Chapter 18
N.E.W.T.S
When Harry woke up the following morning his stomach was turning within him. Wondering how he would do during his tests, and hoping he remembered enough from his previous years to pass enough of his classes, Harry got up earlier than he normally would, and changing into a pair of jeans, and a t-shirt, Harry grabbed Thunder, and headed into the dueling arena for some morning exercises.
When he entered he noticed both Ron, and Hermione in the middle working on some martial arts, and realizing that his two friends were inseparable, Harry decided to allow them to continue while he instead chose to run laps around the top corridor.
"Harry, how long have you been here?" Hermione asked as both she, and Ron climbed the steps to see him practicing with Thunder. "About an hour now." Harry replied putting away his sword, and walking over to the two. "Why didn't you come down and join us?" Ron asked as Harry clasped him on the back. "No need to be a third wheel." Harry answered as both Ron, and Hermione gave him a look that could melt metal.
"Now Harry, we have talked about this." Hermione started, and Harry held up his hand to stop here. "Don't take it personally you two, it's just that I felt like running this morning, and the upper bowl is the best for that." Harry answered truthfully as the three climbed the steps that would lead them to their dorms.
Later that morning Harry, Ron, and Hermione made there way to the great hall, and enjoying a healthy meal, the three then said good day to their housemates as they waited in the great Hall for the teachers to arrive, and for the N.E.W.T.S to begin
After ten minutes of nothing, Harry was beginning to wonder what was going on when Professor Weasley, Moody, Lupin, Black, McGonagall, Sprout, Hagrid, Delecur, and Dumbledore arrived.
"Good morning." Dumbledore spoke as the teachers all took a seat at the head table. "As you know it is not custom for students of your age to take these exams, however due to your hard work, dedication to education, and the need the wizarding world has for you, I have made a bend in the rule this one time." Dumbledore spoke; all the while he was smiling at the trio.
"On a personal note, I am very proud to have called you students, and even more proud to see that through everything you three had stuck together." Dumbledore finished turning to Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you professor." McGonagall said, standing and motioning for the three to do the same. "Your first exam is that of transfiguration. Please come to the table each of you and take on of these three feathers. Once you have them please separate one of you at each table, and prepare to transform this feather into whatever I ask." McGonagall finished, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached the head table doing as they were told.
"Good, good, now please transform this feather into a water goblet." Professor McGonagall asked, and other than Hermione, both Harry, and Ron paused. Hermione right of the gun new the spell, but Harry had to transform the feather into a small snail first, then using the Fereverto spell, he transformed it into a water Goblet. Ron however used the same transfiguration spell as Hermione, and the three stood proud as they passed the first test.
"Very good. The next transformation is more difficult. Please if you would transform your water Goblets into small animals. Cats or dogs please." McGonagall asked, and all three of them produced a different animal within seconds.
"As you know the second to most difficult transformation is that of transforming a human to a animal. Harry if you would start by transforming Miss Hermione into an animal." Professor McGonagall asked, and Harry swiftly transformed Hermione into a Phoenix.
"Magical Animal, Mr. Potter, very impressive." McGonagall commented turning to Ron. "Mr. Weasley, please undo the transformation." Professor McGonagall asked, and Ron simply smiled before waving his wand transforming Hermione.
When it was Hermione's turn she transformed Harry into a raven, and once she had reversed the spell McGonagall spoke again.
"Now although you have passed your test with full marks, there is the possibility for a extra point to those able to complete the most difficult form of Transformation. Who of you three know what I am talking about?" McGonagall asked, and all three hands went up.
"Miss Granger." "Animangi Transformation professor." She answered, and all three of them transformed into their animals to the surprise of Professor Weasley, Moody, Sprout, Hagrid, and Delecur.
Harry however was not done, and when Ron, and Hermione transformed back, he proceeded to transform into first a Stag like his father, then to the surprise of everyone else, Harry transformed into a beautiful blue Phoenix, Identical to the one Cho was formed.
"That is 7 N.E.W.T.S each, well done." McGonagall said once Harry had transformed back. He couldn't help but smile as he could see the pride in the eyes of his transfiguration teacher.
Charms was the next exam to take, and Bill's idea of what Charms were was not the same as Flitwick, but much more advanced. The truth behind the matter was that if it was not for the extra Charms they had been taking all year long, there would be no way in which any of them would have passed the class, and that was more than evident when Harry entered the anteroom only to sudden fell as if he was upside down, and floating.
"I didn't know that Malfoy would be helping you today Professor." Harry spoke as he remembered this charm from less than a month ago, and realized he simply had to walk through it. "What is this Hypriomo Inverso, or Inverso bodifico Harry asked, for one of the Charms placed its victims under Hypnosis, while the other was a simple disorientation charm.
"You should know already Mr. Potter." Bill answered, and Harry suddenly reversed the Inverso Bodifico causing his professor to become confused as to if he was upside down or not "I see you knew all along." Bill responded, and Harry could see him waving his wand, and smirking. "Very good Mr. Potter, but that is not all." He spoke as Harry stepped up to his first article in which was protected by a charm he would need to break.
"Professor, Is this the type of work you did when you were working for Gringotts?" Harry asked testing the object with a few simple spells, and watching as each spell burst into flames upon impact.
"Call me Bill Harry." Bill answered, then smiling he nodded that this was in fact the exact same thing he did almost every day. "Lets see, repels spells by fire, which means the spell is related to the fire group, what better way to disperse fire then with water." Harry spoke pulling aiming his wand at the object, and firing a water spell at it. When the water evaporated upon impact, and Bill laughed to himself, Harry got a sudden idea, and fired Inferno at the object followed by a freezing spell. Once the fire was frozen, Harry fired a breaking charm at it, and when everything was said and done, Harry reached down, and picked up the small wooden box.
"Wow Harry, it took me three days to break that charm. I am surprised you did it so quickly. I will give you six Newts. Five for your abilities, and one for your little prank on me." Bill finished, and Harry smiled. 13 Newts. If he kept this up he could drop History of Magic without it effecting his graduation.
"Thank you Bill. Bye the way, I may be calling you for some help. If you are willing, I don't want to take you from Hogwarts because I think you could really help prepare the students, but your charms ability may come in handy from time to time."
"Harry, call me anytime you like, I would be honored if you would." Bill answered walking Harry to the door where Ron and Hermione were waiting. When he stepped out, Harry noticed Bill resetting up the test for Ron.
"Good luck mate." Harry said as he walked over to Fleur to begin his next test. Bye the time Ron was finished it was time for lunch. Harry was Happy to find out that all three were well on target to meet the needed N.E.W.T.S to graduate, and was happy to know that they were all within two newts of each other.
"So Ron, how did you do in Divination?" Harry asked, he knew Ron had been worried. "Pretty well actually. I remembered everything about tee leaves, tarot reading, Palms, and Star Charts, but for the life of me I couldn't see anything in that damn crystal ball." He answered, and Harry smiled.
"Well that makes two of us, but I was able to read her mind, and found she could see things in the ball. I told her exactly what she saw, and well even though I did not get a newt for Crystal reading, I almost got one for mind reading, if only she hadn't caught me." Harry answered, and Ron laughed.
"When lunch ended Harry Ron, and Hermione again waiting for the tests to begin, Rumors had begun to circulate around the school, and although the majority of their luch was quiet, toward the end, and mostly after the bell rang, the three we asked numerous times what was going on.
"Well tell you when we can." Ron shouted at a frustrated Dean Thomas who had stayed back as long as he could. "Don't worry so much you nosy git." He finished as the doors closed behind him, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were once again the only students left in the great hall.
