Chapter 771: Percy's Envy
Chapter 771: Percy's Envy
The vast Great Hall was sparsely occupied, with only a handful of students enjoying their breakfast. Most others were either still in bed, like Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, or simply couldn't be bothered to get up.
Hermione sat quietly beside Albert, absentmindedly spreading blueberry jam on a slice of bread, and casually brought up a topic, "So, are we going to practice dealing with Boggarts again for our next gathering?"
"Yeah, Boggarts are an important part of the exam," Albert replied.
"Hearing you say that makes me think Professor Lupin will include Boggarts in our practical O.W.L.S. exam," Hermione said as she took a bite of her bread, her mouth slightly full.
"When's our next get-together, then?"
"In a few days, I guess."
Albert was in the middle of eating a fried egg when he spotted a familiar figure entering the Great Hall.
"A few days? What's this about?" Percy happened to sit down next to Albert with a bowl of pumpkin porridge.
"O.W.L.S. Defense Against the Dark Arts cram session," Albert replied with a smile, waving at Isabelle, who had just entered.
"Since when did our school have something like this?" Percy asked without looking up from his plate of bacon. "Did you organize this yourself?"
"Something like that," Albert shrugged. "A lot of people are worried about flunking their Defense Against the Dark Arts exam."
"Actually, the O.W.L.S. exam for Defense Against the Dark Arts isn't that difficult. It's all covered in the book 'Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection'," Percy recalled, shaking his head. "The practical exam involves defense and dispelling charms, and if anyone flunks, it's their own fault for not revising properly."
"If anyone else heard you say that, they'd probably want to punch you," Albert teased.
"Well, isn't it true?" Percy countered.
Albert smiled but remained silent. He agreed, but he wasn't one to speak without care.
"However, I heard from a senior that the N.E.W.T.S. exams are much stricter," Percy added two more sausages to his plate and frowned as he watched Albert drinking milk. "Especially for Defense Against the Dark Arts. After all, an Auror must excel in this subject, achieving 'Outstanding' rather than merely 'Exceeds Expectations'."
"You don't know that?" Albert finished the last of his egg, his tone odd. "Even foreign schools know that Hogwarts's standard for Defense Against the Dark Arts is abysmal."
"I didn't realize you didn't like eggs and milk," Hermione said, puzzled.
"It's not that I don't like them, I'm just sick of them. I've been eating them for a very long time," Albert explained as he helped himself to some porridge. "Eggs and milk help me grow taller and stronger, and they can do the same for you—make you prettier and more handsome. Why don't you give it a try for a term and see how it goes?"
"I think I'll pass," Percy declined politely, then asked, "Do students from other schools also think our Defense Against the Dark Arts standard is poor?"
"During the second round of the Potions Championship, I was even attacked by a student from Africa," Albert said nonchalantly, as if he wasn't the one who had been assaulted.
"They attacked you? How is that allowed during a competition?" Hermione asked in disbelief. "Surely that's against the rules?"
"Of course, it's to eliminate other competitors. Hermione, you're too naive," Albert said matter-of-factly. "As long as no one knows and there's no evidence, it's not considered cheating. And students from Africa are quite skilled in wandless magic."
"What happened to that competitor?" Percy asked suddenly.
"I knocked them out," Albert replied. "Later, they were disqualified for attacking me."
Percy wore an 'I knew it' expression. He never thought Albert was the type to be taken advantage of.
"By the way, I remember you get along well with Truman," Percy asked tentatively. "I heard he plans to join the Ministry of Magic as a Muggle Liaison Officer after graduation and is preparing for the Muggle Studies exam this year."
"Yeah, I heard," Albert nodded. "Actually, I think it would be pretty cool to become an Auror if I had the chance. I heard they earn a lot, and it's all based on merit."
"Yeah, if there's one place where your N.E.W.T.S. grades from Hogwarts could really make a difference in the Ministry of Magic, it would be as an Auror's ticket in," Percy sighed. He had once considered the possibility of becoming an Auror himself but ultimately abandoned the idea, opting instead to try his luck in the Ministry.
"Are you saying Hogwarts grades are useless?" Hermione was shocked.
"Not useless, exactly, but not very useful either," Percy clarified. "They're more like a ticket to get your foot in the door, preventing you from being shut out of certain professions. Of course, they can also make your resume look better since they're a testament to your abilities, and they can be... "
"...something to brag about,"
A sudden voice interrupted them, and Isabelle appeared behind Albert, smiling as she said, "But the most important thing is that it gives you more choices for the future. Even if you're unhappy with your current job, you can still find another one. It's all about what you want to strive for."
"Miss MacDougal," Hermione hesitated before asking, "if I may be so bold, what do you plan to do after graduation? Will you be joining the Ministry?"
"I don't plan to join the Ministry," Isabelle replied, glancing at Albert. "I'll probably write a book or collaborate with friends to open a potion shop after graduation. To be honest, ladies have it easier in this regard. If we're not in a hurry to climb the career ladder, we can take our time and enjoy the work itself after graduation. After all, many women stop working once they start a family, and you can't just leave your children at home. So, finding the right partner is often more important than your career, as it's a decision for life."
"Actually, girls are never inferior to boys," Isabelle continued. "In Muggle history, there was the famous female Prime Minister Thatcher, and the Ministry of Magic has had its fair share of female ministers. It's just a matter of..."
At that moment, an owl flew into the Great Hall and dropped a purple invitation in front of Albert.
Albert glanced at the sender's name and tucked the invitation into his pocket.
"...a matter of personal choice and how hard you're willing to strive for it," Albert said seriously. "I believe Isabelle could achieve great things in her career if she wanted to. Of course, the same goes for Hermione and Percy. You have to work hard for what you want."
After finishing his sentence, Albert moved to the other side of the long table and sat down with Isabelle to have a private chat.
"Sometimes I really envy them," Percy said, watching Albert and Isabelle.
"Their relationship is indeed enviable."
"No, that's not what I mean," Percy shook his head. "They're free, and they don't have to worry about their future."
After finishing his porridge, Percy turned to Hermione and said, "It's good to think about what you want to do after graduation. It'll help you develop in that direction. And if you're aiming for a position in the Ministry, a stellar resume will definitely help."
(End of Chapter)
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