Chapter 297: An Irresistible Course Selection Arrangement
"It's not 'fine' just because you say it is." Professor McGonagall's attitude was particularly firm. "Madam Pomfrey has more say than you do."
Just then, a knock sounded, and Madam Pomfrey walked in.
"You again, Harry Potter." Madam Pomfrey shook her head, exasperated. "What dangerous thing have you done now?"
"It was a Dementor," Professor McGonagall said.
Madam Pomfrey's expression turned serious. She walked over to Harry and touched his forehead.
"Cold and clammy. The Principal really shouldn't let them into Hogwarts. It's not good for fragile people."
Harry froze for a moment, then immediately said, "I'm not fragile."
"Of course you're not fragile," Madam Pomfrey said distractedly, then felt his pulse. "Lucky for you, the Dementor didn't cause you much harm."
"Professor Lupin cast a Patronus Charm in time and drove the Dementor away," Hermione said.
"Is that so? It seems this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor is quite reliable." Madam Pomfreyseemed a little excited. Compared to Gilderoy Lockhart, who was all talk, this new Professor was definitely more trustworthy.
"Professor McGonagall, Harry Potter is fine. Just eat more chocolate."
"I already did," Harry quickly said. "Aaron gave it to me."
"Gaius knows a lot." Madam Pomfrey gave Aaron an approving smile. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going. Otherwise, I'll miss the feast."
"Wait, Poppy, take Harry out with you."
"What about us?" Aaron asked.
"I have something else to discuss with you two—your timetables." Professor McGonagall hinted meaningfully. "You won't miss the feast."
After Harry and Madam Pomfrey left the office, Professor McGonagall looked at the two of them with a weary expression.
"Gaius, Granger, I know you are good students more than anyone, but you can't be so reckless!
Five elective classes, some of which are at the same time, and you've signed up for all of them. Can you duplicate yourselves?"
Aaron: Yes, I can duplicate myself.
Hermione felt a little guilty, but she still didn't intend to change her original idea. "Professor, you know me. I'm really interested in those classes and don't want to miss them."
"You won't say that when you're overwhelmed by the heavy workload," Professor McGonagall said, but seeing her stubborn gaze, she couldn't help but sigh.
She took out a golden necklace from her drawer. In the center of the necklace was a small hourglass.
"A Time-Turner. One turn can take you back one hour into the past. You can use this item to complete your elective classes."
Hermione's eyes widened at her words, and her face showed intense joy.
"Professor, is this for me?"
"It's on loan to you," Professor McGonagall emphasized. "I applied to the Ministry of Magic for a long time before it was approved, because you are a model student."
"Thank you very much, Professor," Hermione said excitedly.
"Don't thank me too soon. You must promise me that you won't use it for anything other than your studies."
"I promise, Professor."
Professor McGonagall didn't immediately hand her the Time-Turner but sternly warned her, "There are also some precautions you must understand.
First, time is mysterious and unpredictable. Whether you are going to the past or the future, you can only adjust the time within five hours. Once you exceed five hours, it will cause you great harm, and this item may also malfunction.
Secondly, traversing time must absolutely not be discovered by others, especially you must not meet your past or future self. No one knows the consequences if a time loop is created.
Lastly, this item does not reduce fatigue, which means your study load will not change at all."
"I understand," Hermione said seriously, carefully hanging the Time-Turner around her neck.
"Professor McGonagall, do you mean for the two of us to use the Time-Turner for elective classes?" Aaron frowned slightly. This was very different from his original plan.
The Time-Turner could ensure he wouldn't miss any classes, but there were too many limiting factors. He would have to be extremely careful if he used it.
A thought form was different. The clone shared the workload. Although he might not be able to manage three classes at once, he was confident he could catch up.
Moreover, there were no worries, and he wouldn't feel particularly fatigued.
"That depends on what you choose," Professor McGonagallsaid meaningfully, then took out a thick envelope from under the table.
"This is?"
"Your butler sent it to me," Professor McGonagall praised. "I must admit, Mr. Gines's research on timetables is professional. He has added all the elective classes on top of the compulsory classes and created a brand new timetable for you.
You can study five elective classes to the maximum extent, and anything you miss can be made up on Sunday."
Aaron's mouth twitched violently, and several clear black lines appeared on his forehead.
Holy crab!
Gines was too meddlesome!
At home, you liked to arrange my timetable, but I didn't expect to still be unable to avoid it at school.
"Professor, this is not appropriate, truly not appropriate." Aaron refused with an awkward laugh. "I can't waste the teachers' time just for me. My conscience wouldn't allow it!"