"Hey Mate, how many Newts do we need to graduate?" Harry asked Ron, as Hermione looked at him petrified that he didn't know. "30 Harry, I mean didn't you read the book I sent you over summer?" She asked, and Harry smiled.
"Yes Hermione I read it, but with dueling as well, I mean I was just curious." He answered. He hated when he didn't remember something. "Actually Harry, dueling is a optional class. Like Magical Healing, and Dangerous Creatures. Consider them extra credit. You can earn 1 newt for each class." She answered, and Harry smiled back at her, that meant that he could easily skip History Of Magic.
"You two do realize that if we continue to score 4's, and 5's that we can skip History of Magic." Harry said, and Ron suddenly looked very excited. Hermione however did not, but the simple fact was she actually enjoyed the class while the others sleep through it.
"Ah it's a good thing to mate." Ron said icknoring Hermione. "Even with five hours two times a week I am sure I would still fail each question." He answered as the remaining teachers entered once again, and the conversation died down.
"Welcome back, I am sure that you all enjoyed the break." Professor Dumbledore spoke to the three, again taking his seat at the head table. So far the points stand thus. Mr. Potter with 17 Newts, Mr. Weasley with 16 Newts, and Miss Granger with 18 Newts. The testing will continue now. Professor Sprout." Dumbledore spoke pointing to the Professor who was sitting at the end of the Slytherin Desk watching over nine different types of plants.
Following Hermione to where she waited, Harry and Ron instantly recognized two, but neither of them had ever seen the third. "Is that a tropical geranium?" Hermione asked, and both Harry, and Ron looked at her with aw. It never fails that she will know the answer, but not knowing himself, Harry listened to her stray thoughts realizing that the creatures spit poisoned darts at anyone, and anything that touch them.
"D-don't these spit poisoned darts?" Harry asked taking a step back from the plants, and looking at Hermione who simply smiled back at him. "P-poisoned, how?." Ron begun to ask only to stop as Harry held up a hand. Listening to Hermione go on about how you must put them to sleep by humming to them, and once asleep you can magically cut of there petals for potions, Harry quickly retold what they needed to do to Ron before either would take another step toward the table
"Good afternoon. Today you will be doing three types of Herbology. 1st is repotting Mandrakes. I have provided the earmuffs, as well as the dragon Hyde gloves. There is one for each of you. Go on get started." She told them all the while placing a pair of earmuffs over her ears, and motioning for the teachers to do the same. Once everyone had successfully done this Harry, Ron, and Hermione were given the okay to begin, and after preparing the receiving pots, the three had there mandrakes replanted within a few minutes.
"Very good, very good." next is the Bobotuber plant, please collect three vials each of the toxic bubotuber puss." She commanded, and the three quickly milked the leaves of the plant producing a green liquid that was commonly used to remove boils. After only a few minutes they were once again done, and they moved to the last, and most deadly plant they had ever worked with.
"Now before you begin with these plants, are there any questions on how, and what you need to do?" She asked looked rather to Harry, and Ron then Hermione. "No professor, we are confident we can retrieve the thorns." Harry answered, and Professor Sprout smiled down to him.
"Very Well, I do have a counter poison just in case." She finished, as Ron took a deep breath. Hermione however begun the humming, and without having to do it themselves, all three plants begun to snore after only a minute.
"Thank you Hermione." Harry said mentally as he took out his wand, and begun the delicate process of cutting the long yet fat thorns from his plant. This project took much longer than the others, and luckily for the three, they had finished only minutes before the bell had rang indicating the end of the class for the students. The bell itself woke the plants, and as if they were being attacked, they begun to hiss, and spit. Both Harry, and Hermione were far enough away to dive to the ground to safety, but Ron, who was in the process of binding his plant, was caught with the last dart, and immediately fell to the ground convulsing.
"Mr. Weasley," Madame Sprout shouted dashing to his side, and pouring a vial of counter poison down his throat. "There, there, the sting will go away momentarily" She fused over him, pulling the small dart from Ron's cheek, and placing it into the bag with the others that he removed earlier.
"I am sorry about that you three, I did not anticipate the need to place a silencing spell over the area for I believed you would finish before the end of class. That will be five Newts for each of you, very good job today." Madame Sprout commented levitating all of the plants out, and back to the green house.
The next exam the trio was to take was DADA, and following Remus to the back room, none of them were prepared for the ambush that awaited them.
"Stupefy, Petrificus totalus, Incendia" they all shouted as they stepped into the marshland, and attacked the dark creatures like Grinlows, that immediately attacked them. "Where did Remus go?" Ron shouted as he was pulled under the water by a hippipunk. "Ron," Hermione shouted reaching down a hand to pull him up, only to stop as Ron popped up a few feet away spitting the ice-cold water from his mouth.
"Bloody hell, what should we do?" He asked, as Harry took control Stunning, maiming, and even killing the creatures in there way, and working to where they could dimly see Professor Moody. Right before they reached the bank, however three dementors burst from the closet in the corner of the room, and startling them, all three stumble back momentarily.
Temporarily stunned by the sudden burst of cold that consumed them, none of the trio reacted. Feeling the creatures close in on them, and the small creatures approach from behind, Hermione, being the first to react, pulled out Lily of the night from its sheath.
To every ones, surprise the blade sang clear as the sound of a Phoenix cry filled the room halting the Dementors, and killing some of the smaller dark creatures. Realizing this Ron snapped out of his moment like trance, and turned to his girlfriend.
"Wow Hermione, why didn't you do that an hour ago?" He asked, tripped over a small log, and tumbling head first into the water. Getting up quickly he whipped the mud from his hear just in time to save Harry.
"Harry, watch out." He shouted as Harry was fighting to find a happy thought. His mind was being plagued with not only the death of his parents, but this time the death of Ginny Weasley, and Cho Chang were eating away at him as well.
"Expectro Patranum" Harry shouted throwing his hand out toward the dementors who were mere feet from them. With a sound like thunder, and a blinding light, Harry was blown fifteen feet away from the bank of the swamp as a golden stag burst from his hand, followed by a pure white unicorn.
Ended up face first in the muddy swamp like Ron, Harry shook his head to try and clear the fog while wiping the smelly see weed from his glasses. "What was that?" he asked realizing that the golden stag, and unicorn will still fighting the boggarts?
"Your Patranous mate." Ron replied helping his friend to the bank where Hermione was waiting. Elongating his wand to staff length, Harry put a little more pressure on it, as the long struggle had it effects on his, and he was starting to become fatigued.
"I have to say I am surprised at how well you all did, I am happy to award seven Newts to Harry, and six to both you Ron, as well as you Hermione." Moody said smiling to the three. His wrinkled, and wood like face made the three cringe as they looked at the now perfectly clean room.
"But Professor, why would you award me seven? Ron and Hermione battled through the same crap as I did?" Harry asked, healing a scorch mark on his hand where a hippipunk had caught him with its lantern.
"Because Harry, you were the one who took charge, gave orders, and if I saw correctly that patranous you cast at the end was without a wand. That in itself if very impressive." He answered, and Harry smiled, although he still felt it was unfair.
As the three stepped back out from the anteroom, Both Sirius, and Remus laughed at their appearance. "You would think with full marks in Charms that they would do something about there cloths" Sirius commented out loud, laughing as Ron and Hermione simply glared at him, and begun to charm there robes. Suddenly however it was there turn to laugh, for Harry had opted to retaliate, and as if it were Remus, and Sirius who had just taken the exams, the two professors stood in the middle of the great hall covered in Mud, and sea weed.
"Why charm my cloths when I can charm yours." Harry answered as his godfather turned to find him standing in his perfectly clean, and crisp school robes. "I think I will have to pay you back for this." Sirius answered chuckling for only a minute before becoming very serious. "Are you three ready for our duels?" He growled, and Harry suddenly felt he should have restrained himself a little.
