Douglas quickly steered the class back on course.
"Miss Granger, how's the text recitation coming along?"
Hermione stood up confidently.
"Professor, everyone's finished memorizing the second section, and two students have already started on the third. We've also completed our essays on the second section!"
Douglas nodded in approval. To him, the second-year textbook's coverage of Dark creatures was rather basic—hardly something that should take this long. But for students who'd never memorized a full text before, finding extra time to recite was already impressive. He couldn't expect too much.
"Excellent! At the moment, your progress ranks second among all four houses' second-year classes. Five points to Gryffindor! Keep up the good work!
And, in recognition of your outstanding performance last week, I've decided to let you begin learning and practicing Defence Against the Dark Arts spells ahead of schedule.
So, we won't be reciting the remaining texts in class. You can use your own time to memorize them… Miss Granger, any thoughts?"
Douglas noticed Hermione's hand shoot up and nodded for her to speak.
"Professor, I'm not against memorizing during our own time. It's just that our free time is getting tight—Professor Sprout told us this morning we need to memorize Herbology content as well.
Of course, I'm not questioning your decision, Professor. It's just… for everyone else, it might be a bit much."
Douglas saw the younger students looking at Hermione with open admiration.
Remarkable—he could see a budding leader in her, even if she was still a bit green.
After all, this requirement barely touched Hermione herself; she'd memorized the textbook before term even started. But as class rep, she still stood up to speak for everyone.
Still, Hermione had a point. There were seven core subjects, and if every professor set these kinds of demands, it wouldn't just be about time—it'd be about most students not knowing how to manage it. They'd end up not doing well in any subject.
Douglas decided to wait until the other professors noticed the problem, then he'd suggest a solution at the right moment.
He gestured for Hermione to sit down.
"No problem, just keep working at it. After class, I'll bring this up with the other professors. Take your time with the recitation—what matters is that you really understand and remember what you're learning. That way, when you're preparing for your O.W.L.s in fifth year, it'll be much easier.
Now, back to the main topic!
Today, we're going to learn about the Impediment Jinx mentioned in the second section of your textbook. Since everyone's memorized it…
Mr. Longbottom, could you tell us what the Impediment Jinx is?"
Neville Longbottom was so startled at being called on that he jumped up and knocked over his chair, sending the class into fits of laughter.
Blushing, Neville righted his chair.
He caught Hermione's encouraging glance and took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut.
"The Impediment Jinx is a spell that slows down the movement of whatever it's cast on. It's only temporary—lasts about ten seconds—and doesn't work on some magical creatures, like Doxies.
It typically just immobilizes a target, but it can also push or throw something, or just slow it down, or even make it float…"
When he finished, he opened his eyes to find Douglas beaming at him.
"Excellent! Really well done, Mr. Longbottom! Next time, try to keep your eyes open—be confident!
I've heard you get up before dawn to study every day. That's real dedication. Hard work makes up for a lack of talent! Twenty points to Gryffindor!"
The class erupted in thunderous applause—
Clap, clap, clap!
Hermione led the way, genuinely happy for Neville.
The other students joined in, looking at Neville with nothing but admiration.
No one begrudged him the points—everyone had seen how hard he worked.
Neville Longbottom felt so overjoyed he was nearly dizzy.
It was the first time he'd ever won so many points for Gryffindor in class.
Hard work makes up for a lack of talent!
Professor Holmes was right—he decided he'd carve those words on his bedpost as soon as he got back to the dormitory.
Douglas raised his hand for quiet, and everyone's attention returned to him.
"Next, let's learn the incantation and wand movement for the Impediment Jinx.
Everyone, repeat after me: 'Impedimenta!'
Remember to stress the right syllables…"
Strictly speaking, the Impediment Jinx wasn't part of the standard second-year curriculum.
Douglas had moved it up for some of his own plans—and because the textbook happened to mention it.
During practice, Douglas couldn't help but be impressed by Harry's knack for spellwork.
In less than fifteen minutes, Harry managed to produce a shaky but recognizable Impediment Jinx.
He'd always thought Harry's talent was limited to the Disarming Charm—but clearly, he had a gift for more than that.
Most students, however, struggled.
By the end of class, only Harry and Hermione could just about cast a full Impediment Jinx. The rest were still at the stage of making their wands spit sparks.
Checking the time, Douglas raised his voice to be heard over the enthusiasm of the practicing students.
"That's it for today's practice. I hope you'll all make time to keep practicing after class!
I'll speak to Professor McGonagall about getting you an empty classroom for spellwork during your free periods.
Absolutely no practicing in the corridors—someone could get hurt!
And a little heads-up:
Next lesson, we'll have a practical session. You'll need this spell.
So, work hard!
All right… class dismissed!"
With that, Douglas left the classroom, a stack of confiscated books floating behind him, followed by a chorus of disappointed sighs.
The students glanced back longingly, then reluctantly filed out.
It had been the most interesting Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson they'd ever had.
Last year, it was all listening to the stammering Professor Quirrell drone through the textbook.
This term's first week had been nothing but recitation.
But now, their hard work was paying off—memorizing the text really did come with rewards.
Just outside the classroom, Ron slapped his forehead in regret.
"We forgot to ask the Professor—if Gryffindor is second, who's first? If it's Slytherin, does that mean they're learning even more advanced spells than us? Hermione, does the third section mention any spells?"
Neville piped up, brimming with excitement,
"I know, I know! It's the Trip Jinx—that spell stops your enemy from getting close to you…"
Ron stared at him in disbelief.
"Neville, you've already memorized the third section?"
Neville scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
Hermione huffed,
"Hmph! Neville's nearly finished memorizing the whole third section. You and Harry haven't even looked at it!"
Harry, caught in the crossfire, protested helplessly,
"Hermione, you know our requirement is to write it all out from memory—not just recite it!"
Hermione sniffed. She'd wanted to say it served them right, but remembered Percy's advice—not to harp on other people's mistakes.
"The Trip Jinx is even harder than the Impediment Jinx…
If Slytherin really is in first place…
Never mind, I'll go ask the Professor tonight.
Then, we'll hold a second-year meeting in the common room.
We'll tell everyone: before we start learning the next new spell, Gryffindor must be in first place. That way, we'll always be the first to learn the best spells."
Just then, Ron noticed a group of third-year Hufflepuffs walking by.
He nudged Harry with his elbow.
Harry caught Ron's look, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.
Hermione noticed their little exchange, glanced at the books in the Hufflepuffs' hands, pursed her lips, but said nothing.
She turned to Neville and started discussing memorization tips.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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