"Well... I wasn't really paying attention in class..." Harry's face flushed with embarrassment as he pushed the book forward.
Hmm, Theo actually noticed that too.
He flipped through Harry's textbook and sighed, "Your notes are missing quite a bit, and they don't really capture the key points. How about this—"
He raised his hand and spoke louder, "Guys!"
Everyone looked up at them.
"Harry needs to borrow some notes," Theo said, then added, "if you're not using them right now."
"Okay—I'm actually a bit confident about Magic Potion Class, just return it by next Monday." Michael sent his Magic Potion Class notes over with Levioso.
"Astronomy is my strength," Leian said, not only lending notes but also a book on the trajectories of the stars.
"Um—" Neville also took out his notes, "In Herbology, I'm about the same as Theo."
"No, Neville, you're doing a bit better," Theo said earnestly, "Professor Sprout always praises you."
Neville blushed a little, scratching the back of his head with a shy smile.
"You can borrow my notes for Magic History and Transfiguration Class anytime," Hermione said.
"Then that leaves Spell Class and Defense Against the Dark Arts for me," Vid directed several notebooks to float over and said, "I guess you also need to learn how to write essays?"
Harry quickly nodded and stammered, "Yes! I... I'm not good at writing essays..."
Then Theo whispered to Harry, "Make good use of Vid's notes, especially for Defense Against the Dark Arts—his notes are more comprehensive and easier to understand than what Professor Quirrell teaches in class."
"Thank you, Theo," Harry said gratefully.
"No problem," Theo said with a gentle smile, "We're all companions now, aren't we?"
...
"For the essay on the Softening Charm, you can actually start from these five aspects and follow this model for future essays—a brief introduction, historical background, development and changes..."
Vid explained while drawing a mind map on paper, outlining five parts as the framework for the essay, with each part further divided into two or three smaller points...
No one had ever systematically taught Harry how to write an essay.
In fact, the vast majority of Hogwarts students had not received such training. The smart students gradually figured out their own methods through repeated assignments, while the less adept either referenced the former's work or pieced together things in a sloppy manner.
At the public school Harry attended before, homework was mostly just for show. Although they sometimes wrote essays (topic essays, narratives, or argumentative essays), they wrote them quite casually, with very few words, nothing like the essays measured in feet at Hogwarts.
At this moment, listening to Vid's explanation, Harry felt as if his thoughts suddenly became clear; the original confusion and bewilderment disappeared instantly. Every time Vid listed an entry, corresponding content would pop up in Harry's mind, and he suddenly understood how to complete this kind of assignment. By the time Vid finished speaking, Harry could hardly wait to write down all his thoughts. He even felt that the seven inches assigned by the professor were too few to cover everything he wanted to say.
Of course, when it came to actually putting pen to paper, he realized that writing out his thoughts as an essay wasn't that simple, but completing the assignment was still much easier than before.
Then came spell practice, which was a hundred times easier for Harry than writing essays. He was naturally gifted, and with just a little guidance from Vid, he demonstrated extraordinary magical intuition and comprehension, quickly mastering the basic spells, surprising everyone except Vid.
Amidst the admiring glances of the group, Harry felt a sense of joy welling up inside him, almost making his body feel light as a feather. He pressed his lips slightly, trying not to appear smug, but the initial nervousness and unease he felt upon entering this classroom, as well as the inferiority and shame when seeing others' notes, had vanished completely. His green eyes shone with an indescribable vitality and brilliance.
—I'm really good at this.
Harry told himself.
...
Vid checked the time; there was only half an hour left before curfew. He clapped his hands, and everyone practicing spells stopped.
"Everyone," Vid said, looking at the group, "A few days ago, we had a bit of a clash with Malfoy and his group. Although it ended poorly for them, we still suffered a little—"
His gaze swept over Harry, Neville, and Hermione.
"Then I realized something—knowing spells doesn't necessarily mean we can protect ourselves. Without practical skills, if we can't react quickly when attacked, we're still vulnerable."
"You mean—" Michael got excited, "we should train our practical skills?"
"No, right?" Padma was a bit panicked.
Hermione hesitated, both eager and hesitant, "What if we get hurt? The professors might deduct points!"
"Don't always worry about House points, Hermione, they're not that important—this is so cool!" Michael couldn't wait, "Are we starting now, Vid?"
Vid observed the changes in everyone's expressions and then said, "Of course, we can't just start right away—I think everyone has at least learned a few minor evil curses, but those spells shouldn't be used on teammates. They can be troublesome to heal and might even require bothering Madam Pomfrey. So, we need to first master two basic Defense Spells and an Attack Spell before we can spar."
"What spells?" Harry asked eagerly.
Vid looked at him and said, "The Disarming Spell and the Iron Armor Spell."
"Iron Armor Spell?" Hermione said in surprise, "We don't learn that until fifth year!"
Harry was also surprised—surprised that Hermione already knew their fifth-year curriculum... Could she have read the textbooks for higher years?
As for Vid... Harry wasn't even shocked anymore. He felt that even if Vid said he could teach them Apparition, he would choose to believe it first.
"Indeed, the Iron Armor Spell is quite challenging, so it's taught in fifth year. I only learned it a few days ago—" Vid unintentionally boasted, then said, "But this spell is very practical; it can form an invisible shield around you to deflect an opponent's spells. However, it can't defend against very powerful spells, so keep that in mind."
Harry instinctively touched the scar on his forehead, while Neville pressed his lips together, looking very serious.
"As for the Disarming Spell, or 'Expelliarmus,' it can make your opponent lose their Magic Wand, which is a very useful spell. Since most wizards haven't mastered Wandless Magic, losing their Magic Wand makes them nearly harmless."
Vid's Magic Wand spun in his hand, then he gripped it and looked at everyone, "So, shall we start with the Disarming Spell?"