While chatting with the people from the Wizarding Examinations Authority, Douglas keenly noticed that, deliberately or otherwise, these professors were letting one piece of information slip: the Ministry of Magic had serious objections to education at Hogwarts.
Even so, the people from the Wizarding Examinations Authority did not seem particularly concerned about the Ministry's opinions.
An idea immediately occurred to Douglas, though he would have to find time to discuss it with Professor Dumbledore.
Besides the people from the Wizarding Examinations Authority, the outsiders attending the Hogwarts examinations included a reporter and a photographer sent by the Daily Prophet.
They came during O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. examination week almost every year. Douglas glanced over and did not recognize the reporter.
Every examination followed the same procedure: a written paper in the morning and a practical examination in the afternoon. Defense Against Dark Magic would not be tested until Thursday. Over the past few days, the Magic Study Room had been fuller than ever. Almost as soon as their lessons ended, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick would go there to guide the fifth-years and Seventh Year students.
After visiting the Magic Study Room, the professors from the Wizarding Examinations Authority offered differing assessments.
Some professors thought hanging motivational banners in the study room did indeed help encourage students to study independently.
Others believed that wizards depended on talent. No amount of pushing could make someone without talent into an outstanding wizard.
After the first day's Herbology examination ended, Douglas found Professor McGonagall and went with her to the Headmaster's Office, where he explained his idea to them both.
"From my conversations with the professors from the Wizarding Examinations Authority today, I learned something: the Ministry of Magic has certain opinions about Hogwarts.
"The Ministry seems to think Hogwarts has become Professor Dumbledore's