Honestly I had to admit that having a split mind was kinda broken for classes like this. Even as I read through the book taking in all the little nuggets of information it's previous owner left behind my constantly outstretched Haki let me also keep an eye on Binns and his "teaching". Despite only having the skill for a few days at most I could already feel my [Multitasking] skill on the verge of leveling up. This was no surprise really as I had one of my split off minds always using observation haki on my surroundings, even while I slept.-
That was a unique aspect of this skill that I found incredibly useful, only one of my minds needed to sleep for the others to get the benefit. Once I had the third thought stream I would be able to effectively work twenty four hours a day. Anyways the class ended and I calmly packed away my book and the notes I had written down while studying it. Terry and Mike joined me as we headed for the great hall to eat lunch but to my surprise we were stopped in the hallway.-
"Can I see your notes?" one Hermione Granger asked awkwardly as she stood in our way.
"I don't have any notes on that class on me at the moment." I said honestly.
"Not your history notes, the potions notes I saw you taking during class." she clarified.
I frowned at this "Have you completed this years textbook?" I asked seriously.
"I finished memorizing it yesterday. I overheard you earlier that you were studying next years book and thought your notes would help me advance my understanding of the subject further." she said with a tinge of pride at having memorized the first year textbook.
I didn't give her my notes but tore off a piece of parchment before scribbling the titles of the two potions books I read in the hospital wing.
"I suggest these two titles instead. They are supplementary volumes that are still at the first year level but offer deeper insight to how and why potions work the way they do. I read them while in the hospital wing." I said as I gave it to her.
"Thank you, it's not perfect but it's something." she said crisply as she took the piece of parchment and hurried off.
"How advanced ARE you anyways?" Terry asked curiously.
I turned thoughtful at that as I tried to gauge roughly where I stood.
"In theory I should sit comfortably somewhere around mid second year as far as potions go. It varies greatly in the other subjects." I said after a minute of thought.
"What do you mean in theory?" Mike asked confused.
"It means I can't actually say for certain without an expert opinion and practical experience. " I said with a shrug.
"Makes sense." Terry said with a nod.
"Why'd you help her? She's Gryffindor." Mike said disapprovingly.
"You have a bit of a misunderstanding about what the purpose of the houses are. It's not to isolate each of them from the others but to create competition, rivalry. That's why house points are the way they are. You aren't supposed to treat the other houses like enemies but rivals to constantly try and keep an academic edge over. Isn't that right Professor?" I said turning to look at Flitwick who had once again came up behind us.
"Noticed me did you? What gave me away?" the small professor asked curiously with a smile.
"I improved my technique, call it inspiration from those birds." I said with a grin.
"Simply wonderful! I do love a good challenge. But to answer your previous question you are correct. The houses and point system were originally designed to promote academic competition between students. Unfortunately most tend to take the competition too far ending up with house isolation policies like Mr. Corner showed just now." He said with a helpless sigh.
"Why not just say that then?" Terry asked confused.
"Because it's too engrained at this point." I said calmly and Flitwick nodded.
"Quite so. The very idea that the houses aren't suppose to interact while here at Hogwarts is unfortunately deeply habitual now. Most don't even realize they are doing it as they almost do it on instinct. First years students like you all tend to be less rigid about it but by the second year it's almost impossible to correct. There have been attempts of course but with the younger students using the older ones as guides on what to do it never panned out." he said seriously.
"Then why not take down the house point system then? Mike asked with a frown.
"Because tradition is a nasty thing sometimes and it's used to keep students in line more than anything now. Earning points is felt as a reward but losing them? That'll get you peer pressured by your house into not doing whatever you did to lose them again. Well in most cases at least." I said with a chuckle.
"Best keep that sort of thinking to yourself my boy. You may not be wrong but it'd cause no end of trouble if it got out." Flitwick said firmly.
"I get it. Nobody likes being told everything they believe true is just a manipulation to keep them compliant." I said with a nod.
He winced at that "A harsh light to frame it in. It's about keeping order is all." he said sternly.
"That's not a debate I think you want to have so I think it best we leave that where it lies. Now then, about why I helped Hermione. It's because so far she's the only one who might keep up to a degree." I said with a grin.
"Oi! What about us?" Terry demanded with mock offense.
"Please, you two might not be slouches but neither of you actively devour as much knowledge as me or her. It's a matter of disposition is all. You both prefer relaxing whereas we prefer the grind." I said proudly.