Chapter : Harry's O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s

Author's Notes: For the past month I've been sick with Bronchitis. I've been reviewing my story in it's completed form, but I've wanted to make sure it's as I've wanted it to be. I do have a habit of re-writing my stories, adding to them as the notion strikes, hopefully making them 'better'. I do realize that my idea of my stories is a bit 'different' from some of my readers and others who are very interested in the World of Harry Potter, but, we all have our differences of opinion and that is what makes for many good choices. Of the elements in JKR's writings, the ones I do like and try to adhere to are: The importance of Families and sticking with them; The importance of Defending what you believe in/defending your family and loved ones even at the expense of your own self; Choosing the Right. Dumbledore said it right at the end of Book two, I believe that was it, where he said: "Its our choices that make us who we are rather that our abilities." Please pardon my probable misquote since I don't have the book with me, but hopefully you get the idea. I'm currently writing another story: Harry and Daphne. I do like her as she has many strengths, but, that's for another story. There are many stories here, so please don't be too narrow minded when you read this story and not like it. I'm writing this story mainly for MY own enjoyment. Afterall, it's a world of Magic and writers opinion, so, why can't it happen? As my wife as told me, my own World is an amazing and DIFFERENT world from most folks' ideas. It's a fun place, so, lets us ALL enjoy it, shall we? And, we can all be friends, if not Family!

Madame Marchbanks was in the library looking at Harry. Just looking. And Thinking. As old as she was, older than Dumbledore, whom she gave HIS O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams to, she remembered Harry. She remembered his first time here when she gave him his examinations and was very pleased at his results, especially when at the very last, before she let him go, she asked him to demonstrate his Patronus Charm. It was the first time a 5th year had ever performed that charm since Albus Dumbledore. And she was extremely pleased. That's why she kept her eye out on him since.

"My, my, my, he looks just like he did the first time. I just can't see any difference," she thought to herself. "I wonder . . . ," she thought or said quietly under her breath as she pulled out Harry's first exams that he took and handed in. She looked them over and wondered.

"Mr. Potter, please, sit down here next to me. I want to talk with you."

Harry walked over to the aged witch whom Harry had been told was given great respect, due to her extremely advanced age and the fact that she'd tested every student that Hogwarts had ever graduated since Albus Dumbledore was a student here.

"Harry, you think you're ready for your exams?"

"Yes."

"You were taught at home, then, I presume?"

"Yes, I was."

"Who taught you?"

"My Mum, Dad, and the rest of the family. Mum had a Library and classroom built just for me and all her books. It was built under Snape, uh, Professor Snape's directions. He's been using it since then and also helping me in potions, testing me, making sure I stay on track. He's kinda strict, but fair. Besides, I've heard a lot of stories from the twins about how hard he was, but I've not seen that in him. When Mum is around, or when he's there, he's just quiet, helpful. I don't know how to explain it. Anyway, I was taught by my family."

"I know, I just wanted to get your side of the story. I wanted to hear from you your opinion of how you were taught, what you learned. There is one other question: Don't you feel left out, not being around others your age, having friends, doing things young people your age usually do?"

"No. I don't feel left out. I've got my family to talk to. Besides, I remember a lot of my school years there, well, here, and I kinda consider that my school years and my friends. Even though they're much older than I am now, I still know them. It's strange."

"I've been following your school work, your progress in school is astonishingly fast. But, there is one question I do want to ask you: Knowing what you do, about your 'past' and what's happened since, would you do this all over again?"

Harry looked at Madam Marchbanks, he just gazed into her eyes, and at that moment she had her answer: 'yes'.

"Yes, I would, I took care of my friends, they cared for me, but I was always afraid for them, that Voldemort would hurt them in order to get to me. That's why I did what I did, at the last, that is why I loved them and I'd do it all again, every single bit."

Harry stopped talking, but he looked back up at Madam Marchbanks "But you know what really kept me going all those years? The love that Molly had for me, she was my 'Mum' when my own natural Mum wasn't, well, here, even though she was, I just didn't know it. Molly expressed her love for me as only a Mum would, and she took me in, cared for me. It was also good to have a family who saw me as 'Harry, just Harry' not some famous person."

