Another chapter ready for you. I'm not updating until I have the last chapter written and edited. Then I have the Epilouge and Summer to do (which will be shorter than this) I hope that whoever has been reading this has enjoyed it so far. I know it started off a little rocky and immature, but that's how my work starts. It tends to get better as I go along. I'm already thinking about Year 4 as of last week. So this is good news for all of us who love HP. For those that get to Alyssa's NEWTS, there is a reason why I am doing it this way. So if you want to ask about it, please review or review to let me know how you think about this story! As always: I don't own it! Enjoy!
Secret's & Allies, NEWTS, & Sirius's wand.
Alyssa POV
With the Board meeting over and Prong's chances of having his wand snapped behind us, I knew that testing for magical suppression was next. I just didn't know how to approach him about it. While the other seventh years were fretting over the NEWTS at the end of the month, i still had more pressing matters to attend too.
Sitting in the Great Hall, I had a few books surrounding me, but I wasn't paying attention to them. I was focused on the task at hand. WAving my wand, I gently closed the book and levitated them to my bag.
"You know Alyssa, you're supposed to be studying for your NEWTS." Hermione said watching me put my books away. She and I had been sitting there for a while now studying when I stopped. Her books were open to Potions and I could tell she had finished at least twenty minutes go.
I shot her a glare that didn't affect her. "I realize this Hermione, but I have other things to think about right now."
"Please don't tell me you're sitting here thinking about Harry. And I don't mean Prongs.." she sighed exasperated.
"No, I'm not." I snipped at her. Her eyes narrowed at me. Dear Merlin, I loved this girl but she was bossy. I sighed, "Hermione, there are things that I can't say. I haven't even told Prongs. But I will…"
"Tell me what?" I heard him ask as he sat down with Ron.
"Nothing yet. Trust me, I will tell you."
Ron scoffed and sat down across from Hermione and Ron. Unfortunately, he sat down beside me. Dear Merlin, I hope he didn't decide to eat. I watched as Prongs hand slipped under the table and squeeze Hermione's hand.
Ron, oblivious, still smiled when Lavender sat on the other side of him. Hmm, wasn't aware they were still dating. They made small talk and I reached for a cup of tea. I would need super strength to get myself worked up to do this to Prongs.
"Alyssa, why aren't you studying?" he asked.
I threw my hands up then smashed my head on the table. "I've already asked her…" Hermione spoke up.
Everyone chuckled at my displeasure. But I ignored them. Getting up, I saw Prof Lupin at the Head table. Walking toward him, I saw him raise an eyebrow at me and motioned for me to meet him elsewhere. Following his instruction, I grabbed my bag before I left the Great Hall.
ProngsPOV
"Where do you think she's going with Prof Lupin?" Ron asked finally tearing his attention away from Lavender.
"Not sure. It' can't be her grades…"
"No, she has the best grades in the whole of the seventh year." Hermione interrupted me. I gave her a tiny grin. One that she knew was meant for her. Her eyes darkened a little and she bit her lip. If we sneak away right now, we would. But we couldn't. Watching her turn back to her homework, she buried herself far into it and ignore the urges to snog me senseless.
Ron and I talked for a little while before Hermione urged us to study for our upcoming exams. Said something about how important they were for us. It wasn't like we were going to be taking our OWLS this year. Ron complained vocally but Lavender sitting by us soothed his complaints. I wasn't sure how she could handle him with all the complaining but with their egos; they seemed to compliment each other.
Getting my books out, I prepared myself to do the rest of homework for the day. Even reading ahead a chapter just to appease Hermione. She beamed at me while Ron muttered I was turning into a bookworm as well. I shot him a dirty look.
The rest of the day passed by uneventful for us. Turning down the hall to the Gryffindor Common Room, I ran into Alyssa. She looked worried about something. Scanning the area, she must be looking out for someone. Seeing me, her smile perked up a little but I could tell she was hiding something.
"Hey, there's something I need to tell you, but not right here." She said coming to lean on the wall.
"Where at?"
"Prof Lupin's office tonight."
"Does he know what what's happening?" I asked curiously. I wished she wouldn't do this to me but I can see why she wants to tell me things in secret. If it was bad, it would anger me. She nodded her head at me and I sighed. "So it's bad, isn't it?"
"It can be. Depends on how you take this." she answered not looking me fully in the eyes. Anger simmered under my skin and I sighed at her.
I nodded at her and turned away from her. Heading back into the Common Room, I took a seat by the fire and stared at it until Hermione and Ron joined me. "So what did she want?" Ron asked taking a seat beside me.
"She asked us to let her talk to you in private…"
"Told me that her and Prof Lupin needed to talk to me about something. She wouldn't say what, but I can tell it's not going to be good."
Hermione and Ron nodded, though not knowing the connection that I shared with Prof Lupin. How he was best friends with my dad and Sirius. How he buried my parents and watched his best friend carted off to Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit. I instantly felt sorry for Uncle Moony. He had to live with a life that he had no control of. How I would learn later on what kind of life he really did live.
After a tense dinner that Alyssa didn't show up too, I bid my friends goodbye and took the stairs to the second floor where the Prof Lupin's office was located at. Coming to the door after I dodged a pesky Peeves, I stood before it and sighed. Raising my hand, I knocked on the door. I waited for a minute before the door opened revealing a weary Prof Lupin.
Stepping aside he let me in the office. I took my time to look around the room. A grindylow sat in a tank on the far wall on top of a shelf of books. His face looked grim and I could tell he didn't want to tell me anything about what was going to happened. I took a seat in the chair and watched as he conjured a tea kettle with cups.
