#265 - negotiation

It wasn't until around four in the afternoon that all the students finally finished their exams. Then, Anduin dismissed them and summoned the prefects to his office to grade the papers. ReadМ

By evening, Anduin finally had the grades for the Slytherin students.

But after seeing the grade sheet, he still felt a pang of worry. Frankly, the foundation of these young wizards wasn't very solid.

Looking at the subject grades, 19% were below P-Poor, 38% were A-Acceptable, 34% reached E-Exceeds Expectations, and only 9% achieved O-Outstanding. This meant that 57% of the grades were below E, a truly appalling sight.

The average grades of each wizard showed significant disparities. The 6th and 7th year students all had grades of E-Exceeds Expectations or above. Of course, they wouldn't pass exams in subjects they were weak in.

Although they had fewer subjects and their proportion was relatively small, removing them made the grades of the remaining 2nd to 5th year wizards look even worse.

Among these younger wizards, fewer than 20 had all grades above A-Acceptable, and only two had all grades above E-Exceeds Expectations: Ib, a third-year, and Jenny, a prefect.

"It seems the middle and lower years are the hardest hit in terms of grades. In that case, I should adjust the plan slightly."

"The seventh-year wizards need to prepare for their final exams and can't be touched. That leaves the 6th year wizards, who can assist the prefects in tutoring the other younger wizards while ensuring their own grades don't suffer."

"Then, I'll organize study groups by year and subject. The 1st and 2nd year courses are roughly the same and can be combined into one group. The 3rd and 4th years can be combined into another group. The 5th years need to prepare for exams and have the heaviest workload, so they need their own group."

"So, as long as each prefect is equipped with two 6th year assistants, acting as assistant prefects, and the three of them are responsible for three study groups each, it should cover those younger wizards who are weak in the corresponding subjects."

"During evening self-study, 7-9 pm will be for general self-study, focusing on completing homework, self-study, and answering questions. From 9-11 pm, those younger wizards with poor grades in the corresponding subjects will stay behind for remedial lessons in the study groups."

"If we take it as 7 core subjects and 2 electives, adding the weekends, we can rotate through three rounds a month, which should be just in time for the monthly exams."

Anduin stroked his chin, having finalized his plans in his mind. He then summoned all the prefects to a meeting to convey his decision to them.

"Ah? Doesn't that mean I have to join the study groups for tutoring in all subjects except History of Magic? And I also have to tutor them in History of Magic, which means I have to stay behind until 11 pm every day? No way! Staying up late will ruin my skin!" Vivian looked at Anduin in horror, with tears welling up in her eyes.

"You know how to complain now, but where were you earlier?" Anduin rolled his eyes at the pitiful Vivian. "As long as you improve your grades in other subjects, you naturally won't have to stay behind in the evenings. So, your fate is actually in your own hands."

Ignoring Vivian, Anduin turned his head. "Louis, Wendy, go and invite all the 6th year wizards over. We need their help with these measures."

Wendy and Louis nodded. Before long, the 6th year wizards were brought to the office, and Anduin reiterated his arrangements to these older students.

"That's the situation. For the sake of everyone's grades, we need your help. And due to a shortage of manpower, some of you will have to take on the role of assistant prefect for two or more subjects."

"Of course, I won't force you in the name of Slytherin." Anduin waved his hand, and a small wooden box appeared beside him. Opening it, he revealed rows of potions. "These are nourishing potions, nothing special, just a little encouragement for you. The prefects will also get them. For each course you volunteer to be an assistant prefect for, I'll give you a bottle."

Even if Anduin didn't offer potions as compensation, these 6th year students wouldn't refuse. They knew Anduin was doing it for Slytherin's sake. The House had been like a stagnant pool before, and now they were happy to contribute.

But with material rewards, they naturally acted even more enthusiastically, and quickly volunteered for all the tasks Anduin assigned.

Seeing this, Anduin nodded in satisfaction, but still kept a straight face. "I'm glad to see you're willing to contribute to the House, but I must remind you that I won't give you any leeway in discipline just because of your positive performance this time."

"Don't worry, we're doing this voluntarily. We just hope to see the Slytherin banner flying high in the Great Hall this year," a 6th year wizard said with a smile, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Good!" Anduin said solemnly, slowly standing up and placing his right hand over his chest. "May the Slytherin banner fly high in the sky, glory to Slytherin, victory above all!"

"May the Slytherin banner fly high in the sky, glory to Slytherin, victory above all!" Everyone present followed Anduin's actions, chanting in unison with solemn expressions.

After finalizing the arrangements for self-study and study groups, Anduin announced the dismissal, but then stopped Velen.

"What's wrong? Is there anything else?" He was puzzled to see Anduin had something else to say to him.

"What else could it be? Have you forgotten our conversation yesterday?" Anduin tidied up his desk and chuckled softly.

"You mean?" Velen suddenly thought of something. "We're going to talk to Gryffindor about Quidditch? So soon?"

"I don't like to dawdle. When Louis went to the prefects' meeting this morning, I had him make an appointment with the Gryffindor prefects to talk at the Astronomy Tower at eight o'clock tonight. They've already agreed. Now's about the right time, and you're the captain of our Quidditch team, so you can come with me." Anduin said as he led Velen out.

"Uh, is it okay for just the two of us to go? There shouldn't be a trap, right? You know the relationship between the two Houses," Velen said worriedly.

"It would be even better if there was a trap. Solving problems in a simple way is more in line with my thinking. But according to Louis, he made the appointment with Charles and the seventh-year male prefect, and they seemed sincere," Anduin said with a smile.