––– CHAPTER NINE –––

Scabbards, Dragons and Knights

A few months went by and finally it was May. All the exams were happening this month, including the Scabbards, Dragons and Knights exams. Students were in years 5, 6 and 7 were studying like crazy. Even Fred and George had stopped pulling pranks and were studying. Harry wasn't too thrilled about the exams and tried his best not to make the tests the main thought in his mind.

"Harry, you really should study. These tests don't just tell you if the career you want is best suited for you, but you also get graded." said Hermione, while the four friends were studying in the common room.

"YOU ARE?" yelled Ron in shock.

"You didn't know that?" asked Gwen.

"No!"

Gwen and Hermione started to laugh.

"Ron, what is you career choice?" asked Harry.

"I want to go work in the Ministry of Magic."

"Like your dad?" Asked Gwen.

"Yeah, but not in the same department. I want to do something that has more to do with spells and less to do with studying muggles."

"What made you want to choose this career?"

"My dad always talks about his work and it sounds interesting.

Besides if I don't get this career, then I'll have to go into the prank business with Fred and George." said Ron.

"Not to change the subject, but Harry, why aren't you studying?" asked Hermione.

"I'm not too worried about the tests. I'm doing well in my classes and the tests aren't for another month. Besides, Gwen's not studying either."

"So if Gwen doesn't study, then you don't study?" asked Hermione.

Harry just shrugged his shoulders.

"Gwen, why aren't you studying?" asked Ron.

"I'm not that worried either. I'm a shoe-in to get the job I want."

"What do you want to be?" asked Hermione.

"I want to be an Aura, like Tronks and the only tests that I really need to work on is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions. I'm getting perfect in Defense Against the Dark Arts and I'll definitely get good marks in Potions."

"But Gwen," said Ron "You've failed every test that Professor Snape has given you since the beginning of the year."

"That's because I wasn't bothered to try. Not that the Potions tests really matter. I just have to do really well, which I will, on the Scabbards and I'll be fine."

"If you say so." said Ron.

A month had gone by and finally it was time for the exams. A lot of students were extremely nervous and some were down right terrified. Harry hadn't really studied for the tests, but he wasn't

scared. He spent most of his time with Gwen, since she didn't study much.

The first few days of tests for the four friends were Potions, Herboligy, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures.

"Wow, that last test was a hard one. I don't even know if I passed it." said Ron.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." said Gwen.

"I know. That test was so hard, I don't even think I got an 'A' on it." said Hermione.

Harry, Ron, and Gwen just looked at Hermione with disgust.

"What?"

"Anyway, what's the next test that we have?" asked Gwen.

"Um I think we have Divination. It should be starting in about a half hour." said Hermione, looking at her watch.

"Oh I just realized, my Divinations notebook is in the common room. I better go get it." said Gwen.

"Hurry. We want to get as much studying in as possible!"

While Gwen was getting her book, the three friends were doing some last minute studying before the test. Five minutes before the test and Gwen still hadn't come back.

"Guys where's Gwen? The test is about to start." said Harry.

"I don't know, but if she doesn't get here fast then she's going to miss it." said Hermione.

Finally all the tests were done. It took a week to finish them, but they were finally over. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were glad to be done, but Harry was starting get a little scared. Harry hadn't seen Gwen in over two days. He had no idea where she was.

"Have any of you seen Gwen?" asked Harry.

"You know, I haven't." said Hermione.

"Me neither." said Ron.

"This isn't good. Where could she be? She's missed three of her tests and I haven't even seen her around school."

"Some of the other girls have said that she hasn't been in the girls' dorm. Maybe she's sick and is in the hospital wing."

"No. The hospital wing's been empty for weeks now." said Ron.

"I think we should go see Dumbledore." said Harry.

As the three of them headed to the Headmasters office, they passed by the Transfiguration classroom. They could hear voices coming from the classroom. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were talking. The three friends stopped and listened.

"Albus, this isn't good." said Professor McGonagall. "What are we going to do?"

"You and the other teachers aren't going to do anything. This doesn't concern you." said Dumbledore.

"Albus, you can't fight this battle by yourself. You need help."

"And I will have help. Minerva, all I want you to do is to stay here and say nothing about this. No one needs to know. If both of us leave, then the students will start to wonder. I'll leave tomorrow to the cavern and do what I have to do."

"So what should I tell the students then?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Nothing. This doesn't concern them."

"What about Potter? He deserves to know what's going on."

"He will find out, but not from us. Not know." said Dumbledore.

A moment of silence went by.

"Two days from now, everything will change."

After Harry, Ron and Hermione finished listening to the professors, they headed to the Gryffindor common room.

"What were the professors talking about?" asked Harry as they walked to the common room.

"I don't know." said Hermione.

"And what about a battle?"

"I don't know."

"And what did Dumbledore mean about them not telling me something?" said Harry, stopping in his tracks.

"I don't know. Harry, why are you asking us these questions?" asked Hermione.

"Because I need answers."

"Well, what I want to know is what Professor Dumbledore meant by a cavern?" asked Ron.

"Cavern, cavern, CAVERN. I think he was talking about the cavern I've been seeing in my dreams."

"Do you know where the caverns are?" asked Ron.

"Ron," said Hermione, smacking his arm "It's not like we're going to go looking for them."

"Hermione, this is something that I need to figure out and I have a feeling it has something to do with Gwen's disappearance. Now, all that I remember was that there were large jagged rocks around the cavern. I only got a glimpse, but I'm sure that's what was there."

"Dead Man's Rocks." yelled Hermione.

"Oh, that's a cheery name." said Ron.

"There are usually small caverns around there."

"Do you know where they are?" asked Harry.

"They're quite a few hours away from here, but if we leave now then we should be able to get there sometime tomorrow."

"How are we going to get there?" asked Ron "If we walk, it will take too long and we can't use brooms. Fred and George used mine as a tester for their latest prank."

"Does it still fly?" asked Harry.

"I don't know what it does, but flying isn't it."

"We'll use unicorns. I know Hagrid has some in the Dark Forest. We'll just borrow them... without asking" said Hermione.

"Then it's settled. We'll get what we need and leave when everyone is asleep."

Then, the three of them were off.