Chapter 153: The Exam Approaches
Chapter 153: The Exam Approaches
Easter break was over, and for the fifth and seventh-year students, this only meant that the Wizarding Level Exams were drawing closer.
Professor Mcgonagall also took the opportunity to hold a faculty meeting, reminding all the professors to prepare for the exams.
"Pay special attention to the psychological well-being of the young wizards. Before each exam, some students tend to experience sudden emotional breakdowns, leading to all sorts of bizarre behaviors. Additionally, this period is also a high-risk time for the circulation of inferior potions, amulets, and cheating devices. As professors, we must be vigilant and prevent such issues at all costs..."
Felix compared this to what he had observed. He wasn't entirely sure if Miss Crema Vera's sudden acne outbreak was due to seasonal changes or, as Professor Mcgonagall suggested, a result of pre-exam stress.
"... The regular exams are scheduled for June 1st. They come before the Wizarding Level Exams, but this doesn't mean we can be complacent..."
As they walked out of the faculty lounge, the two new professors gathered to share their thoughts.
"I never realized how much preparation professors have to do. When I was a student, exams left me feeling overwhelmed", Belby said with a tone of surprise.
"I only learned about it recently, Damocles. How's your Forbidden Forest creature project coming along?"
"Everything is going smoothly!" Belby said with enthusiasm. "I wish you could see the amazed looks on their faces. I think—well, at least for a few years, my class will be unforgettable for the students."
"Perhaps years from now, I'll still receive letters from young wizards."
Felix smiled and congratulated him. Belby then added mysteriously, "And you were right, Felix. Hogwarts' library is incredibly rich. When I was a student, I had no idea."
...
Felix's five classes all exhibited varying degrees of pre-exam syndrome, but it was most pronounced in the fifth and seventh years. This wasn't due to academic performance but rather the accumulation of various pressures.
Warren Pardis, a fifth-year student, once submitted a blank test paper, claiming his mind was completely blank and that he suspected someone had cast a Forgetfulness Charm on him. However, from Felix's professional perspective, Pardis was in perfect condition.
"Mr. Pardis", Felix said, "the previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was sent to Azkaban for the misuse of Memory Magic. Are you still going to stick to that story?"
Pardis quickly found an excuse to leave.
Another student claimed that a dark magic item had cursed him, causing his mind to regress to the level of a first-year. He demanded special consideration from the professors, only to be given three days of detention by Professor Mcgonagall.
The sixth-year students, on the other hand, remained remarkably calm. They often smiled as they watched other students rush past them, taking their time to enjoy their breakfast with a newfound grace and composure.
In his latest class, Felix criticized this attitude of being a spectator.
"I won't stop you from sharing your experiences from the practical classes; in a way, it's a reward for completing your tasks early. However—"
"Boasting to seventh-year students can easily lead to uncontrollable consequences. I'm talking to you, Emily Rye."
Amidst the laughter, Emily Rye sheepishly replied, "Professor Hep, I wasn't boasting. She's my cousin and used to tease me about being messy and looking like a pug during last year's Owls Exam."
The laughter grew louder.
Felix was also amused. "Alright, let's continue with the new lesson. You've already completed the Gravestone Cluster and Black Nest sections—"
"Actually, it was the skeletal imps and Black Crows..." someone muttered from the back of the room.
"—" Felix continued, "and you discovered a large number of Easter Eggs that I hid. Now, let's review the various challenges you encountered."
...
At the end of the fourth-year Ancient Runes class, the Weasley Twins showed Felix a palm-sized square piece of wood.
"Professor, we can currently only achieve one-on-one communication, but it has reached the expected effect."
The twins each held a square wooden piece and demonstrated it. "We call it the Lover's Mirror, though it's just a temporary name for the initial promotion. We referenced the design of the Two-Faced Mirror, and the material is the chestnut wood you suggested."
They pointed at the wood. "Like this, if you want to send a message, you need to inject a bit of Magic. The other side will become hot, using the principle of hot Knuts."
"A layer of Mithril Powder is coated on it, combined with Synchronization Magic and Transfiguration, allowing it to display different texts."
Fred fiddled with his wand, while George pretended to be seriously taking notes.
"Oh, a new message!" He pulled out his Lover's Mirror from his pocket, almost getting burned, but he still put on a show. "Let me see who's disturbing my revision?"
"It's Fred!" He injected a bit of Magic into the chestnut wood piece, and a layer of silver coating revealed black text: 'Percy is on a date in the abandoned classroom on the second floor.'
George looked up, surprised. "Is that true? How did I not know?"
Fred grinned. "I saw them when I went to the bathroom."
After the demonstration, the twins handed the Lover's Mirror to Felix, anxiously awaiting his feedback.
Felix played with it for a while. "Very impressive, I didn't even think of using the Mithril Powder coating." He looked up. "I need to take it back for further study and will give you an answer in a day or two."
"Of course, Professor Hep."
The twins exchanged glances, looking somewhat hesitant, and Felix waited quietly.
"Professor, you know, we plan to open a Joke Shop in the future..."
Felix nodded.
"George and I discussed it, and we think you should have fifty percent of the profits from the Joke Shop."
"Fred", Felix interrupted, "you don't need to consider my part; I only provided some suggestions."
"Professor Hep, George and I are well aware that your help has far exceeded the duties of a professor. It's not just the Lover's Mirror, but all our other impractical ideas. No one has ever encouraged us, not even our parents. George and I are deeply grateful."
Fred took a deep breath and said very seriously, "This is all we can offer."
George nodded solemnly in agreement.
Felix's gaze shifted between them for about a minute before he said, "I look forward to seeing how your products will change the magical world."
"They will!" the twins said in unison.
...
In the hustle and bustle, time flew by, and it was the first weekend after the Easter break.
The Quidditch match was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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