The day after the opening ceremony.
Classes start right away.
For the sixth-year students like Leo, classes begin for the N.E.W.T. exams, also known as the Niffler exams.
Passing last year's O.W.L. exam is a prerequisite for these classes.
Therefore, inevitably, the number of students who can take the class decreases, so most of the classes are held jointly for all houses.
Due to the enhancement by Leonard Taylor, the students' academic abilities have increased, so there are more students than usual, but it still doesn't change the fact that the classes are held jointly.
The Transfiguration class by McGonagall, which is strict but surely improves one's skills.
Herbology by Sprout, which has many practical lessons and explains points to note in an easy-to-understand manner.
Divination, which is still incomprehensible.
Care of Magical Creatures, where you can learn a wide range of things from beautiful to rare creatures.
Other regular classes such as Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, etc. are waiting for the students.
However, this year, there are three classes with new teachers.
Potions taught by Horace Slughorn.
Severus Snape, whose long-standing wish has finally come true, will now be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.
And Charms by Leonard Taylor.
Among these, the students are not worried about Potions and Charms.
Until last year, Potions was a class that was like a condensed version of Snape's irrationality.
It was terrible for students like Neville, who were afraid of Snape and not good at it, and students like Harry, who were targeted by Snape. That's why it was unimaginable that it could get worse than Snape by changing to Slughorn.
Charms had been taught by Filius Flitwick for a long time, and unlike Snape, the class was interesting and there were no students who were dissatisfied. However, the majority of students are excited about how the class will transform when Leonard Taylor teaches it.
On the other hand, there was absolutely no expectation for Defense Against the Dark Arts before it started.
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
As the name suggests, this is a subject where you learn how to protect yourself from dark magic.
Because it opposes dark magic, it has been said to be a cursed subject for a long time, and many teachers have had to change.
Quirinus Quirrell, who was parasitized by the Dark Lord.
Gilderoy Lockhart, a useless fraud who stole the achievements of others.
Remus Lupin, who was freed from being a werewolf.
Leonard Taylor, who reached the realm of non-human beings that governs all magic.
And from this year, Severus Snape, a former Death Eater who knows a lot about dark magic.
Many students came to like this class because of Leonard Taylor's popular classes last year. In the magical world where the threat of darkness is becoming more and more real, it is a class that needs to be particularly strengthened.
But why did it change to Snape? Can Snape teach non-Slytherin students properly? Can we gain proper power?
The students were questioning Dumbledore's judgment.
Regardless of the various thoughts of the students, the class was about to begin.
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First, the class of Potions.
When Leo and Hermione entered the classroom, Slughorn was already waiting for the students.
He warmly welcomed Leo, Hermione, Harry Potter, and others.
"Now, let's start the class. Prepare a full set of tools and textbooks."
"Professor, we don't have textbooks. We didn't think we could take the N.E.W.T class..."
Harry speaks honestly. Ron next to him is also nodding. There seem to be several students other than Slytherin who are like that.
"Ah, that's right. I heard from Professor McGonagall. Don't worry, Harry."
Snape had clearly said that he would not teach students other than "excellent".
However, with the change of charge, other students can also take classes if they wish. Slughorn had prepared rental tools and textbooks considering that.
"Now, let's look at these."
Several pots and flasks are lined up in front of Slughorn.
There are various liquids such as clear color like water, pure black, colorless and transparent, light pink, milky white with viscosity, and gold.
"Everything here is a powerful potion. If you clear the N.E.W.T exam, you will be able to make such potions. Now, does anyone know what these are? Ah, of course, except for Leo."
Slughorn asks the other students for answers, assuming that Leo can answer.
The only one who raised her hand was Hermione.
"The clear liquid like water is the potion of the living corpse, a powerful sleeping potion.
The black mud-like substance is Polyjuice Potion, which allows you to transform into others.
But this is not fully refined and is in the middle stage.
The colorless and transparent liquid is Veritaserum, the best confession agent.
The light pink is the love potion, a love potion. Judging from the color, the effect is quite weak.
The viscous milky white is the happiness potion, which makes you feel happy and can prevent the influence of Dementors.