"I knew you'd say that." Professor McGonagall shook her head with a smile. "Mr. Gines also considered this. He funded one thousand Galleons as overtime pay for the Professors. On average, each person will receive two hundred Galleons, which is more than a month's salary.
Moreover, he also provided each Professor with the latest textbooks, and each Professor will receive a hundred Galleons bonus at the end of your third Class."
Hearing this, Aaron blinked blankly, completely stunned.
What the heck, he could even play like this.
"This arrangement is flawless, but I don't agree," Aaron said, somewhat exasperated. "My time is mine to manage. It's not his place to interfere."
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall shrugged, then took a box from under the table. When opened, it revealed an exquisite silver watch.
"An advanced Time-Turner, specially prepared for you by Mr. Gines.
Its effect is the same as the one I just gave Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall looked at the watch in the box and exclaimed, "Honestly, I was startled when I saw it. I've never seen such an understated, luxurious, and meaningful magicitem."
Pfft!
Aaron felt as if his heart had been pierced.
No wonder Vico and the others were so relieved to leave him in Gines's care. The preparations were a bit too comprehensive.
"Ahem! Unless absolutely necessary, I don't want to travel through time."
Professor McGonagall paused, "Are you sure?"
"I'm very sure."
"Alright!" Professor McGonagall sighed. "Mr. Gines also left you a third option."
"No need to say more. His arrangement is undoubtedly flawless, but these are my classes, and I don't want him to interfere," Aaron said directly.
"No, this is different," Professor McGonagall said with a smile. "He specifically spoke with Dumbledore and obtained permission for you to arrange your classes freely.
In other words, if two or three classes start at the same time, you can choose any one of them, and the other two teachers will not count you as skipping Class."
Aaron:...Good heavens, this one really can't be refused!
Hermione, beside him, was also incredibly surprised. She wanted to speak but swallowed her words, simply feeling that the Time-Turner hanging around her neck wasn't as appealing anymore.
Half a minute later, Professor McGonagall led the two out of the office.
When they returned to the Great Hall, the new students had already completed the Sorting Ceremony under Professor Flitwick's arrangement, and the four houses had each received a fresh batch of new blood.
Professor McGonagall strode towards the faculty table, while Aaron and Hermione returned to their seats under the gaze of everyone.
"What did McGonagall want with you?" Draco asked curiously.
"It's a long story!" Aaron shook his head with a wry smile. "I originally thought Hogwarts was a paradise, but I didn't expect Gines to be able to extend his reach here too."
"Your butler?" Draco remembered the man his father spoke highly of, and his expression became quite interesting. "What did he do?"
"He arranged a relatively easy semester for me, but I'm not exactly happy about it."
Draco raised an eyebrow, exasperated. "You don't know when you're well off."
"Perhaps!"
"Welcome everyone to Hogwarts for the new school year." Dumbledore walked onto the stage, and the somewhat noisy Great Hall immediately fell silent.
"I have a few words to say before you all get too muddled by this delicious feast." Dumbledore said with a smile, "First, a welcome to our new Professor, R. J. Lupin.
He has kindly agreed to fill the vacant post of Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor.
Good luck, Professor."
Lupin smiled and stood up, somewhat self-consciously accepting the applause from the teachers and students.
The applause wasn't enthusiastic. Apart from the few who had witnessed Lupin driving away the Dementor and clapped vigorously, everyone else remained somewhat skeptical of the Professor in patched clothes. After all, Lockhart's impression was too deeply ingrained, and this one might just be another incompetent.
"Professor Snape seems a bit unhappy!" Draco whispered, and the others beside him also quietly looked towards the faculty table.
Professor Snape's face was ashen, his already humorless expression now showing more disdain, and his eyes gleamed with Abomination.
"I bet Professor Snape definitely has a personal grudge against Lupin," Draco said with great confidence.
"Anyone can see that," Aaron said. "But this also indirectly proves that Lupin indeed has real skills, otherwise Professor Snape wouldn't acknowledge him as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor."
"Secondly, Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures Class teacher, retired at the end of last Class to spend more time caring for his remaining limbs.
Fortunately, I am honored to announce that his successor is none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid."
This time, the applause was much more fervent, especially from Gryffindor House, as they all liked the gamekeeper very much.
Hagrid was also excitedly flustered, and after the applause, he secretly wiped away tears of joy with the tablecloth.
He didn't lack the Professor's salary, but this position was an affirmation for him, both in terms of ability and reputation.