"There are three of us, and two of you, the question is are you ready?" Harry answered showing the sometimes-overwhelming cockiness that flowed through the potter's blood "Just like his father." Remus laughed, as Sirius pulled his wand out of his robes followed bye Ron, and Hermione doing the same. Raising his staff Harry smiled at his two friends before dropping his smile as Sirius begun to talk again.
Actually Harry, this is your last exam for the day. You see not all duels are fair duels, and today it will be you three against us." He finished pointing to the staff table that was now completely empty of teachers.
"That's like six on one" Ron commented loudly pulling his sword out with one hand, all the while holding his wand in the other. "Yes Ron it is." Remus laughed as teachers begun to fill the great hall, and the three begun to fell themselves being encircled, and drastically outnumbered.
Harry however took the challenge in stride. He had told Hermione during there first POAD that he was feeling different somehow, and raising his staff, he quickly erected a shield around the three of them that would deflect anything that was sent there way.
"Now, now Harry, play fair." Dumbledore laughed as his stunning spell rebounded off the shield, and took out the ancient Ruins professor. "You speak of fair when you outnumber us." Harry chuckled watching as Dumbledore revived the fallen teacher. "Lets make a rule. Once stunned, or disarmed you are out. Numbers like this are simply too much to handle, and any wizard would be crazy not to apparate away in a second." Harry said, and Dumbledore agreed.
When he did this, Harry suddenly got a idea, and sending a mental note to Ron, and Hermione, he counted to three before dropping the shield, and transporting all three of them behind the headmaster, McGonagall, and Sirius.
"Stupefy" The three, shouted the second they reappeared. The plan had worked, and down went three of there toughest opponents.
Not only did there attack work in bringing down Sirius, McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore, but the second the shield dropped five of the teachers shouted the stunning spell, and firing across the circle, five more teachers were now out of the running.
"Stick together, create a shield, and watch out for each other." Harry shouted as everyone realized what had happened. Over the next ten minutes, the group did just that. Fighting with both sword, and wand they managed to stun and disarm most every teacher, and when it was Remus, Moody, Charlie, and Bill remaining, the first of the trio fell as Hermione was struck with a leg locker curse, and had her wand pulled from her hands by Moody.
"You three have fought well, again I am impressed. He spoke as the four walked around both Harry, and Ron who were back to back. "Thanks professor, but I believe that was the bell I just heard, and soon we will once again be outnumbered" Harry commented realizing that soon more teachers would enter the hall, including professor Snape.
"Then we end this now" Ron answered, he had decided to use his Anamagi form to stun the others, and after sending a mental note to Harry, Ron transformed spitting webbing at the two closest teachers which happened to be his brothers.
"Wow, that's new." Remus shouted, as he dove out of the way of Harry's curse. Harry had to dive out of the way in order to avoid Ron's large legs, and using the distraction to his advantage had attempted to take down Remus.
It was two on two now, and with odds like this, Harry decided that he would go after Moody, while Ron tempted his fate with the old DADA teacher.
"So," Harry asked professor Moody as he ducked a disarming spell, and fired a stunning spell that missed the old man easily. "If I ask for Help can I depend on your assistance." He asked, and Moody nodded taking down Ron with a spell from behind.
"Of course Harry, you can count on all of us." Moody answered as Remus joined him. Bye now all of the teachers were watching from the staff table, and enough students had entered the hall that it was getting difficult to hear anything.
"Expelliarmus" Harry barely heard as a spell struck him ripping his wand from his hand, and launching him across the hall. In any normal duel this would mean the end. Remus had disarmed him, and both Moody, and Lupin lowered their wands.
"Great job Harry, that was." Remus begun to say, only to stop as Harry fired a stunning spell from his index finger. "Sorry Moony, but it's not going to be that easy." Harry laughed summoning his wand, and once again turning back to Moody who was grinning.
"That's right you have a few additional abilities that make it more difficult to disarm you. What do we say, call the duel a draw?" Moody asked but Harry had another idea.
"Well actually no, I think I will simply end this now." Harry answered mentally, stunning the Professor momentarily with his mind. Using that to his advantage, Harry again fired the stunning spell, but to his disappointment, Professor Moody was knocked out of the way of the spell, just as it was about to strike, by none other that Professor Snape.
"Snape" Harry shouted, erecting the strongest shield he could. "That is Professor Snape to you Potter, and 10 points from Gryffindor for such disrespect." Snape answered, and Harry just glared at his potions master.
"I was hoping class would get out in time for me to join in on the fun." He laughed as the two professors circled him, and tested his shield with some very complicated charms.
"Well then, give me all you got." Harry answered, his confidence getting the better of him. Suddenly, and without warning, Professor Snape vanished. Knowing that it was impossible for anyone other than himself to apparate on Hogwarts grounds, Harry kept his shield up, but when fifty mirror images appeared all around him, Harry faltered momentarily as the joint charm cast by each image cracked his shield.
"This can't be." Harry shouted, firing a stunning spell at the nearest Professor Snape, and watching as it simply flew right through it. "Flipendo" Snape shouted a second time, this time successfully bringing down Harry's shield. "Your mine this time Potter." The words echoed from each image, and for the first time since the duel begun, Harry smelt defeat. Realizing that Professor Moody had snuck behind him, Harry rolled out of the way as his immobilizing spell, and with a bit of luck, Harry struck him with a disarming spell.
"Wow," Harry muttered jumping to his feet, and erecting a small shield. "That was close." He thought just as a disarming spell crashed through his shield ripping his wand from his hand.
"That, I believe is the end." Snape shouted holding the wand above him. The replications of him were still floating around Harry, but only one held his wand. "So it would seem." Harry answered; the energy that he had used throughout the day was taking its tool.
Just then however Harry had an idea, and reaching behind him, he pulled out his sword, and pointed it toward what he knew was the physical potions master. "Although the end to you is just the beginning for me." He yelled, casting a small spell from the tip of the sword, and bringing down the illusion he was fighting fifty.
The silence in the hall when Harry did this was devastating. It was not common knowledge to most that Harry could do wandless magic, but by this time the entire school had gathered, and everyone had witnessed the potion master tumbling to the ground.
"You, you can do wandless magic?" Professor Snape asked, rising from his seat on the cold marble floor, and lowering his wand. "Yes I can." Harry answered, He was aware that the duel was now over, for the Potions Master had bowed slightly before him, only to return his wand, and immediately head to the head table where he took a seat next to Dumbledore, and begun talking animated.
Dinner that night was most interesting. Students from each table kept coming over and asking what happened to cause the teachers to attack him, and Harry kept telling them the same thing that it was because he played a joke on them. Realizing he was in for a long night of questions Harry decided to make it an early evening, and walking to the anteroom, Harry fire traveled to Godric Gryffindors study where he ended up staying.
Where he currently sat with Newts, Harry could officially graduate. Due to the extra points he scored in transfiguration, Charms, DADA, and the point earned for dueling, he now stood at 30 Newts enough to graduate without care of magical creatures, and potions.
This however was not what Harry was aiming for. Hermione had told him earlier that Tom Riddle held the current school record of 43 Newts, and Harry wanted to insure he broke it.
"Hey Harry, are you coming down for Breakfast?" Ron asked sticking his head into the fire, and startling his friend." "Of course mate, let me quickly change first though." Harry answered fire traveling to his room, and grabbing a clean pair of robes. Once showered and dressed Harry made his way to where Ron, and Hermione were waiting, and together the three walked to the great hall where they were once again bombarded by questions.
"What's going on you three, word has it that you are taking your NEWTS, and planning on graduating this year." Neville asked being the first to question them at the Gryffindor table.
