Chapter 26
Ordinary Wizarding Levels
At 8:10 the next morning the students of Hogwarts, years five to seven, from all houses filled the library. A fat, angry, proper looking man in a smart black coat stood before them. Shayna watched him edgily as she tried to move her elbows in closer to make room for everybody. "I am Rupert P. Staton" the fat man said as though this were supposed to impress them all "I am the head governor of this school
"And in terrible need of a diet" Amber whispered in Shayna's ear "And a face lift" she added in a laughing whisper
"THE WHISPERING WILL STOP THIS INSTANT!" Mr. Staton boomed The girls quickly looked up and sat as strait as they could. "In just a moment you will be issued the written portion of the Ordinary Wizarding Level standardized test" he held up a thick packet of parchment that looked whiter then it should "You will have as long as you need to complete this. Each question is worth 1 point, and every 75 points will be worth one O.W.L."
"Once you have finished you will be taken, by one of your Professors, to perform the more practical aspect of this exam. There will be one task for you in each of the following categories: Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, transfiguration, and Wisdom." Several 5th year heads looked around at hearing the last topic. Wisdom? No one had told them about that! Just how do you study for a wisdom quiz anyways? Shayna was beginning to panic when Mr. Staton announced that they were to begin.
She didn't know how long it had taken her to get from question #1 to #450 but her hand was aching. She doubted she'd be able to hold her wand for any of the tasks that followed. Slowly Shayna raised her head, Amber, Alana, and Josh were already gone. Jes was still working feverishly at her side. From across the way she saw two red heads bent over their packets still. "Are you done?" a soft voice startled her "Follow me then" And Shayna followed Professor McGonnal out of the library and into an empty class room.
McGonnal scratched her quill against the clipboard as Shayna was asked to turn a pair of stockings into mittens, a chocolate frog into a live one, a pencil to a quill, and so on. With out a word she took her to another class room where she handed Flitwick the clip board and left.
Flitwick had her do a number, of charms that she thought she did very well. But she was certain she'd given Binns the date for the werewolf code of conduct amendments, not the goblin rebellions. Professor Sprout had her transplant a mandrake, which bit her. She dropped it for the pain and it began attacking Sprout's feet, but Madame Promfrey said that she'd be fine. Severus, however let her know that she got the full O.W.L. for his task.
And then Shayna was brought to the last, and most nerve racking part of her day, the Wisdom task. In a tiny room, so plain you might have mistaken it for a closet she found Mr. Staton waiting for her. She felt dizzy and slightly ill as she sat on the three legged stool and waited. He stared at her, making her even more nervous, and said "Miss Riddle, what do you think the years at Hogwarts have taught you?"
A good question indeed. Five years of her life and what did she have to show for it? Well she was a relatively competent witch was she not? "The basics I will need to know to get a job, and provide for myself.":she began a little shakily "I've learned the value of one hour's work, and how to work with other people."
And very gradually the words stopped coming from her brain, and started coming from her heart. "I have learned that a person is not determined by their name or their family, or any condition they may have. That no matter how well you think you know them, they can always change, there can always be something more to it. The only thing you can judge a person on is the choices they make, because it's the only part of them they can control."
"I have learned the difference between good and evil, and hw to tell right from wrong. I have learned just how real the dark arts are, and how many people love them. But I also know that all they do is ruin lives and destroy! It is a choice you see, one that each Witch and Wizard has to make for themselves. No matter how badly you wish you could make the right choice for them, people have to make their own mistakes. All you can do is stand in what you believe, regardless."
"Most importantly have learned that there is something bigger. One thing, bigger then school and the O.W.L.'s, stronger then Dumbledore, and the ministry, even the Dark Lord. And that, Mr. Staton, is friendship. It is stronger then any spell or curse and more unstopped then time itself."
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That evening at dinner the girls waited anxiously for the evening owls to come with their marks.
"I hope I did ok" Alana said twisting her napkin "I forgot all about the winaped factor in that last arithmancy equation, do you think it'll count against me?"
"I'm just glad it's all over" Amber sighed, she was the only girl who wasn't beating her brains out over something they'd forgotten At that moment owls burst through the windows, and dropped letters for each of the girls
Shayna tore hers open and read:
Written: 460 pts. Transfiguration: 45 pts. Charms: 60 pts. History: 30 pts. Potions: 75 pts. Defense: 75 pts. Herbology: 0 pts. Wisdom: 75 pts. Total: 820 pts. O.W.L.'s: 10.9 "I got 10.9 O.W.L's!" Shayna cried
"9 I got 9!" Amber was now raising the roof to congratulate herself
"Whoo hoo me too!" Selphie cried
"I have 7 O.W.L.'s" Jes said in disbelief "Can you believe it I PASSED!"
"Man, I only got 12" Alana hung her head
"Come on Alana!" Selphie cried in exasperation "There were only 13 possible!"
Shayna put her arm around Alana. "I'm sure you'll get all 13 next year babe."
And the 5 girls returned to the common room for an all night celebration. After all the summer holiday started tomorrow, and it would be 3 months before they got the chance to party again.