Handing me on a few minutes later, I added two sugars and sipped it. The steaming hot tea woke my senses up. "Alyssa should be here shortly. I didn't think you would show up after dinner Harry."
"She said it was important that I come, but didn't tell me what time." I replied sourly. My mood was already bad and this was making it worse. Prof Lupin watched me as I sipped my tea. I think he could understand my mood.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. My head whipped around and Uncle Moony stood up to opened it. As it opened there stood my sister with a book in her hands. Was this more Potter family stuff that only she and Uncle Moony knew about. The grim look on her face told that this was something else. Something she didn't want to put me through.
Entering the room, she looked at me and gave me a tight smile. "Can we go to the classroom?"
"Yes, we can. It would be more room for us." Prof Lupin said pushing a door open that led down a flight of stairs. This must be the way to the Defense Classroom. Following them down the stairs, I watched as my sister and Uncle Moony begin waving their wands in motion. I didn't know half of the spells they used but the Portraits glowed briefly for a second.
"What was that?" I asked taking my usual seat in class.
"Protective charms. Barrier spells and we made the Portraits think we aren't in the room." Alyssa and Uncle Moony said together.
"I just did the Privacy and Silencing Charm…." she said with a blush on her face.
Uncle Moony took a seat on the side of his desk and motioned for Alyssa to continue. Whatever she was feeling, she was hiding it well.
Taking a seat on top of a nearby desk, she flipped open the book that she had been holding. "What I'm about to tell you isn't pleasant but you're going to have to bear with me. I need to cast a spell on you to figure out something."
"You're going to use a spell on me?" I asked baffled. Why would she use a spell on me.
"Yes, if it helps Uncle Moony has done the same spell on me." It comforted me a little that he had but I was still wary.
"OK, let's try this. As long as it doesn't harm me."
"Nah, you're good." She said giving me a smile. Standing up to her feet, she motioned for me to stand up and follow her into the middle of the room. I hadn't notice that Uncle Moony had moved several of the the desks for us. Standing before her, she pulled her wand out and recited, "Revelabit virtutes latentes venit ad lucem, Qualis est absconditus"
The spell struck me and I begin to glow a brilliant purple. Except it was a dark, very dark purple. My eyes focused on my sister but I became curious when she pulled her quill out and begun writing something down. I stayed suspended for a minute longer until she released me. Floating down to the floor, she visibly paled and Uncle Moony assisted her to a chair before she collapsed.
"Alyssa, what is it?" I asked panicked.
"It's happened to him too…" she muttered casting a frantic look at Uncle Moony. The sorrow in her eyes and the anger in his startled me. I had expected it to be the other way. Something about Uncle Moony startled me when he looked back at me.
"Harry," his voice was low and it sound like he was growling, "we have to tell you something. Something you're not going to like." He motioned for us to sit down again and I looked at them.
"You remember how I was telling you that all Potter's received gifts. Special abilities, right?" Alyssa started, I nodded my head remembering. "Well what I didn't know until I read about it in Book of Potter Abilities. When I say we're a magical family. I mean we're magical. In the book, it says that we're supposed to receive our abilities by our seventeenth birthday. I didn't think nothing of it until it began to pester me. I turned seventeen last August and I hadn't received anything other than my Empathic ability and the Enhanced smell.-even that is super limited."
"So, I begin researching. It was during that time I didn't want to be bothered and I snapped at you. I found in an old Healer text what I needed." She took a breath and looked toward Uncle Moony who was standing guard and listening intently. "I had Uncle Moony cast the spell on me last week. Days before the Board meeting." I could tell she was trying to draw this out.
"OK, so what did the spell do?" I asked getting impatient.
"It revealed to us that someone used a spell to suppress my magic. Suppress my abilities. There are several abilities that I am to inherit when I turned seventeen but never did. It's the same spell I just now used on you."
My magic was suppressed? Anger rose in me quickly. It didn't start slow like it normally did. It was volcano of gushing hot anger that spilled out over me and I felt the hum of magic between my fingers. A few tables skidded over to the side and I felt a power unleash inside me that I have never felt.
I heard a noise from my side and I turned my head to see Uncle Moony with a look of fear in his eyes. The skeleton above us rattled dangerously. Alyssa stood before me her wand ready but I knew she wouldn't strike.
"You mean, I'm all but powerless?" I seethed. My magic itched to strike out, but I felt something hold it back. Like a ward or a spell.
"Not quite. Whoever cast the spell reduced your own magical core by 60%. Mine has been reduced by 25%. We suspect it was more but when I took my physical for camp, Uncle Moony thinks it broke through the spell. It cracked through it and my Enhanced smell broke free. We suspect that the Empathic ability couldn't be suppress but limited."
I nodded at her, and forced my anger to simmer down. It took great concentration but I managed to let it bleed out. Collapsing I braced myself on a nearby table. Gasping for air, I closed my eyes and prayed for the vertigo to stop. I felt movement close to me. Alyssa must have moved from her position.
"Ho-how do we fix this?" I gasped flicking my eyes at her.
"We have to find the person who cast it. If that person had died, which is why I know it wasn't Dad nor Lily, then it would be broken. However, it's still there. So, whoever cast it, is still alive." she explained to me.
"What abilities do I have?" I asked. She handed me a piece of parchment. My eyes were hazy but I forced them to focus.
Presentence (which is the ability to sense events instead of seeing them),
Elemental powers but based on the Zodiac sign.
Animagus.