"You've done very well for yourself. Your grades in school are outstanding – "O" level in most subjects, and if you keep this up you'll be eligible for Auror Training, once you've attained legal Wizarding age, that is."

"Thank you." Harry didn't know what else to say. He'd expected a lot of written questions, but not this.

"There is one test I'd like for you to preform, and that's the Patronus Charm. Can you still do it?"

Harry was surprised – "Of course I can. Mum taught me well, she always does."

With that said Harry got up and extended his wand exclaiming "EXPECTO PATRONIUM" and a large white stag came out of his wand, running around the Library and came up beside Harry standing beside him, slowly disappearing.

"Amazing! And from a young boy, I'd not believed it had I not seen it." Madam Marchbanks exclaimed.

"Harry, I still have your tests from 'last time' and comparing your school work that you've done now, your work is very well done. I'll be sending you your results by OWL shortly."

"Thank you, Madam Marchbanks."

"You're welcome, Harry." And as Harry turned to go, she said one more thing, "Oh, Harry, I'm very glad of how you've done. Very exceptional. You're a real credit to your Mum and Dad."

Harry smiled and nodded his head slightly towards her, that was the best compliment he could have ever received.

Harry left the Library feeling good. 'Seems all my studying and writing those essays paid off.'

Out in the hall Harry met his Mum and Dad where they were waiting and talking with each other. They were so engrossed with one another, standing and facing each other, almost nose to nose and holding hands, that they didn't see Harry in the hall, waiting for them.

"Gee, if I didn't know better I'd think they'd wind up in the broom closet – snogging!" Harry thought to himself and just shaking his head in amazement. 'It's no wonder: over two lifetimes they've been only with themselves and no other. They love each other that much. Well, they've gone through many problems, so they deserve the love for each other."

Lily and James kissed, almost a little too passionately for Harry, he'd been afraid someone would see them and he'd be embarrassed. Seeing them like this was good for him to know that they did love each other, but he's still a bit embarrassed.

"I hope no one sees them!" Harry said quietly, to himself.

"Oh, I don't know, I think its' very romantic, Harry" Ginny said.

Harry jumped, being startled. He turned and saw Ginny standing beside him.

"Harry, from a woman's point of view, if she knew the man really loved her, she'd like a little display of affection. I know I would."

"You would?"

"Yes, there was a wizard I really loved, deeply, and I'd have done anything for him, standing up in battle, protecting him, even married him, which was my dream."

"Who was he? What happened?"

Ginny smiled, recalling memories, but these she kept to herself, recalling what Lily told her that day in Gringotts' Bank.

"Harry, right now, it wouldn't be appropriate to tell you, but, one day when you reach legal age, if you still want to know, I'll tell you." Ginny said, hoping that'd be the right thing to tell him. He just wasn't ready yet.

"I don't understand, Ginny."

"Oh, Harry . . . ," and with the rest left unsaid she reached out and gave Harry a hug. "You're the sweetest wizard."

"Now, lets go get your Mum and Dad, that is, if they're finished snogging before they DO wind up in a Broom Closet!"

Harry smiled at this and just kept his thoughts to himself. Afterall, Ginny was the only girl in the Weasley family and he was sure she was like her Mum. She could 'pick up' on peoples' thoughts, moods, hints.

"Well, Lily, have you and James finished snogging like a bunch of school kids?" Ginny asked rather loudly, and smiling, laughing.

Lily and James both blushed a red that would have made any Weasley proud!

As they were walking down the hall to leave the castle, Lily had fallen into step next to Harry, placing her hand on his shoulder rather softly and gently, something she did out of habit.

"Mum?"

"Yes, Son?"

"I appreciate you and Dad, well, you know . . .,"

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

"What Ginny said, back there. I liked seeing you and Dad love each other that much; It means a lot to me."

Lily placed her arm around Harry and pulled him a little closer to her. "Son, what you said, that means a lot, you feeling that way. Its how we're supposed to be with each other." Lily smiled at her son.

"Mum?"

"Yes, Son?"

