"Professor Jones, I think you should have a proper office now, since you're a Professor," she suggested in a low voice.
Then she thought seriously for a moment, nodded helplessly, and tactfully said, "I don't think the grades need to be too strict, after all, your requirements might be different from what Quirrell taught.
But I still recommend you hold a final exam, so you can understand the Dark Arts defense abilities of these children.
That way, you can better plan and prepare for next semester's teaching, isn't that right!"
Professor McGonagall truly lived up to her reputation as a veteran Professor who had taught at Hogwarts for over thirty years.
Not only did she know how to teach children.
She also knew how to teach teachers how to be teachers.
Howl was silent for a long time, having to admit that she made a valid point, and could only nod.
"Alright, thank you for your advice, Professor McGonagall."
After seeing Professor McGonagall off, Howl looked at the children and clapped his hands helplessly.
"Alright, children, I think you've heard, I need to get a proper office."
"Are you moving away?" the girl who couldn't help but laugh earlier asked.
"I'm sorry, yes." Howl looked at the girl; she was the one who had wanted a cat mask earlier.
"After I'm gone, Madam Pince certainly won't trust you. So I'm sorry, the reading room is disbanding. It's been a pleasure spending this year with all of you."
This was true; if he wasn't here to supervise, Madam Pince certainly wouldn't allow them to freely take books from the library anymore.
"Alright." Everyone seemed a bit disheartened.
"Then Professor, what kind of questions will you ask us? Can you give us a hint?" someone asked.
Throughout this year, Howl had gotten along very well with the children. His approachable and kind demeanor became their impression of him.
Immediately, when someone asked this question, everyone in the reading room looked up, eagerly anticipating his answer.
"I don't know either." Howl shook his head. "To be honest, I've been here for a year, and people come to ask me questions every day—spells, Transfiguration, Potions, even Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies, I've answered questions for people.
But... no one has ever come to ask me about Defense Against the Dark Arts.
I even highly doubt whether you have a clear concept of Dark Arts and defense against them."
His words were like knives, accurately piercing into everyone's hearts.
Suddenly, everyone felt a bit ashamed, and they suddenly felt that the kind Mr. Jones before them seemed to have become a different person!
"Of course, I'm not targeting you, I just want to say that because of the long-standing special situation of this course, it has led to you being a little bit..."
"We've learned a little bit of everything!" Fred quickly blurted out.
"Uh, no!" Howl was searching his brain, trying to find a more gentle word.
"You're a little... lacking!"
He admitted he tried his best.
All the Little Wizards immediately looked embarrassed, some even wiping non-existent sweat from their foreheads.
"Look on the bright side, this at least means I won't give you too difficult questions," Howl comforted them.
"So, what will it be?" The girl continued to ask.
"That I can't tell you." Howl shook his head and sat back down.
The others had also lost the desire to continue reading. They left one by one, eager to tell everyone that the Defense Against the Dark Arts final exam was about to restart.
Looking at the empty reading room, he suddenly felt a bit lost for some reason.
After all, it had been a rare quietness here for a long time.
Standing up, Howl closed the door, taking one last look at the reading room.
"Mr. Cat!" The girl, brimming with smiles, greeted him.
"Oh, good afternoon, Sindel!" Howl replied.
"Are you moving somewhere else?" she asked with a smile.
Howl nodded, "Yes, to the second floor, the Defense Against the Dark Arts office. I imagine you've already heard about it from the Little Wizards who just left."
"Alright." She waved her hand, "Well, it seems our opportunities to meet will be much fewer now."
"Yes." Howl nodded and said goodbye, leaving.
Sindel sat on the mat spread out on the green lawn, looking at the sky in her painting.
She could clearly tell that this sky was different from the one she had seen before.
She looked out, wanting to look past the corridor to the clear blue sky outside.
Suddenly, a large, furry face appeared in front of her easel.
"I just remembered something," Howl said. "Dumbledore suggested I hang a portrait or a photo in my office for easy contact.
I thought and thought, and I could only think of you. I wonder if you'd be willing!"
"Is this a job offer?" Sindel looked at him.
"Of course." Howl nodded.
"It would be an honor." Sindel nodded happily.
It seemed that smile... was much better than the one her painter had given her...
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