"Finally, there's the Professional Group, which includes sixth and seventh-year wizards. The arrangements for students at this stage will be quite special." Alan continued speaking as if he hadn't noticed Snape staring at him.
"As everyone knows, sixth and seventh-year wizards are essentially in a semi-graduated state. Some students have even started internships or job interviews outside of Hogwarts after passing their O.W.L. exams. Furthermore, for other subjects, after the fifth year, only students with grades of Exceeds Expectations or above are accepted into advanced classes to help them prepare for their N.E.W.T. exams."
"However, since Tactical Training Studies is only starting next school year and has not yet assessed fifth-year students, I want to give students from these two grades an opportunity to choose freely." With that, Alan pulled out another large stack of parchment, divided it into four parts, and handed it to the four Heads of Houses. "These are the intention application forms. Please inform the sixth and seventh-year students after school starts, and let them choose whether or not to take this course."
"What are your selection criteria then? Can everyone choose this course? Or how do they know if they should choose it?" McGonagall asked with some confusion.
"The Tactical Training Studies courses for sixth and seventh-year students will be extremely difficult. I will teach them standard tactical subjects. In addition to the advanced class subjects, this will include reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, tracking, counter-tracking, evidence collection, forensics, lie detection, high-intensity battlefield simulation, conventional tactical movements, tactical maneuvers, coordinated combat tactics, wilderness survival, and tactical equipment usage."
"Simply put, I will train them directly to the standards of reserve Aurors. So please tell them that if any of them aim to become Aurors in the future, or are considering it as a career choice, they can consider choosing my subject." Alan narrated to everyone expressionlessly, as if what he had just described was effortless.
The surrounding wizards, including Dumbledore, couldn't help but frown slightly. Although it sounded like anyone could choose this course, the subjects themselves sounded daunting. Could those senior wizards really handle it?
"They only have one or two years until graduation. Can they digest your teaching content? To be honest, with your curriculum, I'm afraid few people will pass. Your subject is, after all, new to Hogwarts. Can you not set such high demands on them yet?" McGonagall couldn't help but frown. Her meaning was actually very simple: those wizards weren't students who could just be force-fed information. If it were taught step by step from the lower grades, it would be fine, but sixth and seventh-year wizards, upon first encountering this course, probably wouldn't be able to keep up with Alan's pace. For children close to graduation, new subjects usually only need to be symbolic.
"I don't have a habit of lowering my standards," Alan shook his head decisively. "For students entering the professional class, I will demand high standards. Real Aurors can pass assessments after a few months of intensive training, so why can't they? Moreover, if they really can't accept these subjects, then they simply shouldn't choose my course." Alan smiled coldly, then continued, "However, they need to know one thing: once they pass the ultimate exam with me, they will obtain an Auror Professional Assessment Certificate. With this certificate, they can directly join the Auror forces in the Ministries of Magic or MACUSA in Britain, France, Germany, and the United States. And with Moody's continuous promotion and training, more and more Ministries of Magic will adopt my standards. This means that even if they graduate normally and want to apply for an Auror position, they will still have to undergo the same professional training. So, to become an Auror, these subjects are unavoidable. Even if they don't pass the final assessment with me, they can at least lay a certain foundation, which will give them an advantage over other wizards when applying for Auror positions at the Ministry of Magic in the future."
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this. They knew Alan's words were true. Since Moody retired from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the restless and irritable old man had accepted Alan's re-employment and become a full-time tactical instructor for the company. Then, he followed Alan to promote tactical training in various countries, primarily focusing on basic subjects centered on training methods for wizarding schools. For the Ministries of Magic, he promoted the professional standards from the book *Tactical Training Studies*. Now, the Departments of Magical Law Enforcement in Britain, France, Germany, and the United States have all received professional training from Alan or Moody. This is also why Alan concurrently serves as an Auror instructor for multiple Ministries of Magic. He is an authority on training Aurors, so if one wants to become an Auror in the future, they probably won't be able to avoid this hurdle.
"Alright, in that case, let's leave the decision to those young wizards," Dumbledore concluded at this point. He didn't think this was a bad thing. Inviting Alan back was precisely because he hoped he could teach the young students more self-defense methods. Although Alan's approach seemed a bit rigorous, it was better than learning nothing at all.
