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Chapter 83: Building a Bridge Requires a Monument
2022-07-14 Author: I'm Just a Pigeon
"I'm pleased to announce that Honeydukes has allowed our club to use their back kitchen for our activities this weekend."
At the doorway of Honeydukes, Adams introduced the situation to William.
William wasn't sure how Adams had managed to negotiate this in advance, but in no more than ten minutes, their group was inside Honeydukes.
It wasn't the first time for all of the students. William saw two seventh-years adeptly leading the others to change their clothes and wash their hands. Judging by the cabinet where the chef's uniforms were stored, the clothes were clearly prepared specifically for the students.
"What are we supposed to do, Adams?"
Watching the students begin to work in an orderly fashion, waving their wands, William couldn't help but ask the perfectly calm Adams beside him.
"Nothing. The seventh-year students will lead them in trying to make various types of candy. The herbs were all pre-selected non-toxic products. We just have to wait patiently for the results, grade them, and recommend the best creations to the store manager."
"Recommend?"
"That's right. The best formula will be bought by the owner of Honeydukes for a handful of Galleons, and the student who invented the candy will get priority for an internship at Honeydukes when they're in their seventh year—they have a lot of chain stores, you know—hey, Watt, don't use your wand to control the syrup with your bare hands, it's very hot!"
While explaining to William, Adams didn't forget to shout at a nearby student who was violating safety procedures.
The young man named Watt sheepishly put on his gloves, and only then did Adams turn back to give William some advice.
"You should also join a club related to Dark Magic—ahem, to dueling or wizard self-defense. Or you could just start one yourself. That way, when a student you admire reaches their seventh year, you can help them find an internship in the club's name. Although grades are a reference, many industries prefer candidates recommended by a professor."
William had to admit, there was a lot more to these student clubs than he'd thought. Compared to the clubs he had joined in the past, the ones here seemed far more practical.
Of course, this was also related to the endorsement of a Hogwarts professor. At a school with a monopoly on the nation's education, a professor's prestige was indeed terrifyingly high—though, of course, that didn't include someone like him, who had been forcibly dragged here to fill a spot because of a curse.
"I might not even be able to teach for a full year. I'd rather not think about these things."
William tempted fate.
"Sigh..." Adams let out a light sigh, but quickly concealed it. "Have some confidence in yourself, William. There are two professors this year, so who knows—"
He swallowed the rest of his words. William was a friend he enjoyed talking to, and Professor Lockhart was his idol; he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to either of them.
Fortunately, at that moment, a student who had finished their creation the fastest brought over the candy they had made on a small plate, alleviating the awkward situation.
---
When William left Honeydukes, he was laden with bags big and small. The combination of student creations and snacks he had purchased made him look a size larger.
Although William would have been happy to stay and joyfully judge the student products with Adams, unlike Adams, he had things to do that evening.
The Weasley Twins' detention had to be conducted at night. Otherwise, based on Professor McGonagall's requirements, those two boys wouldn't get a single freely scheduled holiday before Christmas. And this wasn't just about scheduling their free time; it was a detention that was, in turn, a form of torture for William.
'Good thing I can still read. Having them copy lines won't affect my reading—I just have to be careful. Those two look like troublemakers; they might try to sneak a peek at those restricted books that aren't suitable for them.'
As he passed through the Entrance Hall, William mentally prepared himself.
But then, Professor McGonagall suddenly appeared, as stealthy as a cat emerging from the shadows.
This time, however, Professor McGonagall's expression wasn't one of embarrassment, but rather of frustration and helplessness.
"Professor William, have you prepared the books for the Weasley brothers to copy?"
"All prepared. I plan to have them copy parts of the school history, interspersed with records of the more significant commendations and punishments over the years. I've already asked Madam Pince; the school doesn't have a completely compiled record. Professor Binns also said he would be very willing to correct the transcribed manuscripts. Once the book is compiled, Madam Pince has agreed to include it in the school library. Professor Binns will be the editor-in-chief, and the Weasley brothers can have their names recorded in the book. It'll be a kind of honor."