"Where did you hear that from?" Hermione asked immediately. They had been advised to keep what they were doing quiet until an official announcement was made. "Its just a rumor, but you are all acting really weird, I mean you haven't been to class all week, and then yesterday, I swore I heard Professor Black mention Extra NEWT for dueling. Neville answered, and Harry motioned for him to sit down.
"Listen Neville," He begun realizing that his good friends Dean, and Seamus were listening as well. "I mean listen all of you, you must keep this a secret." Harry answered, and all three gasped and sat down.
"But, but what about quidditch, I mean I know I heard Professor Dumbledore announce that it would be back on next year, and wait, I mean you are only sixth years how on earth could you pass the NEWTS" Dean asked, quieting down as Harry, Ron, and Hermione glared at him.
"We told you it needed to remain a secret you git, quiet down." Ron hissed while Harry explained the extra classes the three had been taking all year, and the fact they were more like eighth years when it came to knowledge of spells, charms, and other things taught to normal students. When Harry said that, the lights seemed to turn on with all three of there friends.
"That explains how you always know the answers. I mean bloody hell mate, you know how much studying we have been doing this year just so that we didn't feel like gits in class. I swear, Neville went as far as checking out the books most seventh years use for our last transfiguration assignment.
"And Mr. Longbottom scored a perfect ten on his report now didn't he." Professor McGonagall said, she had snuck up on the small group, and startled them. "Now, I believe the bell is about to ring, and since you three seemed to have figured it all out, I can trust you to keep the rumors down in class until these three are announced." She finished, and Dean, Seamus, and Neville, simply nodded.
"Thank you, now run along, I believe it is DADA this morning, and Professor Moody is in a foul mood after loosing a duel to a sixteen year old just yesterday." McGonagall said smiling down at Harry.
As the last remaining students left the great hall, Harry Ron, and Hermione once again waited at the head of there table for the teachers to enter. Today was suppose to be a relatively easy exam day as for all they expected to have remaining was Care Of Magical Creatures, Medical healing, and Study of Dangerous creatures.
When Professor Snape walked into the room however that realization was crushed as he ushered the three into the anteroom for their exams. "Take a table each of you, the ingredients for your potions are already there, and the instructions as well. You have five hours to complete your potion, and when you are done you will be graded on how well it works on each other." Snape spoke, he was spitting out each word in disgust.
"But Professor, we were told that we would have to wait until next month to test in potions." Hermione spoke as she did what she was told, and choose the middle table. "Mrs. Granger, Dumbledore gave me the opportunity to eliminate you from my class a month early, and I jumped to it, now if you would, those are most difficult potions, and your time is already running." He finished moving to where a desk had been set up, and where he could watch each student.
Deciding to get to work Harry, Ron, and Hermione each took there separate tables. On the tables were not only the ingredients that they needed to make the potion, but the instructions as well. Picking up his list, Harry read the title, and immediately smiled.
"Anti Veritaserum," He thought out loud laughing as he set the instructions down, and turned to his horned snail. He had memorized this potion right after hearing of Veritaserum, and had brewed it successfully many times.
Ron however was not smiling, for he had never before seen the potion he was brewing, and upon reading through the ingredients realized that it would take him all five hours to complete.
"Chill cauldron to fifteen degree Fahrenheit before adding the diced root of lamina, then stir counter clockwise while you increase the temperature five degrees every ten minutes." He recited to himself using his wand to control the temperature of the cauldron, and waiting until the instrument on the side registered fifteen degrees.
Looking to his side, Ron was surprised to see that Harry had finished already. His potion was storing in small vials, and stacked neatly on his desk. Hermione still looked hard at work, but by the looks of her table, she was about to add the last ingredient while he still had five more to go.
"Mr. Potter, I am assuming due to the speed in which you finished that you brewed the anti Veritaserum, bring one of the vials here, and we can test it. He spoke, and Harry did as he was told. Both Ron, and Hermione watched anxiously as Snape pulled a vial of his own out of his cloak, and handed it to Harry.
"You know what this is Potter?" He questioned as Harry uncorked the potion, and held it low enough that it wouldn't harm him if he inhaled it. "Well sir, it is perfectly clear like water, and without scent, so if I am not mistaken then this is Veritaserum. Harry answered attempting to hand it back to the potions master.
"Drink it." Snape spat, and it was a command, not a request. "But sir." Harry begun to argue, only to stop as Professor cut him off. "Potter, rest assured that I will not ask any questions until I have also given you your anti serum." Professor Snape almost yelled smiling as Harry placed the vial to his lips, and drank the potion.
"Tell me Mr. Potter, what is your name?' Severus asked the second the potion was swallowed. "Harry James Potter." Came the immediate answer, Harry's voice was not his own. Taking the vial Harry had presented him earlier; Professor Snape poured the warm liquid down Harry's throat, and after waiting just a minute asked the question again.
"What is your name." "You know my name Professor, why do you ask?" Harry responded, and Hermione and Ron couldn't help but grin, Harry's potion worked perfectly.
"That will be 4 NEWTS, now please take your seat, and wait for the others to finish. Snape answered, and Harry couldn't help but be thrilled. He expected Snape to take at least 1 Newt away just for the fun of it.
Twenty minutes later it was Hermione's turn to test her potion, but unlike Harry, Hermione would not be the dummy, for instead Professor Snape transfigured one of the couches into a small cat.
"But this is the Draught of death, it would kill it." Hermione squeaked. "Miss Granger, I assure you that the couch is already dead. Now if you would prefer." He stopped transforming the cat into a toad.
"I still don't like it, but I guess it is necessary." Hermione spoke walking over to the toad, and after collecting it; she poured a small amount of potion down its throat. Within only seconds the toad killed right over, and to everyone's surprise Professor Snape awarded Hermione 5 NEWTS putting her once again 1 NEWT ahead of Harry.
"Now take your seat, I am sure Mr. Weasley is close to finishing." Snape again hissed turning to where Ron was once again cooling his Cauldron. "I see you choose to keep the fire burning, very smart, that is where most students fail. Snape responded again surprising everyone. Once Ron had added the last ingredient the potion was done, and taking a small vial down to Professor Snape, Ron watched as the potions master studied it before opening a channel to Professor Lupin, and summoning him to the anteroom.
"Here is your potion professor, and here is your new potions brewer. He said pointing to Ron. "Ron, you brewed the wolfsban, you must get your skills from your mother. He said drinking down the now simmering, and steaming mug. "What do you say, since we will be working together, do you mind brewing this for me once a month.
Ron was floored, he had no idea that he was brewing the potion Professor Lupin needed to control his transformation, and quiet frankly, Ron didn't know how to respond. "Sure Professor, as long as you keep me supplied with the ingredients. He eventually said as Hermione smiled.
"I'll help you when you need it." She reassured him, and Ron simply nodded. Accepting his 5 NEWTS from Professor Snape, and leaving with Hermione, and Harry back into the great Hall for lunch.
"Can you believe today, I mean wow, I never expected." Ron said after the three had been sitting in silence for twenty minutes. "Well Ron, you earned it." Hermione answered giving him a small kiss, and turning to Harry.
"Tell me, did he give you a reason for only awarding you with 4 NEWTS? From what I could see your potion was perfect today. "Spite." Harry answered with a bite to his tongue. "Snape would never willingly give me full points, no matter how hard the work is." He finished turning his attention back to his food. As things had it, the rest of the day flew by, and by the time it was over Hermione sat at 43, Harry at 42, and Ron with 38.
That night the three slept easy, for the last test was well over a month away, and other than Hermione, neither Harry, nor Ron really cared much for History of Magic, and would be satisfied to simply get by with 1 Newt.
