He gave that moment before he said, "I've learned that your previous so-called teacher in this subject was an escaped marked Death Eater. I've also learned he taught you the Unforgivables. If I ever see any of you casting one, let alone on another person, I will personally put you down. The Imperious curse is the only one I will not immediately start with lethal curses.
"For the first couple of weeks we're going to revise what you should have been taught in this subject by this stage in your education. If you are as poorly instructed as your fellow students in the other classes I have already begun this upon, I will not be surprised. But, I warn you, it means you're going to be pushed hard just to get your skills up to average."
The class then went straight into revision. And both Harry and Hermione were relieved they'd spent the day at Pottermore a couple days earlier doing precisely this.
At the end of the class, though, it was clear just how behind they were compared to schools overseas. The Professor was right. They were lagging well behind.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Because the meeting with Ron occurred immediately before lunch, they didn't have the meeting for immediately after class. So, the two decided to return to their apartment.
On the walk back, Harry remembered he still hadn't spoken with Professor Babbling about changing electives from Divination to Ancient Runes, so reminded Hermione of it.
She gave a small start of shock, stopped, turned to him and said, "Come on. Let's go see her now." And started to head back the other way.
Harry would have preferred to go back to the apartment first, just to drop off their satchels if nothing else, but knew when his betrothed was in this determined mood it was often just easier to go along. So, he did.
He had no idea where the classroom was and had to rely on Hermione to lead him there.
She turned into a corridor he couldn't remember walking along before and, partway along, stopped before a classroom door.
She gave a quick rap of her knuckles on it and immediately opened it.
Following her in, he was pleased to see the Professor was inside and at her desk.
She looked up from whatever she was working on and saw them. "Miss Granger... and Mis- Lord Potter. What can I do for the two of you?"
Hermione wheeled about and said, "Harry?"
Giving her a nod back he stepped up alongside her and said to the Professor, "I ask for and would like the opportunity to test for entrance into the Fourth Year Ancient Runes class in place of Divination.
Surprised at the request, she put her quill down and sat back.
"Hmm..." she said. "If I remember correctly, you were considered an average student. However, we're all now fully aware that was nought but a smokescreen you erected to hide your true self. Plus, I believe you informed the Headmistress you would be wanting to sit the Third Year end-of-year examination for the subject, once you returned.
"Have you been studying the subject in your own time, Lord Potter?"
With a nod, he replied, "I have."
She pulled out a schedule and ran her finger down it. Looking up she said, "I have a free period immediately following the single Fourth Year class tomorrow for Fourth Period. That's the one immediately before lunch.
"How about you attend that class, then hold back to sit the exam?"
He smiled and replied, "That would be wonderful, Professor. Thank you."
"Then, I shall see you both then," she declared.
As the 'interview' was clearly over, Hermione wheeled about and led them both back out of the classroom.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Finally back in their apartment, Hermione dropped her satchel on the coffee table and headed direct for the office. Harry dropped his own satchel on the coffee table right next to hers and sat on the sofa with a relieved sigh. His talks with both Ron and the Lions' chasers, on top of the classes, had been mentally exhausting.
When Hermione returned, she was carrying a small stack of books. Harry was only surprised with how short the stack actually was.
She handed him the Third Year Ancient Runes text and said, "We need to cram as much of that into your head as we can between now and tomorrow after morning tea."
"Hermione," he sighed. "I told you, I've been studying the subject for quite a while."
"Yes, but you haven't experienced the subject from the point-of-view of the classroom environment. On top of that, you didn't have access to any of the notes taken during the class. And, further, you didn't have access to the notes and such of the short period of first term this year.
"I want to revise with you and make sure you study the right subject areas for the exam tomorrow."
"Fiiiiine!" he sighed, sitting back up and accepting the book off her.
With the intensity Hermione was displaying, they had a late night ahead of them.
An hour and half later, Harry wrote a note to Neville informing him he and Hermione would be having a 'Dobby' dinner in their apartment while they reviewed for Harry's exam the next day. And then asked Dobby to deliver it.
It was a long night, too. They didn't get to bed until after eleven.
.
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