Spell creation
Enhanced Smell
Empathic
Enchanter
I gasped reading over the list. It was quite extensive. My eyes locked on the word Animagus. Dad was one and somewhere there was a part of me that was estactic that I would be one too. But the rest of the list, I was skeptical about. I mean, what use can I have for Enhanced Smell? That one had to be the one that Alyssa mentioned about being able to smell Hermione on me.
"If we have similar abilities, that's why can you use the Enhanced Smell and Empathic abilities?" I asked casting a long look at her.
"Like we said, we think that when I went for my physical, they broke some kind of barrier." she re-explained. "At least that's what we hope."
"So what do we do now?" I asked.
"Find out how to break the suppression and work on the gifts. I'm going to have a harder time because I don't have anyone to teach me. You'll be easier because I'll know how to control my abilities. I can't teach you how to be Animagus. Prof McGonagall or Uncle Siriy can do that."
"I'm sure with Sirius being on leave, we can find someone to help you Alyssa." Uncle Moony spoke up. "What I do suggest is that you both take up anger management. That will help control your burst of magic."
"Occlumency helps me just fine." Alyssa spoke up eyeing our Uncle.
"I realize this but Harry needs to be taught it as well." he interjected.
She sighed and nodded her head. "I guess I can pen a letter to Stephen." She turned back to me, "you do realize this means more work at the camp, right?"
"It can't be that bad." I defended.
"No, it's not but it can be tiresome and very repetitive. There are days that I don't practice it and I've been using it for nearly three years now. Trust me, since I came here I've had to keep practice."
"We need to wrap the up. Curfew is approaching and neither of you want to be caught." Uncle Moony said looking at a nearby clock.
Both Alyssa and I nodded to him. Grabbing our things, we exited the classroom and hurried toward the Gryffindor Common Room. Entering it, she turned toward me and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry this keeps happening to us. I'm trying to fix it. I swear it."
"I know you are Alyssa. I wish there was more I could do." I mumbled.
"You do enough. You help keep me sane and from killing everyone in sight who pisses me off." she replied. It gave me a slight bit more confidence about myself. Releasing her, I watched her head up to her room. This was a fruitful night. Now all we need to know is who did this to us. If I had to guess, it would be Dumbledore. He was the only one that I knew that could pull that kind of power.
It's amazing. Last year, I was completely Dumbledore's man and this year things went awry. I had a sister come back to me, secrets that were exposed shining him in a different, more darker light. I had feeling it could get worse for me. Tucking in my bed that night I briefly wondered who I was going to tell Hermione and Ron. Even they were starting to not trust the Headmaster. I don't know if they had been called into see him, but even if they did there wasn't really anything Hermione and Ron would tell him.
Alyssa and I had kept most things a secret and I knew it was finally starting to get on Hermione's nerves. She wanted to know what she could do to help. Her support and being my girlfriend for secret snogging sessions. I laid there with the curtain hanging hearing the snoring of my bunkmates and thought to myself. The abilities that I was going to inherit astounded me. The one I was looking forward to was the Animagus.
I was dead curious about what my form would be. I know that dad was one. The map said it and Uncle Moony confirmed it. Sirius was one too. I wonder what was on Alyssa's list. She said we had similar abilities but I wonder what the difference was. Soon sleep overtook me and I didn't remember anything else until someone threw a pillow at me in the morning.
Alyssa POV
Sitting in Transfiguration, I gently pulled the earbuds from my ears and pulled a quill from my bag. McGonagall was before us waiting on everyone to pay attention. You would think we were second year students rather than seven years by the way we acted. Most of us were ready to be done with school and the rest were dreading the NEWTS that were coming up in two short weeks. I, on the the other hand, was ready for the NEWTS. The only dreading I was doing was the long wait until they examiners arrived for it.
"Everyone, please settle down. Your NEWTS are coming up in the next two weeks and there are a few things that we still need to discuss. One topic in particular is Animagus. Normally we don't discuss it because many of you do not have the ability to change your form." she said as she paced the room. Perking up, I leaned forward onto my desk and paid attention. I knew I didn't inherit the Animagus form but I knew that Prongs did.
"Now there are some legal aspects to being Animagus. You have to register with the Ministry or it will be time in Azkaban. If you're caught, that is." She said giving us all a stern look. "Being Animagus is quite complex magic work. It does not take overnight or even a few days to accomplish it. It can take months to manage it before you can take true form. A lot of patience is required and I know that many of you do not possess."
"You can transfigure yourself, and it's not permanent whereas being an Animagus is permanent. You cannot choose your form but certain markings can show durning your form." She explained before changing herself.
Everyone gasped when she turned into a cat. Quite convenient if you ask me. Then she changed back. "The markings around my eyes are my glasses but they will be the only markings I will carry over to my form. Now, any questions?"
"Is the form random or does it have meaning?" The student beside me asked.
"Everything has meaning, Mr. Adams. Your form, sometimes, is based on your personality." She explained.
This continued over a certain amount of time. Finally, I had to know. "Prof McGonagall, is being Animagus genetic? Does it pass through family members?"
"Miss Potter, it can be passed down. Though sometimes it does not. It might even skip a generation." That is why I didn't inherit it. It skipped me and Prongs inherited it. Lucky him. I suppose it is good then. I had five years with daddy and he can inherit his gifts. This made me wonder what dad inherited.
"Now if everyone wishes to do this, I can see if you are indeed an Animagus?" Prof McGonagall asked her eyes twinkling merrily. Everyone in class nodded and she set up a privacy area for us to step through too. "Those that are will be able to take a class to help you achieve your Animagus form."