When Harry woke up the following morning his stomach was turning within him. Wondering how he would do during his tests, and hoping he remembered enough from his previous years to pass enough of his classes, Harry got up earlier than he normally would, and changing into a pair of jeans, and a t-shirt, Harry grabbed Thunder, and headed into the dueling arena for some morning exercises.
When he entered he noticed both Ron, and Hermione in the middle working on some martial arts, and realizing that his two friends were inseparable, Harry decided to allow them to continue while he instead chose to run laps around the top corridor.
"Harry, how long have you been here?" Hermione asked as both she, and Ron climbed the steps to see him practicing with Thunder. "About an hour now." Harry replied putting away his sword, and walking over to the two. "Why didn't you come down and join us?" Ron asked as Harry clasped him on the back. "No need to be a third wheel." Harry answered as both Ron, and Hermione gave him a look that could melt metal.
"Now Harry, we have talked about this." Hermione started, and Harry held up his hand to stop here. "Don't take it personally you two, it's just that I felt like running this morning, and the upper bowl is the best for that." Harry answered truthfully as the three climbed the steps that would lead them to their dorms.
Later that morning Harry, Ron, and Hermione made there way to the great hall, and enjoying a healthy meal, the three then said good day to their housemates as they waited in the great Hall for the teachers to arrive, and for the N.E.W.T.S to begin
After ten minutes of nothing, Harry was beginning to wonder what was going on when Professor Weasley, Moody, Lupin, Black, McGonagall, Sprout, Hagrid, Delecur, and Dumbledore arrived.
"Good morning." Dumbledore spoke as the teachers all took a seat at the head table. "As you know it is not custom for students of your age to take these exams, however due to your hard work, dedication to education, and the need the wizarding world has for you, I have made a bend in the rule this one time." Dumbledore spoke; all the while he was smiling at the trio.
"On a personal note, I am very proud to have called you students, and even more proud to see that through everything you three had stuck together." Dumbledore finished turning to Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you professor." McGonagall said, standing and motioning for the three to do the same. "Your first exam is that of transfiguration. Please come to the table each of you and take on of these three feathers. Once you have them please separate one of you at each table, and prepare to transform this feather into whatever I ask." McGonagall finished, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached the head table doing as they were told.
"Good, good, now please transform this feather into a water goblet." Professor McGonagall asked, and other than Hermione, both Harry, and Ron paused. Hermione right of the gun new the spell, but Harry had to transform the feather into a small snail first, then using the Fereverto spell, he transformed it into a water Goblet. Ron however used the same transfiguration spell as Hermione, and the three stood proud as they passed the first test.
"Very good. The next transformation is more difficult. Please if you would transform your water Goblets into small animals. Cats or dogs please." McGonagall asked, and all three of them produced a different animal within seconds.
"As you know the second to most difficult transformation is that of transforming a human to a animal. Harry if you would start by transforming Miss Hermione into an animal." Professor McGonagall asked, and Harry swiftly transformed Hermione into a Phoenix.
"Magical Animal, Mr. Potter, very impressive." McGonagall commented turning to Ron. "Mr. Weasley, please undo the transformation." Professor McGonagall asked, and Ron simply smiled before waving his wand transforming Hermione.
When it was Hermione's turn she transformed Harry into a raven, and once she had reversed the spell McGonagall spoke again.
"Now although you have passed your test with full marks, there is the possibility for a extra point to those able to complete the most difficult form of Transformation. Who of you three know what I am talking about?" McGonagall asked, and all three hands went up.
"Miss Granger." "Animangi Transformation professor." She answered, and all three of them transformed into their animals to the surprise of Professor Weasley, Moody, Sprout, Hagrid, and Delecur.
Harry however was not done, and when Ron, and Hermione transformed back, he proceeded to transform into first a Stag like his father, then to the surprise of everyone else, Harry transformed into a beautiful blue Phoenix, Identical to the one Cho was formed.
"That is 7 N.E.W.T.S each, well done." McGonagall said once Harry had transformed back. He couldn't help but smile as he could see the pride in the eyes of his transfiguration teacher.
Charms was the next exam to take, and Bill's idea of what Charms were was not the same as Flitwick, but much more advanced. The truth behind the matter was that if it was not for the extra Charms they had been taking all year long, there would be no way in which any of them would have passed the class, and that was more than evident when Harry entered the anteroom only to sudden fell as if he was upside down, and floating.
"I didn't know that Malfoy would be helping you today Professor." Harry spoke as he remembered this charm from less than a month ago, and realized he simply had to walk through it. "What is this Hypriomo Inverso, or Inverso bodifico Harry asked, for one of the Charms placed its victims under Hypnosis, while the other was a simple disorientation charm.
"You should know already Mr. Potter." Bill answered, and Harry suddenly reversed the Inverso Bodifico causing his professor to become confused as to if he was upside down or not "I see you knew all along." Bill responded, and Harry could see him waving his wand, and smirking. "Very good Mr. Potter, but that is not all." He spoke as Harry stepped up to his first article in which was protected by a charm he would need to break.
"Professor, Is this the type of work you did when you were working for Gringotts?" Harry asked testing the object with a few simple spells, and watching as each spell burst into flames upon impact.
"Call me Bill Harry." Bill answered, then smiling he nodded that this was in fact the exact same thing he did almost every day. "Lets see, repels spells by fire, which means the spell is related to the fire group, what better way to disperse fire then with water." Harry spoke pulling aiming his wand at the object, and firing a water spell at it. When the water evaporated upon impact, and Bill laughed to himself, Harry got a sudden idea, and fired Inferno at the object followed by a freezing spell. Once the fire was frozen, Harry fired a breaking charm at it, and when everything was said and done, Harry reached down, and picked up the small wooden box.
"Wow Harry, it took me three days to break that charm. I am surprised you did it so quickly. I will give you six Newts. Five for your abilities, and one for your little prank on me." Bill finished, and Harry smiled. 13 Newts. If he kept this up he could drop History of Magic without it effecting his graduation.
"Thank you Bill. Bye the way, I may be calling you for some help. If you are willing, I don't want to take you from Hogwarts because I think you could really help prepare the students, but your charms ability may come in handy from time to time."
"Harry, call me anytime you like, I would be honored if you would." Bill answered walking Harry to the door where Ron and Hermione were waiting. When he stepped out, Harry noticed Bill resetting up the test for Ron.
"Good luck mate." Harry said as he walked over to Fleur to begin his next test. Bye the time Ron was finished it was time for lunch. Harry was Happy to find out that all three were well on target to meet the needed N.E.W.T.S to graduate, and was happy to know that they were all within two newts of each other.
"So Ron, how did you do in Divination?" Harry asked, he knew Ron had been worried. "Pretty well actually. I remembered everything about tee leaves, tarot reading, Palms, and Star Charts, but for the life of me I couldn't see anything in that damn crystal ball." He answered, and Harry smiled.
"Well that makes two of us, but I was able to read her mind, and found she could see things in the ball. I told her exactly what she saw, and well even though I did not get a newt for Crystal reading, I almost got one for mind reading, if only she hadn't caught me." Harry answered, and Ron laughed.
"When lunch ended Harry Ron, and Hermione again waiting for the tests to begin, Rumors had begun to circulate around the school, and although the majority of their luch was quiet, toward the end, and mostly after the bell rang, the three we asked numerous times what was going on.
"Well tell you when we can." Ron shouted at a frustrated Dean Thomas who had stayed back as long as he could. "Don't worry so much you nosy git." He finished as the doors closed behind him, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were once again the only students left in the great hall.
