In Willy's eyes, the current state of teaching at Hogwarts was, to some extent, a microcosm of the status quo of the entire magical society.
Wizards possessed convenient magic that was beyond the reach of Muggles, yet precisely because of this, they had lost the drive to forge ahead.
Unlike the Muggle world, where wars and technological explosions constantly erupted due to struggles for living space and resources, the magical community, in times of peace, had sunk into a comfortable stagnation.
Unless a Dark Lord like Grindelwald or Voldemort appeared—someone capable of shaking the very foundations of society—or unless they faced the catastrophic threat of the magical world being exposed and triggering an all-out war with Muggles, the vast majority of wizards were far more content to immerse themselves in the comfort zone provided by magic: using the Summoning Charm to fetch a beer, the Scouring Charm to clean a room, Apparition to travel...
Since they could enjoy life in comfort, who would be willing to delve into abstruse, obscure, and highly risky ancient magic, or engage in the tedious innovation of spells?
Without pressure, there was no motivation.
This simple truth appeared particularly glaring when contrasting the Muggle and wizarding worlds.
Amidst the smoke of war and the urgency of survival, Muggle technology advanced with each passing day; whereas the magical community, once the fleeting clouds of war had dispersed, quickly reverted to that leisurely rhythm which had remained unchanged for a millennium.
During Willy's student days, Voldemort's power had been growing increasingly rampant. With the outbreak of the First Wizarding War, that sense of urgency—where everyone felt in danger and desperately studied magic—though cruel, had undeniably forced out the potential of countless individuals.
And now? The sunshine of peace seemed to have eroded too many things.
More critically, the very structure of wizarding society lacked that intense competitive pressure. For young wizards after graduation, unless they were aiming for top-tier positions like Aurors at the Ministry of Magic or Healers at St. Mungo's, or had a family business to inherit, there were simply too many other paths available.
Open a small shop in Diagon Alley? Run a pub in Hogsmeade? Or even become a freelancer and take on odd jobs?
Magic made securing the basic necessities of life exceptionally easy. The result was that a significant portion of students adopted a "good enough" attitude toward their studies, because they subconsciously knew that, no matter what, they would not starve after graduation.
This innate sense of security, in Willy's view, was precisely the massive stumbling block hindering the overall progress of the magical world.
This was also why, as Willy saw it, the students' own meager willingness to learn was completely insufficient; this stagnant pool was in desperate need of external factors to stir it.
Perhaps in a few years, when Voldemort made his comeback and the shadow of war once again shrouded the British Isles, that sense of urgency would improve the atmosphere of the magical world considerably, just as it had during Willy's student days.
But once the Savior defeated the Dark Lord and peace descended once more, would the magical world slide back into that track of comfort and stagnation?
He had no way of knowing.
Soon, a conspicuous notice written in bold font was pasted by house-elves overnight, right in the center of the bulletin boards in every common room.
Unlike the last time a few school rules were added and went largely unnoticed, this time, the notice was like a giant boulder thrown into the heart of a lake, stirring up a massive uproar throughout the entire school.
The notice stated clearly, in black and white:
[Notice Regarding the Implementation of Hogwarts Monthly Academic Proficiency Tests]
[Time: End of next month.]
[Target: All students from First to Fourth Year.]
[Format: Written Exam + Practical Application.]
[Subjects: Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, Astronomy, History of Magic, Herbology (Seven Compulsory Courses in total).]
[Note: Concentrated mock exams for Fifth to Seventh Years will be held after Halloween; specific details to follow.]
Naturally, the young wizards were entirely displeased with this bolt from the blue; the common rooms were instantly filled with wailing.
"Merlin's beard! What is this? They're sending it home?"
"It's only just turned October! A test at the end of next month? They're trying to kill us!"
"If it weren't for this damned test, we could have played around until next May!"
"I'm going to protest! This is exploitation! This is abuse!"
Although there were still nearly two months of preparation time before the test, this did not stop them from feeling as if the sky had fallen. Some students, filled with righteous indignation, even clamored about forming groups to go to their Head of House's office to demand clarification and an explanation.
However, this fledgling uprising was quickly nipped in the bud.
Because immediately afterward, during the next day's Transfiguration and Charms classes, the four Heads of House formally confirmed the matter with unprecedented seriousness.
"This is an extremely formal examination." Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, her stern gaze sweeping over the restless students below. "Furthermore, I must remind everyone present that the report cards for this monthly test, just like the end-of-term exams, will be sent directly to your guardians by owls arranged by the school."
"Therefore, I suggest that in the time remaining, you carve out some of your leisure hours to prepare thoroughly and treat this seriously."
Although Professor Flitwick's tone was relatively gentle, his attitude was equally firm: "Children, I know this is sudden and the pressure is high, but please believe this is for your own good. Learning magic is like constructing a building; if the foundation is not solid, the earth shakes and the mountains sway. This test is the key to verifying your foundation..."
"If Slytherin ranks at the bottom in the concentrated test," Snape's gaze swept over a few of the young snakes who had been leading the complaints, "then... I shall be very displeased."
With just a few words, the students were instantly silenced, as quiet as cicadas in winter; the dungeon classroom seemed to grow even colder.
In the Herbology greenhouses, Professor Sprout also earnestly emphasized the importance of the test and tactfully reminded them that they had best start preparing early.
Seeing that their Heads of House had adopted a stance that left no room for negotiation, the students who had previously claimed they would go to the Heads or even the Headmaster to slam their hands on the table instantly fell silent.
They looked at one another in dismay, their minds already conjuring up terrifying scenes of holding report cards filled with "D"s or "T"s and receiving Howlers from their parents.
Previously, having grades mailed home after finals meant, at most, a scolding at home. But if a Howler were to explode in the Great Hall, the effect would be entirely different.
Soon, well-informed students managed to fish out the inside story from certain professors with whom they were on familiar terms.
It was said that it was precisely due to their atrocious final exam results in recent years, as well as the dismal O.W.L. passing rates, that the school had reflected painfully and decided to implement this strategy.
Moreover, rumor had it that the Board of Governors had expressed high praise for the idea and voted unanimously to support it.
This undoubtedly pronounced the death sentence for those students still clinging to a sliver of hope; with even the Board of Governors in agreement, the matter was set in stone and unavoidable.
To make matters worse, grapevine news circulating in the castle claimed that such exams would be held once every month from now on.
Although this rumor had not yet been officially confirmed, given the word "Monthly" and the stern attitudes of the Heads of House, its credibility was quite high.
While the entire student body was enveloped in gloom and doom because of the notice, perhaps the only thing that could be called good news was Willy's announcement during the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
When Willy walked into the classroom and looked at the dejected group of students below, he announced cheerfully:
"In light of the fact that you are all about to face a school-wide monthly test, and to help lighten your daily burden a little, I have decided to cancel the random quizzing during the first five minutes of every future class."
Upon hearing this, the students' eyes brightened slightly.
"However," Willy added, "this is because all the content that would have been asked will now be integrated into the concentrated test papers at the end of the month."
"By then, it won't be as simple as losing two points. I hope you all take this opportunity seriously."