In the afternoon, Vid and the others had Muggle Studies as their first class.
This subject wasn't very popular in the past. Most wizards were unwilling to spend time understanding another group in the world and even thought there was no need for the school to offer such a class.
And students from Muggle backgrounds didn't feel they needed to take this class; some content in the textbook even made them feel offended.
Listen—Muggle Studies... As if Muggles were some kind of brainless wild animals.
But last semester, Professor Abigail's course made many students realize that Muggles aren't as pitiful, weak, and stupid as they thought, so suddenly, many more people chose to take this class, including even a few Slytherin students.
Professor Charity Burbage, who taught this class, was very pleased.
She had a head of golden hair, watching the students walk in with a cheerful smile, and clapped her hands.
"Welcome—welcome, children! Welcome to my class!"
Professor Burbage happily said: "This is the first time so many students have chosen Muggle Studies. Let me see... a total of twenty-eight! I'm really glad that so many kids in the Magic World want to learn all sorts of knowledge about Muggles!"
"I know, some of you might have received some incorrect views before, maybe someone told you that Muggles are stupid and vile. But actually, that's not true, there are also very intelligent, noble, and brave people among Muggles."
"Maybe someone has also told you that Muggles are cruel and fond of slaughtering, and that wizards have been persecuted by Muggles. This is also incorrect—there are good people and bad people among Muggles too."
"There's not much difference between Muggles and wizards. We should respect them and treat them equally, which is also beneficial for the development of us wizards..."
Professor Burbage was speaking eloquently at the front, but among the students, some were showing disdain.
"I think choosing this class was a mistake."
Millicent from Slytherin said to those around her: "What on earth is this professor talking about? Muggles don't even know the existence of magic, ridiculously stupid, how could they be like us?"
Her companion nodded in agreement and said: "I came here to learn about those terrifying weapons, who wants to know how Muggles live at home?"
The textbook for this class is "British Muggle Family Life and Social Habits."
Millicent flipped through the textbook casually, seeing colorful pages with things like a driver's license, electric light, washing machine, television, car, and not even a handgun, and snorted disdainfully.
Professor Burbage said, "Now, let's turn to page five of the textbook and first understand how Muggle families are established..."
The classroom was filled with the sound of pages flipping, but some students remained motionless.
Their dissatisfaction was almost written on their faces, but Professor Burbage didn't see it. She was carefully unfolding a few sheets of paper, enlarging them and sticking them on the blackboard so that all the students could see clearly.
"Of course, the establishment of a family starts with a loving marriage. Muggles, if they want to get married, not only need a wedding but also have to register at a government office."
"These are the materials they need to submit when registering—a birth certificate, driver's license, bills, and if they are foreign Muggles, they also need a passport. After registering the marriage, the Muggle Government will issue them a marriage certificate..."
"Academy and marriage are important ties in forming a family. I really hope that in the future, more wizards will intermarry with Muggles and Werewolves, then we will have a deeper understanding of each other and reduce the possibility of wars..."
"Caw—"
Professor Burbage was speaking happily when a very harsh sound suddenly erupted in the classroom.
Millicent deliberately pushed the chair hard and slowly stood up, and Professor Burbage looked at her in astonishment.
"Professor, I'm not feeling well, may I be excused?" Millicent said coldly: "I think I need to go to the infirmary."
She didn't look unwell at all, and Professor Burbage hesitated and said: "Alright... okay..."
As soon as she finished speaking, four or five more students stood up in unison.
"Professor, I'm not feeling well either."
"I've got a stomachache."
"I need to go to the bathroom, professor."
"I feel like throwing up... maybe it's because of hearing about Werewolves that it made me a bit nauseous?"
A few of them found an excuse perfunctorily, gathered their things without waiting for the professor's permission, and followed Millicent out of the room.
They nearly all left the Muggle Studies textbooks behind.
The remaining students watched their backs, some showing a look of temptation, but after glancing at the professor, didn't dare stand up.
Professor Burbage obviously had never encountered this kind of situation before. She stood there helplessly, watching a group of students leave voluntarily within ten minutes of the class starting, not knowing what to do.
"Professor."
Hermione, sitting at the front, raised her hand, and Professor Burbage, flustered, looked over and asked: "Granger, are you not feeling well too?"
"It's time to continue teaching, Professor," Hermione reminded.
Her face showed tiredness, but there was a kind of stubborn determination in her expression, which also calmed Professor Burbage down.
"Yes... yes... let's look at this picture... this is a driver's license, Muggles need to go through complex learning and exams to get this piece of paper, and then they can drive..."
Professor Burbage continued stammering through her lecture, taking several minutes to regain her composure.
She knew more about Muggles than most wizards, seemingly having lived in Muggle Society for quite some time.
But, unfortunately, the professor's lessons were rather dry, talking about everyday trivialities, only slightly less boring than Professor Binns' ghostly lectures.
"To be honest, I actually want to leave too."
Michael whispered to Vid:
"I finished this book over the summer, and except for the part about electricity being a bit interesting, the rest of the content is practically treating the reader as an idiot. My mom is a Muggle and she thought it was a joke book!"
"Vid, you must know more about Muggles than I do. Don't you find it boring? Why don't we apply to drop this class after it's over?"
Even though the course application was submitted last semester, students still had a second choice in the first week of school.
As well as at the end of a whole academic year, before the start of the fourth year, students could also reselect courses. Not only could they drop courses previously chosen, but they could also choose courses they hadn't enrolled in before.
Vid actually also found Muggle Studies uninteresting, but without taking all courses, the Time Turner would have never ended up in his hands.
He shook his head: "If you want to drop it, go ahead and apply, but I'll keep attending."
Michael looked at him, his gaze sweeping over the suddenly appeared golden chain on Vid's neck.