"Hey Mate, how many Newts do we need to graduate?" Harry asked Ron, as Hermione looked at him petrified that he didn't know. "30 Harry, I mean didn't you read the book I sent you over summer?" She asked, and Harry smiled.
"Yes Hermione I read it, but with dueling as well, I mean I was just curious." He answered. He hated when he didn't remember something. "Actually Harry, dueling is a optional class. Like Magical Healing, and Dangerous Creatures. Consider them extra credit. You can earn 1 newt for each class." She answered, and Harry smiled back at her, that meant that he could easily skip History Of Magic.
"You two do realize that if we continue to score 4's, and 5's that we can skip History of Magic." Harry said, and Ron suddenly looked very excited. Hermione however did not, but the simple fact was she actually enjoyed the class while the others sleep through it.
"Ah it's a good thing to mate." Ron said icknoring Hermione. "Even with five hours two times a week I am sure I would still fail each question." He answered as the remaining teachers entered once again, and the conversation died down.
"Welcome back, I am sure that you all enjoyed the break." Professor Dumbledore spoke to the three, again taking his seat at the head table. So far the points stand thus. Mr. Potter with 17 Newts, Mr. Weasley with 16 Newts, and Miss Granger with 18 Newts. The testing will continue now. Professor Sprout." Dumbledore spoke pointing to the Professor who was sitting at the end of the Slytherin Desk watching over nine different types of plants.
Following Hermione to where she waited, Harry and Ron instantly recognized two, but neither of them had ever seen the third. "Is that a tropical geranium?" Hermione asked, and both Harry, and Ron looked at her with aw. It never fails that she will know the answer, but not knowing himself, Harry listened to her stray thoughts realizing that the creatures spit poisoned darts at anyone, and anything that touch them.
"D-don't these spit poisoned darts?" Harry asked taking a step back from the plants, and looking at Hermione who simply smiled back at him. "P-poisoned, how?." Ron begun to ask only to stop as Harry held up a hand. Listening to Hermione go on about how you must put them to sleep by humming to them, and once asleep you can magically cut of there petals for potions, Harry quickly retold what they needed to do to Ron before either would take another step toward the table
"Good afternoon. Today you will be doing three types of Herbology. 1st is repotting Mandrakes. I have provided the earmuffs, as well as the dragon Hyde gloves. There is one for each of you. Go on get started." She told them all the while placing a pair of earmuffs over her ears, and motioning for the teachers to do the same. Once everyone had successfully done this Harry, Ron, and Hermione were given the okay to begin, and after preparing the receiving pots, the three had there mandrakes replanted within a few minutes.
"Very good, very good." next is the Bobotuber plant, please collect three vials each of the toxic bubotuber puss." She commanded, and the three quickly milked the leaves of the plant producing a green liquid that was commonly used to remove boils. After only a few minutes they were once again done, and they moved to the last, and most deadly plant they had ever worked with.
"Now before you begin with these plants, are there any questions on how, and what you need to do?" She asked looked rather to Harry, and Ron then Hermione. "No professor, we are confident we can retrieve the thorns." Harry answered, and Professor Sprout smiled down to him.
"Very Well, I do have a counter poison just in case." She finished, as Ron took a deep breath. Hermione however begun the humming, and without having to do it themselves, all three plants begun to snore after only a minute.
"Thank you Hermione." Harry said mentally as he took out his wand, and begun the delicate process of cutting the long yet fat thorns from his plant. This project took much longer than the others, and luckily for the three, they had finished only minutes before the bell had rang indicating the end of the class for the students. The bell itself woke the plants, and as if they were being attacked, they begun to hiss, and spit. Both Harry, and Hermione were far enough away to dive to the ground to safety, but Ron, who was in the process of binding his plant, was caught with the last dart, and immediately fell to the ground convulsing.
"Mr. Weasley," Madame Sprout shouted dashing to his side, and pouring a vial of counter poison down his throat. "There, there, the sting will go away momentarily" She fused over him, pulling the small dart from Ron's cheek, and placing it into the bag with the others that he removed earlier.
"I am sorry about that you three, I did not anticipate the need to place a silencing spell over the area for I believed you would finish before the end of class. That will be five Newts for each of you, very good job today." Madame Sprout commented levitating all of the plants out, and back to the green house.
The next exam the trio was to take was DADA, and following Remus to the back room, none of them were prepared for the ambush that awaited them.
"Stupefy, Petrificus totalus, Incendia" they all shouted as they stepped into the marshland, and attacked the dark creatures like Grinlows, that immediately attacked them. "Where did Remus go?" Ron shouted as he was pulled under the water by a hippipunk. "Ron," Hermione shouted reaching down a hand to pull him up, only to stop as Ron popped up a few feet away spitting the ice-cold water from his mouth.
"Bloody hell, what should we do?" He asked, as Harry took control Stunning, maiming, and even killing the creatures in there way, and working to where they could dimly see Professor Moody. Right before they reached the bank, however three dementors burst from the closet in the corner of the room, and startling them, all three stumble back momentarily.
Temporarily stunned by the sudden burst of cold that consumed them, none of the trio reacted. Feeling the creatures close in on them, and the small creatures approach from behind, Hermione, being the first to react, pulled out Lily of the night from its sheath.
To every ones, surprise the blade sang clear as the sound of a Phoenix cry filled the room halting the Dementors, and killing some of the smaller dark creatures. Realizing this Ron snapped out of his moment like trance, and turned to his girlfriend.
"Wow Hermione, why didn't you do that an hour ago?" He asked, tripped over a small log, and tumbling head first into the water. Getting up quickly he whipped the mud from his hear just in time to save Harry.
"Harry, watch out." He shouted as Harry was fighting to find a happy thought. His mind was being plagued with not only the death of his parents, but this time the death of Ginny Weasley, and Cho Chang were eating away at him as well.
"Expectro Patranum" Harry shouted throwing his hand out toward the dementors who were mere feet from them. With a sound like thunder, and a blinding light, Harry was blown fifteen feet away from the bank of the swamp as a golden stag burst from his hand, followed by a pure white unicorn.
Ended up face first in the muddy swamp like Ron, Harry shook his head to try and clear the fog while wiping the smelly see weed from his glasses. "What was that?" he asked realizing that the golden stag, and unicorn will still fighting the boggarts?
"Your Patranous mate." Ron replied helping his friend to the bank where Hermione was waiting. Elongating his wand to staff length, Harry put a little more pressure on it, as the long struggle had it effects on his, and he was starting to become fatigued.
"I have to say I am surprised at how well you all did, I am happy to award seven Newts to Harry, and six to both you Ron, as well as you Hermione." Moody said smiling to the three. His wrinkled, and wood like face made the three cringe as they looked at the now perfectly clean room.
"But Professor, why would you award me seven? Ron and Hermione battled through the same crap as I did?" Harry asked, healing a scorch mark on his hand where a hippipunk had caught him with its lantern.
"Because Harry, you were the one who took charge, gave orders, and if I saw correctly that patranous you cast at the end was without a wand. That in itself if very impressive." He answered, and Harry smiled, although he still felt it was unfair.
As the three stepped back out from the anteroom, Both Sirius, and Remus laughed at their appearance. "You would think with full marks in Charms that they would do something about there cloths" Sirius commented out loud, laughing as Ron and Hermione simply glared at him, and begun to charm there robes. Suddenly however it was there turn to laugh, for Harry had opted to retaliate, and as if it were Remus, and Sirius who had just taken the exams, the two professors stood in the middle of the great hall covered in Mud, and sea weed.
"Why charm my cloths when I can charm yours." Harry answered as his godfather turned to find him standing in his perfectly clean, and crisp school robes. "I think I will have to pay you back for this." Sirius answered chuckling for only a minute before becoming very serious. "Are you three ready for our duels?" He growled, and Harry suddenly felt he should have restrained himself a little.
