Hogwarts: Don't Starve in the Forbidden Forest Chapter 29 29: ??? Have I become an Aristocrat Again?

Professor McGonagall's teaching style was smooth and efficient. She had a way of making knowledge slide into your brain like a wet bar of soap; even the dimst wizard couldn't help but absorb the information.

Whether or not one could actually understand and apply that knowledge, however, was beyond her control.

Fortunately, Kane's mind was sharp. From the mont she started lecturing, he diligently absorbed every scrap of information. Even his Sanity recovered a few points from the sheer satisfaction of learning.

When the bell rang and the other students scrambled out, Kane remained in his seat. Harry and Ron, recognizing his "standard operating procedure," shared a knowing look and headed to the corridor to wait.

They weren't worried about missing dinner; worst-case scenario, they'd scavenge so ingredients from around Hogwarts and let Kane "craft" so atballs in his cauldron.

Hermione watched Kane stay behind, clearly seeking extra guidance. She felt a pang of competitive anxiety—if soone with more talent and a better background was working harder than her, she couldn't afford to slack off.

But... would Professor McGonagall agree to give "private lessons" to a Muggle-born student like her?

Driven by her insatiable thirst for knowledge, Hermione decided to wait in the hallway. McGonagall was the Head of Gryffindor, after all, and Hermione was one of her own. Surely there was so common ground.

Inside, McGonagall saw Kane sitting alone, his eyes practically sparkling with unspoken questions. She decided to save him the trouble of finding an opening line.

"Is there sothing you didn't understand, Mr. Heath?"

"Yes, Professor! Plenty!" Kane imdiately pulled the Comprehensive Guide to Conjuration from his pocket. "I want to learn Summoning, but my foundation in Transfiguration is... lacking."

McGonagall sat beside him, casually leafing through the book. "Ah, I see Filius gave you a pass for the Restricted Section.

A relatively safe spell—while it can conjure dangerous creatures, the mana capacity of a first-year keeps it within a safe threshold."

"I take it your confusion lies in the advanced prerequisites that aren't noted in this text?"

Kane nodded vigorously.

"Two options. First, I can stay late and explain the missing prerequisite knowledge to you now. By the end, you'll be able to read this book.

Second, I can give you a reading list. You study those books, internalize the principles, and then tackle Summoning. The second path will yield twice the result with half the effort in the long run."

McGonagall was curious. Was Kane just looking for a quick way to show off, like he had in the Entrance Hall? If so, she'd give him the quick version. It wouldn't make him a better wizard, but it would satisfy a boy's vanity.

But if he truly wanted to improve himself, she had a responsibility to ensure his foundation was rock-solid. No shortcuts, just steady progress.

She waited to see what "Mr. Heath" would choose. To her delight, Kane didn't seem interested in bragging rights.

"I'll take the reading list, Professor."

McGonagall smiled. She pulled a piece of parchnt and scribbled down three titles. "These are the basics. Read them in whatever order feels right. If you have questions..."

Before she could finish, a silvery-white patronus in the shape of a small phoenix fluttered through the window. Dumbledore's voice echoed through the room: "Minerva, could you co to my office? It is a matter of so urgency."

"You heard that, Mr. Heath. I must go. If you struggle with the reading, co find when I have a free mont."

She hurried out of the classroom. Hermione, who had been waiting for the Professor to erge, raised her hand to speak. However, McGonagall seed not to notice her at all, marching past toward the stairs with an air of preoccupied haste.

"Harry, Ron, let's eat! Oh? Hermione? What are you doing here?" Kane walked out, clutching his reading list. He saw Hermione looking sowhat crushed and asked out of curiosity.

Hermione took a deep breath. Kane was a good person, and she didn't want to take her frustration out on him. She composed herself. "What did you ask Professor McGonagall? Do you mind sharing?"

"Just so Transfiguration questions. She recomnded three books for ." Kane waved the parchnt.

"Would you mind sharing the list?" Hermione asked quickly. In the Muggle world, she was a middle-class Londoner who would never dream of "freeloading" educational resources.

But here at Hogwarts, she felt like the lowest of the low. If she didn't grab onto the "Aristocrat's" resources now, how would she ever catch up?

Fortunately, the "Aristocrat" in question was surprisingly generous. He handed the parchnt directly to her. "Here, make a copy."

Hermione was stunned by his easy-going nature. She quickly pulled out a quill and ink, leaning against the wall to transcribe the list.

Kane looked over at Harry and Ron, who were finishing up a quick ga of Wizard Chess on the floor. "We need to get to the Great Hall before the food disappears," Ron urged.

"Right, let's go." Kane took the parchnt back from Hermione.

Seeing his generosity, Hermione decided to return the favor. "I'm heading to the library now. Do you want to check those books out for you?"

Kane's eyes lit up. "That would be amazing! Thank you so much. Do you want us to bring you so food back?"

Hermione almost nodded, but then stopped herself. "No, I'm not hungry."

"Thanks anyway, Hermione!" Kane shouted as he and the other two sprinted toward the Great Hall.

Hermione watched them go, then turned toward the library. Was she hungry? Of course she was. But why hadn't she let them bring her food? Perhaps it felt too much like being a "sidekick" or a "servant" in exchange for the book list. She didn't like that feeling.

"Since when did I care about things like that?" she muttered to herself as she walked.

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