William laid out his plan. Since Professor McGonagall had told him to make the workload substantial, he had simply decided to pull Professor Binns into it as well.
Although the bulk of the work certainly wouldn't be given to the two brothers, even a fraction of the workload would be enough to make the two students write until they were dazed.
Hogwarts had been founded nearly a thousand years ago. Anyone who had read a bit of history would know just how torturous compiling a millennium of school history could be. However, since Professor Binns couldn't die from overwork no matter how many extra hours he put in, William felt no moral pressure placing the main burden on him.
"School history?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall, school history. Mr. Filch has enough records to support it, and the library's collection can provide most of the reference books. While compiling the school history is a massive undertaking, we can handle it in batches. This will also provide plenty of work for students in detention."
"Professor William, that's a task that might not be completed in ten years."
"That's alright, Professor McGonagall. Professor Binns is up to the task. As long as the editor-in-chief can keep a firm grasp on things, changing the students involved won't affect the reliability of the school history."
If Professor Binns was willing, this history could be revised for a hundred years, and by then, the names of all the students who participated could fill a book of their own—but that, too, would be an honor.
Professor McGonagall thought for a moment, then mused:
"A very far-sighted measure. This suggestion for a school history is the best I've heard in recent years. I think for a long time to come, we won't have to worry about punishments for students being inappropriate."
"However, the matter of the school history is of great importance. I must first go and discuss it with Dumbledore—though I don't imagine he'll have any objections. If all goes well, the Board of Governors will approve the proposal quickly, and the relevant funds will be allocated soon after."
Relevant funds?
William was stunned. With a 24/7 editor-in-chief on hand, all the information available at the school, and the copyists being students in detention, what funds were needed?
And how did the Board of Governors get involved?
Fortunately, William had studied a lot to pass his exams, and coupled with the books he'd read before, he quickly arrived at a plausible answer.
It seems that when you build a bridge, you have to carve a monument for it, don't you?
ps: For personal reasons, my mood kind of exploded at noon, and I really didn't want to do any writing during the day. Thankfully, I've recovered. There will be an update tomorrow during the day.
(end of chapter)
2022-07-14 Author: I'm Just a Pigeon
"I'm pleased to announce that Honeydukes has allowed our club to use their back kitchen for our activities this weekend."
At the doorway of Honeydukes, Adams introduced the situation to William.
William wasn't sure how Adams had managed to negotiate this in advance, but in no more than ten minutes, their group was inside Honeydukes.
It wasn't the first time for all of the students. William saw two seventh-years adeptly leading the others to change their clothes and wash their hands. Judging by the cabinet where the chef's uniforms were stored, the clothes were clearly prepared specifically for the students.
"What are we supposed to do, Adams?"
Watching the students begin to work in an orderly fashion, waving their wands, William couldn't help but ask the perfectly calm Adams beside him.
"Nothing. The seventh-year students will lead them in trying to make various types of candy. The herbs were all pre-selected non-toxic products. We just have to wait patiently for the results, grade them, and recommend the best creations to the store manager."
"Recommend?"
"That's right. The best formula will be bought by the owner of Honeydukes for a handful of Galleons, and the student who invented the candy will get priority for an internship at Honeydukes when they're in their seventh year—they have a lot of chain stores, you know—hey, Watt, don't use your wand to control the syrup with your bare hands, it's very hot!"
While explaining to William, Adams didn't forget to shout at a nearby student who was violating safety procedures.
The young man named Watt sheepishly put on his gloves, and only then did Adams turn back to give William some advice.
"You should also join a club related to Dark Magic—ahem, to dueling or wizard self-defense. Or you could just start one yourself. That way, when a student you admire reaches their seventh year, you can help them find an internship in the club's name. Although grades are a reference, many industries prefer candidates recommended by a professor."
William had to admit, there was a lot more to these student clubs than he'd thought. Compared to the clubs he had joined in the past, the ones here seemed far more practical.
Of course, this was also related to the endorsement of a Hogwarts professor. At a school with a monopoly on the nation's education, a professor's prestige was indeed terrifyingly high—though, of course, that didn't include someone like him, who had been forcibly dragged here to fill a spot because of a curse.
