"Just about any well stocked potions kit, or if you want to know where they come from, the stomach of a goat." Harry said ignoring the slur about his dad.
"Two points from Gryffindor for your cheek. What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane? "
Harry frowned annoyed the Professor had taken points for a correct answer. He had to think for a moment before he remembered those were alternate names for acconite. Mai Reynolds had mentioned that it was called other things in different parts of the world, and that it was one of the more common ingredients in topical healing ointments. Harry didn't want to come across as a know-it-all so when he saw Hermione Granger's hand up he suggested, "Professor, it seems Miss Granger knows, why not ask her?"
"Five points for evading the question and detention with me tonight at seven, Potter. Sit down. For your information they are the same plant also known as acconite. "
Harry resisted the urge to say something rude. He resumed his seat.
The rest of class didn't get much better. Harry found Professor Snape's method of teaching Potions absolutely deplorable. Harry barely stopped Neville from adding the porcuepine quills at the wrong time and their potion was one of only three that would be acceptable turned in. Ron and Seamus had managed to melt their cauldron as had a couple of the Slytherins, Crabbe and Goyle Harry thought. Susan and Hermione had brewed an acceptable sample as did Draco and his partner Blaise Zabini but Harry couldn't understand why Snape hadn't gone over the procedure verbally before telling them to start and given a verbal warning about the one tricky step of the potion. He resolved he'd run a study session for his peers in Gryffindor tower if only to prevent a repeat of today. He really couldn't see how Hogwarts could claim to be the best magic school when a third to a half of its teachers were behind the times or just plain couldn't teach but maybe he was being over hasty in his judgements. There was also the aspect that while it was teaching magic, it wasn't teaching communication skills effectively, or conflict resolution, it wasn't even making sure its students would be capable of passing the GSCEs. Harry had been slightly appalled to discover that most of his magic raised roommates had little to no idea how to structure an essay, and fewer still understood math beyond add, subtract, multiply and divide. It really made Harry feel that Education reform had to be part of the national restructure or they would just wind up repeating history.
On the way out of the potions classroom, Harry touched Draco's shoulder. "Hey, cousin how's it going?"
Draco had been having a rough week. His family's social standing in their former circle had taken quite a hit when his father had sworn a fealty oath to the Duke. Many of his father's old connections had taken it poorly and had instructed their children to make difficulties for Draco. When Draco had applauded for Harry, it hadn't been taken well by many of his new housemates. Theo Nott, someone whom Draco had considered a friend when he was young, was now ganging up with Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson to pick on him. His belongings had been trashed, and he had bruises from some of the shoves they had given him.
Thank heaven for Blaise, Millicent, Daphne and Tracey. Their families had either been neutral or also had the foresight to see the winds of change sweeping Britain and had chosen adaptation as the best choice. The five had banded together and so far their House's elder students were mostly allowing it. Draco knew the best way to get in touch with the Duke was through Harry. He needed help to deal with the negative elements around him and the Duke had promised protection to his family, so he gave an honest answer, "Rough."
Harry's green eyes darkened with concern. "Meet me in the library in ten minutes, we'll discuss it."
"Can I make it twenty and bring others?" Draco had gotten the measure of his cousin and knew if asked the other boy would expand the cover of his protection to cover more than just Draco. Merlin knew his new friends needed protection as badly as he did.
Harry's green eyes glittered alarmingly for a second but his voice was gentle as he said, "Sure."
Fifteen minutes later Harry was in the library with Susan and Neville. "First week recap. Sue, do you want to start?"
"Well, I'm a little disappointed to be honest. History sucks rotten eggs, and defense strikes me as being a joke. Auntie isn't going to like it when I tell her. Lavender and Pavarti are shallow beyond reason, Hermione Granger is smart but stupid if that makes any sense."
Harry thought briefly about what he had observed in their classmate, "High intelligence but no wisdom or social skills to temper it?"
"Exactly. I almost wish Hannah were in Gryffindor with us."
"Neville?"
"I feel like I'm in over my head."
Neville was a prime example of the classic pureblood British magical education. He could read and write a complete sentence and do basic math but he lacked the reasoning and logic training Harry had gotten. He knew lots about plants and most of his knowledge came from first hand experience. But because magicals didn't study education theory per se Neville, who was from what Harry could tell a kinesthetic learner and a late bloomer, had been labeled as slow and magically weak and had been treated accordingly. His biggest problem was confidence. "Relax, Neville you'll get it. It will take hard work in the form of study and practice but you'll get it."
Hannah came in and joined them. "How was your week?"
Susan said, "Okay. Yours?"
"Okay. Harry, is this how you were taught magic before?"
"No. Was Potions for the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws as bad as it was for us?"
...
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