Harry and Hermione got together and started studying the subjects after paying a visit to Diagon Alley to get their books and some supplies that they needed to prepare for their exams.
Harry and Hermione first studied Arithmacy intensively first since Harry decided to take it as a exam instead of Divination since he really didn't learn anything from it. Hermione was surprised how much Harry really picked up on the subject and they both finally felt comfortable enough to start on the other subjects. Harry and Hermione felt comfortable enough with Charms to not have to worry about it because of what they had learned for the Third Task mainly. They still studied for the subject to review.
The subject they concentrated on the most was Potions. One day Professor Snape came by and saw them studying a lot and asked them if they would like him to help them. This surprised them but Harry, Hermione, Amanda, Virginia, and Cho, who wanted to relearn some of the information to prepare for the NEWTS, took him up on his offer.
Over the next few days they spent learning the basics of how potions ingredients should be added and what order of when the ingredients should be placed in. By the end of 4 days they were able to make potions easily. The only thing that they had to worry about was the theoretical information behind the potions. By the end of the week (7 days) they were pretty sure they were able to do excellent on their Potions exam.
They spent the next couple of days studying Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) exams. Harry and Hermione had pretty much got that down pact also so they helped Amanda and Virginia with their studies on the class.
The OWLs began the 15th of July and ended on the 17th. Their first exam was DADA exam. Since Sikandar and Sarah were going to be the new DADA teachers the next year they gave the exam. The exam was basically a maze and it was up to each of them to use different defense spells to get past obstacles. They all got full marks for the exam and went on to the next exam. The next one was Arithmacy. When Harry left it he was surprised he did as well as he did. The next last exam of the day was Transfiguration. Professor McGonagal had them do a written exam on transfiguring objects and then the practical exam was for them to transfigure different items into others and back into the original states. They all received full marks for Transfiguration with Hermione and Harry getting extra marks for their work on the practical exam.
The next day was Potions, Charms, and finally Care of Magical Creatures. As they expected, Potions went really well and they all believed they received full marks for it. For Charms, Harry was not expected to do their exam because Professor Flitwick had given him full marks for his work on the last task. The rest did really well on the test and they were hoping for full marks. Hagrid was not able to give them their exam but he had sent word that Harry, Hermione and Virginia was to receive full marks on their exam and Amanda's professor from Brenham recommended that she receive full marks for hers because of all her help she used to give him.
The final day of exams was on Herbology and History of Magic. Herbology exam went really well for all of them. Amanda received extra credit for her exam. History of Magic was their worst exam but they did their best and received almost full marks for theirs.
By the end of the evening, Harry and Hermione were happy enough about their scores that they pulled out their NEWTS books and started to study them. On the other hand, Virginia and Amanda took the evening off seeing that they were tired. Cho joined Harry and Hermione in their studying and worked gave them hints and explained a few of the items in History of Magic.
The subject that caught Harry and Hermione's strongest desire was the founders. They were interested in learning some of the skills and powers that the founders had. In the end they learnt a lot of what they were to expect when they received their powers on their birthday. They made notes and plans on enhancing their powers and a bit more.
A few days later the entire group was studying a lot. Professor McGonagall brought their scores in to them.
She told them their scores, "Harry and Hermione both received full scores plus a bonus of 8 more owls for their excellent transfiguration work. Virginia received full scores and a bonus for her Potions work. Amanda received full scores plus bonus for her Herbology work. All of you received 40 owls. Cho received 40 OWLs too so you are all excellent students. I see you didn't waste time to start studying for your NEWTS so I will leave you to it. Good luck."
Everyone congratulated each other and thanked Professor McGonagall for letting them know. After Minerva left they went back to studying since they had only a week left.
On July 28th they started taking their NEWTS. This time, the exams were watched over, as custom every year, by ministry officials to ensure fairness. Their first Exam this time was Potions. Again using the help that Professor Snape gave them they were able to do well on the exam. Cho and Virginia got bonus points on their exams for the class.
Their next test on that day was History of Magic and to Harry and Hermione's surprise the questions on the exam surrounded the Founders and they were ready for it. The others also did well but didn't really understand why Harry and Hermione looked happy when they left.
Amanda asked the question that the three wanted to ask the two but didn't have the guts to, "Why are you two so happy about that exam? That was a very hard exam."
Harry and Hermione both nodded and Harry said, "Both me and Hermione have been researching the Founders and Merlin to understand what kind of powers and skills we would be inheriting from them at the end of the month."
The three nodded understanding why they were happy and were just glad they had studied enough to pass the exam. Their last test of the day was Herbology. Again, Amanda did really well and received bonus points.
The next day, their tests went along the same lines. Their first exam was Transfiguration and both Harry and Hermione got bonus points for their work. They had created an office suite of furniture and did fine details to it. Professor McGonagall told them that if they became teachers after these tests they would be able to take the furniture and put them in their rooms. Harry and Hermione were happy for this.
The next exam was DADA exam. Another obstacle course was setup and the entire group received full marks for their exam.
The last test of the day was CoMC. They had a written exam on how to take care of pixies. There was no practical exam because there was no time to setup anything for them.
The final day of exams was basically extra classes. Hermione and Harry were the only ones taking the Arithmacy and Ancient Runes while Cho was taking Arithmacy and Muggle Studies and Virginia and Amanda were taking Runes only.
After completing their exams they all went to the great hall and had a healthy dinner. Sikandar and Sarah came by and asked them how their exams went. Harry and Hermione said they had thought they had done excellently. Amanda, Virginia and Cho were not to sure.
Sikandar then said that they should all head up to their rooms and get some rest because tonight is going to be a very long night for them. That was when the teenagers realized that tomorrow was the 31st of July and they would be meeting their ancestors (including Cho since she hadn't received her visit yet). Everyone was excited.
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(A/N) Thanks for all the reviews. Here is another chapter that is finished.
Crystal: Thank you for your support and encouragement over the past few months. Yes I finally got up the nerve to post this story and I hope you like it.
DJ: Thank you for your review. The combined schools headmaster basically is in charge with the job of making sure that as a group the schools work together well. Each school has its own headmaster or headmistress in charge of it. The combined schools head master watches over the inter school workings like competitions, balls, etc.
ClairePotter: I hope the previous A/N helps a bit on clearing up the details. Thanks for reviewing.
Takari4ever7: Hey I guess many of us have different ideas regarding Harry changing his last name. I honestly believe that it is out of respect to be able to honor his godparent's willingness to adopt and take him in as their own child. Yes I really love H/Hr stories the best and I see the relationship in the movies and the books. So that is why I have the relationship here. Keep reading you are going to love the future chapters for this relationship.
Mystical: Thank you for reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the next few.
Beth (Moonglaze89): thank you for your wonderful review. *blushes on the talented comment*
Little sis (Invisibility Cloak): Don't give up on your story by reading mine. Yours still is the best. Thank you for reviewing.
Xilreb70: Don't let your poor parents get you down. They mean well when they yell (I hope). Thank you for taking your time to read these chapters. I am waiting for your next update on yours.
Please review this chapter. The more the reviews the better chance that the next chapter comes out.