[1989 Pt. 8]

[September 2, 1989.]

[DADA Classroom.]

The Hufflepuff first years entered the classroom followed by the Ravenclaws, most of whom had already taken out their books.

Nathan took the seat beside Jacob, and asked, "Do you know who's teaching this class?"

"I don't know."

Nathan nodded even as a middle-aged witch with black hair and green eyes wearing black robes entered the classroom and introduced herself, "Good morning, my name is Tsuria Solomon, a former member of the Dark Arts Defense League's division against Dark Wizards and Philosophers. I will be your defence teacher for the year. Any questions?"

Nathan remained quiet, observing the woman even as a lot of the Ravenclaws and a few of the Hufflepuffs raised their hands.

She surprisingly chose Alan, who was nearly standing in his seat looking at the woman in admiration as he asked, "What is the Dark Arts Defense League? And what are Philosophers?"

"Philosophers are wizards or witches who want to help the muggle world using their magic--"

Alan immediately cut her off and said, "-- why do you go after them? They seem like good guys to me?" Some of the students nodded at his statement while a few others looked disgruntled at the statement.

She gave him a disapproving glare making him shift before she continued, "--As I was saying before you rudely interrupted me boy, philosophers want to help the muggles but they are doing it while breaking the statute of secrecy in a blatant manner. The statute has no problem if you keep the existence of the mundane and magical separate and don't break any laws. Break it and you deal with DADL, ICW and the Local Government. The DADL is one of the branches of the ICW that maintains the statute, they are free from any government and one of the only standing military organisations that supersede the authority of most local governments."

All the students nodded in either understanding or confusion, but Alan raised his hand again and Solomon sighed before saying, "Introduce yourself before asking your question."

Alan blushed a little at the words before he said, "Name's Alan Waynewood, Professor. I wanted to ask what you will be teaching us this year since supposedly you did not recommend any other book like the previous professors, at least that is what the other older students said."

She nodded slowly and Nathan couldn't help but imagine that she had been thinking of Alan as a troublemaker who did not like studying.

"I was about to get to that, Waynewood. The reason I have not recommended books to any of the first three years is because the standard book of spells and what you learn in class will be enough if you take notes properly."

Alan nodded before settling down and Tsuria started to explain the basic rules of wand safety and how magic should be used with caution against others as well as upon oneself.

All-in-all, the class was far more organised than his own lessons but it still did not breach any knowledge that he wasn't already not aware of and Nathan did not except that change in the core classes any time soon. The only two classes he was even learning were Astronomy and Potions.

Those were subjects that he might make use of in the future that he had almost no basic understanding of.

************ ************ *********

[Same day]

[Hufflepuff Common Room.]

The day had been smooth and Nathan, while maintaining his identity as a smart child, had still made sure to keep his mouth shut unless he was expressly addressed. It would not do to get the attention of parties that he would rather keep uninvolved in his personal affairs.

He dragged his eyes towards a familiar pair of senior students that were sitting on one of the many couches available in the common room- Hestia and Tonks, both were scratching away furiously at what he assumed were two scrolls of parchments.

Deciding to discuss a topic that would probably reduce a lot of his future work, he walked up to them before saying, "Those blueberries look delicious," He followed it up by immediately taking a small number of the miniature blueberries in the bowl which immediately started to increase in size as the temporary reducio enchantment wore off.

Tonks looked mildly annoyed but refocused on her attempt at the sheet of parchment without speaking up.

"Perfect Jones, I have a question, I promise I won't take long."

Hestia seemingly restrained a sigh before saying, "Of course, Mr Grey."

"I have been wondering if all the assignments and the curriculum change every year?"

Hestia nodded hesitantly before saying, "They remain the same except for Astronomy and Defense. But only assignments that aren't going to be graded."

Nathan cackled inwardly before nodding and saying in a thoughtful voice, "So if I want, I can request a second year for the copy of his last year's assignments for the ones that are the same?"

Hestia froze and Tonks who had seemingly been keeping an ear on the conversation looked at him with a grin as she came to the conclusion Nathan did.

"I-I suppose, Mr Grey b-but that would be a very unethical thing to do," Hestia seemed conflicted between chiding him and being tempted by his idea.

"Oh don't be a spoilsport now Hestia, if what he says is true, I might just be free of Snape's two rolls of parchment on the uses and side-effects of Trapesia."

Nathan immediately decided to take the reins here and said, "Um, Tonks?"

"Yes?"

"Please don't tell anyone else about my idea."

She frowned at the words before asking, "Why?"

It was Hestia who answered her with, "Because as a prefect I should report this. I don't want to lose my badge if someone snitches after we tell them."

Tonks nodded before suddenly groaning and rubbing her face.

Nathan was confused by the gesture and Tonks seemed to pick up on his confusion as she whined, "Getting all those assignment parchments via post is going to take a lot of time and that is if you don't take the time wasted in the search for a supplier of the assignments. The potions assignment is due two days from now."

Nathan grimaced, realising that he might have perhaps been a tad bit too short-sighted in his early celebration.

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A|N:

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