Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot and two characters, Sikandar and Sarah Durrani. Harry Potter books are the sole copyright of J. K. Rawlings and Scholastic Books.
Summary: Post-Order of the Phoenix, Major Spoilers so if you haven't read book 5 then be warned. H/Hr; Ron out of the trio picture; Ginny joins trio; Harry finds out who his father really is; basically my answer to the Severitus Challenge.
Chapter 4 OWLS Scores and Options and GinnyHarry and Hermione were ecstatic and ripped their envelopes open. Just as soon as they looked at the scores, both of them fainted in shock. Ginny grabbed both their letters and let out a gasp. She had known that Harry had been studying a lot at the end of the term last year but she wasn't sure how much till now. Minerva asked to look at the scores and smiled really big wise and was really happy. She realized her conversation with Harry last year had put a push into him to study hard. Hermione's scores were not surprising. Ginny enervated both Hermione and Harry and then they both looked at their scores and they read as follows:
Ordinary Wizarding Levels
Student: Harry James Potter
House: Gryffindor
Number of owls per score: O (outstanding) = 4; E (Exceeds Expectations) = 3; A (Acceptable) = 2; P (Passing) = 1; D (Dreadful) = 0
Astronomy Theory/Practical = E
Charms Theory/Practical = O Extra Owls: 1
Transfiguration Theory/Practical = O
Potions Theory/Practical = O
Divination Theory/Practical = E
History of Magic Theory/Practical = O
Defense Against the Dark Arts Theory/Practical = O Extra Owls: 1
Care of Magical Creatures Theory/Practical = O
Total Owls received
Note to Mr. Potter. Your Corporial Patronous earned you the one extra owls in Defense Against the Dark Arts OWLS; Charms Extra Credit for being able to perform strong Charms.
Congratulations Mr. Potter, only one other student did as well as you. It was Ms. Granger/Durrani.
Board of Examiners (don't have the correct information on the right name)
Ministry of Magic – United Kingdom
Hermione's test scores were as follows:
Ordinary Wizarding Levels
Student: Hermione Anne Granger/Durrani
House: Gryffindor
Number of owls per score: O (outstanding) = 4; E (Exceeds Expectations) = 3; A (Acceptable) = 2; P (Passing) = 1; D (Dreadful) = 0
Astronomy Theory /Practical = E
Charms Theory /Practical = O
Transfiguration Theory /Practical = O Extra Owls: 1
Potions Theory /Practical = E
Arithmacy Theory /Practical = O Extra Owls: 1
History of Magic Theory /Practical = O
Defense Against the Dark Arts Theory /Practical = O
Care of Magical Creatures Theory /Practical = O
Note to Ms. Granger/Durrani: Your excellent details on your Transfiguration Exam have earned you one extra OWL in that course; Your completion of the extra credit problem in the Arithmacy Exam earned an extra OWL.
Congratulation Ms. Granger/Durrani, only one other student did as well as you. It was Mr. Potter.
When they finally finished reading their scores they both jumped and yelled in happiness. They hugged each other then sat down. They passed their scores down to everyone and was congratulated by all the teachers and friends.
Albus looked at Minerva and she nodded then went back to looking at the two of them and spoke. "Harry, Hermione, congratulations on doing really well on your OWLs. Your scores and grades from the past years have earned you the chance to either finish your studies this summer or get moved up to 7th year. If you choose to take your NEWTs this summer I would like to offer you the position as assistant professors that would help in most of the subjects. If you choose to on and complete your 7th year we, the professors have decided to offer the position of Head boy and Girl. This decision is up to you and only you. Ms. Weasley you have also been moved up to 6th year if you would be willing to take your OWLs this summer."
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny went on to talk about the choices they had.
Harry was the first to talk, "I would love to be able to graduate with at least a class, even if it is not our year. I feel that both my mom and Sirius would be proud if they are watching to see me do that. I don't know about you Hermione."
Hermione returned the sentiment, "I agree with Harry on the graduation part. I am going to also do the 7th year option. It also gives us more time to study for the NEWTS. What about you Ginny?"
Ginny was the one that was having the hardest time deciding. Part of the reason was because she would have to take classes with her prat of a brother. But it was also a great opportunity for her to get the OWLs over with and decide on a career. She finally decided, "If you two can help me get ready for the tests I would love to finish my OWLs and move up a year. That is of course if my parents allow me to."
Harry and Hermione both said together, "Ginny we would love to help you study."
