https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-272-Gilderoy-Lockhart-s-Confidence/12538390/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-274-The-Worst-Timetable-at-Hogwarts/12538392/
Chapter 273: Unsuccessful Application for a Time-Turner
Chapter 273: Unsuccessful Application for a Time-Turner
As soon as Lockhart had finished speaking, he strode off, presumably to find Harry.
The moment he left, Professor McGonagall turned to Kyle.
"Pay no heed to that tree if you value your life. Stay away from it, and..."
She pressed her lips together momentarily before continuing, "You have a lot of courses to cover this year, so I suggest you spend more time on useful books, such as those related to Ancient Runes."
"Yes, Professor," Kyle replied.
In truth, he hadn't even glanced at A Walk with Werewolves, and his earlier comment had been off-the-cuff. He hadn't expected Lockhart to not only refrain from rebuttal but also award him ten points.
This was indeed an unexpected bonus.
Professor McGonagall nodded. "Now, let's discuss your situation."
Professor Sprout spoke up. "I'm afraid your application for a Time-Turner was unsuccessful, Kyle. You may need to reconsider your class schedule."
"Unsuccessful?" Kyle was taken aback. "But Percy had no issues before..."
"This situation is different," Professor Sprout shook her head. "All Time-Turners are kept in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic, and it's currently under tight lockdown. Letters aren't getting through."
"Just yesterday, we also tried to get Professor Dumbledore to intervene," Professor McGonagall added. "But he returned empty-handed as well."
"Even Professor Dumbledore couldn't get in?" Kyle asked, surprised.
"No, he made it to the Department of Mysteries," Professor McGonagall said, giving Kyle a meaningful glance. "However, someone denied the request, claiming that all Time-Turners are in use and none are available for young witches and wizards at this time."
"Oh... none are available?" Kyle was perplexed.
"Yes, so you'll need to rearrange your classes," Professor Sprout advised, handing him a slightly soiled new schedule. "Hurry up, you don't want to be late."
Holding the schedule, Kyle pondered for a moment before saying, "Professor, I still want to take all the classes."
"But the Time-Turner..." Professor Sprout frowned.
"It's alright," Kyle quickly assured her. "I want to secure the exam spots, so as long as you agree, I'll only attend one of the conflicting classes when necessary."
"What?"
Professor Sprout had been at Hogwarts for decades, and this was the first time she had heard such an outrageous request.
Instinctively, she glanced at Professor McGonagall, who was also knitting her brows.
The two professors conferred briefly...
"Are you sure about this, Kyle?" Professor McGonagall asked seriously. "You understand that achieving 'O' in all ten subjects is not the same as achieving twelve 'O's, don't you?"
"I know," Kyle nodded.
"Very well, then," Professor McGonagall said. "If you insist, I'll speak to the other professors, and you can choose the classes you wish to attend according to your own preferences."
"However..." Professor McGonagall cautioned. "This only applies to the six elective courses."
"Of course..." Kyle smiled. "I wouldn't dream of missing any Transfiguration or Herbology classes."
A rare smile appeared on Professor McGonagall's face.
Forgetting the unpleasantness caused by Lockhart earlier, Professor Sprout smiled and presented Kyle with a trimmed branch from the Whomping Willow.
While not as valuable as the tree's roots, the branch of the Whomping Willow was still a rare potion ingredient and quite expensive.
The piece Professor Sprout gave him could fetch at least twenty galleons in Diagon Alley.
Moreover, as far as anyone knew, Hogwarts was the only place in Britain's magical community with a Whomping Willow, so if Harry and Ron caused any serious damage to it, the loss would be immense.
After finalizing the course selection, the two professors took their leave.
Instead of following Professor McGonagall back to the castle, Kyle headed toward the Forbidden Forest, not far from where they were standing.
The professors wouldn't mind, and he could use that time to do something else.
Of course, getting Professor McGonagall to agree to such a request wasn't easy, and one could even say it was harder than applying for a Time-Turner.
Aside from the fact that the Department of Mysteries just happened to reject the application, Kyle's perfect transcript from the past two years played a big part as well.
Otherwise... skipping class? Not a chance!
But he would definitely have to attend the first class.
Kyle walked across the grounds toward the Forbidden Forest, and along the way, he saw Lockhart talking to Harry.
Since they were at a distance, Kyle couldn't hear what they were saying, but from Harry's expression, he didn't seem too keen on chatting with Lockhart.
Professor Kettleburn's Care of Magical Creatures class was on the other side of the Forbidden Forest, closer to the Quidditch pitch.
He had cleared out a large area there specifically for teaching students.
Kora was also taking this class, and she was already waiting there when Kyle arrived.
"What did Professor Sprout want with you?" she asked. "Do you need any help?"
"No, it's just that there was a problem with my class schedule, but it's been resolved now."
Kyle didn't hide anything and directly told her about his unsuccessful application for a Time-Turner and the subsequent solution.
Even though Professor McGonagall had asked him to keep it confidential, everyone knew that secrets didn't stay hidden at Hogwarts... it was common sense.
"You plan to take twelve classes?" Kora asked, surprised. "You already have the Order of Merlin, First Class. Do you still need those certificates?"
"It's better than doing nothing, and it's not that difficult anyway. I might as well give it a shot," Kyle said matter-of-factly. "The main benefit is that I can legitimately skip classes. How cool is that?"
"So, the main point is that you can skip classes!" Kora said, staring at him.
Kyle shrugged noncommittally.
As expected!
Kora rolled her eyes, knowing it was pointless to ask further.
Just then, Professor Kettleburn emerged from the Forbidden Forest.
He seemed to be injured again, looking disheveled, and his previous prosthetic leg was gone, replaced by an ordinary wooden stick that he must have picked up from the forest as a temporary substitute.
This caused him to walk with a limp.
Many students who were seeing the professor for the first time were startled.
Was Care of Magical Creatures this dangerous? Some began to have second thoughts, wondering if it was too late to switch classes.
Unbothered by the varied expressions on the young witches and wizards' faces, Professor Kettleburn began the class.
This sort of thing happened every year, and he was used to it by now.
Moreover, ever since he was rammed by a unicorn, he had been considering retirement, and this year would likely be his last at Hogwarts.
Professor Kettleburn spotted Kyle in the crowd and nodded in satisfaction.
"For our first lesson," he began, "we will be learning about Bowtruckles!"
The professor opened the pockets of his robe, and five or six tiny creatures that resembled plant sprouts scurried out.
"Does anyone know what these are?"
Kyle raised his hand:
"Bowtruckles are gentle magical creatures that usually live on walnut trees or other large trees. However, if someone tries to harm those trees, they will attack the intruder.
Unless you have their favorite food, the wood lice, with you."
"Absolutely correct, ten points to Hufflepuff!"
Professor Kettleburn smiled and said, "The wood lice are in the box next to me. Each of you take a small bag, and then come closer..."
(End of Chapter)
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