29 Chapter 29: Living Up To The Title Of 'Professor'

"As the name suggests, H.O.O.T. implies that the lessons and study material you will get to know over the year are primarily meant to facilitate the handling of your O.W.L.s ," began Sherlock.

"Indeed, it is an irrefutable fact that everyone here hails from a different family background. For some, the outcome of this exam will be a deciding factor for their place in our future wizarding society. For others, the number of Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations grades on their O.W.L.s certificates may be utterly irrelevant."

"So, before I introduce this exam-focused education system, those who aren't particularly worried about their O.W.L.s results can make their stance known to me. Subsequently, you will have the privilege to abstain from any exam-focused teachings."

"However, be warned, once you choose to participate in the H.O.O.T. program, bowing out before the conclusion of the O.W.L.s isn't permitted. Therefore, if you're not thoroughly prepared, I would counsel against participating haphazardly. No amount of pleadings to Professor Dumbledore would allow for any exemption from the essential coursework, you would have to drop out in order to stop me from teaching you."

The intent of Sherlock's cautionary advice to his class was crystal clear, instilling a palpable sense of unease amongst the students. Their initial four years at the Hogwarts Academy hadn't posed an excessive academic burden.

Within the school's premises, it was only the professors of the seven primary subjects who had to shoulder the true weight of the heavy workload. Therefore, the casual atmosphere had allowed them to unknowingly downplay the looming O.W.L.s examination.

The new fifth-grade students subconsciously inclined to the notion that this exam bore no difference from the standard annual examination. Only when the term started drawing to an end would it usually dawn upon students, how paramount the importance of the O.W.L.s examination truly was.

Grades received in the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T. exams play an equivalent role as a graduation certificate in the muggle world. Considering the relatively small wizard population, job-related stress is generally low with negligible internal competition. The system isn't focused on elimination but rather designates various ranking levels.

For instance, the O.W.L.s examination rewards a certificate for all twelve subjects for participating students, regardless of the grade achieved. However, the quality of grades on the certificates could vary substantially. Despite the minimal employment stress, not all wizards manage to secure jobs of high social standing or those with generous perks.

High-ranking positions like officials at the Ministry of Magic or curse breakers at Gringotts demand exemplary O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s grades. Bill Weasley, the Weasley family's eldest child, bagged twelve Outstanding grades in his O.W.L.s and secured employment at the Gringotts branch in Egypt as a curse breaker.

For an extended period, the Western world's sense of a relaxed academic environment and minimal competition allowed even poorly-performing wizards to make a comfortable living in the wizarding society. If there were no interference from other forms of education, schools wouldn't be too stressful since everyone was relaxed, and exam scores centered more on individual talents and interest in studying magic.

However, the reality narrates a different tale.

Sherlock's recent analysis of the O.W.L.s revealed that most high achievers were pure-blood children. They benefit from the advantages of an inherent magical education starting from childhood and parents who are well-versed with the inner workings of wizard society.

Thusly in comparison, pure-blood students typically outperformed their muggle counterparts, securing better examination grades due to the augmented family education. They then enter wizard society in top-tier positions, granting superior education to their descendants, thereby perpetuating a cycle.

Therefore, muggle students must have a clear self-awareness and be capable of independent study or possess a deep interest in studying magic to surpass pure-blood students who possess an early advantage. Hermione stands as a shining example, even if her nine Outstanding grades from the ten O.W.L.s exams she took fell short of Bill and Percy Weasley's twelve. (E/N.: How tf does MC remember this but nothing about the important plot events..?)

This trend is common in Western education circles, and the wizarding world is no exception. Even being the sole wizarding school in all of Great Britain hasn't altered this tradition at Hogwarts.

Sherlock observed this pattern in various books and resources even before his arrival at Hogwarts. Thus, he prepared teaching plans for the older students from the onset.

His sole task was to structure the course content around the exams, thereby temporarily concealing his knowledge of advanced spells. Simultaneously, he ensured that upper-grade students could compete somewhat evenly in Defense Against the Dark Arts, regardless of their background.

Sherlock, having scored impressively in exams and attended a prestigious university in his past life, despite being an orphan, harbored a minor obsession about making education more equitable.

Sherlock allowed his students ample time to ponder, but none disclosed their indifference for the O.W.L.s.

Wizards from magical families valued the ranking exams more than others, and even the muggle children, who were now nearing their sixteenth birthday this semester, were becoming aware of their impending graduation from Hogwarts in only two short years and the urgent need for future plans.

Once confirmed that there were no objections, Sherlock slightly nodded and handed out the parchments he'd arranged on the podium at the start.

"With this lesson, we officially commence our H.O.O.T. program."

"Firstly, we'll conduct a classroom test to determine your present understanding of theoretical approaches to the subject."

Starting the academic year with an examination was an unprecedented event for the fifth-year students. Their educational journey in Defense Against the Dark Arts was certainly not going to be as leisurely as before.

By reviewing the pattern of questions in the O.W.L.s over the past few years, Sherlock had begun to compile examination papers, placing extensive practice at the helm of his strategy.

In brief, in his first week at Hogwarts, Sherlock had already developed distinct teaching methods for the lower and upper grades.

Since assuming the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's mantle, Sherlock had done everything in his power to provide the most effective teaching for the castle's students without compromising his security. He was indeed living up to the title of 'Professor', wasn't he?