A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! They made me so happy! I'm going to reply to a few of them now.
LittleEar Big Ear's sis: I think the swearing makes it more realistic. I mean face it, we're not all perfect, most people swear sometimes. It's just a fact, and I rated this story what it is because of it.
Samhiancat: I'm very honored that you're reading this. I've read some of your story, Solstice, I loved it. Unfortunately, I fell behind and because you update so much I don't have time to read it all. I promise I'll finish reading as soon as I can though! Thanks for thinking that this isn't boring, I really am worried it is.
Thanks to all my other reviewers: shurrani, Nefertiri Riddle (I like your name!), Iniysa, A.L. Lorraine, Lover5 and nana-hedwig. Thanks for all the compliments! I love you all!
Special thanks to my beta/ co-author Cromie; you're such a wonderful help!
Disclaimer ("statement made to save one's own ass", 10 points still up for grabs for anyone can guess where that's from!): I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters used in this story or the world that they live in. *tear*. I do claim the plot of this story though!
On with the show!
Chapter 4- Results
Wednesday morning came all too soon in Harry's opinion. He woke up at eight with plenty of time to get ready. At least he knew he wouldn't be late, a comforting thought indeed. Harry rolled out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. He spent an ungodly amount of time in the shower, wishing he would just get sucked down the drain right along the steaming water. When he got out he discovered that he had withered like a prune and had managed to waste an entire hour achieving it. Harry dressed and went downstairs quickly.
"Morning, Harry," said Tonks in her usual perky manner when Harry entered the kitchen for breakfast. "Merlin, we'd thought you'd drowned in there or something."
'I wish,' Harry's inner voice stated. 'Maybe I'd have gotten out of Occlumency if I had.'
Harry sat down and idly picked at his food. Ron was telling him something about Quidditch, but Harry wasn't really listening. His mind was concentrating solely on the day ahead. His musing were interrupted however, by the arrival of the mail.
"Look!" squealed Hermione. "It's our O.W.L. results!"
"Oh, no," said Neville mournfully from across the table. "I've been dreading this all summer…"
Harry looked down at his letter. He'd completely forgotten about the O.W.L. s, his thoughts focused on… other… subjects. Now he simply stared at the heavy parchment envelope, as though it were a bomb, afraid to even touch it. The contents of that envelope would determine a great deal of his future, if he lived long enough that is. It would decide whether or not he would become an Auror like Moody and Tonks. Like his father…
"Open your letter, Harry," said Lupin softly. Harry nodded and swallowed the lump of fear that had swelled in his throat. Hands shaking, Harry picked up the envelope and proceeded to open it. Inside was a letter written on yellowed parchment in deep purple ink that read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
Enclosed are the results of your Ordinary Wizarding Levels tests. We suggest that you examine and consider these before deciding what N.E.W.T level classes you wish to take for the next two years of your magical education. Good luck and congratulations to you.
Sincerely,
Board of Magical Education
There were two other pieces of parchment inside. Harry pulled out the first one. On it was a list, written in the same deep purple ink:
Transfiguration- Exceeds Expectations
Charms- Outstanding
Defense Against the Dark Arts- Outstanding
Astronomy- Acceptable
Herbology- Acceptable
Care of Magical Creatures- Acceptable
Harry's eyebrows raised as he read through these. Overall, Harry was pleased with these grades and wasn't very surprised by them. His heart sunk a bit when he read the next two on the list.
Divination- Poor
History of Magic- Dreadful
'Well, it's not like I wasn't really expecting that,' thought Harry to himself. All things considered, those two grades were nothing to really sulk over. It was the next grade however, was the one that made Harry's stomach lurch.
Potions- Exceeds Expectations
Harry should have been happy with the grade. He should have been overjoyed, because it was better then Harry could have really hoped to do. Except it wasn't good enough for Snape, because Snape only took "Outstanding" scores into his N.E.W.T. class. Now Harry had next to no chance of ever becoming an Auror.
"Well done, Harry," said Lupin, who was looking at the results over Harry's shoulder. Although when he saw the pained expression on Harry's face he added, "Not unhappy are you?"
"No," Harry lied. "I think I did well, really."
"Lucky you," said Neville from across the table. "My gran is going to kill me when she sees this. Honestly, take a look, just don't laugh."
He handed his paper to Harry, who scanned down the list quickly. Well, considering that this was Neville, it wasn't all that bad. He'd actually gotten an "O" in Herbology, and an "E" in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He'd also passed both Charms and Care of Magical Creatures with "A's". It went downhill from there though.
"What N.E.W.T. classes are you going to take, Harry?" asked Hermione. "I've been accepted into so many. I can't decide!"
