abigail, Desmond started to explain some theories. Harry had to admit, the teaching method in Ilvermorny was much better than Hogwarts. According to his mom, at Hogwarts, the Professors will start teaching casting from day one without explaining how Spells work.
Pureblood students probably already how to cast Spells as it wasn't uncommon for Pureblood parents to teach Magic before they turn eleven, but Muggleborns students were left to fend for themselves. His mom also faced the same problem. She didn't have anyone to help her and she had to learn everything the hard way… Now, Harry was quite glad that mom told him to read 'The Elements of Magic' or he wouldn't have been able to make progress so quickly.
Once again Harry tuned off Desmond after a few minutes and started to read on his own… Even Desmond failed to notice the fact that Harry has long stopped paying any attention to whatever he was saying even though Desmond seemed to be much sharper than Abigail. Brittany also followed his example and continued to study on her own.
|Hadrian, you need to find a place to practice your casting or it won't matter how much you read or memorize| Lily pointed out bitterly and Harry simply sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair.
|I know… Today is the first day of school, mom. I will see what I can do…| Harry replied tiredly. Lily simply hummed in agreement and that was the end of their short discussion.
The rest of the class passed normally and by the time, the class finally came to an end. Desmond was done with his explanation. The students quickly gathered their things and started to leave in an orderly fashion… Well, as orderly eleven years could be. Their next class was History of Magic, so after leaving the class, all the students started to make their way toward the History of Magic.
Once again, they had ten minutes to make their way to the History of Magic class, which was more than enough for everyone. Harry and Brittany arrived at the History of Magic class, but this time, they didn't take the scenic route. The two of them entered the class and made their way toward the back. When they were finally seated, Brittany decided to ask Harry some questions she wasn't able to understand.
"The answer is visualization… You must visualize what you are trying to achieve or no matter how strong your Intent is, the Spell wouldn't work" Harry explained softly, but he took a small pause to see how she was reacting. Watching her nod, Harry decided to continue his explanation.
"Now, as for your question… Visualization means you need to be able to picture the end result in your mind and your Intent represents your desire to achieve the said result… Do you understand what I am trying to say?" Harry asked while staring at Brittany.
The bespectacled girl bit her lip as she contemplated his words. "For example, if I am trying to turn a feather into a needle, then I would need to picture the needle I want inside my mind. This is Visualization, right?" Brittany asked only to receive a nod from Harry.
"Okay, I understand" Brittany nodded her head in understanding. "Then the Intent is my desire to transform the feather into my Visualized needle?" Brittany asked, only to receive a small smile from Harry as he nodded his head.
Harry wasn't averse to helping someone who would ask him nicely and Brittany asked him nicely… Not only that, Brittany was the only one he was talking to and she is from a Pureblood Family. Harry has done his research on the Pureblood Families with Norton's help and he knew that the House of Lawrence wasn't as powerful or rich as the Harpers, but it was still better to have a favorable relationship with the eldest daughter of the Family, especially when he didn't have anything to lose.
"Thank you for explaining… This question has been bugging me for quite some time" Brittany thanked Harry with a grateful look on her face.
"It's alright. You can always help me with Herbology as I am not a fan of the said subject" Harry replied with a smile, only to receive a nod in agreement.
The teacher finally arrived in the class and all discussion ceased… "Good morning. My name is Stuart Ridge, and I welcome you all to the first year of the History of Magic class. Before we start, I would like to know all of your names…" Stuart said and he pointed at the boy sitting at the corner of the front desk. The boy stood up and introduced himself.
When the introductions were finally over, Stuart told everyone to open their History books so that he could start teaching them how MACUSA was formed… That was the first chapter in their curriculum and for the first time, instead of doing his own thing, Harry decided to pay attention to the class…