Chapter 480: A Novel Experience
Kyle and Professor McGonagall's exchange was overheard by many students. Yet for those still struggling to vanish a simple snail, the conversation might as well have been in another language. They weren't equipped to join in such a high-level discussion, and they couldn't understand it anyway, so they focused on their battles with the snails in front of them.
The two Transfiguration classes flew by, and by the end, only Kyle and Kanna had completed the task. As a reward, Professor McGonagall gave both of them a ten-point boost for their house and excused them from homework. Only those two were spared from the task; everyone else had to practice the Vanishing Spell overnight and turn in a five-foot essay by the following afternoon.
The classroom erupted in groans of protest. For most, this was a staggering load. Many were only just realizing the true intensity of fifth-year coursework. Last year, assignments had been three feet long at most, and now they were facing five-foot essays, nearly double the workload.
Mikel and Ryan, in particular, looked crestfallen. It wasn't just the amount of work—it was that Kyle didn't have to do it, which meant they'd lost their best reference for the assignment.
Later in the afternoon, they had two back-to-back Charms lessons. Like Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick began with a serious reminder of the importance of the fifth-year exams, telling them that they'd need to work harder than ever to meet their potential. When the lesson ended, the students watched him anxiously, half-dreading what was to come. Professor Flitwick didn't disappoint, assigning a sizable load of homework.
Thankfully, since the next Charms class was the very next morning, the assignment was shorter—just three feet. But this still didn't lift the spirits of the weary students.
By dinner that evening, the fifth years were notably quiet. Even Mikel, usually the life of the table, ate without a word, quickly finishing his meal and then dashing off to the library. With a total of eight feet of homework to get through, no one could afford to waste time.
Cedric observed their silent determination with a knowing expression. Having gone through it all himself, he recognized the struggle. But, like Kyle, he had often found himself exempt from extra assignments, lightening his workload.
And this was only the first day.