Chapter 635: Servants
Chapter 635: Servants (Special Chapter for Moon's Love and Support)
After lunch, Liam and Hermione went to Professor Mcgonagall's office to get their class schedules for the semester. However, they found the office empty. With no other choice, they decided to head back to the Common Room to see if they could find her there. To their surprise, they encountered Professor Mcgonagall just as she was about to enter the Common Room.
"It's you two! You really did go through a lot last week. Even Azkaban without the Dementors isn't a place suitable for humans, let alone the real battles you shouldn't have been involved in at your age." As the Deputy Headmistress responsible for administrative duties, Professor Mcgonagall was well aware of what Liam and Hermione had been up to. "By the way, come inside the Common Room quickly. I have something important to announce to everyone, and it concerns you two as well."
"Concerns us?" Liam was surprised but didn't ask any more questions. Instead, he followed Professor Mcgonagall into the Common Room.
The Common Room was bustling with students, enjoying the peaceful afternoon and preparing for their afternoon classes. When they saw Professor Mcgonagall enter, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
"I have an announcement to make, and it's specifically for the Seventh Year students", Professor Mcgonagall said, holding a parchment in her hand. "So, all Seventh Year students, please come over here."
Soon, under the curious gazes of the other students, the Seventh Year students gathered around. Professor Mcgonagall led them to a corner of the Common Room and used a spell to create a barrier, separating them from the others before unfolding the parchment.
"Given the current situation, the Ministry of Magic will be organizing a small-scale N.E.W.T. exam on a temporary basis. This exam is voluntary, and if anyone is interested, they can come to my office by tomorrow evening to sign up."
It seemed that after the Ministry of Magic fell, Dumbledore's side was severely understaffed, leading to the need to recruit from the current Seventh Year students. While Liam thought this was a practical approach, he understood that wartime often required breaking with tradition, especially given the unprecedentedly dire situation. Even during the darkest times of the last war, the Ministry of Magic had never fallen under Voldemort's control.
"Of course, considering that you're taking this exam a year early, it might seem a bit rushed", Professor Mcgonagall said, rolling up the parchment. "So, after this exam, we will still hold the regular N.E.W.T. exam at the end of the term. Anyone dissatisfied with their results can retake the exam. Those who pass this exam will be eligible to apply for early graduation."
Upon hearing this, Harry and Ron's expressions lit up. They knew their current levels were unlikely to pass and get their diplomas, but since they had a second chance at the end of the term, they were eager to give it a try.
"Professor, the exam won't be administered by the people from London, will it?" Liam asked as Professor Mcgonagall was about to leave the Common Room. "If it's Voldemort's followers, we'd rather not take the exam."
"Of course not", Professor Mcgonagall turned back to answer. "The Wizengamot's Chief Examiner, Professor Tofty, and his two assistants have come to Hogsmeade. They will be overseeing the exam here at Hogwarts."
She paused for a moment. "While this exam may not be as formal as previous years, I assure you that all N.E.W.T. certificates you receive will have the same validity as those from before."
"Of course, the recognition I'm referring to is from the Ministry of Magic currently based in Hogsmeade. If we win the war, these certificates will be just as valid as the old ones. If we lose—well", Professor Mcgonagall shrugged. "I think those who choose to take the exam won't be too concerned about such issues."
Liam's lips curled into a slight smile at Professor Mcgonagall's dry humor. As she said, everything was now centered around the current war. Everyone had the freedom to choose their side, and they would have to bear the consequences of their choices.
For instance, this exam was a simple way to divide the camps. Those willing to take the N.E.W.T. exam organized by the Hogsmeade Ministry of Magic were, at the very least, anti-Voldemort and supportive of Dumbledore.
In the current situation, many things bring both risks and opportunities. Especially after the Ministry of Magic, which was previously entirely controlled by the Pureblood Families, fully aligned with Voldemort, the Ministry of Magic in Hogsmeade, temporarily established with Madam Bones as the Minister, is severely understaffed. Even newcomers like Percy have been given significant responsibilities, such as leading the Accident Reversal Squad.
The same applies to other positions. For instance, Mr. Arthur Weasley is now the head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is even being handled by the current Minister of Magic, Madam Bones. This severe shortage of personnel means that students entering the Ministry of Magic now have far greater prospects than those before.
Of course, Liam decided to apply not because he was interested in a position at the Ministry. Instead, he felt that with the events of this year, he had many things to do and shouldn't spend too much time on his student life.
Once Professor Mcgonagall left the Common Room, it immediately burst into noise. Many first-year students gathered around, asking what Professor Mcgonagall had just said. Amidst the commotion, Hermione approached Liam and whispered, "Liam, I think the actions of the Pureblood Families are a bit strange."
"What do you mean?" Liam asked.
"According to my understanding, these Pureblood Families are like the top billionaires and nobility in the Muggle World. Theoretically, shouldn't they be hedging their bets? Why have so many Pureblood Families completely aligned with the Dark Lord?" Hermione voiced her concerns. "This doesn't align with the way the upper class usually behaves."
"It's simple because there is Magic here", Liam explained quietly. "Unlike the Muggle world, where power, status, connections, and wealth are paramount, in the Wizarding world, only Magic truly matters. The Pureblood Families can protect what they have not because of their wealth or status, but because they monopolize a certain kind of knowledge—a knowledge that makes them more powerful than others."
"That's why it's easy to understand why the Dark Lord can secure the loyalty of the Pureblood Families. He is the most powerful Dark Wizard, and he has enough power to suppress any dissatisfied followers. As a group composed of Dark Wizards, you can't expect them to have many virtues."
"For example, we would try to take care of the families of those who sacrifice themselves, providing them with some assistance. But the Dark Lord doesn't. For instance, the Crabbe and Goyle clans lost their patriarchs and main fighters in the previous battle. During the summer, I heard from Malfoy that the two widows of the Crabbe and Goyle clans have already been married off to two Nordic Dark Wizards by the Dark Lord's decree, and their wealth has been almost entirely divided among others."
"That's just—", Hermione was shocked by the dark side of human nature revealed by this situation. "The Crabbe and Goyle clans have a long history. Surely, some of the Purebloods must oppose this?"
"Everyone is reluctant, but what can they do? The Dark Lord has enough power to suppress them", Liam pointed out. "Not to mention, the Dark Lord no longer cares about material wealth. For these Death Eaters, the death of a comrade is just an opportunity to divide their estate and maybe even take their wife."
"I always thought the Death Eaters were a cohesive fighting force, but I didn't realize it was like this internally", Hermione said.
"They are indeed very powerful. The Wizards from the Pureblood Families have more knowledge and training than most of our side", Liam explained. "But they are not a cohesive group. They are just a collection of servants gathered under the Dark Lord, providing him with whatever he needs."
(End of Chapter)
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