Chapter 56: Neville's Highlight Moment
"In this lesson," Douglas said, glancing around the classroom, "we'll learn about the Impediment Spell mentioned in the second section of the textbook."
"Since everyone has memorized it…"
He paused deliberately.
"Mr. Longbottom, would you please explain what the Impediment Spell is?"
Neville Longbottom jumped to his feet in excitement—so abruptly that he knocked over his stool.
The sudden crash caused several students to laugh.
Flustered, Neville quickly picked the stool up again. His face burned bright red.
Then he noticed Hermione turning toward him with an encouraging look.
Neville took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut.
"The Impediment Spell is a spell that slows the movement of a target."
"It's a temporary effect, usually lasting about ten seconds. It may not work on certain magical creatures, such as voldibats."
"The spell usually immobilizes a target, but it can also push or throw them, slow their movement, or even lift them slightly into the air…"
When he finished reciting, Neville cautiously opened his eyes.
Professor Holmes was smiling.
"Excellent! Very good, Mr. Longbottom!"
"But next time, try keeping your eyes open while answering."
Douglas folded his arms with approval.
"I've heard you wake up before dawn every day to memorize your lessons. That kind of diligence deserves recognition."
"Hard work can make up for natural weakness."
"Twenty points to Gryffindor!"
Thunderous applause erupted across the classroom.
Hermione was the first to clap. She looked genuinely delighted.
The other students joined in enthusiastically.
No one felt jealous.
Everyone had seen Neville's determination and effort.
Neville himself looked so happy he seemed on the verge of fainting.
It was the first time he had ever earned so many points for Gryffindor in a single class.
Hard work can make up for weakness.
Neville silently repeated the phrase.
He decided that when he returned to the dormitory, he would carve those words into the headboard of his bed.
Douglas raised a hand and the applause slowly faded.
"All right," he said.
"Now let's learn the incantation and wand movement for the Impediment Spell."
"Repeat after me."
He lifted his wand.
"Impedimenta!"
"Pay attention to the tone."
Strictly speaking, the Impediment Spell was not part of the standard second-year curriculum.
However, Douglas had included it in the textbook for a specific purpose.
So he decided to introduce it earlier than usual.
Spell Practice
As the students practiced, Douglas found himself quietly impressed by Harry's natural ability with certain spells.
In less than fifteen minutes, Harry managed to cast a functional Impediment Charm.
Douglas had always thought Harry's main talent was with the Disarming Charm, but clearly the boy had potential in other areas as well.
Unfortunately, most of the class struggled.
By the end of the lesson, only Harry and Hermione could barely perform the spell successfully.
The rest were still stuck producing little more than sparks from their wands.
Douglas checked the time and raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"All right—stop practicing for now."
"I expect you to continue practicing in your spare time."
"I'll request an empty classroom from Professor McGonagall so you can practice safely."
His expression turned serious.
"You are not allowed to practice in the corridors."
"I don't want anyone accidentally injuring another student."
Then he added with a slight smile:
"I'll reveal a small hint."
"In the next lesson, we'll have a practical exercise."
"You'll all be using this spell."
"So make sure you practice."
He tapped the desk lightly.
"Class dismissed."
Douglas gathered the pile of confiscated books and walked out of the classroom under the regretful gazes of the students.
After Class
The students slowly left the classroom.
It had been the most interesting Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson they had ever experienced.
Last year, the class had consisted mostly of listening to Professor Quirrell stutter through textbook passages.
And the first week of this term had been spent memorizing text.
But now it seemed that all that memorization had a purpose.
If they knew the material, they were rewarded with real spell practice.
Just outside the classroom door, Ron slapped his forehead.
"Wait—we forgot to ask something!"
He looked at Hermione.
"Professor Holmes said Gryffindor is second among the four houses."
"So who's first?"
"If it's Slytherin, does that mean they're already learning more advanced spells than us?"
He frowned.
"Hermione, does the third section of the textbook mention any spells?"
Neville suddenly raised his hand excitedly.
"I know!"
"The next one is the Enemy Trap Spell. It prevents enemies from approaching you."
Ron stared at him in disbelief.
"Neville… you already memorized the third section?"
Neville scratched his head shyly.
Hermione crossed her arms and snorted.
"Of course he has."
"Neville can already recite the third section fluently."
"You and Harry haven't even looked at it yet."
Harry raised his hands defensively.
"Hermione, you know the difference."
"You're only required to recite the text."
"Ron and I have to memorize every word."
Hermione sniffed but didn't argue further.
Instead she said thoughtfully,
"The Enemy Trap Spell is more difficult than the Impediment Charm…"
"If Slytherin really is first…"
She shook her head.
"Never mind."
"I'll ask Professor Holmes about it tonight."
"Then we'll hold a second-year meeting in the common room."
"Next time we learn a new spell, Gryffindor must rank first."
"That way we'll learn the most powerful spells before the other houses."
At that moment Ron noticed a third-year Hufflepuff student walking toward them.
He nudged Harry with his elbow.
Harry followed Ron's gaze.
The two exchanged a mischievous grin.
Hermione noticed their behavior and glanced at the book in the Hufflepuff student's hands.
She pressed her lips together but said nothing.
Instead, she turned back to Neville and began explaining better methods for memorizing the textbook.
When Douglas entered the classroom again, he saw another pile of books already stacked neatly on the desk.
He paused.
And fell into deep thought.
Lunchtime at Hogwarts
During lunch in the Great Hall, students from every house were discussing the new memorization requirements spreading across different classes.
Some students even walked between the tables comparing how many subjects had assigned memorization homework.
At the Gryffindor table, several students were teasing the Weasley twins.
"George and Fred went mad in Transfiguration class!"
"As soon as Professor McGonagall asked a question, they both jumped up to answer!"
"Eventually she banned them from speaking entirely!"
The table burst into laughter.
"I still remember what she said," another student added.
"'Mr. Weasley, do you believe answering together will double the house points?'"
George and Fred wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders, grinning.
"So what?"
"The professor still awarded Gryffindor five points in the end!"
"Smack!"
The twins high-fived.
"Keep going!"
"Two hundred points here we come!"
Ron rolled his eyes.
"That's nothing."
"Neville earned twenty points in Defence Against the Dark Arts this morning."
Fred and George gasped dramatically.
"Good heavens!"
"Kind Professor Holmes!
"That means we still have hope!"
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