Finally, the golden liquid, Felix Felicis. Also known as the liquid of luck. This is the most complicated potion among these."
"Wonderful! I didn't expect a student to answer everything! I'm amazed! It's worth being Leo's girlfriend. Let's give 20 points to Gryffindor."
Slughorn was completely in a good mood due to Hermione's ability beyond expectation.
"These are as Miss Granger explained. Those who want to know more, who want to master potions, I will invite you to a club I host in due course. Now, let's choose one of these potions as a reward for today's class. Of course, there is no choice other than Felix Felicis."
The students in the classroom, except for Leo and Hermione, had their eyes shining.
Everyone wants luck. The students are concentrating so as not to miss a word of Slughorn's words.
"Now, let's open page 10 of Advanced Potion Making and read the section on 'Potion of the Living Corpse'. The person who finishes this potion most perfectly in the remaining time will be given this liquid of luck! Start!"
The students all started making potions at once.
When it comes to N.E.W.T exams, the difficulty of potions also increases significantly.
Most of the students are struggling, and the work is not progressing as they thought.
However, if you carefully and surely make it according to the textbook, you will be able to complete it properly.
There was a major revision to the "Advanced Potion Making" that the current students are using.
As a result of joint research by Leo and Slughorn a few years ago, many potions, especially those with high difficulty, have undergone innovative ways of making them.
Therefore, the current textbook does not have as difficult tasks as before. But the difficulty is still high.
(Well, well... Hmm, hmm. This one is doing well. Ah, that one is no good. How about Harry? Ho-ho! He's doing well with an old textbook. Did he come up with his own ideas? He's definitely inherited his mother's talent.)
Slughorn evaluates the students' pots. He doesn't forget to give advice and warnings from time to time.
And finally, he came to Leo and Hermione.
Hermione had already finished her potion.
"Excellent! I can't believe you finished it in such a short time! You are undoubtedly today's winner, Miss Granger!"
For Hermione, who is researching with Leo every day, even the information in the textbook is now past information.
Slughorn, in the best of spirits with Hermione's achievement, looked at the pot next to Leo.
He thought something wonderful must have been completed, but contrary to his expectations, the pot was empty.
Instead, he seemed to be using some kind of magic on each ingredient.
"Oh? Leo, are you saying that you don't need to make such a potion anymore?"
"No, I have a little magic research going on, so I thought I'd try making it with that."
Leo applies magic to the last ingredient. Slughorn also stares at it intently.
"Exmiscent extraction and compounding."
The ingredients of the potion float up, and only the necessary components are extracted and mixed in the air.
Then, the finished product enters a bottle and the potion is completed in no time.
"Hmm... It's done for now, but it's still not enough. There's room for improvement."
"What was that just now? Did you make a potion with just magic?"
"It's still incomplete, so I'll tell you when it's finished."
"I see, I'm looking forward to it!"
After that, students who completed the potion one after another appeared, but the completion level was overwhelmingly higher for Hermione. Felix Felicis was to be obtained by Hermione, but it was needless to say that it was more enjoyable than Snape's class last year.
Next is Defense Against the Dark Arts
Snape was in a good mood in front of the students. He was just happy to be able to teach defense arts, which he had longed for.
"Dark magic, there is nothing more powerful and terrifying. Death, crucifixion, obedience, not to mention the fire of evil spirits and many other things. It's like a devil that is versatile and cunning. Our mission is to give you the means to protect yourself from such things."
Snape's speech continued for about five minutes after that. He must have had a lot to say about dark magic. The fact that dark magic is a threat is conveyed, but there are also many parts where he is praising it.
"Well, you guys here must be very excellent. After all, you have the qualifications to take the N.E.W.T. exam. It should be easy for you guys, but what we're going to learn from now on is silent spells."
It was also covered in Leo's class last year, but only a few advanced students were successful.
After a series of explanations, each student desperately tries to activate a silent spell.
Only a handful, including Leo and Hermione, were successful.
"I am very disappointed. I can't believe there are only few people who can do this. Those who did not succeed will submit a two-page parchment report on silent spells by next time."
After all, Snape was Snape, even if he changed from Potions.
This time too, it was the familiar sight of deducting points from Gryffindor and adding points to Slytherin.
