allendalepharm Chapter 308 The Start of School, Lockhart's Educational Reform
Chapter 308 The Start of School, Lockhart's Educational Reform
Chapter 308 The Start of School, Lockhart's Educational Reform
They say the beginning is always the hardest, and Lockhart, who had just taken on the role of principal of a magic school, had far too many things to do.
How the students are arranged, whether the professors are qualified, and the arrival of people from all walks of life different from Hogwarts in Beauxbatons.
Yes, Beauxbatons Academy has a commercial street specifically for young wizards.
So Lockhart simply waved his hand and said, "Let's take the exam!"
A comprehensive assessment.
After the freshman orientation dinner, a unique activity at Beauxbatons involves upperclassmen leading the freshmen to the school's wand shops to choose suitable wands and collect standard school uniforms, wizard robes, cauldrons, and other supplies from various shops. This process takes three days and is the first student activity after the start of the school year.
During these three days, Lockhart summoned all the professors and invited people from all walks of life who were passionate about education (including the board of trustees).
First, the lower grades are divided based on the "ordinary wizard level exam" for obtaining a general wizard graduation certificate.
The assessment at Hogwarts was in the fifth year, while at Beauxbatons it was in the sixth year.
But Lockhart requires fourth grade.
"Remove the Extinguishing Charm test for dealing with fire dragons. In modern wizarding life, most people don't need to master it, unless they're planning to rob Gringotts' vault!"
"Removing the formula and preparation test for love potions? I don't understand why Potions, which has so much more relevant to modern wizarding life, would focus on this. Besides, I remember it's a prohibited substance under the laws of the Ministries of Magic in various countries, right?"
"I have only one request: use your brains and carefully observe what abilities modern wizards truly need to master in their daily lives and work!"
Lockhart arranged for Voldemort to participate in leading the formulation of this plan, so that these interests could be balanced among themselves.
Wizards with their own preferences can complete the task at an extremely fast pace.
In fact, Voldemort didn't even look at these people.
Let's see what these are.
Professors who spend all their time holed up in magic schools and detached from society, bureaucrats of the Ministry of Magic who are detached from life and served by house-elves, and parasites of pure-blood families!
He directly used these people to bring in more qualified professionals who were better suited to participate in the matter.
For example, in Potions, he contacted several major wizarding hospitals and potion shops within Beauxbatons' catchment area.
A team of experts, including herbalists and other professionals in the field, quickly discussed content more suitable for the average wizard to grasp.
Lockhart was pressed for time, hoping to complete this preliminary assessment before the three-way battle.
That is, before Halloween on November 1st, when the three major magic schools will begin the selection process for contestants.
Voldemort, however, said it wouldn't take that long.
Get it done in two weeks!
He has the ability to get the bigwigs from all sides to reach a vote in a very short time on issues that are being hotly debated.
Then, we organized exams for the students to find out how well the students at Beauxbatons had grasped the knowledge.
Next, based on the students' learning situation, it was determined which professors were completely incompetent and were removed from the school.
Meanwhile, Lockhart led a panel of professors including Audrey Lemaître, Severus Snape, and Remus Lupin to review the students’ talents.
Participate in this assessment to select talented or severely unbalanced young wizards.
The result was quite interesting.
Or it's quite typical.
First, there are the intellectually disabled children from pure-blood families. They perform extremely poorly in knowledge-based courses such as Potions, Herbalism, Magical Creatures Protection, Transfiguration, and History of Magic, but show great potential in divination, ancient runes, and some magic, including Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Of course, it is a manifestation of a partial spell, or to put it simply, it leans towards spirituality and talent rather than magic based on knowledge.
This resulted in them also performing poorly in these subjects.
Conversely, those who had Muggle childhood experiences tend to be more inclined towards knowledge-based magic and are less adept at magic that requires spirituality.
Muggle wizards and half-breed wizards tend to be more inclined toward things that seem magical, such as potions, herbalism, and magical zoology.
Meanwhile, the young wizards from ancient wizarding families show good talent in areas such as transfiguration, mysticism, and modern mysticism.
Lockhart could even write a report on the purity of a young wizard's magical life and his magical inclinations based on such findings.
This topic includes "pure-bloods," but it's not just about "pure-bloods"; it's about a higher level of magical life.
But not everything can be thrown into this box.
Many young wizards who have a great talent and specialization in different disciplines do not belong to this category; they are simply talented in their own right.
Especially those young wizards who excel in magical creature conservation, they are naturally drawn to animals. And many of those who excel in herbalism are also close to nature.
that's it.
In just half a month, this comprehensive assessment was successfully completed.
In this exam, Headmaster Lockhart required the young wizards to achieve at least three excellent grades in their fourth year so that they would be able to work after graduating from school.