We filed in line and the test went fairly quickly. I purposely left myself at my desk and watched my classmates took line. After a half hour, the last student finished and everyone exited from the class. Gathering my things, I attempted to sneak out but caught McGonagall's eye.
"Miss Potter, will you please stay behind…" I sighed and took my seat and waited till everyone filed out of the room.
"You were the only one who wasn't tested. Might I ask why?"
"Because I know I won't become Animagus." I told her looking up at my favorite teacher beside Prof Lupin.
"How are you aware of that?" she asked eyeing me skeptically.
"Because I've been tested for it. I'm sure Harry will inherit the trait, but I will not."
"Who has tested you?"
"My trainers from my time in America tested me a few years ago. They noticed a lot of things that were odd about my magical core." I answered vaguely. I wasn't sure if I could trust her. She was my Deputy Headmistress and knew and believed Dumbledore long before she became a Professor.
"If you don't mind me asking Miss Potter, what was odd about your magical core?"
I sighed and shook my head. "Prof McGonagall, I have very few people I can trust and the staff isn't those I can."
"If I give you my oath, would that suffice." she said evenly.
My eyes widened at her. She would bear on an oath on her magic just to gain my trust. "Prof McGonagall, you know I can't let you do that to yourself...You're a powerful witch on your on and you…."
"I am quite aware what will happen if I break my oath, Miss Potter." she said snippily. I chewed on my lip and thought for a few minutes. I would rather have Uncle Moony in the room with me just to make sure she didn't turn her back on me. Whatever I was going to tell her was utterly important. Whipping out out my wand I sent my Patronus for Prof Lupin.
She raised an eyebrow at me. "What's that for?"
"I like you Prof McGonagall, but I'd rather have someone else here to verify what I will be telling you. I've sent for Prof Lupin."
She nodded her head at me. "Very good observation Miss Potter. Vigilance even though you know you're your opponent."
Thank Merlin, I was free of classes until the afternoon. We sat around discussing the properties of animal transfiguration when there was a knock on the door. Opening it, with a wave of her wand, Uncle Moony stepped through the door and raised an eyebrow at us. Getting to my feet, I walked over to him and conversed quietly with him. He shrugged slightly but nodded his head and asked if I was sure of what I was doing.
I gave him a small grin and an even tinier nod. Then I told him she offered an oath of her magic to know. This, he approved of. Leading him over to Prof McGonagall, She took out her wand and proceed, "I, Minerva McGonagall so swear it on my magic that if I reveal what is about to be told to me, I shall become as powerless as a Muggle." a light blue flash surrounded her quickly and disappeared.
Taking my own wand out, I put up a Privacy and Silencing Charm around us. She didn't bat an eye at my use of magic. I guess the rumor was true from Prof Lupin's class that I was quite advanced. He even took the liberty of masking the portraits that were in her room.
"OK, it's like this. I was trained by Aurors for two to three years at the Junior Auror Academy in America. It's where I learned all my magic. Defensive and Offensive. As far as the irregularities in my magical core it was found that I have a magical suppression on my abilities that I was supposed to inherit when I turned seventeen." I explained to her in vague detail. "Mr Potter, Harry, has the same irregularities as I do. I have secured him a place at the Academy this summer."
I watched her as her eye twitched. She seemed quite angry about the news that I had given her. Pacing the room, she didn't dare look at me for a few long minutes. "Are you sure about this, Miss Potter?"
I nodded at her. Leaning back into my chair, I sighed again ignoring the grumbling in my stomach. "I am. I had a spell cast on myself and Mr Potter to confirm this."
"And Minerva, I was the one that performed the spell on Miss Potter. She had suspicions from earlier this year and found the spell she needed to use to figure it out." Uncle Moony stepped up to defend me.
"What did you learn about when you performed the spell?" she asked. Uncle Moony looked at me but I nodded to him. Time would only tell if we could really trust her.
"Those irregularities are much more. There is a magical suppression on my magic as well as Mr Potter. There are abilities that we are to inherit by our seventeenth birthday only I didn't inherit them. There is probably another spell to cut our magical core down as well. Mine has been cut down my 25% and Mr Potter's has been cut down by 60%."
Her eyes really did widened. "Who-who has done this to you?"
"Don't know Prof McGonagall, but who ever did is still alive. I will be looking into breaking the suppression over the summer. Harry and I both will be in America. I hate to say it but the Americans are far more advanced than the English."
She nodded her head at us and sat down. "This is a blow to me Miss Potter, Remus...I don't know what to say."
"Don't. Just keep this to yourself." Uncle Moony spoke up. "No one but us three, including Harry, know about this. I mean no one Minerva." he indicated to her that even the Headmaster didn't know about it.
"I won't go into details about what abilities we're supposed to receive but you should be prepared to teach Harry Animagus…" I trailed off leaving her nodding her head.
"I will do my best to teach him. He's come a long way since last year. He's much more studious than ever."
I snickered. "That has to do with Hermione. He's finally gotten tired of her tirade about studying." I easily didn't mention they were dating.
"Aye, but I think it has to do with a sister who is exceedingly intelligent on her own. You have no idea the effect that an older sibling can have." she said nodding at me and Uncle Moony. "Your father and mother were nearly at the top of their class, and as well as Lily. No wonder you and Harry are intelligent when you push yourselves."
I ducked my head down and sighed. That was one hell of a compliment from her. I was sure to pass it along to Prongs."I need to get going Professors...lunch is about to start.." I said grabbing my things and leaving them alone in the Transfiguration room.
Plopping down on the bench, I was soon followed by Prongs and friends who were surprised to see me already there. Shrugging, I reached for a sandwich and fruit juice. Everyone sat around eating quietly. Or as quietly as the Great Hall can get while people are in it.
