The third-year coursework is not considered heavy, at least in their spare time, Hogwarts students still have plenty of leisure to conduct extracurricular activities.
The Magical Creatures Protection Class for the four houses of the same year is held together, and the professor of the class, who claims to be from the "Ming Country," Professor Hao Ying, is everyone's favorite professor.
The reason being, Professor Hao Ying is very kind and genial, and most importantly, she also cooks delicious meals for the students.
It is imaginable how much Professor Hao Ying would be worshiped by the students in the British Empire, a place where eating feels like torture.
At that time, the British Empire was truly the Sun Never Sets Empire, not the 1995 Little Britain that nearly lost Northern Ireland—a kingdom with an almost hollowed-out royal power.
Even those Wizards who prided themselves on pure lineage in the Magic World couldn't help but proudly puff out their chest whenever the British Empire was mentioned.
But this had nothing to do with Professor Hao Ying from the Ming Country, first because Wizards in the Magic World were not too interested in the changes of foreign Muggle forces, and second because the Wizards from the land of 404 did not follow suit in shaving their heads and changing their attire. Even when invaded by barbarians, they still preserved their oldest traditions, and the magical power from that land remained quite strong.
Harry also liked Professor Hao Ying, aside from Professor Garrick from Herbology who often cared for him and Vice Principal Weasley who looked after him, Professor Hao Ying was his favorite professor.
After the Magical Creatures Protection Class, Harry was invited to stay by Professor Hao Ying, and along with him, Pabi from Hufflepuff and several other students were also kept behind.
Pabi is a very pretty girl, lively, innocent, kind-hearted, and somewhat naturally familiar—this was Harry's impression of her.
"Harry!"
Pabi hopped over to stand in front of Harry—she was quite familiar with this Gryffindor boy, at least that's what she herself believed.
"Oh, Pabi." Harry greeted Pabi boldly.
Having been at Hogwarts for over two years, Harry was no longer the timid orphan living at the Dursley family home. With the care of his friends, he grew up healthy and strong.
Of course, this was also thanks to the nurturing of the Malfoy family.
Although he had no real connection to the Malfoy family and was, in name, the "servant" of the Malfoy daughter, Harry felt much happier at the Malfoy family than at the Dursley family.
At the Dursley family, he was the "nephew," but in reality, he was a "servant," tasked with various chores like washing dishes and pulling weeds; whereas at the Malfoy family, though officially a "servant," Harry's treatment was no worse than Ignatius Malfoy, Cassandra's brother when he was at school, just missing the title of "Young Master Potter."
A hundred years past, Hogwarts was not as it was under Dumbledore's tenure as principal; the Magic World of this era was fraught with danger, and even stepping out to buy cigarettes could lead to encounters with nine Dark Wizards wielding blood-soaked Magic Wands. Naturally, Hogwarts' education became more stringent.
Harry was somewhat influenced by his environment, if placed in the 1991 Hogwarts, he might have been led by those around him to become engrossed in Quidditch, or Wizard Chess, or Gobstones—it's uncertain when he would become serious about studying Magic Spells.
But in this era's Hogwarts, pressed by the surrounding environment, his studies became diligent.
Plus, his talent for Magic Spells was considered excellent, quickly emerging among his peers, which might be one of the reasons Mr. Septimus acknowledged him, though the proportion wasn't very large.
"It seems Professor Hao Ying is going to make lots of delicious dishes today again." Pabi said, rocking on her heels with her hands behind her.
Harry sniffed, catching the fragrant aroma wafting from Professor Hao Ying's small cottage.
"Is every Hogwarts Professor of Magical Creatures so talented in cooking?"
Certainly, this statement was swiftly rescinded later after he met Hagrid.
Rock Cake might be delicious, but it is a Giant's cookie and not suitable for Young Wizards.
"I think so," Pabi said with a smile, "My sister's father-in-law—Mr. Old Scamander—he's quite adept at making Italian cuisine."
Oh yes, Italian cuisine, mamma mia!
As long as it's not British cuisine.
Harry was about to say something else when a small vortex suddenly swirled beside him.
It was the Malfoy family's House-Elf, Talan.
"Young Master Potter," the House-Elf Talan bowed respectfully to Harry, "Miss Malfoy instructed Talan to notify the esteemed Young Master Potter that she will be waiting for you in the hall."
This title, Harry didn't know whose request it was, in any case, the family's House-Elves all called him "Young Master," and even many families associated with the Malfoys refer to him as "Young Master Potter," rather than the aloof Potter.
Harry tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I understand, Talan." He was rather reluctant to leave Professor Hao Ying's delicious food, "Miss Malfoy should know that Professor Hao Ying said there's something for me."
As the most powerful family in this century, it's only natural that children of the Malfoy Clan could bring a House-Elf with them to Hogwarts.
Rules?
The word Malfoy is the rule in the Magic World.
Upon receiving Harry's response, Talan didn't say anything further, bowed respectfully once more, and disappeared from where he stood.