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Starting in third year at Hogwarts, aside from the seven original subjects students had to study — Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, and Herbology — they also had to choose several additional subjects to study.
At least two.
Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Muggle Studies, and Ancient Runes.
Besides those courses, there was also a very special subject that only sixth and seventh-year students who met the requirements could take.
That course was called Alchemy.
The famous alchemist Nicolas Flamel, who had created the Philosopher's Stone, was one of the best in that field.
Hermione wanted to choose every elective.
The problem was that several of the courses conflicted with one another.
Yet after Hermione asked Professor McGonagall, the reply she received was that she could choose every subject.
That was exactly why she was struggling.
So she decided to ask Dudley.
'Ask Hermione about small things, ask Dudley when you cannot decide.'
That was practically the consensus of the entire disciplinary group.
"Hermione, first of all, wanting to learn more is definitely a good thing."
Dudley began by affirming Hermione's choice and expressing his support.
Dursley's little lesson: never start by telling a girl she is wrong. Otherwise, even if you are right, the best possible outcome is hearing, "So this is how you talk to me?" or "Why are you being mean to me?"
"But you need to know that a person only has so much time and energy. These subjects will take up a great deal of your time. As a wise person once said, 'Don't bite off more than you can chew.' Ahem. Or rather, 'Being passable at a hundred things is not as useful as being excellent at one.'"
"Rather than learning everything and being mediocre at all of it, I think you can give up a few unnecessary subjects."
Dudley's fingertip passed over Arithmancy, Divination, and Muggle Studies on the timetable.
"Can you tell me why you chose these three subjects? Especially Muggle Studies. Do you think you need to study that?"
Hermione answered, "Don't you think it would be interesting to look at Muggles from another perspective?"
"If it is only because it sounds interesting, then this course is not necessary. Your time is very valuable."
In truth, when Muggle Studies had first been established, it had carried real meaning. It existed for the benefit of wizardkind as a whole: to study Muggle technology and analyze the possible threat Muggles posed to wizards.
But as time passed, arrogant wizards gradually forgot why the subject existed. Their view of Muggles became colored by subjective prejudice.
Under those conditions, what could Muggle Studies actually study?
Just as Hermione had said, it became interesting.
"Then there is Arithmancy. It is not that I am biased against it, but its practical value is not even as good as Divination."
It used extremely complicated mathematical formulas to perform divination, while the information it produced was often not very accurate.
It would be better to use tarot cards. At least those involved some psychology.
As for Divination itself...
"Honestly, I don't really believe in prophecy or divination. Things like that are too vague. My view is: if you believe in it, it works; if you don't, it doesn't."
Dudley commented on those three subjects one by one.
Then he tapped Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures.
"These are the truly practical ones."
"If you are willing to listen to me, choose only these two."
Dudley had only chosen those two subjects himself. The other courses held no meaning for him except earning credits, and he did not need that many credits.
Things like Time-Turners sounded impressive, but in reality, their drawbacks were considerable.
After listening to Dudley, Hermione fell silent and thought it over.
Dudley made sense, but...
"If you still cannot make up your mind, you can apply to sit in on a few classes first and decide afterward."
"But there is one point I need to make clear in advance. You cannot let these extra subjects delay your improvement in Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions."
Hermione's greatest talent was in Charms first, followed by Transfiguration and Potions.
Dudley's suggestion was good, and Hermione accepted it happily.
Since she could not decide immediately, she would sit in on a few classes first. If they truly did not suit her, then she would simply not take them. After all, students were only required to take two electives.
By then, Harry and the others had finished buying their things and found them.
The group discussed the subjects Hermione had chosen, then each reported the electives they had selected.
Neville, Harry, and Malfoy had all chosen Care of Magical Creatures.
But there was a difference on the second subject. Harry and Malfoy both chose Divination, while Neville chose Ancient Runes, the same as Dudley.
Through the Floo Network, the group returned smoothly to the castle.
Then they took the things they had bought out of their bags one by one. The Undetectable Extension Charm truly was a miracle that benefited civilization. Without it, they would probably have had to carry everything home in armfuls and bundles.
That night, Dudley had the tamed Cornish pixies call the two old wizards to the study.
"Hocus, Pocus."
Dudley looked at the two old wizards and asked softly, "Do you know the Patronus Charm?"
The Patronus Charm was one of the most famous defensive spells, and also one of the strongest and oldest spells.
It was best known for defending against Dementors and certain Dark creatures, making it an important spell in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
The two looked at each other and said in unison, "We do."
This spell was quite difficult. Most Aurors did not know it.
Mm. Aurors not knowing it was normal.
But for wandering wizards like these two old men, who had traveled everywhere, this spell was a required part of survival. The situations they had encountered were far more varied than most people could imagine.
"Very good." Dudley nodded in satisfaction. "Then in the few days before school begins, teach us this spell."
"As you wish."
Over the next few days, Dudley and the others focused on learning that spell.
It was not exactly difficult, but it was not exactly easy either.
It only required two things: concentration and focusing on one's happiest memory.
Time passed quickly. At last, the day for Hogwarts to begin again arrived.
King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Young witches and wizards gathered on the platform and boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Inside the compartment, they saw Ron, who had disappeared for the entire holiday.
Ron was dressed with unmistakable foreign flair.
Mm. Egyptian flair.
It was not merely strange. It was spectacularly strange.
Ron spoke animatedly about what he had seen and heard in Egypt. It was clear that he had enjoyed his holiday very much.
Hopefully, he had not wasted his holiday time. Otherwise, catching up would be painful.
Malfoy was not with Dudley and the others at the moment. He had gone to the other side of the train to reconnect with Goyle, Crabbe, and the rest.
So the compartment currently held Dudley, Hermione, Neville, Harry, and Ron.
Good times never lasted long. Before Ron could speak for long, he saw a round, plump ginger cat leap onto the table and fix a pair of vertical pupils on the rat in Ron's hand.
Scabbers.
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