The final Spell Studies class.
The students were most looking forward to this class from this year.
What kind of magic will Leonard Taylor teach? Is it something they've never seen before?
Is he going to do something again? They were thinking about various things.
Leo begins to speak, receiving the gaze of everyone in the classroom.
"First of all, I have a question for you all. What do you want to learn?"
There was a brief pause at the sudden question, but some people answered.
"Please teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts here too!"
"Something useful!"
"I'd like something that helps!"
"Hmm... To tell the truth, I was asked by Headmaster Dumbledore to teach magic that is useful for protecting oneself from a different perspective than Defense Against the Dark Arts, considering the current situation of the magical world. Since this also meets your requests, let's proceed with the class in that direction. For now, let's learn about these."
Leo writes a list to learn on the blackboard.
・Communication magic... Initial: Individual, Final Goal: Wide Range Multiple People Simultaneously
・Search magic... Initial: A few meters square, Final Goal: Entire Hogwarts, able to distinguish between friend and foe
・Healing magic... Initial: Healing simple wounds, Final Goal: Healing fractures, severe burns, organ damage level
・Body strengthening magic... Initial: Simple strengthening, Final Goal: Body function + sensory enhancement, delicate control
・Magic power operation... Only those who are suitable are instructed
・Blinding technique... Must be learned
・Invisibility, Visibility... Must be learned, early learners are allowed to use in Hogwarts and enhance activation speed
・Flight magic... After learning body strengthening magic to some extent
・Open heart surgery, closed heart surgery... Must be learned
"That's about it. These are magics that should be useful in both everyday and non-everyday situations, so it should be no loss to remember them. Today, I will practice what kind of magic these are. After that, we will decide the order of learning based on each person's aptitude. Also, as homework, please create a report on any one of these."
The magic that Leo chose is not just magic that attacks or defends the opponent.
However, knowing this and not knowing it would make a big difference in the choices of action.
By the way, Hermione has already learned all of them.
The students are quite motivated due to the backlash of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
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The first day of classes ended and Leo and Hermione returned to their own room.
"Good work. I look forward to working with you this year, Professor Leo."
"Good work to you too, Hermione. How were the classes this year?"
"Everything was good except for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Snape could be a good teacher if he changed his teaching style a bit.
Professor Slughorn was indeed good at teaching. And of course, Leo, you're the best."
"Thank you. By the way, what are you going to do with Felix Felicis?"
"Hmm... I don't plan to use it for now."
"Why is that?
"Because... I'm with Leo. Whether it's in class, during meals, or relaxing in the lab, I'm always with you. That alone makes me happy. If I drink the liquid of luck, I might be too happy and something might happen, right?"
"I feel the same way. I'm happy when I'm researching magic, but the time I spend with you is irreplaceable."
They enjoyed their time together for a while longer.
And so, their sixth year of life at Hogwarts began.
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Slughorn's Potions
I think he's a good teacher who can motivate students with treats and provide solid guidance.
Through Leo and Slughorn's collaborative research, the difficulty of high-level potions has been reduced.
In the original, the Polyjuice Potion was in the middle of being refined, with a part of the body placed in something resembling dark mud. However, Leo has improved it by refining the mud, solving the taste issue.
The textbooks Slughorn lent out have also been revised.
However, the one he lent to Harry is still the original, just like in the original book, The Half-Blood Prince.
This is because Slughorn wanted to see how far Harry could go with the previous textbook.
As a result, due to the Half-Blood Prince's instructions, Harry was able to make potions, leading to the misconception that he inherited Lily's talent. For reference, Leo's and Slughorn's revisions are better than the Prince's instructions.
Snape's Defense Against the Dark Arts
Not much different from the original. However, Snape was secretly amazed at the students' skill levels.
Leo's Spellbook
It became necessary to teach useful spells other than just offense and defense. Leo's original spells are also included.
Considering the current emergency situation, there is also a defensive aspect to it. Even without the need for defense, it would have been valuable to teach these spells.
So, stay tuned for the next chapter.
Valentine's Day was just the other day, right?
I received a lot of chocolates too. (I didn't say it was in reality, though.)