This assessment can be said to have been less than ideal.
Many sixth and seventh graders couldn't even get an excellent grade in a single subject, meaning these slackers didn't have any real skills.
But there were also unexpected surprises; some third-year wizards were already able to get several excellent grades.
After completing this assessment, they received certificates jointly issued by the magic ministries of various countries, meaning that even those who drop out of school today could find jobs to support themselves.
The school castle auditorium.
After the certificates were awarded, Principal Lockhart went to the podium and looked around at the students below.
He smiled slightly as he looked at the young wizards, whose expressions were tense from the exams.
"I think you can relax now. Please enjoy your relaxing and pleasant campus life."
"Now, let's celebrate the fruits of the labor of the entire school and everyone involved!"
At first, the young wizards simply clapped, but as some cheered and were not reprimanded by the etiquette professor, more and more young wizards joined in the shouting activity.
It took a while for the auditorium to quiet down again, but clearly, a relaxed atmosphere had completely swept away the pressure brought by the exam.
Lockhart rested his hands on the podium, smiling as he looked at everyone.
"Many people have asked me what I will bring to Beauxbatons as principal?"
"I want to say that a new era is coming to the magical world, and we hope to cultivate more outstanding wizards who are adapted to this new era."
"Please allow me to briefly explain the changes I made to Beauxbatons School."
"Beauxbatons will still be a seven-year system, but we will no longer simply divide students into grades."
Based on the standard wizarding level exams, we require students to achieve a minimum score of 7 in their fourth year.
You will pass all three subjects and achieve excellent grades. With this achievement, you will have completed the most basic general education.
"These four academic years are respectively: Introductory, Foundation, Advanced, and Specialization."
"We allow young wizards to skip levels after passing the professor's assessment. For example, if you do well in your second year, you can directly enter the fourth level of specialization," allowing you to focus on subjects you excel in or are weak in.
"We also require those young wizards who do not meet the assessment standards to remain in the fourth-level 'specialization' in their sixth or seventh year of school, so that you can at least learn something from this school."
This certificate-oriented education method has always been a characteristic of the three major magic schools, but only Lockhart specifically reformed it and took it to a complete stand.
He waited for the young wizards, professors, and other participants to finish digesting the information before continuing his narration.
He held up three fingers.
"After completing this important test in your life, you will begin further studies, and you will have three life paths to choose from."
"Profession."
Special skills.
"Life."
Those who choose the "career path" will still receive a comprehensive education, aiming for the "ultimate wizard level exam."
"I think many senior wizards are aware of this when they receive career guidance: the Ministry of Magic's new Aurora standard requires a 'Good' or higher score in five specific subjects in the Ultimate Wizarding Examinations, and the same applies to therapists in major hospitals—"
"Thus, after graduation, you will become the backbone of the wizarding community and have a life different from that of ordinary wizards."
The atmosphere at Beauxbatons was more disciplined than at Hogwarts, and the audience was quiet as Lockhart spoke.
"The other specialization route will take you to a specialized field, where you will choose the subject you excel in and receive the most comprehensive education in that discipline."
"It requires the approval and signature of the principal and vice-principals, individual guidance from professors, and access to social resources. At the appropriate time, you will be recommended by the principal and professors to intern in various institutions."
"at last."
"You can also choose the 'Lifestyle' route, which differs from the curriculum of other magic schools. Here, you will learn magic that is more relevant to daily life."
"Abandon learning all war magic, learn a small amount of basic dueling magic, focus your main efforts on the field of life magic, and explore the foundations of future-oriented disciplines."
Simply put, this is a path for wizards who don't have much talent; their future lives will almost certainly involve little combat and they won't be involved in concocting complex potions.
But this does not mean they will fall to the bottom of society.
Wizards who emerge from this path will at least be skilled in areas such as magical chefs, household pest control workers, and those proficient in cultivating magical herbs and raising magical animals at home.
In the wizarding world's ecosystem, they would probably be ranked below Aurors, healers, and the like.
But such a rich magical life is full of endless possibilities.
Compared to the daily lives of many adult wizards in today's society who have almost abandoned magic, these people are still full of potential.
Such a change.
The entire school was screened.
Lockhart had to discover that, despite its seemingly thriving campus, nearly 70% of the students at Beauxbatons were failing the "Ordinary Wizarding Level Exams".
Of the remaining full-time students who were able to receive further education and attempt the "Ultimate Wizarding Level Exam," fewer than 50 were selected. Only 13 were chosen based on special talents. The rest were all assigned to the residential classes.
"Is this all there is to wizards? The exceptionally talented are exceptionally talented, and the mediocre are extremely mediocre?"
At night, Lockhart examined the list in his hand, then looked thoughtfully at Voldemort beside him.