"I might not even be able to teach for a full year. I'd rather not think about these things."
William tempted fate.
"Sigh..." Adams let out a light sigh, but quickly concealed it. "Have some confidence in yourself, William. There are two professors this year, so who knows—"
He swallowed the rest of his words. William was a friend he enjoyed talking to, and Professor Lockhart was his idol; he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to either of them.
Fortunately, at that moment, a student who had finished their creation the fastest brought over the candy they had made on a small plate, alleviating the awkward situation.
---
When William left Honeydukes, he was laden with bags big and small. The combination of student creations and snacks he had purchased made him look a size larger.
Although William would have been happy to stay and joyfully judge the student products with Adams, unlike Adams, he had things to do that evening.
The Weasley Twins' detention had to be conducted at night. Otherwise, based on Professor McGonagall's requirements, those two boys wouldn't get a single freely scheduled holiday before Christmas. And this wasn't just about scheduling their free time; it was a detention that was, in turn, a form of torture for William.
'Good thing I can still read. Having them copy lines won't affect my reading—I just have to be careful. Those two look like troublemakers; they might try to sneak a peek at those restricted books that aren't suitable for them.'
As he passed through the Entrance Hall, William mentally prepared himself.
But then, Professor McGonagall suddenly appeared, as stealthy as a cat emerging from the shadows.
This time, however, Professor McGonagall's expression wasn't one of embarrassment, but rather of frustration and helplessness.
"Professor William, have you prepared the books for the Weasley brothers to copy?"
"All prepared. I plan to have them copy parts of the school history, interspersed with records of the more significant commendations and punishments over the years. I've already asked Madam Pince; the school doesn't have a completely compiled record. Professor Binns also said he would be very willing to correct the transcribed manuscripts. Once the book is compiled, Madam Pince has agreed to include it in the school library. Professor Binns will be the editor-in-chief, and the Weasley brothers can have their names recorded in the book. It'll be a kind of honor."
William laid out his plan. Since Professor McGonagall had told him to make the workload substantial, he had simply decided to pull Professor Binns into it as well.
Although the bulk of the work certainly wouldn't be given to the two brothers, even a fraction of the workload would be enough to make the two students write until they were dazed.
Hogwarts had been founded nearly a thousand years ago. Anyone who had read a bit of history would know just how torturous compiling a millennium of school history could be. However, since Professor Binns couldn't die from overwork no matter how many extra hours he put in, William felt no moral pressure placing the main burden on him.
"School history?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall, school history. Mr. Filch has enough records to support it, and the library's collection can provide most of the reference books. While compiling the school history is a massive undertaking, we can handle it in batches. This will also provide plenty of work for students in detention."
"Professor William, that's a task that might not be completed in ten years."
"That's alright, Professor McGonagall. Professor Binns is up to the task. As long as the editor-in-chief can keep a firm grasp on things, changing the students involved won't affect the reliability of the school history."
If Professor Binns was willing, this history could be revised for a hundred years, and by then, the names of all the students who participated could fill a book of their own—but that, too, would be an honor.
Professor McGonagall thought for a moment, then mused:
"A very far-sighted measure. This suggestion for a school history is the best I've heard in recent years. I think for a long time to come, we won't have to worry about punishments for students being inappropriate."
"However, the matter of the school history is of great importance. I must first go and discuss it with Dumbledore—though I don't imagine he'll have any objections. If all goes well, the Board of Governors will approve the proposal quickly, and the relevant funds will be allocated soon after."
Relevant funds?
William was stunned. With a 24/7 editor-in-chief on hand, all the information available at the school, and the copyists being students in detention, what funds were needed?
And how did the Board of Governors get involved?
Fortunately, William had studied a lot to pass his exams, and coupled with the books he'd read before, he quickly arrived at a plausible answer.
It seems that when you build a bridge, you have to carve a monument for it, don't you?
ps: For personal reasons, my mood kind of exploded at noon, and I really didn't want to do any writing during the day. Thankfully, I've recovered. There will be an update tomorrow during the day.
(end of chapter)
