A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 153: Approaching Examinations

The Easter break had come to an end, but for the fifth and seventh year students, it only meant that the footsteps of the Wizarding Levels exams were drawing closer.

Professor McGonagall took the opportunity to convene a teachers' meeting, reminding the professors of each subject about the preparations leading up to the exams.

"Particular attention should be paid to the young wizards' state of mind. Every time before an exam, there are always some students who suddenly experience emotional breakdowns and do all sorts of bewildering things. In addition, this is also the peak period for the circulation of subpar potions, protective amulets, and cheating paraphernalia. As professors, we must be on high alert..."

Felix Harp compared the situation he saw with his own eyes. He wasn't entirely sure whether the sudden increase in acne on Miss Clemy Wibber's face was due to seasonal changes or, as Professor McGonagall put it, a state of mind issue before the exams.

"...The ordinary exams are scheduled for June 1st. They come earlier than the Wizarding Levels exams, but that doesn't mean we can afford to be complacent..."

As they walked out of the teachers' staff room, the two new professors gathered to share their insights.

"I never knew professors had to prepare so much in advance. I was dizzy from all sorts of exams when I was a student," Bellby said with an astonished tone.

"I only realized this recently too, Damocles. How is your Forbidden Forest creatures topic going?"

"Everything is going smoothly!" Bellby said enthusiastically. "I really want you to see the surprised expressions on their faces. I believe that—at least for a few years—my classes will be unforgettable for the students."

"Perhaps years later, I'll receive cards from young wizards too."

Felix smiled and congratulated him, and Bellby mysteriously added, "And it's true, Felix, the Hogwarts library is so rich in resources. I had no idea when I was a student."

...

Felix's fifth-year class showed varying degrees of pre-exam syndrome, most pronounced in the fifth and seventh years. This was unrelated to their grades; rather, it was a result of accumulating stress.

Warren Pardis from the fifth year handed in a blank test paper during one exam, claiming his mind had gone completely blank. He suspected he had been hit with the Obliviate charm, but with Felix's professional eye, he could tell Warren was actually in good condition.

"Mr. Pardis," Felix said, "the former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was sent to Azkaban for misuse of memory charms, so are you still sticking to that claim?"

Pardis quickly found an excuse to leave.

Other students claimed they had been cursed by Dark magical items, causing their minds to regress to a year ago. They demanded professors take care of their special circumstances, only to have Professor McGonagall put one of them in detention for three days.

The sixth-year students, on the other hand, had very stable mindsets. They often smiled and watched students from other years walk by in a hurry while they themselves enjoyed breakfast leisurely, adopting a more elegant and composed demeanor.

In the most recent class, Felix criticized this bystander mentality.

"I won't stop you from sharing experiences from practical lessons; to some extent, it's a reward for completing your assignments ahead of time. However—"

"Showing off to the seventh years can easily have uncontrollable consequences, and I'm looking at you, Miss Rye."

Amidst laughter, Emily Rye sheepishly said, "Professor Harp, I wasn't showing off to her. She's my cousin, and during the OWLs exams last year, she kept teasing me for being messy, like a Hufflepuff dog."

Laughter erupted even louder.

Felix was also amused. "Well then, let's continue with the new lesson. You've already covered parts about the Tombstone Cluster and the Dark Roost—"

"Actually, it's the Little Skulls and Black Ravens..." someone muttered from the audience.

"—" Felix continued, "and you've also discovered a lot of hidden Easter egg content that I've put in. Now, let's review the various challenges you've encountered."

...

As the Ancient Runes class for fourth-year students concluded, the Weasley twins brought out palm-sized square wooden pieces to show to him.

"Professor, currently, we can only achieve one-on-one communication, but we've achieved the intended effect."

Each of the twins held a square wooden piece, demonstrating. "We call it the Lover's Mirror. Of course, it's a temporary name for initial promotion. We took inspiration from the design of a two-sided mirror, and the material is chestnut wood as you suggested."

They pointed and gestured on the piece. "Just like this, if you want to send a message, you need to infuse a bit of magic, and the other side will become warm. It utilizes the principle of thermal nativity."

"There's a layer of silver powder on top, combined with synchronous magic and Transfiguration, allowing it to transform into different writings."

Fred tapped it with his wand, and George pretended to be a serious student.

"Oh, a new message has arrived." He took out the Lover's Mirror from his pocket, almost getting burned, but he still pretended, "Let me see who's interrupting my revision."

"Turns out it's Fred!" He infused a bit of magic into the chestnut piece, and a layer of silver coating revealed black writing: 'Percy is having a rendezvous in the abandoned classroom on the second floor.'

George raised his head, looking surprised at Fred. "Is that true? How come I don't know?"

Fred grinned, "I saw it when I went to the loo."

After the demonstration, the twins handed the Lover's Mirror to Felix Harp, nervously awaiting his evaluation.

Felix Harp carefully examined it for a moment. "Very well done. I didn't even think of the idea with the silver coating." He looked up, "I need to take it back for further study. I'll give you an answer in a day or two."

"Of course, Professor Harp."

The twins exchanged a glance, their expressions hesitant, while Felix Harp quietly waited.

"Professor, as you know, we plan to open a joke shop in the future..."

Felix Harp nodded.

"George and I discussed it, and you'll have a fifty-percent share in the joke shop's profits."

"Fred," Felix Harp interrupted, "you don't need to consider my share. I simply offered some advice."

"Professor Harp, George and I are very clear that your help to us has gone far beyond the duties of a professor. Not just the Lover's Mirror, but also our other impractical ideas. No one has ever encouraged us, not even Mum and Dad... We're deeply grateful," Fred said with a deep breath, speaking earnestly, "This is all we can offer."

George nodded in serious agreement.

Felix Harp's gaze shifted between them, and after about a minute, he responded noncommittally, "I'm looking forward to seeing how your products will change the wizarding world in the future."

"We definitely will!" The twins chorused in unison.

...

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the time came for the first weekend after the Easter break.

The Quidditch match was approaching.

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