"There are three of us, and two of you, the question is are you ready?" Harry answered showing the sometimes-overwhelming cockiness that flowed through the potter's blood "Just like his father." Remus laughed, as Sirius pulled his wand out of his robes followed bye Ron, and Hermione doing the same. Raising his staff Harry smiled at his two friends before dropping his smile as Sirius begun to talk again.
Actually Harry, this is your last exam for the day. You see not all duels are fair duels, and today it will be you three against us." He finished pointing to the staff table that was now completely empty of teachers.
"That's like six on one" Ron commented loudly pulling his sword out with one hand, all the while holding his wand in the other. "Yes Ron it is." Remus laughed as teachers begun to fill the great hall, and the three begun to fell themselves being encircled, and drastically outnumbered.
Harry however took the challenge in stride. He had told Hermione during there first POAD that he was feeling different somehow, and raising his staff, he quickly erected a shield around the three of them that would deflect anything that was sent there way.
"Now, now Harry, play fair." Dumbledore laughed as his stunning spell rebounded off the shield, and took out the ancient Ruins professor. "You speak of fair when you outnumber us." Harry chuckled watching as Dumbledore revived the fallen teacher. "Lets make a rule. Once stunned, or disarmed you are out. Numbers like this are simply too much to handle, and any wizard would be crazy not to apparate away in a second." Harry said, and Dumbledore agreed.
When he did this, Harry suddenly got a idea, and sending a mental note to Ron, and Hermione, he counted to three before dropping the shield, and transporting all three of them behind the headmaster, McGonagall, and Sirius.
"Stupefy" The three, shouted the second they reappeared. The plan had worked, and down went three of there toughest opponents.
Not only did there attack work in bringing down Sirius, McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore, but the second the shield dropped five of the teachers shouted the stunning spell, and firing across the circle, five more teachers were now out of the running.
"Stick together, create a shield, and watch out for each other." Harry shouted as everyone realized what had happened. Over the next ten minutes, the group did just that. Fighting with both sword, and wand they managed to stun and disarm most every teacher, and when it was Remus, Moody, Charlie, and Bill remaining, the first of the trio fell as Hermione was struck with a leg locker curse, and had her wand pulled from her hands by Moody.
"You three have fought well, again I am impressed. He spoke as the four walked around both Harry, and Ron who were back to back. "Thanks professor, but I believe that was the bell I just heard, and soon we will once again be outnumbered" Harry commented realizing that soon more teachers would enter the hall, including professor Snape.
"Then we end this now" Ron answered, he had decided to use his Anamagi form to stun the others, and after sending a mental note to Harry, Ron transformed spitting webbing at the two closest teachers which happened to be his brothers.
"Wow, that's new." Remus shouted, as he dove out of the way of Harry's curse. Harry had to dive out of the way in order to avoid Ron's large legs, and using the distraction to his advantage had attempted to take down Remus.
It was two on two now, and with odds like this, Harry decided that he would go after Moody, while Ron tempted his fate with the old DADA teacher.
"So," Harry asked professor Moody as he ducked a disarming spell, and fired a stunning spell that missed the old man easily. "If I ask for Help can I depend on your assistance." He asked, and Moody nodded taking down Ron with a spell from behind.
"Of course Harry, you can count on all of us." Moody answered as Remus joined him. Bye now all of the teachers were watching from the staff table, and enough students had entered the hall that it was getting difficult to hear anything.
"Expelliarmus" Harry barely heard as a spell struck him ripping his wand from his hand, and launching him across the hall. In any normal duel this would mean the end. Remus had disarmed him, and both Moody, and Lupin lowered their wands.
"Great job Harry, that was." Remus begun to say, only to stop as Harry fired a stunning spell from his index finger. "Sorry Moony, but it's not going to be that easy." Harry laughed summoning his wand, and once again turning back to Moody who was grinning.
"That's right you have a few additional abilities that make it more difficult to disarm you. What do we say, call the duel a draw?" Moody asked but Harry had another idea.
"Well actually no, I think I will simply end this now." Harry answered mentally, stunning the Professor momentarily with his mind. Using that to his advantage, Harry again fired the stunning spell, but to his disappointment, Professor Moody was knocked out of the way of the spell, just as it was about to strike, by none other that Professor Snape.
"Snape" Harry shouted, erecting the strongest shield he could. "That is Professor Snape to you Potter, and 10 points from Gryffindor for such disrespect." Snape answered, and Harry just glared at his potions master.
"I was hoping class would get out in time for me to join in on the fun." He laughed as the two professors circled him, and tested his shield with some very complicated charms.
"Well then, give me all you got." Harry answered, his confidence getting the better of him. Suddenly, and without warning, Professor Snape vanished. Knowing that it was impossible for anyone other than himself to apparate on Hogwarts grounds, Harry kept his shield up, but when fifty mirror images appeared all around him, Harry faltered momentarily as the joint charm cast by each image cracked his shield.
"This can't be." Harry shouted, firing a stunning spell at the nearest Professor Snape, and watching as it simply flew right through it. "Flipendo" Snape shouted a second time, this time successfully bringing down Harry's shield. "Your mine this time Potter." The words echoed from each image, and for the first time since the duel begun, Harry smelt defeat. Realizing that Professor Moody had snuck behind him, Harry rolled out of the way as his immobilizing spell, and with a bit of luck, Harry struck him with a disarming spell.
"Wow," Harry muttered jumping to his feet, and erecting a small shield. "That was close." He thought just as a disarming spell crashed through his shield ripping his wand from his hand.
"That, I believe is the end." Snape shouted holding the wand above him. The replications of him were still floating around Harry, but only one held his wand. "So it would seem." Harry answered; the energy that he had used throughout the day was taking its tool.
Just then however Harry had an idea, and reaching behind him, he pulled out his sword, and pointed it toward what he knew was the physical potions master. "Although the end to you is just the beginning for me." He yelled, casting a small spell from the tip of the sword, and bringing down the illusion he was fighting fifty.
The silence in the hall when Harry did this was devastating. It was not common knowledge to most that Harry could do wandless magic, but by this time the entire school had gathered, and everyone had witnessed the potion master tumbling to the ground.
"You, you can do wandless magic?" Professor Snape asked, rising from his seat on the cold marble floor, and lowering his wand. "Yes I can." Harry answered, He was aware that the duel was now over, for the Potions Master had bowed slightly before him, only to return his wand, and immediately head to the head table where he took a seat next to Dumbledore, and begun talking animated.
Dinner that night was most interesting. Students from each table kept coming over and asking what happened to cause the teachers to attack him, and Harry kept telling them the same thing that it was because he played a joke on them. Realizing he was in for a long night of questions Harry decided to make it an early evening, and walking to the anteroom, Harry fire traveled to Godric Gryffindors study where he ended up staying.
Where he currently sat with Newts, Harry could officially graduate. Due to the extra points he scored in transfiguration, Charms, DADA, and the point earned for dueling, he now stood at 30 Newts enough to graduate without care of magical creatures, and potions.
This however was not what Harry was aiming for. Hermione had told him earlier that Tom Riddle held the current school record of 43 Newts, and Harry wanted to insure he broke it.
"Hey Harry, are you coming down for Breakfast?" Ron asked sticking his head into the fire, and startling his friend." "Of course mate, let me quickly change first though." Harry answered fire traveling to his room, and grabbing a clean pair of robes. Once showered and dressed Harry made his way to where Ron, and Hermione were waiting, and together the three walked to the great hall where they were once again bombarded by questions.
"What's going on you three, word has it that you are taking your NEWTS, and planning on graduating this year." Neville asked being the first to question them at the Gryffindor table.