At 8:10 the next morning the students of Hogwarts, years five to seven, from all houses filled the library. A fat, angry, proper looking man in a smart black coat stood before them. Shayna watched him edgily as she tried to move her elbows in closer to make room for everybody. "I am Rupert P. Staton" the fat man said as though this were supposed to impress them all "I am the head governor of this school
"And in terrible need of a diet" Amber whispered in Shayna's ear "And a face lift" she added in a laughing whisper
"THE WHISPERING WILL STOP THIS INSTANT!" Mr. Staton boomed The girls quickly looked up and sat as strait as they could. "In just a moment you will be issued the written portion of the Ordinary Wizarding Level standardized test" he held up a thick packet of parchment that looked whiter then it should "You will have as long as you need to complete this. Each question is worth 1 point, and every 75 points will be worth one O.W.L."
"Once you have finished you will be taken, by one of your Professors, to perform the more practical aspect of this exam. There will be one task for you in each of the following categories: Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, transfiguration, and Wisdom." Several 5th year heads looked around at hearing the last topic. Wisdom? No one had told them about that! Just how do you study for a wisdom quiz anyways? Shayna was beginning to panic when Mr. Staton announced that they were to begin.
She didn't know how long it had taken her to get from question #1 to #450 but her hand was aching. She doubted she'd be able to hold her wand for any of the tasks that followed. Slowly Shayna raised her head, Amber, Alana, and Josh were already gone. Jes was still working feverishly at her side. From across the way she saw two red heads bent over their packets still. "Are you done?" a soft voice startled her "Follow me then" And Shayna followed Professor McGonnal out of the library and into an empty class room.
McGonnal scratched her quill against the clipboard as Shayna was asked to turn a pair of stockings into mittens, a chocolate frog into a live one, a pencil to a quill, and so on. With out a word she took her to another class room where she handed Flitwick the clip board and left.
Flitwick had her do a number, of charms that she thought she did very well. But she was certain she'd given Binns the date for the werewolf code of conduct amendments, not the goblin rebellions. Professor Sprout had her transplant a mandrake, which bit her. She dropped it for the pain and it began attacking Sprout's feet, but Madame Promfrey said that she'd be fine. Severus, however let her know that she got the full O.W.L. for his task.
And then Shayna was brought to the last, and most nerve racking part of her day, the Wisdom task. In a tiny room, so plain you might have mistaken it for a closet she found Mr. Staton waiting for her. She felt dizzy and slightly ill as she sat on the three legged stool and waited. He stared at her, making her even more nervous, and said "Miss Riddle, what do you think the years at Hogwarts have taught you?"
A good question indeed. Five years of her life and what did she have to show for it? Well she was a relatively competent witch was she not? "The basics I will need to know to get a job, and provide for myself.":she began a little shakily "I've learned the value of one hour's work, and how to work with other people."
And very gradually the words stopped coming from her brain, and started coming from her heart. "I have learned that a person is not determined by their name or their family, or any condition they may have. That no matter how well you think you know them, they can always change, there can always be something more to it. The only thing you can judge a person on is the choices they make, because it's the only part of them they can control."
"I have learned the difference between good and evil, and hw to tell right from wrong. I have learned just how real the dark arts are, and how many people love them. But I also know that all they do is ruin lives and destroy! It is a choice you see, one that each Witch and Wizard has to make for themselves. No matter how badly you wish you could make the right choice for them, people have to make their own mistakes. All you can do is stand in what you believe, regardless."
"Most importantly have learned that there is something bigger. One thing, bigger then school and the O.W.L.'s, stronger then Dumbledore, and the ministry, even the Dark Lord. And that, Mr. Staton, is friendship. It is stronger then any spell or curse and more unstopped then time itself."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That evening at dinner the girls waited anxiously for the evening owls to come with their marks.
"I hope I did ok" Alana said twisting her napkin "I forgot all about the winaped factor in that last arithmancy equation, do you think it'll count against me?"
"I'm just glad it's all over" Amber sighed, she was the only girl who wasn't beating her brains out over something they'd forgotten At that moment owls burst through the windows, and dropped letters for each of the girls
Shayna tore hers open and read:
Written: 460 pts. Transfiguration: 45 pts. Charms: 60 pts. History: 30 pts. Potions: 75 pts. Defense: 75 pts. Herbology: 0 pts. Wisdom: 75 pts. Total: 820 pts. O.W.L.'s: 10.9 "I got 10.9 O.W.L's!" Shayna cried
"9 I got 9!" Amber was now raising the roof to congratulate herself
"Whoo hoo me too!" Selphie cried
"I have 7 O.W.L.'s" Jes said in disbelief "Can you believe it I PASSED!"
"Man, I only got 12" Alana hung her head
"Come on Alana!" Selphie cried in exasperation "There were only 13 possible!"
Shayna put her arm around Alana. "I'm sure you'll get all 13 next year babe."
And the 5 girls returned to the common room for an all night celebration. After all the summer holiday started tomorrow, and it would be 3 months before they got the chance to party again.
