A/N: It's been quite a while (two weeks) since I last updated, but hopefully I'll be able to write a bit more in the coming days. Quite a few people (i.e. two) having been asking about Katsuro, his family and his family history: I put this stuff in the story for two reasons: to illustrate that Harry is not alone in being famous and parentless, and because I felt like writing it :-). Katsuro is going to be a big help to Harry in coping with everything (I hope). Anyway …

Chapter 10: The Autumn Term Exams

The term had passed like lightning, and it was already time for the exams the students had to sit before every holiday. The students now had just one weekend to revise before the tests started, and Harry wasn't doing so well.

"Do you want some help?" Katsuro said. They were in the pavilion behind the sports pitches: Katsuro had suggested going there for a bit of peace to work in.

Harry had to admit that he did need a bit of assistance. The younger boy hadn't reached the Unforgivable Curses in his Andros studies yet, of course, but he had already covered them at school and his knowledge of the theory was excellent.

"It is important that you think of nothing else," Katsuro advised. "As if you were doing any other difficult spell."

"But I can't stop thinking about causing pain," Harry replied. "And that's the most important thing."

"You must imagine that what you are doing does not matter. You must think it is the best thing possible."

Summoning all his mental and magical energy, Harry put the Cruciatus curse on one of the woodlice that were scurrying around the dark, damp building. It rolled over onto its back and waved its legs in pain. Harry took the curse off almost immediately.

"See, you did it," Katsuro praised.

"It's okay on insects," Harry said, "but what about when I have to do it on people?"

Katsuro summoned one of the Quaffles that were lying around the room to him with a beckoning gesture, and twirled it on his finger. "Imagine they are insects," he said after some thought. "They will not be worth much, not if you need to capture them. But be sparing with the curses at all times. Surely your teachers tell you this. You won't have to use them much."


"Where were you all morning?" Ron asked Harry at lunchtime, as they ate what could only be described as their rations. Students were given a balanced diet, so as to stay healthy.

"With Katsuro, practising for the exams," Harry told him.

"He's a very nice person, isn't he?" said Ron. "I was talking to him the other day, we have a lot in common. He's got a big family and he finds it really hard to keep up with his brothers and his sister, he was a sort of prefect at school and he plays Keeper in Quidditch."

Harry nodded. "He's quite like me as well."


The exams came and went. Despite not perfecting many of his spells till the last minute, Harry did very well. He even managed to sneak up on Professor Confessus in Stealth and Tracking, and did excellently on his Spell Creation theory paper, with full marks. He finished top of the year in several subjects, losing out to Rudolf in Transfiguration, Herbology and Potions, and to Lizzy in Care of Magical Creatures (which in lessons they had only once a week, if that). Ron didn't come top in any of the papers, but he was close in several. Perhaps more importantly, Harry managed to keep calm throughout his exams: the students were continually assessed on this ability because it was vital that an Auror did not get angry or frustrated. If the teachers thought they might do, they wouldn't be accepted to the job however well they did in coursework or tests.

On the final day of term, after the students had all received their results, Professor Gabriel gave them all of the information they needed about the foreign course.

"You will meet me and Professor Confessus at the Ministry of Magic on January 16th, the first day of the new term," he told them. "We will travel to Bergland through the International Floo Network. When we get there, we will take you to our accommodation and we will spend the rest of the term on what is essentially a big field trip. At the end you will be tested on what you have learnt: this will form your examination for the spring term. I'm giving you an information pack, make sure you bring everything it tells you."

After this, the students went to the hall for the final assembly of term, which included a large meal. After everyone had finished eating, Professor Confessus stood up to speak.

"Thankyou everyone," he said. "I have a great term, and I'm sure you have as well. I think, just to commemorate this, we'll give a little prize to the leader in our personal points competition. Harry Potter."

Harry stood up, and accepted his box of chocolate frogs. He had forgotten that he was top of the tally of points that were awarded by the teachers to students who did well, and was pleased. At the same time, he felt sorry for Katsuro, who had narrowly come second. If it hadn't been for him, Harry would have not done nearly as well. He might even have dropped out of Andros at the strain.

For some reason, he dimly remembered Amarenox at this point. What had happened to the Dark Lord? Was he out there somewhere, causing havoc? It was all his fault, Harry thought. He had let Amarenox escape. If only he really was the perfect Harry Potter everyone thought.