Chapter 329

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"Are we not going to use magic?" Ron was indignant.

"Your hand is not raised, mister …."

"Weasley."

There were questions and theorizing, which each time infuriated Umbridge more and more. The students just shouted from their seats, although the professor obviously loves discipline very much. So there was talk about attacks, Dark forces… Parvati asked a good question about the exams, but Umbridge assured that with a good knowledge of the theory, the practical implementation of spells will not be a difficult task. And damn it, she's right! Of the spells available in the book, only a couple require practice, and this practice is provided according to the plan! Protego, for example... by the way, this is a third-year spell…

"According to the ministry," Umbridge pulled herself together. "Theoretical knowledge will be more than enough for you to pass the exam, which, ultimately, is what school education should be aimed at. And I repeat, with a good knowledge of the theory..."

Then I raised my hand, and the professor noticed me.

"Your name?"

"Max Knight, professor. And those spells that, according to the textbook, require practice, will be studied practically?"

"Absolutely, Mr. Knight," Umbridge smiled. "The program does provide a few practical lessons on spells that cannot be performed without visual experience on the part of the teacher. Fortunately, there are not many of them."

"What's the u..." Potter wanted to be indignant, but I managed to throw Silencio at him wandless and silently.

"Excuse me," I continued to speak. "I'd like to make a small proposal, and maybe you will like it."

"I'm listening to you carefully, Mr. Knight," the professor looked at me with real curiosity.

"I propose to make a clear demonstration of the superiority of theory over practice. Take two spells: Protego and Expeliarmus. Take six students who do not know these spells and divide them into two groups. One student in each group will diligently study the theory. The second will run through the text a couple of times and try it a couple of times. The third will only practice, that is: movement, words, and image. Protego requires at least one time to see the spell, so we will demonstrate it once."

"Are you, my dear, suggesting to go against the Ministry's program?"

"We all have undivided faith in our government, in the Ministry of Magic. But we are still only fifteen years old. A clear demonstration of this righteousness will only strengthen our faith."

Umbridge looked at me with a sly squint.

"You still haven't answered my question, Mr. Knight."

"Your question does not have a correct answer."

"Have you ever thought of making your career in politics, in the Ministry? You would be an excellent addition to the Minister's staff."

"I have been thinking about many options for future activities, but I have not yet come to an unambiguous decision."

"In that case, I must point out that your proposal makes sense. As an exception, for the only first and last time, and to make you more aware that the adult and highly experienced wizards in the Ministry really care about your success, I agree to conduct such an experiment. Students! Raise your hand if you are not familiar with the Protego spell."

To my surprise, almost everyone raised their hand. Some Slytherins didn't raise it, and I really remember that they used it. I didn't raise my hand, nor did Hermione. Amazing honesty. Umbridge pointed at the Weasley, Thomas, and Brown. It was decided to teach Weasley purely in practice, Thomas - only theory and one demonstration. Brown — quickly scroll through the theory and a little practice.

Next, we found out who doesn't know Expelliarmus. This time Finnigan, Goyle, and Parkinson were chosen. Goyle will be a practician, Parkinson will be fifty-fifty, and Finnigan will be a theorist.

In the office, there was a hand mannequin into which a simple stick was put. Spells would be practiced on it. The theorists and fifty-fifty were seated in Umbridge's office adjacent to the auditorium and instructed not to touch anything, sit and read. The theorists have forty minutes, the fifty-fifty have fifteen. The practicians begin right now, in the office. A one-way silencing spell was put on the door, and the practice began.