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The weekly staff meeting at Hogwarts was the one thing that Thorfinn Rowle hated more than Voldemort himself.
He absolutely adored being a professor and was delighted at the opportunity to teach Defence against the Dark Arts when Potter offered it to him, but many chided him for the manor at which he chose to teach. No outside coursework, and definitely no tests.
“I would like to bring one more topic of discussion up before we close out the meeting all together, Headmaster, if you don’t mind.”
Harry sighed, “Yes Rowle, what would you like to discuss?”
Thorfinn cleared his throat and adjusted the neck of his sport coat that was suddenly feeling like it was a noose around his neck.
“Some of my students have discussed methods at which other instructors are having them complete course curriculum that is interfering in their ability to use practical magic in the Dark Arts lab in their free time. As we have discussed in other meetings, the practicum lab was setup for students to get comfortable with spell casting and Defence, but if they cannot use it as such because the homework which other professors have decided to assign, then there is no point in having it at all.”
“What are you saying?”
“Well, you see, mostly the students mentioned that having to wright 16 inches of parchment every night for History of Magic interferes with--”
“Oh, save it, Rowle. You know as well as I do that this bunch of students would rather play quidditch and explore Hogsmeade than actually learn. We are here to teach, not to coddle.” Hermione bit out, anger and disdain on her tongue.
“Hermione, hold on.” Harry interjected, trying his best to regain composure and control over the meeting.
“Rowle, how many students and in which year has brought this up to you?”
Thorfinn scratched at his scruffy beard, contemplating his answer for a moment “I’d say at least half of third year and ten or so students in the other years.”
Harry nodded his head slowly, looking towards the table and fiddling with his quill as if they would give him the answers that he was looking for, “I see, and how exactly did this become a topic of discussion in your class?”
Thorfinn adjusted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling as though Hermione’s angry stare are daggers piercing through his midsection. “I simply asked my students how best they learned, and they casually mentioned that writing on parchment doesn’t help.”
“This is ridiculous. History of Magic is a heavy course with loads of topics to review and analyze, you can’t be insinuating that I incorporate all coursework into my one hour per day class instead of assigning them work to complete in the evenings?” Her tone made it clear how she felt about this topic of discussion.
Harry reached over and placed a gentle hand on Hermione’s arm as if asking her to calm down. “So, what is it you’re asking for Professor Rowle?”
“More time for my students to be able to visit the Dark Arts lab without having to worry about missing assignments for other classes.” He shifted nervously, knowing he would be hearing about this later tonight.
“Alright. Hermione, do you think it’s possible to give them less assignments during the week to so that the students may return to the lab? This is after all the most important part of their education.” Harry’s tone was gentle.
“Fine, if that’s what everyone thinks then whatever.” Hermione gathered her things and stormed out of the meeting, her magic sparking as she departed.
Harry looked to Thorfinn, “you know that she is going to hate you for that right?”
Thorfinn chuckled, “It’s for everyone’s own good.”
Thorfinn returned to his chambers shortly after the meeting concluded and as soon as he opened the door to his chambers, an object whizzed by his head shattering in the hallway.
“Hermione, love was that necessary? Can’t we just talk about this?”
She came out of her hiding spot a ball of fury and rage, her magic sparking all over. “You humiliated me in front of the entire staff!”
“Babe, hold on. Look at me.” Thorfinn gathered Hermione in his arms.
“What is the one thing you said you wish you had more time to do in school?”
Hermione rolled her eyes, “Practical application of Defence against the Dark Arts.”
Thorfinn brought her in closer, forcing her head to rest on chest. “The biggest thing for me is the amount of time you spend grading. Every night you spend at least three hours marking up papers for what? Just so maybe they learn a small tidbit of information. Let’s be honest, these students just don’t retain information that way.”
Hermione sighed, “You’re right.”
“I just honestly don’t want to see you breaking your neck to grade papers that students don’t care about anyway. It would make things better for both of us at night.” Thorfinn kissed the top of her head, smoothing her hair and pulling her even closer to his body.
Hermione wrapped her arms around his muscular frame, “alright fine.”
“I love you, Hermione Rowle.”
“I love you, Thorfinn Rowle”
“Next time, can you just promise me not to discuss this in a bloody staff meeting, maybe talk to me about it at home?”
“Yes, love, I will, I am sorry if you felt blindsided.”
Hermione nuzzled her face lovingly against his beard, “Thank you.”
“You know, you’re kinda hot when you’re mad.”
“We are NOT going down this road Thorfinn Rowle.”