Once lunch settled down, I looked at Prongs who glanced at me. He had finally tore his eyes away from Hermione long enough for it. I hid a snicker in my juice and lowered my shields a little. He must have understood that I needed to tell him something because he perked up.
"OK, what do you need to tell me…." he whispered leaning close to me.
"We, Uncle Moony and I, told Prof McGonagall about what you learned the other night…"
He choked on his pumpkin juice and looked at me cautiously. "Are you sure that's a good idea? You know how close she is to Dumbledore."
"Understandable, but she gave an oath on her magic to keep the information secret."
"What's that supposed to do?" he asked.
"If she spills the beans, she loses her magic forever." I said taking a sip of my juice and grabbing a muffin. Making it look like we weren't co-conspirators. "And, I'm sorry to tell you, there isn't a good reason to give up your magic. Especially when she has no clue how to live like a Muggle."
He nodded and turned to his friends. I had given him something to think about. Little did he know that I was already training him to think like an Auror. Take the information and process it. Learn who your enemies were. Learn who your allies are. And trust no one….
"So, Alyssa you ready for your NEWTS?" Hermione spoke up pulling me from my thoughts.
"Easy peasy…" I muttered. In truth, I hadn't really studied.
Ron and Lavender snickered. "Means you haven't begun to study, have you?"
"I've been reviewing every other night. Too much and my brain won't' function properly before I take them."
"But...but! It covers all seven years!" she cried. "You have to be prepared."
"Slow down hurricane Hermione." I held my hand up and she narrowed her eyes at me. "It covers Year 6-7. I don't think they cover Year 5. That's your OWLS. I took them my fifth year too and I will tell you this...That exam covered more than yours will. I had nearly five years of information to learn. Here, I have only this year."
"So, you seriously don't mind going to school an extra year?" Lavender asked confused.
"Not really, I don't. I wanted to graduate Hogwarts. There's only been a smattering of Potters that have graduated elsewhere. This give me an extra year in review." I looked at Hermione, "Don't worry, I'm bequeathing you my outlines for both my OWLS and NEWTS." she looked relieved.
"Oi! Why not me?" Prongs asked up.
I snickered…"You're best friend with her."
Everyone laughed but gave a knowing smile to Hermione. "So does that mean she's going to make me study too?" Ron asked with a touch more caution.
"You better believe it." Hermione threatened. Ron gulped audibly and that sent everyone into full laughter.
This was nice. Everyone laughing and having a good time. Too soon, we broke group and everyone headed to their last classes of the day. I had Potions and I was done. I was almost afraid I would fail this year out with Prof Snape breathing down my back. He hated that I was competent in his class. Prongs had finally complained of the same thing. After two years of being his class, Prongs had finally gain control of Lily's competence in Potions.
Today was no different, we were learning the Antidote for a Love Potion. Last week we had discussed Amortentia and its uses, effects (long and short term) then we were to brew it. Lovely. I had several boys staring at me when I left the classroom. Of course, my heart belonged to someone else.
$%$%$%$%$%$%
The next few days were a blur. I studied a bit and read over several of my texts to make sure I wouldn't fail out this year. Though, Ilvermorny's curriculum was a bit different, they essentially taught the same things. Just a few difference. I was grateful for that. I ordered a study guide of everything I needed to know from each class. And when I opened the pack and read through them, I was relieved to know I would be able to pass with flying colors. I would hold onto this and let Prongs have it. Hermione was old school and would learn the hard way. I was no such witch. She would disapprove of it.
The morning of the beginning of the end, I was eating a healthy breakfast when the examiners for the OWLS and NEWTS showed up. They ranged from quite young to extremely old. This made me curious about how the tests were graded. The testing would last for nearly a week. The OWLS took up the first three days and NEWTS were at the end of the week. So I had three more days of studying that I could do. Or I could relax and lightly study. Even though, I just learned that the NEWTS covered Year 6 & 7, I wasn't going to sweat it.
Prongs took a seat beside me and sighed. "You're not ready, are you?" I scoffed and shook my head.
"Actually I am. I"m taking a day off from studying to relax. I'll write to Harry tonight. He's wishing me luck to pass. He said he had a hell of a time studying. Oh, I have a gift for you." I said digging into my bag.
Grabbing the wrapped package, I handed it to him. He looked at me curiously but proceeded to rip it open, "Not here!" I hissed. "These are the American version of 'study guides.' Its an outline to help you study for you OWLS in two years."
"Wicked cool." he exclaimed looking around before tucking them into his bag. "What does it cover?"
"Year 1-5." I answered. "It's why it's thicker than the one for the NEWTS. They cover Year 6-7. These are not for you to cheat with. I expect you to be responsible and actually study next year and during fifth year." I eyed him dangerously.
He blanched and nodded. "OK, ok-I will study like I'm supposed too. I promise. On my word as a Junior Marauder…."
I rolled my eyes at him and sipped my tea before speaking. "You could get into trouble if you flash them around. They have something similar in the English version but the American version is much more detailed. It's not like they wish us to cheat, but sometimes it's good to have them as references."
I spent the next two days either studying or relaxing. The night before I doused myself with a light sleeping potion and drifted off while my dorm-mates were still sweating over the information they had to absorb. My first exam was Charms. While everyone was breaking sweat over his test, I can't say I breezed through it. He was sneaky with mine...at least in theory to fool me about a few things. I appreciated that. Then the practical part, I know I aced.