"Where did you hear that from?" Hermione asked immediately. They had been advised to keep what they were doing quiet until an official announcement was made. "Its just a rumor, but you are all acting really weird, I mean you haven't been to class all week, and then yesterday, I swore I heard Professor Black mention Extra NEWT for dueling. Neville answered, and Harry motioned for him to sit down.
"Listen Neville," He begun realizing that his good friends Dean, and Seamus were listening as well. "I mean listen all of you, you must keep this a secret." Harry answered, and all three gasped and sat down.
"But, but what about quidditch, I mean I know I heard Professor Dumbledore announce that it would be back on next year, and wait, I mean you are only sixth years how on earth could you pass the NEWTS" Dean asked, quieting down as Harry, Ron, and Hermione glared at him.
"We told you it needed to remain a secret you git, quiet down." Ron hissed while Harry explained the extra classes the three had been taking all year, and the fact they were more like eighth years when it came to knowledge of spells, charms, and other things taught to normal students. When Harry said that, the lights seemed to turn on with all three of there friends.
"That explains how you always know the answers. I mean bloody hell mate, you know how much studying we have been doing this year just so that we didn't feel like gits in class. I swear, Neville went as far as checking out the books most seventh years use for our last transfiguration assignment.
"And Mr. Longbottom scored a perfect ten on his report now didn't he." Professor McGonagall said, she had snuck up on the small group, and startled them. "Now, I believe the bell is about to ring, and since you three seemed to have figured it all out, I can trust you to keep the rumors down in class until these three are announced." She finished, and Dean, Seamus, and Neville, simply nodded.
"Thank you, now run along, I believe it is DADA this morning, and Professor Moody is in a foul mood after loosing a duel to a sixteen year old just yesterday." McGonagall said smiling down at Harry.
As the last remaining students left the great hall, Harry Ron, and Hermione once again waited at the head of there table for the teachers to enter. Today was suppose to be a relatively easy exam day as for all they expected to have remaining was Care Of Magical Creatures, Medical healing, and Study of Dangerous creatures.
When Professor Snape walked into the room however that realization was crushed as he ushered the three into the anteroom for their exams. "Take a table each of you, the ingredients for your potions are already there, and the instructions as well. You have five hours to complete your potion, and when you are done you will be graded on how well it works on each other." Snape spoke, he was spitting out each word in disgust.
"But Professor, we were told that we would have to wait until next month to test in potions." Hermione spoke as she did what she was told, and choose the middle table. "Mrs. Granger, Dumbledore gave me the opportunity to eliminate you from my class a month early, and I jumped to it, now if you would, those are most difficult potions, and your time is already running." He finished moving to where a desk had been set up, and where he could watch each student.
Deciding to get to work Harry, Ron, and Hermione each took there separate tables. On the tables were not only the ingredients that they needed to make the potion, but the instructions as well. Picking up his list, Harry read the title, and immediately smiled.
"Anti Veritaserum," He thought out loud laughing as he set the instructions down, and turned to his horned snail. He had memorized this potion right after hearing of Veritaserum, and had brewed it successfully many times.
Ron however was not smiling, for he had never before seen the potion he was brewing, and upon reading through the ingredients realized that it would take him all five hours to complete.
"Chill cauldron to fifteen degree Fahrenheit before adding the diced root of lamina, then stir counter clockwise while you increase the temperature five degrees every ten minutes." He recited to himself using his wand to control the temperature of the cauldron, and waiting until the instrument on the side registered fifteen degrees.
Looking to his side, Ron was surprised to see that Harry had finished already. His potion was storing in small vials, and stacked neatly on his desk. Hermione still looked hard at work, but by the looks of her table, she was about to add the last ingredient while he still had five more to go.
"Mr. Potter, I am assuming due to the speed in which you finished that you brewed the anti Veritaserum, bring one of the vials here, and we can test it. He spoke, and Harry did as he was told. Both Ron, and Hermione watched anxiously as Snape pulled a vial of his own out of his cloak, and handed it to Harry.
"You know what this is Potter?" He questioned as Harry uncorked the potion, and held it low enough that it wouldn't harm him if he inhaled it. "Well sir, it is perfectly clear like water, and without scent, so if I am not mistaken then this is Veritaserum. Harry answered attempting to hand it back to the potions master.
"Drink it." Snape spat, and it was a command, not a request. "But sir." Harry begun to argue, only to stop as Professor cut him off. "Potter, rest assured that I will not ask any questions until I have also given you your anti serum." Professor Snape almost yelled smiling as Harry placed the vial to his lips, and drank the potion.
"Tell me Mr. Potter, what is your name?' Severus asked the second the potion was swallowed. "Harry James Potter." Came the immediate answer, Harry's voice was not his own. Taking the vial Harry had presented him earlier; Professor Snape poured the warm liquid down Harry's throat, and after waiting just a minute asked the question again.
"What is your name." "You know my name Professor, why do you ask?" Harry responded, and Hermione and Ron couldn't help but grin, Harry's potion worked perfectly.
"That will be 4 NEWTS, now please take your seat, and wait for the others to finish. Snape answered, and Harry couldn't help but be thrilled. He expected Snape to take at least 1 Newt away just for the fun of it.
Twenty minutes later it was Hermione's turn to test her potion, but unlike Harry, Hermione would not be the dummy, for instead Professor Snape transfigured one of the couches into a small cat.
"But this is the Draught of death, it would kill it." Hermione squeaked. "Miss Granger, I assure you that the couch is already dead. Now if you would prefer." He stopped transforming the cat into a toad.
"I still don't like it, but I guess it is necessary." Hermione spoke walking over to the toad, and after collecting it; she poured a small amount of potion down its throat. Within only seconds the toad killed right over, and to everyone's surprise Professor Snape awarded Hermione 5 NEWTS putting her once again 1 NEWT ahead of Harry.
"Now take your seat, I am sure Mr. Weasley is close to finishing." Snape again hissed turning to where Ron was once again cooling his Cauldron. "I see you choose to keep the fire burning, very smart, that is where most students fail. Snape responded again surprising everyone. Once Ron had added the last ingredient the potion was done, and taking a small vial down to Professor Snape, Ron watched as the potions master studied it before opening a channel to Professor Lupin, and summoning him to the anteroom.
"Here is your potion professor, and here is your new potions brewer. He said pointing to Ron. "Ron, you brewed the wolfsban, you must get your skills from your mother. He said drinking down the now simmering, and steaming mug. "What do you say, since we will be working together, do you mind brewing this for me once a month.
Ron was floored, he had no idea that he was brewing the potion Professor Lupin needed to control his transformation, and quiet frankly, Ron didn't know how to respond. "Sure Professor, as long as you keep me supplied with the ingredients. He eventually said as Hermione smiled.
"I'll help you when you need it." She reassured him, and Ron simply nodded. Accepting his 5 NEWTS from Professor Snape, and leaving with Hermione, and Harry back into the great Hall for lunch.
"Can you believe today, I mean wow, I never expected." Ron said after the three had been sitting in silence for twenty minutes. "Well Ron, you earned it." Hermione answered giving him a small kiss, and turning to Harry.
"Tell me, did he give you a reason for only awarding you with 4 NEWTS? From what I could see your potion was perfect today. "Spite." Harry answered with a bite to his tongue. "Snape would never willingly give me full points, no matter how hard the work is." He finished turning his attention back to his food. As things had it, the rest of the day flew by, and by the time it was over Hermione sat at 43, Harry at 42, and Ron with 38.
That night the three slept easy, for the last test was well over a month away, and other than Hermione, neither Harry, nor Ron really cared much for History of Magic, and would be satisfied to simply get by with 1 Newt.