Voldemort pursed his lips and remained silent.
In fact, this assessment was also somewhat of a shock to him.
Because the results were not distributed in the manner he predicted, according to the "bloodline theory".
Was he wrong?
There is no hierarchical classification between purebreds, mixed-bloods, and Muggle species; the differences are only roughly determined by their upbringing.
"I don't recommend you write anything about this educational reform. I know you're a peacock who'd love to boast about your achievements in the newspapers, but your actions have already sparked enough controversy," Voldemort said, only mentioning this point.
Lockhart chuckled, shaking the list in his hand. "No, I guess you mean—hey, Lockhart, don't say that out loud, or everyone'll know that 'bloodline theory' is a joke!"
Voldemort's face darkened, and he simply said, "You know the function of magical bloodlines!"
Lockhart shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.
Undeniably, among the 13 students selected for their special talents, almost the majority can serve as evidence for the "bloodline theory."
For example, the Weasley twins, George and Fred, who transferred to the school.
Although their mother, Molly, did not want her sons to go down this path (she wanted them to become officials in the Ministry of Magic), the twins' father actually had a talent for it.
Compared to other funny toys, Arthur Weasley's Magic Clock, Flying Cars, and other works are on a completely different level.
But no matter what, there really is such a thing as bloodline inheritance.
Life is full of disappointments, and sometimes we are just helpless.
For example, Snape, who just knocked on the door and came in.
He was forced to confront the prospect of working with Voldemort—even though he had come to Beauxbatons to start a new life!
"You wouldn't mind if I killed him, would you?" Snape asked Lockhart, narrowing his eyes, while staring intently at Voldemort.
"Of course, you should know that you're not on that whitelist etched into his soul, which means he could kill you, and you also have the opportunity to kill him," Lockhart chuckled. "But now, I'm afraid there's no way. The Tom in front of you is just a projection."
Snape stared intently at Voldemort. "That day will come!"
Voldemort responded with a cold laugh, "Severus, you've ruined yourself like this for someone else's wife. I'm very disappointed in you!"
Oh shit!
Snape was itching to draw his wand and cast a Killing Curse on Voldemort right then and there!
But there's nothing they can do now; they can only awkwardly coexist like this.
Lockhart ignored the matter and smiled at Snape. "Have you made up your mind? What are you going to teach?"
Unfortunately, due to Grindelwald's planning of the magic system, Lockhart's educational reforms, and Lockhart's requirement for the Ministry of Magic and other organizations in various countries to revise the Ultimate Wizarding Examinations to keep pace with the times, Beauxbatons no longer has a course on Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Snape glanced at the thick list of students in Lockhart's hand, shook his head, and said, "I can't possibly teach those idiots who can't even pass the basic wizarding exams!"
Lohat nodded. "Then you have a few options now."
"You excel in Potions and Duel Magic, the two subjects in the full-time class. You also used to teach the advanced classes at Hogwarts for the final wizarding exams."
"There are also special classes; there are a few students who are doing very well in Potions, and they need professors to give them special guidance."
"Finally, there's the life skills class. Their potion and spell studies are more life-oriented. If you also need to find answers in your new life, teaching this class would be a good option."
This is a career choice.
It is also a test of Snape's life.
What path does he intend to take in the future?
Of course, neither of these paths will prevent him from improving himself and then killing Voldemort.
Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprising, Snape remained silent for a moment before giving his answer: "I'll go teach Potions and Charms to the living class."
Embrace a new life!
Explore a new era of wizarding life with your students.
"I can also mentor potion-making apprentices in the special talent class," he added, essentially taking on several apprentices.
"Not a bad choice," Voldemort said from the side, not jokingly. "The traditional Auror and healer professions are too rigid. Ordinary people can rise in social class, but I've never heard of any masters emerging from here."
"On the contrary, specialized talents and wizards who seek life's meaning in everyday life are often the ones who come out on top."
For example, Molly, the mother of the Weasley twins.
"snort!"
Snape merely snorted in response, clearly displeased with Voldemort's approval, and turned to leave, tossing his long hair and wizard's robes.
He didn't say anything more. There were many professors waiting outside the principal's office to come in and discuss the upcoming teaching arrangements, so Lockhart would obviously be very busy.
At least now he no longer has to endure the annoyance of teaching those most basic potion courses. Too many foolish little wizards gave him a headache, and to make matters worse, these people were not diligent and refused to even memorize the most basic knowledge points.
Yes, that's right, we're not talking about the explosive genius Seamus, we're talking about Harry Potter!
Making him memorize all the knowledge points like Hermione makes it seem like they're targeting him and making things difficult for him.
And there are many such young wizards in Beauxbatons.
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