That afternoon after a quick lunch and a quicker review, I sat myself down in Transfiguration. Prof McGonagall didn't go easy on me. I think she had them test me harder than the rest of the students because she knew I was going to breeze through this test. I had to transfigure a small child to a rat, human transfiguration-I had to change my hair and eye color, and transfigure my head into a dolphin and back.
Happily enough, to let everyone know...I'm still a female with the right hair and eye color.
Since I was considered 'borderline insane' because I was taking five NEWT level class, I had one more unlike everyone else. Stepping into the Defense class, I gave a slight nod to Uncle Moony who was sitting at his desk. He was going to be watching several of us through the theory part and an examiner, most likely an Auror, would take us on during the Practical. During the test, I looked around once and saw that everyone was still take thing their time while I breezing through this test. Of all the ones I would be taking this year, this one was the easiest. Uncle Moony caught my eye and he smirked as I closed my test early. I had nearly twenty minutes left.
Sitting there, I waited until the examiner called time. He was an older gentleman probably no older than Stephen Hatter. Turning my test in, we were escorted outside and called alphabetically for the Practical side of the test. As we sat there, everyone talked about the test and were swapping answers. Each time someone was called, the relief that it was almost over was evident.
"Alyssa Potter…" the voice called as a man stuck his head out the door. I stood up and shucked my robes. Setting them outside, I gave a smile to the last kid waiting. Palming my wand, I was readying myself for whatever flew my way. Pushing the door open, a white streak aimed at me. Tucking and rolling to the side, I came up crouched down and shot off my spell. My exam went like this:
"Impedimenta" I shouted ducking as he shot another a spell at me
"Protego" he countered.
"Locomotor Wibbly" he yelled ducking a red beam that was heading his way.
"Stupefy" I cried using a stunner which he deflected easily with his "Protego"
"Locomotor Mortis" I heard him yell from across the room. Rolling to the side, I deflected another one with my own "Protego" Crying out as I landed wrong on my knee, I stood up and pulled my hair back as I ducked again from a yellow beam that was obviously meant to stun me, I think.
Hurtling the 'Avis' spell at him a flock of canaries flew at him and disorientating him before he cast the "Petrificus Totalus". Stepping to the side, I hobbled and crouched down to cast the "Incarcerous" Thick black ropes hurdled toward him and his shock on his face almost made me laugh but he ducked and begin shooting 'Arrows' from his wand….
He wanted to play dirty. OK, so I would play dirty. Shooting Arrows from my own wand I use a Disorientation Spell that forced him to walk back and forth until I cancelled it. I was tired. I was dirty and I wanted this to end.
Before he could blink, I cast the 'Avis' paring it with the 'Oppugno' spell. I know if they were combined, they can be used offensively for the birds to attack him. He dodged several of the birds before glowering at me.
"Levicorpus!" he shouted at me. I dodged and barely missed being hung up by my leg.
"Augmenti!" a shower of water sprayed from my wand, easily distracting my examiner. He ducked quickly before I could re-douse him and rolled to his side hiding behind a wall he had conjured. Peeking from the side, he cried "Stupefy!"
I dodge that one and hid behind my own wall. Peering over the side, I watched as he grinned at me. He was having fun! I narrowed my eyes, my knee killing me from the pain of having to roll around the hard stone floor. I needed to end this.
"Confringo!" I flicked my wand blasting a hole in his conjured wall. He cursed and rolled away from the debris, but I wasn't done there. 'Waddiwasi!' the small rock debris began pelting at him with a force that I was sure left bruises.
"Stupefy" I shouted again, this time I hit him square in the chest and he fell to the floor. "Accio wand" I said and watched his wand come flying at me. I had ended the test quickly, but I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not that moment.
Walking over to him. I used the Enervate on him before Uncle Moony could come to his rescue. The man sputtered back to life and look at me in amazement. Offering my hand, he grasp it and stood up. Handing him back his wand, he took it and nodded at me.
"Miss Potter, you're dismissed." Uncle Moony said. Hobbling toward the door, I turned around just to see the examiner raise his wand. Pointing my wand at him, I shook my head and hobbled out of the room. My knee was hurting but I wasn't in the mood to see Madam Pomfrey.
Limping down to the Great Hall, I sighed seeing the tables. I wasn't much further from my spot. Finally getting there, I sat down and used a Healer spell to brace my knee. I was more hungry than worried about my injury. LIke it wasn't the first time I had injured this knee in a duel. Spinning myself around, I pointed my wand at my leg and whispered Wingardium Leviosa . My leg floated a foot off the stone floor. Applying a Heating Charm it instantly warmed my knee relaxing the muscles.
Everyone was watching me perform First Aid to my injury and when Prongs and his friends sat down, he looked me warily. Ron, who didn't see my floating leg bumped into as he sat down.
"Ouch…." I groaned closing my eyes.
"What did I do?" he asked innocently.
"Alyssa what happened to your knee?" Hermione gasped looking under the table.
"I landed wrong on my knee during my Practical in Defense...don't worry. I'll be fine. I twisted it badly during camp."
"You should go see Madam Pomfrey…" Prongs spoke up. I cast him a sisterly look. One of love and annoyance.
Shaking my head at the disapproving glances of his friends, "I've already applied First Aid to it. In a situation like this, you have to let it heal the Muggle way. It's just twisted."
"Hey Alyssa…" George Broderick called from his seat. I turned to look at him. "I talked to our classmates and they told me that he didn't duel them. We shot spells back and forth for a bit and that was all."
