Four Classes for Muggle-Borns at Hogwarts
It would be a dream for Potterheads to attend Hogwarts, but the magical castle is far from perfect. For instance, there are no counselors, independent study courses, or multiple teachers for a single subject. Hogwarts is a dangerous place, especially if you’re friends with Harry Potter. It wouldn’t hurt for the school to add some extra classes for Muggle-born students to assist in their acclimation to magical life. Here are the top four necessary classes to add to the Hogwarts curriculum for Muggle-born students.
1. Career and Post-Graduation Class
There is no college for wizards, so after graduating Hogwarts, it’s presumed that all of the 18-year-olds go off and find jobs. However, before graduation, the students should have a class to help them decide on their futures. They deserve to have their questions answered, such as how to fill out magical résumés. For example, Harry could have learned more about being an Auror if Tonks or Shacklebolt had talked to him about it.
To their credit, Hogwarts does disperse pamphlets detailing various magical careers. Yet talking to someone in that field, or shadowing them at work for a day would also aid students in choosing a career. If Muggle-born students hadn’t attended Hogwarts, they would have received advice on their future careers at Muggle school. Why shouldn’t wizards receive the same assistance? The next time Hogwarts isn’t having a massive crisis at the end of the year, they should add this class to the syllabus.
2. Wizard–Muggle Relations Class
Unless a wizard is Muggle-born, they are unaware of Muggle life. Students have the option to take a Muggle Studies class at Hogwarts, but a Wizard–Muggle Relations class would be equally helpful. Wizards and Muggles share a mistrustful relationship, and this class would teach young witches and wizards empathy and understanding for people besides themselves. This class would be essential for pure-blood and Muggle-born students so that each could understand the other’s background. The Muggle-born students would learn about where pure-blood superiority comes from, which is unfortunately ingrained in wizard society.
This class would be one of the most effective ways to end pure-blood fanaticism. In the Harry Potter series, one of the worst villains of all gained power and followers through torturing Muggles. Too many pure-blood wizards share these views, and a Wizard–Muggle Relations class would offer students a different perspective on violence.
3. Healing and First Aid Class
Students at Hogwarts succumb to more injuries and accidents than Muggles. Harry, in particular, ends every school year with a fresh set of broken bones or bruises. Whenever an injury on the Quidditch field occurs, for example, students are rushed to Madam Pomfrey’s ward. Muggle-born students won’t have Band-Aids in their dormitories, so they should know how to heal their minor injuries.
I was surprised when rereading the books that there wasn’t such a class. These spells should be taught repeatedly in classes so that Muggle-born students are aware of magical and non-magical remedies. In Book 7, Harry accidentally cuts himself, and he laments that he never knew of a spell to heal minor injuries. Later in life, the students will need these skills. Also, Harry can’t spend the rest of his life calling on Madam Pomfrey and Hermione to dress his wounds after every dangerous adventure!
4. Optional Auror Training Class
An Auror Training class would be the perfect way for Muggle-born students to immerse themselves in the wizarding world. Since Aurors have to become proficient in multiple skills, this optional class would focus on several types of magic. The students would have additional lessons in potions, charms, and transfiguration and be taught their application in becoming an Auror. Taking an optional Auror Training class would give Muggle-born students more in-depth knowledge of magic. Nobody knows what being an Auror is like until they are one, but this training would give Muggle-born students an idea of what it’s like to work for the Ministry of Magic and the wizarding world in general.
What new, magical classes do you think Hogwarts should create? Maybe a Whomping Willow Defense class or a Cooking with House-Elves club? Share your thoughts in the comments!
