"I'm not saying there's a problem with the Sorting Hat's job. That's meaningless," Murphy said. "Because everyone has many traits, and when you have to view someone based on a particular trait, prejudice arises. The more such prejudices accumulate, the more they are reinforced."
Each house is essentially a personality echo chamber. With most people sharing the same character traits, it's easier to maintain a unified perception of others. Without contrasting opinions, prejudices grow, and students repeatedly affirm their narrow viewpoints through their peers, becoming 'individuals with personality but also with biases'.
In short, Murphy saw the sorting of students into four houses at Hogwarts based on personality as artificially creating differences and conflicts.
This wasn't just a problem at Hogwarts. In fact, the entire Western society's practice of "categorizing" people inherently creates distinctions, erects barriers between people, and refuses communication, understanding, and cooperative success – a divisive approach.
"How can we grow into well-rounded individuals in an environment filled with prejudice?"
"More than two decades ago, there was even the sad situation where the entire Slytherin house became a breeding ground for Death Eaters," Murphy continued.
Snape's face at the staff table turned ugly, as if he had been stabbed.
"Is it because Slytherin students are born bad seeds?"
"No!" Murphy said emphatically. "It's just because they were swept away by evil thoughts, trapped in the mire of prejudice, mistaking lies for truth, with no one around to correct their mistakes!"
By now, the professors like McGonagall were on tenterhooks, fearing Murphy might suddenly announce something drastic like "abolishing the house system."
But Murphy wasn't that radical. He was just a governor, not the headmaster, and couldn't make such a decision. Moreover, it would surely provoke opposition from the entire school.
"The house system has a long history," Murphy said. "We must respect tradition."
"But at the same time, I think it's necessary to address its downsides and make some adjustments."
"Therefore, as the professor of Practical Magic, I will create more opportunities for students from all four houses to interact and collaborate in my classes. And as Hogwarts' educational inspector and governor, I will actively coordinate with the school to create more conditions for everyone."
"This is what I and the school should do. And students, as the future of the wizarding world, I hope you can break free from prejudice, become friends with more young wizards, grow and progress together, and become the best versions of yourselves."
Saying this, Murphy's gaze fell on a boy at the Gryffindor table.
Do you understand, Harry?
...
After dinner, the students were led back to their respective house common rooms by their seniors. Meanwhile, Murphy was invited to the Headmaster's office.
This was his first visit here.
Fawkes, the phoenix, perched on a stand by the window, watching him.
Murphy was also curious about this magical creature.
Phoenixes were rare in the outside world.
Murphy had long envied its ability to be reborn from ashes. If he could transform into a phoenix Animagus, would his cancer be easily cured? Death, what's to fear?
Just be reborn.
But in reality, research on magical Animagi hadn't been completed yet. The only successful case was his own, achieved under a confluence of accidental factors. Whether it could be replicated was still uncertain.
Instead of transforming directly into a phoenix, studying its rebirth mechanism might be more useful.
After a long stare between man and bird, Murphy suddenly wondered if Fawkes, like his own raven, could share sensory experiences with Dumbledore.
It took some effort for Murphy to suppress the urge to pluck a feather from Fawkes or to draw some of its blood. He turned his attention to the intricate devices placed in various corners of the office.
After a while, Dumbledore entered.
The two had met before, but since they were immediately caught up in the welcoming feast, they hadn't had a deep conversation. This was their first private meeting.
"Professor Dumbledore," Murphy bowed slightly. "I apologize for speaking out without your permission."
Even though Murphy hadn't proposed any specific policy changes, questioning the school's system in front of the headmaster was disrespectful.
Dumbledore, by letting him finish his speech, showed great tolerance. Regardless of what Murphy thought internally, he owed Dumbledore this much courtesy.
"You're too polite, Murphy. As a governor, you have every right to do so," Dumbledore said kindly, inviting Murphy to sit opposite him. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you."
Dumbledore sat down in his chair. "And thanks to you, we've heard some enlightening views."
"Enlightening views? You must be joking."
"Not at all."
"So, you agree with my remarks about the houses?"
Murphy's four-color vision was fixed on Dumbledore's expression, curious whether this headmaster, who couldn't possibly be just a simple old man, was profoundly cunning or genuinely naive.
"Yes, at least about the need for more interaction and cooperation between houses, I agree."
Murphy frowned. "If you had already seen the downsides of the house system, why didn't you make some changes?"
"Change..." Dumbledore nodded lightly. "Yes, maybe I could make some changes. But I'm already over a hundred years old, set in my ways, and lacking the keen insight of youth."
"The house system may not be perfect, but it also has benefits, right? Like allowing students to be with similar people, making them happier, or better developing certain traits."
"Change might be better, but it might also mean worse."
"Maybe I've lost the ambition for continuous improvement, and judgment of good and bad has always been a weak point for me. To me, a more perfect thing often means better adaptation to the current environment, but it may become more fragile when external circumstances change."
This...
Well, it wasn't without reason.
Look at the evolution of Earth's lifeforms – the kings of one era often die first in the next.
And indeed, during Voldemort's rise, Slytherin almost became a Death Eater breeding ground. But looking at it dialectically, the other three houses didn't succumb, did they?
Without the houses, who's to say all of Hogwarts wouldn't have been corrupted?
It made sense.
But it was too passive.
"Professor, your knowledge and experience far surpass mine, and I don't have your wisdom to see into the past and future. But if we're afraid of making mistakes and thus refrain from change, won't we always be unable to progress?"
"Making the present better might make our future selves more passive."
"But, Professor, we live in the present."
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