After receiving Dumbledore's approval, Alan nodded with satisfaction, then continued, "Besides the course arrangements for wizards of each academic year, I have three other matters that require everyone's consent."
"What else? Why is your new subject so troublesome?" Snape grumbled, scowling.
Flitwick, however, chimed in, "Alan is asking for our opinions. That's better than just doing whatever he wants without saying anything, isn't it?" Then Flitwick smiled and looked at Alan, "If there's anything you need, just say it. It's a good thing for Hogwarts to have more new things."
"It's nothing much, actually," Alan smiled faintly. "First, my courses involve a lot of outdoor practical content, so I hope to build teaching equipment in an outdoor area to serve as a practical course playground. I've already scouted a good location: the area between Hagrid's hut and the Owlery. Additionally, I hope Hagrid can serve as my assistant during practical classes."
"Hagrid's hut to the Owlery? The straight-line distance between those two places is at least a kilometer, isn't it? Do your courses require such a large range of activity? Can't it just be in the viaduct courtyard of the school? That place is more than enough for Flying Class," McGonagall felt very confused after hearing Alan's request and offered a suggestion.
"Although the courtyard is not small, besides serving as the Flying Class playground, it's also a place where many young wizards rest and play. The facilities I need to install are semi-permanent, which would take up their space and also not be aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the area I need isn't truly that large; only a few subjects require a relatively spacious area. The main activity area will be restricted to between Hagrid's hut and the stone circle," Alan explained to everyone amiably.
The stone circle was between Hagrid's hut and the Owlery, meaning the area Alan would occupy was just over a kilometer. McGonagall pondered for a moment, then nodded to Dumbledore, "Hmm, I have no objection to Alan's request."
"It is indeed a very reasonable request, and I don't see anything wrong with it," Dumbledore saw that no one around objected, so he nodded and approved.
"Thank you all very much for your understanding," Alan bowed slightly to express his gratitude, then continued, "Regarding the second point, I hope the school can open the Forbidden Forest to me. For some practical classes, I need to take students into the outer perimeter of the Forbidden Forest. Of course, I assure everyone that I will definitely protect the young wizards' safety."
"The Forbidden Forest?" Upon hearing Alan's request, the Heads of Houses were not as readily agreeable as before. Snape, in particular, frowned and questioned, "Do you know how dangerous the Forbidden Forest truly is? It not only contains a large number of high-risk magical creatures but also humanoid settlements like Centaurs and Trolls. If you encounter them, it's no laughing matter!"
"Don't worry, dealing with various magical creatures and intelligent beings is itself one of the subjects of Tactical Training Studies. Moreover, not every year of wizards will be allowed to undertake such high-risk subjects; it mainly involves fifth to seventh-year wizards. Furthermore…" Alan smiled as he said this, "my relationship with the Centaur settlement in the Forbidden Forest is quite good. I won't let them harm those young wizards."
"Hmm…" Dumbledore bowed his head in thought for a moment, then looked up at Alan, "I heard from the Centaur Elder, Magorian, that you seem to have reached a trade cooperation with that Centaur tribe in the Forbidden Forest. But are you truly confident you can ensure safety?"
"I didn't expect you to know Magorian as well," Alan smiled and nodded. "That's right, they are a fur supplier for the company. I know most of the Centaurs in the settlement. With me there, they won't make things difficult for the students entering the Forbidden Forest."
"Alright," Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "you can try teaching in the Forbidden Forest, but you absolutely cannot go too deep. Also, Hagrid must accompany you every time to look after them, and if even one accident occurs, I will immediately revoke your request to conduct practical classes in the Forbidden Forest."
"No problem," Alan knew this was Dumbledore's greatest concession. However, once those children entered the Forbidden Forest, they would discover what it means for surprises to be everywhere.
"Finally!" After confirming these two requests, Alan smiled, "due to the large number of emergency avoidance and crisis management subjects involved in Tactical Training Studies, and to enhance Hogwarts' safety factor and ensure the young wizards' awareness of prevention, I hope to conduct a school-wide safety drill once every academic year."