"How do you know what classes you were accepted in?" asked Harry, confused. She waved third sheet at him, and looked down into his own envelope. Sure enough, there was the third sheet of paper he'd forgotten about, bearing another letter and another list.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Congratulations. Below is a list of the N.E.W.T. courses that you are eligible to continue with for the next two years. Remember that what courses you take will determine what occupations you are qualified for in the future. Choose wisely. Please indicate the courses you would like to take and send this sheet back to Hogwarts no later than the 31st of July.
Sincerely,
Board of Magical Education
Please indicate which of the following courses would like to take.
__ Defense Against the Dark Arts
__ Transfiguration
__ Care of Magical Creatures
__ Herbology
__ Charms
__Astronomy
__ Potions
Harry blinked a few times and shook head, checking to make sure that he was seeing this correctly. Once sure that his eyes were functioning properly, he knew there had to be a mistake. Harry had only gotten an "E" on his Potions O.W.L. Snape only took on students who had achieved an "O". As it was, Snape wouldn't have taken Harry even if he'd managed to get a perfect score. So how on Earth had he gotten in?
"Dumbledore," Harry concluded aloud. "It had to be Dumbledore."
"It had to be Dumbledore what, Harry?" asked Ron through a mouthful of food.
"Can you think of any other way I could have managed to get into N.E.W.T. level Potions?" asked Harry sarcastically, causing Ron to choke on his food.
"You got into N.E.W.T. Potions?" asked Ron in awe once he'd stopped coughing. "Here I thought Neville had a better chance of getting into that class then you did! Snape hates your guts! What kind of a grade did you get?"
"An 'E'," stated Harry simply.
"Really?" asked Hermione. "Good job, Harry! That is odd though, that you got into N.E.W.T. Potions. If I remember correctly Snape only takes "O's"…"
"That's right," said Harry. "It had to be Dumbledore's doing. There's no way Snape would take me, of all people, in without an "O"."
"Correct, Potter," said a voice behind them, surprising everyone in the room. Snape stood leaning against the doorframe, with arms crossed and a smug expression on his face. "For once. Let's see if you can do it again. Tell me, exactly what time is it, Potter?"
Harry looked down at his watch in horror. It was ten-after-ten. 'Oh, shit," curse Harry's inner voice. 'Now you've done it.'
"Please tell me you can read time, Potter," said Snape, his lip curling. "It's really not all that difficult, is it?"
"It's ten minutes after ten, sir," he answered without looking up.
"And at what time did I tell you to be ready?"
"At ten o'clock, sir," again without looking up.
"And are you ready yet, Potter?" asked Snape as though he were speaking to an exceptionally stupid young child.
"Yes, sir," replied Harry, now looking up at his professor and giving him a most annoying smile. Harry had his wand and he looked decent. "Unless you would like me to bring a quill and parchment in order to take notes?"
"No, Potter," answered Snape, voice dripping with malice. He was pissed. Potter had just given him cheek in such a subtle way that he could not punish him for it. "No, I think today's lesson will be practical."
"Alright, what's going on?" asked Neville, obviously confused. The other Gryffindors were giving Harry quizzical looks as well.
"Oh," said Harry. "I forgot to tell you. I'm continuing my Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape. Professor Dumbledore doesn't have enough time to teach me himself."
"Wait, what's Occlumency?" asked Neville.
"Nothing you need, Longbottom," answered Snape, obviously annoyed, but a smirk was appearing on his face none the less. "There's nothing in that fat skull of yours for you to protect. Hurry up, Potter!"
Snape walked out the door and Harry turned to his friends. "I have to go. Hermione, explain to Neville what's going on. I'll see you…whenever." His three friends nodded and Harry ran out of the kitchen to catch up with Snape.
Harry followed Snape into the parlor. No words were passed between the two during this time. They Flooed back to Hogwarts, Harry went first. This was unfortunate due to the fact that Harry still had not master the fine art of landing and was still in a mangled heap when Snape came through, causing a great mess.
"Merlin, Potter!" shouted Snape. "How do you always manage to be in the way?"
"Sorry, sir," Harry ground out, not answering the question.
They walked down to the dungeons in silence, tempers rising with each step. They reached Snape's office and stood in their usual places; Snape behind his desk, Harry facing him from the opposite side. They glared at each other, onyx on emerald, pure loathing within the hearts of each. The silence was deafening, the intensity numbifying.
"Prepare yourself…" Snape hissed. They drew their wands, never breaking eye contact. Finally, Snape raised his wand, "Legilmens!"
TBC
A/N: That is the longest chapter I've ver written. Seven pages! I hope you liked it. And the cliffhanger (evil, huh?)! I'm on a roll today! I hate to say it, but I'm having a little trouble with the next chapter, I haven't even finished the first draft yet, so it might be a while. Two weeks probably, maybe less. I think it should be interesting (one would hope). Suggestions are welcome! Ta! -Arili