"Great." I groaned. "Even the examiner is out to get me." Everyone chuckled at that but I could sense the tension in the air. Tucking into my lunch I ate slowly but wished I had brought my booklet with me. I had Potions and Herbology tomorrow and I would be done. I had my two Electives but I didn't have to test in them since they weren't NEWT level. I dreaded Potions tomorrow. Herbology as well if my knee didn't start to feel better. Might have to use a Pain Numbing potion on it. If I have to get down on the ground to dig up plants.
Once I finished my lunch, Prongs stepped away and helped me up from my seat. Cancelling the Levitation Charm. I hobbled out of the Great Hall. I had been tested like an Auror for my exam. It seemed so familiar when he charged at me unexpected. Running into Prof Lupin close to his office, he stopped me and ushered me into the room.
I gratefully took a seat he offered and I cast the Levitation Charm again. He leaned against his desk and looked over at me.
"You knew they were going to test me like that, didn't you?" I asked. I wasn't angry, just tired.
"I did. The examiner looked over your file beforehand and knew what to expect from you." he answered me casting a long look at my knee. "By the way, he said you did exceptionally well. Of all the years he's done this he's never had a student best him."
"I'm not your normal student." I muttered.
"Indeed you're not." he said casting a Heating Charm on my injury. I sighed in relief as the heat begin working on the pain again.
"I've still got two more NEWTS to go. I think I did well in Charms and Transfiguration. Both of them gave me an advanced level testing on my Practical. The theory, I know I aced."
"I noticed. You finished early in my class too. Like I told you last month, I'm not sure what to teach you." he reminded me.
I nodded and closed my eyes at him. I suffocated a yawn that threatened to escape. "I remember how exhausting my NEWTS were. I remember how James and Lily both were frantically studying while taking care of you. Lily offered the night before to bunk with her old dorm mates so James could get a full night's sleep during NEWT week." He sighed remembering. "You weren't a fussy child, but he was woefully unprepared for you. Not that your father didn't love you. He did. He thought the sun rose and set around you. Thankfully one of the Hogwarts elves kept an eye on you during that week."
I chuckled. I loved hearing these stories. Of course, I don't remember my time here as a baby but I did live here. "I wouldn't seeing the Gryffindor Head Suite just for the memory." I looked at my watch and realized I had to leave. "I have to go. I've got Potions and Herbology tomorrow."
He waved as I left and hobbled up the stairs, painfully, I might add till I came upon the Gryffindor Portrait. Giving the password, I slowly made my way through and inched my way toward the couch where I collapsed. Looking toward the stairs that led to the girls dormitory, I sighed and closed my eyes before I heard a vice. It was Mackenzie. She offered her hand and helped me up the stairs to my bunk. Nodding gratefully at her, I laid back on the bed and passed out.
The next day I woke up with a platter of food and a vial beside my bed. On closer inspection it was a Pain Relief Potion. This had to be Dobby's work. I smiled warmly at the thought of the elf. Though, I'm sure, Prongs or Hermione had something to do with it. Eating and chucking back the vial, the potion begin working quickly. I sighed and flexed my knee. This should get me through Herbology.
Showering and dressing quickly, I headed down to the Greenhouses where I was the first one to arrive. Sitting down, I waited on other students to arrive. Prof Sprout and an examiner showed up mere minutes after I did. She nodded at me and soon enough the class poured in. I was done with my test with ten minutes to spare. There wasn't a Practical except to be able to identify the plant species which I aced.
Leaving it, I headed back up the castle. The damn potion was wearing off. Great. Now I'll have to do this in pain during Potions. Just as I sat down, Dobby appeared with another vial of Pain relief potion. I eyed him but took it anyway.
Hermione plopped down in her spot and watched me gag the vial back. "You know you Potter's are a stubborn lot. Won't go see Madam Pomfrey when you're injured."
I poked my tongue out at her. "I suppose this is your doing?"
"Mine and Prongs…He explained to her what happened and she offered two vials to get you through your NEWTS but you are to stay off your knee for the rest of the weekend." she instructed channeling her best Prof McGonagall. I rolled my eyes but ate my lunch anyway. Heading down to the Potions Lab, I bypassed a few Fifth Years who were leaving from their OWLS.
Taking a seat, I realized I was the only one in class. I really wish I could start my exam early and complete my Potion so I could get out of here. I hated the dungeons. I waited patiently until everyone had filed in. All six of us. I chuckled to myself as the examiner handed out the theory half of the exam.
This one I took my time and made sure I explained everything perfectly. When I was done, I stood up to start the Practical half of my exam. I had to brew Veritaserum for my test. I thought this to be rather easy since I've brewed it twice. Once at Ilvermorny and once at Hogwarts, but I didn't argue. As I sat out to start my potion, the examiner stopped me and told that I would be doing something different. I looked at him curiously and he told I would be brewing the Wolfsbane potion.
Really? What is with these people? The only one who didn't test me on an advanced level was Herbology.
Nodding, I looked over the list and sighed. It was going to take me half the afternoon, but I was going to nail this one. Gathering my ingredients, I set out to make the potion.
Three Hours later….
I was still in the blasted Potions Lab with the Examiner and Prof Snape keeping an eye on me. I think Snape wanted me to fail at this because as far as I know, he was the only one who could make it. I read each step carefully, like I was supposed too and I made sure each time it was stirred correctly. I added the ingredients with precision. Finally, after thirty more minutes, the potion emitted a soft blue color. I read over the description again and noted that it was suppose to turn a light blue color if brewed correctly.
Holy Merlin.
I did it.