Ginny nodded and smiled and then the trio turned to Albus and the rest of the staff present. Harry was the understood spokesman for the group, "Professor, Hermione and I have decided to go the 7th year route because we want to be able to have the honor of graduating in front of the whole school. It also gives us more time to study for the NEWTS. Ginny says that if her parents give their consent she would be willing to do the OWLs this summer and start the 6th year. Hermione and I are willing to help her as much as we can."
Albus smiled and nodded, "Don't worry Ginny, I sent you parents a owl last night when we decided to offer the opportunities to you and they had sent back to us their approval so you have about a month to study and take the exams. I am pretty sure you will do great. Your level of capability in your classes is past the OWLs level and we believe you will do fine. The teachers here are also wiling to help you if you need help."
Professor Snape spoke up, "Ginny, if you need to brush up on any of you potions feel free to come down to the dungeons with these two and I will help you. I would also like to see Harry and Hermione down there so we can really hit the basics of the potions making. Sometimes the only reason you don't get a potion right is because you aren't following the basic potions ingredients hierarchy."
Harry had realized that while he was studying for his owls last term, "I had realized that too late while I was studying for my owls dad. I think that was why I did so well on the exam was because I finally was able to comprehend the order. I had shown both Hermione and Ron this but I don't think that Ron really cared much about it. He was basically calling me a male version of Hermione. I would still like to go over some more stuff regarding potions so I would love to come down anyway with Ginny."
Hermione nodded, "Yea Harry had showed me and I tried to get Ron to listen to me but you know how stubborn Ron is. Anyway, I agree with Harry, it would be nice to be able to run through some of the 6th year potions and all and get a head start on the 7th year ones. God knows how much time next year we will have between Head student duties. Harry are you going to play Quiditch this year?"
Harry shook his head no, "I don't think I will. After the ban last year, it made me realize that Quiditch was not what I was planning on doing for the rest of my life. Honestly Minerva, I have rethought my future plans and would like to consider teaching as career instead of being an Auror."
Minerva was a bit surprised and said, "I would be happy to help you become a professor. My only question for you was why you asked about Auror career last year?"
Harry smiled and said, "Mostly because I was afraid of saying something wrong in front of that woman. I will say this, I really liked teaching in the DA class and it was fun. I am truly sorry if I miss led you but honestly, now that I have had a bit of time to think about it I have come to a more decisive conclusion that teaching is more what I want to do then to be an auror."
Minerva and Albus both smiled at Harry. Albus spoke up, "Harry you are more then welcome to make your final decision on a career. When you are done with your NEWTS next year you are more then welcome to join our staff as an assistant or if an opening in a specific subject that you are comfortable in is open then you are welcome to join us."
Minerva also said, "I believe that Hermione is also looking into teaching so both of you will be doing the same course work. I think that your working with the DA group is going to be a lot of help with your being able to setup lesson plans and all."
Harry and Hermione smiled and were happy. Ginny was also smiling and said, "I think you are going to have another teacher on your hands too. Either that or a medi-witch, I haven't decided yet."
Hermione smiled and said, "You have till mid August to decide so let us first get you ready for your OWLs and then we can see. Ginny, Harry and I talked last night and would like you to help us with the DA classes since we are no longer going to have Ron help us. There is too much friction between us to be of any help."
Ginny nodded and said, "I would love to. Thanks. Lets get started studying shall we."
With that Hermione, Harry, and Ginny started going over some of the coursework and for the next two weeks they were busy. Every day they spent at least a few hours in the dungeons going over potions and getting some help from Severus on improving their work. After about two weeks into the studying spree, Albus called a staff meeting to discuss a few new developments in the new school year.
******************** End of Chapter *************************
(A/N: Don't you just love cliffys)
This chapter was completed on July 7th. Unfortunately since ff.net crashed this morning I wasn't able to upload it that day.
REVIEWER Responses:
Nikki: I am glad you like the Chapter. Chapter 5 is going to be a real interesting chapter till next time.
AngieWolf: Thanks for reviewing. I am writing Ron total out of my story. We will see how this happens in Chapter 5. Being a heir of the founders give Ginny a strength to help beat Tom Riddle. Also, her parents felt she could learn more here at Hogwarts about her powers then at home.
ChristinaLupin01442: Thank you for reviewing. I am glad you like the chapter and hope you read more. Till next time.
Xilreb70: I hope you replaced the clock. Anyway thanks for the comments. Chapter 5 will have what becomes of Ron.
Lissie89: I am glad you like the idea. It gives more credibility to Ginny's abilities. Till next time.
Occamy: Can't wait till your next update of Mist. Thanks for reviewing.
Ears91: Your story is great too with H/Hr and R/L. Keep going.
Saphire: I hope you like the OWLs I had to recalculate them twice to get them right.