Chapter 4- O.W.Ls and Cake.
For the next several days, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny helped Molly and Dobby with cleaning he house. Dobby had done away with most of the dangerous aspects of cleaning so Harry felt it wasn't to bad. He had gotten used to cleaning due to the uneven number of chores his Aunt Petunia gave him during his years on Privet Drive. When they were not cleaning, Harry and Ron were either playing wizards chess or exploding snaps. Sometimes Hermione and Ginny would join them, other times they tried to do each other's hair. However, Ginny had a much harder time with Hermione's hair. Every time Ginny would have Dobby use magic to get it to not be so puffy, Ron would giggle uncontrollably. Well, until Hermione gave Ron one of her evil stares.
"I swear, mate," Ron said cautiously to Harry once, "if Hermione wasn't on our side, I am sure she would give V-Voldemort a run for his money." Harry laughed as he watched Ron to check if Hermione as out of earshot.
On the morning of Harry's birthday, Hermione came running into Harry and Ron's room. "They're here, they're here!" she said with an excited smile. She tossed Harry and Ron and envelope each. Harry looked down to see it was from Hogwarts. He knew then that it was their O.W.L results. A lump began to form in Harry's throat. He knew that he did not do as well as he wanted to on the exams. Harry could see that Ron felt the same way as he entered the room clutching his unopened envelope. Ron held his out to Harry.
"Open mine, Harry, I can't look."
"Sure, mate, you open mine." Harry said as he handed Ron his envelope.
Harry slowly opened Ron's envelope while Hermione tore open hers. Harry stopped to look at Hermione's expression. He could not tell if it full of horror or delight.
"This can't be right?" Hermione exclaimed now looking quite perplexed. Ron and Harry looked at her strangely as she ran out of the room without another word.
"Must've not gotten the marks she hoped for," Ron shrugged, " So, you got 7 O.W.Ls, good job mate. What about me?"
Harry couldn't believe it, 7 O.W.Ls wow that must be a mistake, Harry thought. He took a look at Ron's marks and was amazed that he too got 7 O.W.Ls. "You too mate, 7 O.W.Ls!"
Ron's expression was a mix of amazement as self-doubt. "Let me see that." Ron tossed Harry back his marks as he grabbed his own.
Harry took a look and was in disbelief once again. He did receive 7 O.W.Ls.
Harry read his O.W.L report again.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
O.W.L Report for
Harry James Potter, Gryffindor House
Transfiguration:O
Defence Against the Dark Arts: Perfect O.W.L.
Care for Magical Creature: O
Divination: T
Herbology: O
Charms:O
Astronomy: E
Potions:E
History of Magic:E
Total: 7 O.W.Ls
O - Outstanding Full O.W.L.
E- Exceeds Expectations Half O.W.L
A- Average Possible O.W.L
P- Poor No O.W.L
T- Terrible No Hope
Note: Half marks are rounded up for the total. Possible O.W.Ls are given if student fails to receive any O.W.Ls before calculation of total. This is based on professor's recommendation.
Perfect O.W.Ls are given when a perfect score is made on an exam.
Mark was upgraded due to special circumstances during examination.
Authenicated by: Trenton Tofty, Head Examiner for the for Wizarding Examination Arthurity
"Looks like we got the same score," Ron smiled, "except for Divination, I got an E and a P in History of Magic. You know what this means, Ginny didn't win the bet. She owes me one galleon. Smashing!"
Harry took a look at Ron's marks; the letter was almost the same as his except for the differences in Divination and History of Magic and their names. "This is brilliant Ron," Harry said relieved, "I didn't think we would do this good."
"You know, I bet it's all because of Hermione," Ron said humbly, " she has helped us all these years. We would be as bad as Crabbe and Goyle if it weren't for her. But don't tell her I said that."
"I won't, but you right. She has helped me more times than I could count. Maybe we could get her something to thank her.
"That might go to her head," Ron joked, " she might have us do extra classes if she knew it worked. But maybe something small."
"Yeah that would be…" Harry began before hearing a crack at the bedroom door.
It was Dobby, with a giant smile on his face. "Come down stairs Harry Potter. And bring your Weazy too." Dobby cheered, "Miz Weazy has good news, good news. Hurry!"
Crack, Dobby vanished as quickly as he came. Ron head out the door clutching his O.W.L results. "C'mon Harry," Ron said, "let's see what in bloody blazes is going on."
Harry followed Ron down the steep marble steps to the Black's kitchen. When they got there, they saw a very excited Mrs. Weasley gushing over a very shocked looking Hermione. Ginny was there too reading what looked like Hermione's O.W.Ls. "Guess what!" Ginny exclaimed happily, "Hermione got perfect O.W.Ls!"
"What!" Ron said surprised, "Let me see." Ron grabbed Hermione's results from Ginny and began to look over it in awe. Harry knew it was true when he saw Ron's jaw drop. "This is unheard of," Ron said with a last hint of disbelief, "take a look, Harry."