Calling the examiner and Prof Snape over, they looked it over and part of me was thrilled to see I had done it. Scooping it into a goblet, Prof Snap mentioned that it was indeed brewed correctly. I think I was tripping Muggle drugs at that moment. They dismissed me and I practically skipped out of the dungeons and up to the Great Hall where I knew there would an excess of food. And yes, I would indulge with dessert.
Taking a seat in the Common Room, I sighed and closed my eyes. I was done. My other exams were going to be easy compared to the Hell I had just been through these past two days. The potion begin to wear off and my knee started to throb. Merlin in damnation. Groaning, I conjured the same wrap and used the Heating Charm on it again.
Levitating my leg, I kept it bent but sighed as the heat begun to work. The student were milling around the Common Room and many of the steered clear of my floating leg. I can see why they call them exhausting, but I realize why my exams were much harder. If I had taken the exams like everyone else-on the same level-then I would have breezed through them. No, they had to up the ante and make the exams a level harder to actually test me.
That was fine with me. I just hope my knee was better by the time I graduated. I had to drop Prongs off in America, then come back for the last of my Auror training then back to pick him up. I had sent off my application to several Healer schools pending my NEWTS. I was more interested in 'Spell Damage' or the more serious area 'Magical Bugs and Diseases'.
The door swung open and my brother and Hermione walked in. Ron wasn't with them, but that was usual-sometimes. SInce he started dating Lavender, he normally left Prongs and Hermione alone. Seeing me, they took a seat. Hermione in the chair and Prongs beside me.
"How did it go?"
"Did you just get finished?"
I chuckled at their enthusiasm. "Charms and Transfiguration were difficult. Defense was murder, Herbology was fairly easy and Potions was tedious and difficult."
"I understand the NEWTS are hard, but why so difficult for you?" Prongs asked.
"Because if I had taken them normally, I would have aced my NEWTS."
"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. "Don't you see? Alyssa is practically an Auror so to give her the standardized NEWTS test would be laughable. What did you do for Potions?"
I smiled at her logic. She was turning into be the brightest witch of her age. "Everyone but me had to brew Veritaserum. You won't brew it till Year 6, by the way."
"What did you brew?" she asked.
"Wolfsbane." I muttered. They both looked at me wide-eyed. "Yea, I know. It's damn near difficult to brew. The only person in this entire castle that can brew is Prof Snape. I spent over three hours brewing it. That's not including my theory."
"Did you do it right?" Prongs asked worried.
"Surprisingly enough, I did. If I could have cartwheeled I would have." they chuckled along with me. "Now I have less than a month left and I'm done."
"Where's Ron? He didn't come with you two."
"Detention." They both said. "McGonagall caught him trying to make his mouse dance in class." I let out a hearty laugh and thought that coming back home was the best thing I could have done.
The next morning, my knee had finally started to heal. I flexed my knee several times. Even though Madam Pomfrey had instructed me to stay off my knee there was no way in the world I was going to miss a Hogsmeade trip. Harry was going to be there and I was determined to make to the village.
Showering, I didn't don my Potter robes like I normally would. It was going to be warm day and I was determined to enjoy it. Slipping on a Muggle dress, I found a pair of flats that I was glad I had brought with me. Slipping on the robes while I was in school was a must. I limped a little down the stairs to the Common Room where I met up wit ha few other seventh years. The parties had already started last night for the end of the school year was two and half weeks away. All that was left was graduation.
McGonagall walked in and asked all the seven years to gather around. "Now that your NEWTS are finished there will be a meeting on Monday night after dinner to discuss graduation. Every one of you will be there." she eyed all of us. There was a chorus of 'Yes ma'am' and we scattered.
Easing my way down to the Great Hall, I sat down carefully and pondered about graduation. Should I invite my mother and my stepfather? I knew that Sirius would want to be there. I could order him up a polyjuice for it. Or use a glamour. If I couldn't get a hold of Polyjuice for him. I wasn't planning on asking Harry because I didn't' go to his graduation. I supposed I still could ask. Wouldn't hurt would it?
As the student body gathered at their tables for breakfast, I looked up to see the morning post arrive. I had written Sirius about his wand a few weeks ago and I know he spent time searching for it. Incognito tickled his fancy that he could go anywhere using m the glamour spells I taught him. I rolled my eyes at my older, yet younger godfather. Poe swooped down and he had a letter attached to his leg. I shrugged and handed him a strip of bacon. He snatched it with his beak and I caressed him gently as I removed the letter from his leg.
Casting a Detection Charm I noticed there wasn't anything malice about it. "Why do you do that?" Prongs voice popped up beside me. I glared at him for startling me but he gave me a lopsided grin.
"Cast a Detection Charm on my mail?" he nodded. "Constant Vigilance. Something you'll learn at camp this year." Unrolling the parchment, it was from Uncle Siriy
Prongsette Jr.
I think I have finally located my wand. But you'll never guess where it is. It's at the MInistry of Magic. When I was arrested for my crimes a newly trained Auror picked it up and it's been sitting there for twelve years. I got to snooping around and found out that the name Kingsley Shacklebolt was the name of the Auror. Now that you're going to be at the Academy this summer, maybe you can get it back. If you're reading this and wondering how to accomplish that, you need to think like a Potter. All you have to do is demanded that you want my case re-opened and examined. Things will fall like they should after that. If they tell you that they don't have my wand, that's codswallop. It's there, I'm sure of it.
Paddy
I sighed and handed the parchment to Prongs who read over it. Handing it back to me a few minutes later, he looked at me. "Is this going to be easy?"
"Doubtful. You know how this Ministry works. They're presented a problem and shove their heads in the sand." A few minutes later, we all got up and exited the Great Hall. There was a Hogsmeade trip to enjoy.