"I sure do learn a lot from you and Dad." Harry walked a little closer to his Mum then, while Lily glowed and shimmered brighter, much brighter, a sign of her being happy.

Back at the Burrow, Molly was very excited over Harry taking his O.W.L.'s and wanted to know all about it.

"Harry, dear, how well did you do? Do you think you passed your O.W.L.'s?"

"I think I did very well but all Prof. Marchbanks did was talk with me. She had a copy of my previous O.W.L exams and reports from you. She said I didn't have to take the written part again."

"Oh? That's odd, I've never heard of that happening before."

"Well, I guess she's not had someone like me before, either." Harry just shrugged his shoulders, as he sat down at the kitchen table.

"But, she asked me about my life here and would I do it all over again, I told her 'Yes" without hesitating I would. Besides, the only thing she asked me to do was demonstrate my Patronus charm."

"Did you? What did it look like?"

"It was a stag, and Prof. Marchbanks was very impressed. She said she'd not seen anything like this since Dumbledore took his O.W.L.'s"

"Oh, Harry! I'm so proud of you!" Molly hugged Harry so much.

"Thanks, - for everything . . . ,"

Molly looked up at Harry, perplexed, but it dawned on her what he met.

"Harry, you're a part of this family – you always were before and you are now, even if your name is different, still, you're one of us."

Harry smiled, thinking.

"Harry" Molly looked at him, "what are you thinking?"

"Well, I was talking with Ginny, and after I came out of the library, at Hogwarts, after my O.W.L.'s we saw Mum and Dad, in the Hallway – and they were snogging!"

"Oh, how sweet. They were always in love with one another, even while they were in school – with you. I told Arthur that they argued and fought like some old married couple . . . , but little did I realize." Molly gazed far away.

"Oh, sorry, Dear, I was just thinking, what was it you were saying?"

"Ginny told me she once loved a wizard, that she would have married him. I asked her who he was but she never said. Do you know anything about this? She said it was sweet to see Mum and Dad Snogging in the halls."

Molly looked up at Lily, and at that moment, something passed between the two women. Harry sensed it.

"What is it? You both know something."

"Uh, Harry," Molly was nervous, looking at Lily, who was smiling and did not know what to say.

"There's an answer to your question, but your Mum feels you're not prepared, nor old enough – yet – to know the answer. One day, soon, you'll be told." Molly tried to explain to Harry.

"Ok, I just hope Ginny's happy. She's real nice." Harry said.

A knowing look passed between Lily and Molly.

"What's for supper, Mum? I'm Starved." A happy Harry asked.

Lily hugged Harry, closed and tightly to her, "Oh, son, you're so precious, but when it comes to food, you're just like your Dad!" Lily said.

Lily kissed Harry on the cheek, "Awww, Mum." Harry replied, holding onto his Mum.

"Now, Son, I want you to go to the classroom and start your assignments, I've written them on the chalk board. Do a good job and get a head start. If you need help, call Ginny, she's available." Lily told Harry.

"Ok, Mum."

"Oh, here, take this sandwich." Molly gave Harry a couple sandwiches and a pitcher of pumpkin juice to take with him.

"Thanks, I appreciate this."

Harry went out the door towards the Classroom and Library to start his assignments.

"Do you think he suspects anything – yet?" Molly asked Lily.

"Not yet, he's just a curious little boy about Ginny because she used to love someone. He's not been subjected to that aspect of Life yet." Lily said.

"He's a wonderful boy, Lily, he really is – and for all the hard times he's gone through, it just shows the maturity he's got." Molly mused. "He will be able to handle Wizarding Responsibilities when he's eleven."

"I know, and I appreciate your support. You've been good to us, Molly, that'll NEVER, EVER be forgotten."

Molly and Lily looked at each other, smiled knowingly. Love and appreciation were very much apparent.

That evening supper was a joyous affair, not only were all the families favorite foods there, but they were celebrating Harry's completing his O.W.L.'s and once again impressing the professors' including Prof. Marchbanks. Having a Patronus conjured by an adult wizard was one matter, but by a nine year old wizard was quite another matter.