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"Now, I'm sending down the project list for this academic year. You can sign your name next to the topic you're interested in. Each project can't exceed three people, and if you want to do it alone, that's fine too."
After finishing his lecture, Tom took out a piece of parchment with a table drawn on it, containing various topics, and handed it to the student in the first row.
"These are some topics I found. If you have original ideas you're interested in, you can write them at the end." Tom gestured for the students to choose their topics, then sat down behind the podium and started reading a book.
He had been teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for over a week, and he was getting more skilled at slacking off or utilizing his time better. Today, he let the students choose their topics, and after the groups were formed, they could discuss them on their own. The whole class went by this way, and the students could learn something and make new friends in the process.
Tom's grouping method was clever. Students could choose topics they liked, and it wasn't necessary to team up with familiar classmates. Moreover, this method effectively addressed the issue of socially anxious students finding partners.
Many times, the most troublesome part of a group assignment was the initial phase of forming groups at the beginning of the semester. You had to add classmates on Facebook one by one according to the list on the school's official website, then ask them if they wanted to be in a group—this process was agonizing and painful. Sometimes, if your teammates weren't reliable, it was better to work alone.
The young wizards seemed curious about this novel way of cooperation. They craned their necks, trying hard to see what was written on the parchment—a futile effort.
After a while, the parchment reached Harry's hands. He glanced at the topics: "Werewolf Habits and Prevention," "Survey of Magical Creatures in the British Wizarding World," "Dark Creatures in the Forbidden Forest," "Dementors," and more.
Some topics were already filled up, like the one about Dark Creatures in the Forbidden Forest.
"Professor, may we choose the same topic again?" Harry raised his hand and asked. He really wanted to choose the Forbidden Forest topic. Who else knew more about the creatures in the Forbidden Forest than Hagrid? If he chose that topic, it would be much easier.
Tom thought for a moment and nodded, "Not recommended, but not prohibited either."
Harry thought for a moment and chose the Forbidden Forest topic with Ron and Neville.
After about twenty minutes, everyone had chosen their preferred topics and handed the parchment back. Tom glanced at it and found that Hermione had filled in an original topic: "Inheritance of Magical Abilities in Transfigured Boggarts." Hermione was the only one who chose this topic.
"Alright, I'll put the list here. Discuss among yourselves, think about how to write about this topic. I'll come over to listen to your conclusions in fifteen minutes." Tom put the list on the podium, watching as the students gathered around to check their group members.
Next was the students' discussions in small groups.
"What made you choose this topic?" Tom walked to Hermione's desk.
"Because there are readily available materials," Hermione looked at Tom and smiled. Tom shrugged. He was indeed curious, could Transfigured Boggarts inherit magical abilities?
Afterward, Tom listened to each group's ideas one by one, and it was soon time for the class to end. Some students had good ideas, but some were a bit far-fetched. Tom could only suggest that they look up more information.
"For this class, I still need a teaching assistant for various tasks, helping me with class and so on. If anyone is interested, you can come and find me or send me an owl. Alright, class dismissed!"
At noon, after Tom had finished his lunch and was working at his desk, the door to his office was knocked. Hermione walked in.
Tom gestured for Hermione to close the door, then changed back to his own appearance. He still wasn't used to chatting with Hermione in the image of Lockhart.
"What brings you here all of a sudden?"
"With my abilities, can I be your teaching assistant?" Hermione asked.
"I look at your abilities and, hmm, go back!" Tom casually threw a reader's letter from the desk into a basket on the floor, smiling as he responded.
Hermione: ?
"I'll give you a chance. Think about it again."
"No need to think..." Tom felt that he vaguely saw a wand under Hermione's robe, so he didn't dare to tease her any further. "...you're definitely my assistant! Is there any need to ask?"
Hermione: ?
"Good choice!"
Tom took out a small plate of candy from the drawer, "Want some candy?"
"Sure," Hermione sat across from Tom.
Tom tapped a chocolate piece shaped like a tiny wine bottle with his wand, and the chocolate floated into Hermione's hand.
"Got it from Professor Slughorn, the Honey Duke's Duke's Wine Heart Chocolate. They say if you eat it—"
A burst of flames spewed from Hermione's mouth, but although it was fire, there was no heat.
"—you'll breathe fire," Tom finished.
Hermione seemed to find the candy interesting, so she took a few more to play with.
"We can go to Hogsmeade in the third year, but it seems like we need a guardian's signature." Tom recalled Hogwarts' policy and realized that he didn't have a guardian.
"My dad should be able to help you with the signature," Hermione swallowed the chocolate in her mouth, and her lips and teeth still carried the mixed fragrance of alcohol and chocolate.
Tom thought for a moment and nodded. Hogwarts probably wouldn't leave such a loophole as "I'm my own guardian," so he agreed. If necessary, he could ask Mr. Granger to sign it.
"Want to play cards or chess?" Tom gathered the drafts on the table, planning to make some space.
"What are you busy with?" Hermione was curious. She remembered that Tom seemed to be working when she came in.
"Lohart's books have too much nonsense and exaggerated rhetoric—like the part in 'Traveling with Ghoul' about catching a ghoul with a tea strainer. I don't quite believe it. I need to remove some things so you all can save some time."
Hermione seemed full of interest in this work. She asked eagerly, "Which book are you revising? I can help you revise."
"That's great!" Tom took out a few of Lockhart's books. "Three left: 'Breaking Up with Banshee,' 'Vacationing with Vetala,' and 'Traveling with Ghoul.'"
Hermione willingly took over the editing of 'Banshee' and 'Vetala.' She had read these books and was familiar with them.
"That's great!" Tom was relieved. He felt that Hermione's help would make the work progress much faster.
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