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[HP:Failed Art Student]-Chapter 18: Professor, I’m Desperate to Improve
🕑 Added 2025-07-24 10:25:10 +0000 UTCThis Charms class was a joint session for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
Ethan Vincent arrived nearly an hour early.
As expected, when he entered the classroom, it was empty except for him.
Ethan curiously surveyed the room.
The classroom was tiered, with two rows of long tables encircling the lectern.
Tall bookshelves stood on either side, and Ethan approached to find mostly school textbooks, along with teaching aids like three-dimensional magical models.
Ethan chose a seat in the front row, opened his textbook, and reviewed the material for today’s lesson.
The wall clock ticked steadily.
About half an hour later, the second student finally arrived.
“Ethan?”
At the surprised call, Ethan turned and, unsurprisingly, saw the academic powerhouse Hermione Granger.
The scholar who single-handedly raised the intellectual bar for the trio.
“Good morning, Hermione,” Ethan said with a smile. “You’re here early.”
“…”
Hermione didn’t know how to respond.
She thought arriving half an hour early was already impressive.
But she hadn’t expected Ethan to beat her to it!
Talented and diligent.
What a formidable rival.
Hermione gave Ethan a wary yet admiring glance.
Then she sat on the Gryffindor side, slammed her book down with a thud, and started studying.
Hiss—why did this girl’s gaze feel like she wanted to devour him?
Ethan scratched his head, puzzled, but didn’t dwell on it.
Oh well, the world of overachievers was beyond him. The third to arrive was Professor Flitwick.
Seeing students arrive even earlier than him, Professor Flitwick paused, then broke into a delighted smile.
“For your diligence, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw each earn two points.”
Hermione’s eyes lit up, and she was about to say, “Thank you, Professor,” when Ethan spoke first.
“No matter how diligent we young folks are, we still need your guidance, Professor, to avoid getting lost in the sea of knowledge.”
Ethan spoke with an air of earnest conviction.
Hermione whipped her head around, staring at him in disbelief.
Was this the same Ethan who always spoke so cryptically?
Ethan, you’re making me feel like I don’t know you anymore.
Professor Flitwick froze, unaccustomed to such words, and his face flushed.
Oh, this kid, always blurting out such honest truths.
“Ahem, Ethan, as long as you maintain that thirst for knowledge and stay on the right path, you’ll surely reach your goals,” Professor Flitwick stammered encouragingly.
He quickly changed the subject.
“So—do you have any questions? We still have some time before class, and I can answer them.”
Hermione’s eyes brightened again.
She didn’t just have one question—she had a whole list!
But this time, she didn’t speak immediately. Instead, she glanced at Ethan.
As expected, Ethan looked like he had a question too.
Hermione focused intently, and even Professor Flitwick grew nervous, wondering what profound question Ethan might ask.
Ethan: “Professor, I want to make some money.”
Hermione: “…?”
What? What was that?
For a moment, Hermione thought Ethan was speaking in some sophisticated code.
Something a Muggle-born witch like her wouldn’t understand.
But when she saw Professor Flitwick’s equally baffled expression, she realized it wasn’t her.
“Make… money?” Professor Flitwick repeated, as if encountering such a grounded question for the first time. It took him a few seconds to process.
“Oh, you mean working at school, right?”
His gaze unconsciously flicked to Ethan’s worn school uniform.
Ethan nodded.
“That’s easy. Hogwarts has specific tasks for students—running errands for professors, doing odd jobs, collecting materials, that sort of thing.”
“These tasks are posted every Monday morning on the notice board in the Great Hall. Since it’s the start of term, they might not be up yet.”
“Check again at noon, and they should be there.”
Ethan nodded. “Got it. Thank you, Professor.”
Just as he thought.
Hogwarts surely had “work-study” opportunities!
Earning pocket money while doing odd jobs for professors and learning in the process.
This must be Hogwarts’ way of encouraging young witches and wizards to study.
The three discussed spellcasting for a while.
Ethan was particularly intrigued by the three-dimensional models of magic, the fundamental principles behind charms.
With his previous education, he could better grasp those complex models.
Soon after, the Gryffindor students rushed into the classroom just in time.
“Alright, children,” Professor Flitwick said. “Before we begin, let’s take attendance.”
When he called Harry’s name, Professor Flitwick squealed like a starstruck fan and toppled off his stack of books.
“Wingardium Leviosa.”
Ethan waved his wand, pulling Professor Flitwick’s robes to tug him back from midair.
“Perfect Levitation Charm! Two points to Ravenclaw!”
Professor Flitwick said excitedly, his eyes full of pride for Ethan.
What a student for his house! Ravenclaw’s rising star!
Professor Flitwick’s heart swelled with pride.
On the other side, Hermione gripped her wand tightly, unwilling to be outdone.
In the following lesson, the girl answered questions with such fervor that even Professor Flitwick was a bit overwhelmed.
“Look at her!” Ron whispered to Harry. “Now look at Ethan—so low-key and humble. I bet he knows everything the professor’s teaching!”
Harry glanced at Ron, whose eyes were sparkling, and chuckled softly. “Since when did you become Ethan’s fanboy?”
“I’m not—!” Ron protested reflexively, then muttered, “It’s just… normal admiration…”
“Hahaha.”
While the Gryffindors bantered, the Ravenclaws were far more serious.
To put it bluntly, every Ravenclaw believed they were smarter than everyone else.
Yet, seeing Ethan in the front row, his figure radiating an almost otherworldly focus, they felt a deep sense of urgency.
Look at that!
He’s more talented and more hardworking.
How could they slack off?
Thus, a silent competition among the overachievers began to simmer among the young eagles.
Study!
Everyone, study like mad!
On the lectern, Professor Flitwick looked at the intensely focused faces and couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.
He had a premonition.
This year would be Ravenclaw’s time to shine.
Ding—dong—
With the deep, melodious chime of Hogwarts’ bell, the double Charms lesson came to an end.
For Ethan, the time had flown by.
Looking at his textbook, filled with scribbled notes, he couldn’t help but marvel at Hogwarts’ teaching quality.
No wonder it was Britain’s finest wizarding school—the obscure textbook content was explained with such clarity.
Though the first lesson only broadly covered the history of charms and the logic behind casting, Ethan still gained immensely.
He toyed with his wand, feeling the mysterious flow of magic within him, the tip occasionally sparking with glimmers of light.
Perhaps he wasn’t top of the class in grades.
But in practical skill, Ethan was confident no one his age could match him.
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