25. O.W.L.s
As much as Harry would have liked to question Ryan Argano about just what the Gunslinger's craft really was, that, and just about everything else, was swept completely from his mind. The next three weeks passed both far too fast and agonizingly slowly. Endless hours in the library all managed to run together, as did the subjects being studied. Between Potions, History of Magic, Transfiguration, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, all thoughts of enchanted weapons and shadowy assassins were forced to the back corner of Harry's thoughts.
Everyone was getting quite stressed. Ron and Hermione were fighting even more than usual and Harry was distressed to realize he was taking out a lot of his own stress on Ginny. Ginny tried to be supportive, but after the first week, she just started avoiding Harry completely, saying she would talk to him again once the O.W.L.s were finished. Harry might have been upset with this turn of events, but he was really too absorbed to notice. He even didn't notice his faculty shadow anymore.
All too soon, after what seemed like far too little preparation time, March fifth arrived. It began with History of Magic, four hours, break for lunch, and another two hours. That evening even Hermione seemed discouraged. The exam had been grueling, demanding retention of specific facts from their very first year.
Hermione did her best to cheer up Ron and Harry, "Well, at least the rest of them can't be that specific."
Lee Jordan overheard and sauntered over with a grin, "You just had History of Magic right?" He nodded sagely for a moment, "It's good to get the easy one out of the way first I think."
Harry and Ron watched him go gape-mouthed but Hermione just shook her head huffily, "He must be joking, right?"
Defense against the Dark Arts went a bit better for them. It was still gruelingly long, but Ron joked that they had a better time of it because they'd had so much hands on experience. Harry had worried that their might be some sort of obstacle course, but the test turned out to be entirely written.
Herbology, on the other hand, was completely hands on. Harry did his best, but got confused on the difference between feeding the various types of carnivorous plants and almost lost a few fingers as a result. At least there weren't any mandrakes, he thought glumly to himself as he made his way up to the castle after the test.
The weekend offered no time to relax as all three buried themselves in their Potions notes for what they expected to be a hideously hard exam. Hagrid had resumed his teaching of Care of Magical Creatures upon his return and Harry wondered with a bit of dread what he might have cooked up for an exam.
The potions exam did not disappoint. They were given a list of six potions, each more difficult than the last, with an hour to complete each one. The presiding professor was a bored little man who wandered around scribbled on a clip-board.
Harry felt fairly confident with his first two potions, but his third was quite a bit more orange than it should have been. By the fourth, he was quite sure he was going to fail, as the whole concoction nearly erupted into his face. Still, he was doing better than Neville, who was, sad to say, almost completely beyond help.
The final two Potions were miserably intricate and Harry felt he had botched the last one completely. Ron looked almost sick and even Hermione could find little encouragement to give. she finally settled on, "At least tomorrow's the last one."
Ron nodded, "I'm so glad we don't take divination any more."
Hagrid's test was actually fairly easy. Each student spent a half hour answering detailed questions that Hagrid asked about specific types of magical creature. Harry went early and spent the rest of the day lounging around near Hagrid's hut. March had burst in warm and dry and the snow had melted quickly as a result.
* * *
"Well thank God that's over." Ron flopped down on a couch and Hermione sank down next to him. Harry dragged up and easy chair to sit across from them.
Harry was about to reply when Angelina stuck her head out into the common room and bellowed, "Matt, Jo-Jo! Let's go! The match with Slytherin is next Saturday and practice is now!" Harry winced.
Hermione gave a start, "Oh, Harry, I forgot to give this to you." She pulled out a folded not and handed it to him. "It's from Professor McGonagall."
Harry unfolded it glumly and read.
Harry,
I believe an agreement has been reached that may interest you. Call a Professor and come to my office at eight o'clock tonight.
Professor McGonagall
He glanced at his watch. "Looks like I'd better go." He stood quickly and climbed out the portrait hole. Ryan Argano appeared a moment later and led him down to Professor McGonagall's office, which was located very near to her class-room. Ryan wouldn't tell him what was going on but offered a smile as he pushed Harry into the office.
Professor McGonagall and Marcus Sideson were waiting in the room. Harry slowly took the seat that Professor McGonagall indicated.
"Thank you for coming Mr. Potter, I'm sure you are painfully aware that Gryffindor remains without a seeker." Harry nodded unhappily, "Well, I've talked with Marcus and I believe we can fix that."
Harry blinked, not daring to hope, "What do you mean?"
Sideson cleared his throat. "We'll let you fly, but only for the Quidditch Cup match. We still won't allow you to practice."
"Angelina's not thrilled that you won't be able to practice, but she'll take whatever she can get."
Harry felt his voice catch in his throat, "Thanks," he managed.
Sideson nodded, "I want you to understand that the only reason we feel comfortable making this decision because it has been so long since there has been any sign of the assassin. We believe they've gone for good. However, if there's another attempt, we will remand our decision."
"Uh, right," Harry was still surprised, "Thank you."
Minerva nodded, "I'll call Ryan, get some rest Harry."
