With the OWLs and N.E.W.T.s approaching, many Ministry of Magic staff had appeared at the school. That was nothing unusual; it happened every year. But this year was somewhat different.
"Hogwarts should provide a channel for students to voice problems in the school's management and protect their rights."
"Teachers should be forbidden from using detentions to make students work for free."
"We should establish strong oversight over the school," said someone who had once studied at Hogwarts. "There should be a fair and impartial grading system, rather than allowing teachers to add or deduct points as they please."
Pomona looked up at the old bat eating at the other end of the staff table. His face looked even stiffer than usual.
Pomona shook her head and set the Daily Prophet aside. Although Rita Skeeter was currently out of Britain, her article had still appeared on the front page of the Daily Prophet. It was not the headline, however; that spot had been taken by Fudge, Ludo Bagman, and England's new Quidditch World Cup mascot—a transfigured rabbit that had defeated the raven by receiving more votes.
Before Albus became headmaster, corporal punishment had indeed existed at Hogwarts, but it had now been banned by the Educational Decree, including Filch's favorite, flogging. But if even detentions were abolished, Pomona truly did not know what this school would become.
Even if not everyone was prone to breaking rules and causing trouble, people still had their muddleheaded moments. You had to know fire burned before you would stop reaching out to touch it. Persuasion alone would not make them listen.
Besides, Albus did not want the students to be too obedient. If Voldemort truly returned one day, there would need to be a force capable of resisting him.
Just then, the old bat finished