Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 436, Section 434: Easter Eve
When Sheen left the alchemy office, the sunset was a fiery red.

Professor Terra has already found suppliers and even created a complete supply chain using her own alchemy workshop.

This means that they can truly meet the needs of wizards throughout the entire magical world.

The only problem is that the mass-produced magic hand mirrors are of extremely poor quality. Alchemy apprentices cannot understand the magic circuits engraved on them, and even wizards who have been immersed in the alchemy industry for many years find it difficult to perfectly replicate them.

This means that even the best magic hand mirror can only be used for two years.

Professor Terra actually laughed and said it was a good thing...

In her eyes was a cunning glint that Sheen had never seen before.

This made Sheen realize that he still had a long way to go in the field of alchemy.

……

Bright spring has arrived.

The weather was getting clearer and warmer, with a gentle breeze, but the little wizards were stuck indoors all day, doing their homework and running to the library again and again.

Perhaps it was the course selection that gave the wizards a sense of urgency, or perhaps it was the increased amount of homework assigned by the professors, but the young wizards seemed to have endless things to do in the lead-up to the Easter holidays.

They discussed not only the course selection process that had just ended, but also the upcoming exams.

"Don't you know? In fifth grade, we have to take a terrible exam."

Fred and George Weasley will have to work hard next year; they're going to take the OWL (Ordinary Wizard Level Examination).

Percy needs to prepare to pass the NEWT (Ultimate Wizarding Exam), the highest degree offered by Hogwarts.

Percy had to maintain excellent grades; he was obsessed with getting into the Ministry of Magic.

Ron was gesturing wildly during breakfast.

"OWL?"

Harry asked, bewildered.

"The regular wizarding exams, which Harry and other fifth-year students all have to take."

Ron said.

“Hmm, Professor McGonagall said that her NEWT class only accepts students who have achieved a grade of ‘Good’ or higher on the OWL exam.”

Hermione added.

What is NEWT?

Harry's head was spinning.

“Oh, Harry, Wood has trained you to be stupid. Justin said that a few days ago…”

Ron continued in a loud voice, but then suddenly stopped. He remembered that Harry wasn't there; he was training. So his words got stuck in his throat, neither coming out nor going back in.

Finally, his face swelled up as if he had swallowed a slug.

“That’s the final wizarding exam… Hogwarts will abolish the current curriculum after the fifth year, leaving only a few outstanding wizards to participate in the NEWT class. These wizards will continue to study at Hogwarts and finally take the final wizarding exam.”

Justin patiently explained it again.

What if I don't want to take this exam?

Harry blurted out that he was thinking of Potions class.

Let him study for another two years...

Ha shook his head vigorously.

“Of course, it’s leaving Hogwarts, Harry.”

Justin said.

"Do not……"

Harry felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer upon hearing this.

Now even the Potions class is friendly and approachable.

"You can choose the courses you like, Harry, you don't have to choose all of them."

When it came to selecting all, Hermione turned to look at Sheehan.

He ate quietly without making a sound.

After listening to their conversation, he fell into his usual state of contemplation.

It's easy to tell when his condition changes—he'll eat much slower at this point.

As Sheehan sipped his pumpkin juice, he pondered the Hogwarts education system and the future of wizards. Hogwarts had two important exams: the Ordinary Wizarding Exams and the Final Wizarding Exams.

They will decide the wizards' future destinations in order.

For example, St. Mungo's Hospital requires that wizards achieve at least an 'E' grade in the NEWT exams for Potions, Herbalism, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

For example, Auror requires at least five NEWT certificates, all with a grade of 'Good'.

Most young wizards are unaware of this; they can only ensure that they have enough options when the career guidance course arrives by studying each subject well.

Justin and Sheehan realized this at the same time. He subconsciously looked to his side, and Sheehan and he made eye contact by chance.

"It seems there's no career guidance for wizards in the wizarding world?"

Justin asked in a low voice.

"They'll be available in fifth grade; early career guidance may not be effective."

Sheen said.

"Yes, but we're different, aren't we?"

Justin glanced at Harry, in particular.

He's been wavering between going to training and not going to training lately.

"Yes."

Sheen responded softly.

The morning outside Hogwarts Castle was exceptionally bright.

The sky was a clear, hazy pinkish-blue. Facing the window, Sheen could see the tall beech tree at the front of the Forbidden Forest, where Hagrid was busy working, wearing a not-so-thick coat, his beard trembling.

Easter is approaching, and along with Easter comes news of Lockhart's trial.

People were so surprised they almost swallowed their tongues.

When the news was announced in the auditorium, Professor McGonagall immediately stared intently at Sheehan.

The professors around her were all very happy; no one liked Lockhart, and even Professor Sprout drank a few more butterbeers, his face flushed.

The young wizards, holding the newly published Daily Prophet, couldn't believe that Lockhart, who had been awarded the Order of the Covenant Third Class, had deceived the entire wizarding world.

Even more surprisingly, Rita is still the lead writer.

It's unclear when exactly, but this "notorious" reporter began to "turn over a new leaf."

Although her reporting is still exaggerated, at least it's not completely fabricated.

Rita herself has been very pleased with herself lately.

With readily available breaking news, she didn't need to embellish it.

It's important to know that although she is a reporter for The Daily Prophet, she doesn't always get to be the lead writer for the main columns, otherwise she wouldn't have to transform into a beetle and fly around everywhere.

But ever since I met that person...

"The Defense Against the Dark Arts class has been cancelled?"

Harry asked excitedly.

I think so!

Ron answered eagerly.
"Anyway, we already have a lot of experience in this area."

Ron also said to the sullen Hermione.

"You are thinking too much!"

Hermione got angry.

She looked at Dumbledore, whose beard was long and white.

The kind and amiable headmaster indeed announced that Professor Snape would become a temporary professor.

Amid Harry's dazed state and Ron's mournful cries, Sheehan realized something.

The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is cursed; no wizard who takes the position lasts more than a year.

But Professor Snape was always a substitute and never stayed for a year.

Is this... a bug caused by a curse?

(End of this chapter)