Curing Idiocy Takes Just One Night

The day after classes resumed following the Easter Holiday.

A light drizzle still pattered outside the windows. It was neither hot nor cold, and opening the windows at any moment brought in the pleasant, refreshing scent of damp air.

The surface of the Black Lake seemed to have risen slightly. According to students from Herbology Class and Care of Magical Creatures, the grounds and the outer edges of the Forbidden Forest had become waterlogged. Step on them, and mud would cling to the soles of your shoes, requiring some effort to pull free.

After breakfast, Loren and Hermione arrived at the Charms classroom.

The Advanced Class moved through the curriculum more quickly. Only a few thin pages remained in the textbook, and judging by Professor Flitwick's usual pace, he would finish teaching new material this week and move into end-of-term revision.

Students trickled into the classroom and filled the seats. They sat in their usual places, surrounded by familiar faces. Before the bell rang and Professor Flitwick arrived, they chatted about recent news, focusing on rumors about the Ministry of Magic and The Dark Lord.

Apart from the news of the Apparition examination scheduled for a week later, everything else was hearsay and rumor—but it was certainly entertaining.

"My cousin works in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," a Hufflepuff student said solemnly. "I heard the Ministry took terrible losses this time, especially the clerical departments. They'll be greatly expanding recruitment over the next two years!" The people around him immediately started asking for details.

"Which departments are hiring more?"

"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Department of Magical Transportation, the Department of International Magical Cooperation... Every department except the Auror Office has recruitment plans."

"Will the grade requirements be lowered?"

"They might be lowered this year, but we