Study Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 1769 A War Without Winners (Two Hundred and Nineteen)

The seventh-year final wizard exam was earlier than the fifth-year general wizard level exam, but because there were not many students in the advanced classes of most subjects, the final wizard exam did not use the school's auditorium, but used a more spacious classroom as the exam room.

Of course, the written test of Defense Against the Dark Arts was an exception. It was forced to use two separate classrooms as the exam room, and even Professor Marchbank, who was in charge of the exam, was surprised.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and the practical exam was not particularly difficult.

The only variable was probably the requirements of the new minister. There was one more item in the Defense Against the Dark Arts practical exam, but the difficulty was not high. The exam required using magic on a dummy to ensure that they had "the power to fight" when dealing with the enemy.

In the past, "combat practice" was indeed a weak point for most students. During Albert's tenure as professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, the situation of spells missing the target almost did not exist.

Even the examiners in charge of the exam were very surprised. They knew better than anyone what the level of defense against the dark arts was in Hogwarts over the past fifty years, and they also had a new understanding of Albert's teaching level.

At least in their opinion, the accomplishments of this year's graduates in defense against the dark arts were not low.

The substantial improvement in the defense against the dark arts of Hogwarts students was indeed related to Albert, but it was not due to his few defense against the dark arts classes every week, but because of the "Self-Defense Guide" spread by Albert during the Second Wizarding War, many students had seriously learned the means of self-protection.

It is undeniable that it was indeed the first time for Albert to be in charge of the exam, but the novelty soon wore out in the long sitting.

If Cedric hadn't been holding him and not giving him any chance to run away, Albert would have run away on the first day and would never have waited patiently until the end of the seventh grade exam.

For this reason, Cedric agreed to help Albert share the fifth grade exam, which was also considered to be familiar with the future tasks in advance.

As for Albert, he naturally had his own things to do.

Whether it was the Ministry of Magic, home, or Avalon, he even visited many well-known wizards with Headmaster McGonagall.

Unfortunately, no one was suitable for either the Potions teacher or the Transfiguration teacher.

"Professor, you're looking for me?"

Hermione pushed the door and walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office. Seeing the familiar figure busy behind the desk, she turned around and locked the office door.

"It seems that you did well in the exam!"

Looking at Hermione who was secretly closing the door, Albert smiled and greeted her, and handed her a hardcover version of the "Guide to Defense Against the Dark Arts". He had recently sent out a lot of signed books.

"I heard Cedric complain that you used this book to perfunctorily deal with him." Hermione leaned over and poked her head in front of Albert.

"Are you happy?" Albert awkwardly changed the subject.

"I just talked to Winky, and she has agreed to go to Avalon to help!" Hermione told Albert the good news.

"That's good. Dobby won't be as busy as he is now with a helper, and he can also have a companion." Albert raised his wand and cast a spell on the wooden door, then reached out and patted his knees, motioning Hermione to sit on it.

"Are you going to pay Winky?" Hermione suddenly asked, "I mean, if more house-elves join Avalon, will you pay them?"

"I will, but not all house-elves want a salary." Albert looked at Hermione's appearance and suddenly said, "Are you going to apply for a job at the Ministry of Magic right after graduation?"

"I have indeed thought about it, and I have even written a job application letter. However, I plan to take a break after graduation. Avalon also needs help, and..." Hermione turned her head to look into Albert's eyes and said softly, "I also hope to be able to take time to accompany you."

"That's good, I'm really afraid that you will become a workaholic like Percy." Albert picked up a file bag on the table and handed it to Hermione.

"Why give me this?" Hermione took the file bag and asked in confusion.

"I have helped you investigate the House-Elf Resettlement Office." Albert motioned Hermione to open it and see what was inside.

"Who did you ask for help, Harry or Percy?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow. She also wrote to Harry and Ron to inquire about the news of the House-Elf Resettlement Office, but neither of them had replied yet.

"Kingsley." Albert said without hesitation, "He asked Percy to do a detailed investigation, and this investigation was given to me by Percy."

Hermione fell into silence, not knowing whether it was because of the information revealed by Albert or because of the content of the investigation.

"It's really hard to imagine that this department still exists." Hermione muttered, "Have you seen the contents of this investigation?"

"No, but Percy briefly told me about the situation."

In this document, the House-Elf Resettlement Office is currently managed part-time by an employee of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

That's right, it's managed part-time by an employee of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, which means that there is no one in this department, only a name. In fact, this is not quite accurate, because the House-Elf Resettlement Office also has a cabinet for storing information.

"But why?"

"It exists in name only, just like the Centaur Liaison Office." Albert looked at Hermione's slightly pale face and reminded her. "The Ministry of Magic just needs it to exist, that's all."

"Will I be successful if I apply?" Hermione was a little confused. She needed the advice of the man in front of her.

"I think they probably won't go out of their way to find someone. Even if they succeed, they will probably just make a new desk for you in the corner."

Albert looked at Hermione who was concentrating on reading the information and suggested softly, "You don't necessarily need to apply for this position if you want to do something for the house elves."

"My suggestion is that you should be Kingsley's assistant, that is, to take over Percy's position."

Hermione didn't say anything. Obviously, this proposal did not satisfy the other party.

"If you don't want to, then find a job in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and then take over the work of the House Elves Resettlement Office."

"I'll think about it carefully." Hermione was really entangled, because there was a huge gap between ideal and reality. She really didn't expect the situation of the House Elves Resettlement Office to be so bad.

"There is a saying that goodness without power to support it is regarded as hypocrisy." Albert reminded softly: "Remember what I told you? If you were the Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures or the Minister of Magic, it would be much easier to change the terrible situation of house-elves than to worry about it now."