Harry reached for the paper and began to read.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
O.W.L Report for
Hermione Granger, Gryffindor House
Transfiguration:Perfect O.W.L
Defence Against the Dark Arts: Perfect O.W.L
Care for Magical Creature: Perfect O.W.L
Divination: Perfect O.W.L
Herbology: Perfect O.W.L
Charms:Perfect O.W.L
Astronomy:Perfect O.W.L
Potions:Perfect O.W.L
History of Magic:Perfect O.W.L
Ancient Runes: Perfect O.W.L
Muggle Studies:Perfect O.W.L
Aritmancy:Perfect O.W.L
Total: 12 Perfect O.W.L.s
O - Outstanding Full O.W.L.
E- Exceeds Expectations Half O.W.L
A- Average Possible O.W.L
P- Poor No O.W.L
T- Terrible No Hope
Note: Half marks are rounded up for the total. Possible O.W.Ls are given if student fails to receive any O.W.Ls before calculation of total. This is based on professor's recommendation.
Perfect O.W.Ls are given when a perfect score is made on an exam.
Congradulations, you are one of five wizards and witches to have ever have 12
Perfect O.W.Ls. Jolly Good work.
Authenicated by: Trenton Tofty, Head Examiner for Wizarding Examination Arthurity
Harry had to read it twice before it could sink in. Hermione got twelve Perfect O.W.Ls. Plus she was one of only 5 to ever do it. Even though this was a surprise, it wasn't to shocking. Hermione always did well on exams and she studies hard, good for her, Harry thought. "Congratulations, Hermione, if anyone could have gotten 12 Perfect O.W.Ls, it sure would be you."
"Yeah, cheers, Hermione," Ron added, "but didn't you drop some of these classes?"
"Well, yes," Hermione started coming out of the shock she had been in since she first read her letter, "I asked Professor McGonagall at the start of the school year last year if I could take all the O.W.Ls, assuming that if I did poorly they wouldn't count against me. She saw no problem with it and made arrangements with Professor Dumbledore and Wizarding Examination Arthurity. All I had to do was study."
"You studied for 12 O.W.Ls," Ron said with his eyes wide open, "that is almost as amazing as Harry beating that Dragon at the TriWizard tournament."
Hermione began to blush, Harry knew that Ron did not give Hermione compliments often and could see the affect it had on her. "Amazing job, Hermione, really amazing." Harry added.
They continued to talk about everyone's O.W.Ls over a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. As Harry, Ginny, and Hermione were finishing breakfast Ron was helping himself to thirds. "What?" Ron said defensively, "A growing boy needs to eat." This made Harry think of his Aunt Petunia and Dudley. If only Ron knew where all that food could lead to, Harry thought smiling to himself.
The rest of the day the group stayed in their rooms and played either chess or exploding snaps. After lunch, Hermione wrote to her parents about her grades. Her parents didn't know much about the wizarding world, but what they could appreciate were good grades. She sent the letter with Pig as she explained to Ron and Harry that she had to get her parents accustomed to receiving mail by owl. Harry could relate, thinking of all the fuss Uncle Vernon made with Hedwig. Harry took a brief nap as Ron decided to play a game of match the cards, which Harry had taught them earlier in the day with a deck of muggle cards he brought from Privet Drive. When he woke up a few hours later he found out that they were playing with all the cards facing up. "This must be the easiest Muggle game ever mate." Ron said not aware of his error.
"I didn't have the heart to tell him he has to have the cards facing down." Ginny whispered to Harry, "I bet he thinks he is the king of this game, too." Both Hermione and Ginny began to giggle.
A short while later Dobby appeared at the door in a very excited state. "Dinner is ready, Miz Weazy wants youz at the dining room right now." Dobby said very gleefully.
Harry wondered for a moment why Dobby was extra happy, but he didn't mind too much. He raced Ron to the dining room doors. As he opened it to enter a loud bang went off inside. He quickly looked to see Dumbledore standing at the far end of the dining room table with his wand in the air. There were small red and gold fire works erupting from it. Above Dumbledore's head were the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY! written in sparkling lights. He could also see red and yellow Christmas bulbs all over the room and pair of mismatched socks sticking out of the tops of all the seats. He then realized that there were many more people there. To Dumbledore's right was Professor McGonagall, and to her right was the enormous Hagrid. Tonks, and Lupin and Charlie Weasley were coming out of the kitchen to greet Harry. Mad Eye Moody surprised Harry by placing he hand on Harry's shoulder. "Got to always be alert boy," Moody growled, "what if I was a vampire or worse a werewolf." Moody gave a playful wink to Lupin who returned it.
"So how have you been Harry?" Remus asked Harry with a look of concern.
"I have been good, Professor Lupin," Harry replied with a smile, "not much to do though."
"Come off it Harry," Remus said sweetly, "you don't have to call me Professor anymore. Remus will do just fine. I haven't been your professor for a few years now. Sirius teased me to no end once he found out…"
Remus stopped abruptly trying not to talk about Sirius in front of Harry. Harry could see in his face that he was hurting too. Sirius and Remus were the last of the Marauders, if you didn't count Wormtail. Wormtail didn't deserve to be a Marauder, in Harry's mind. Now there was only Remus.
"I have to get used to calling you , Remus. " Harry said grabbing at Lupin's arm affectionately. "Maybe we can talk about some things when we get some time together."
Harry saw that Remus understood as he nodded and placed his hand over Harry's hand. Harry also saw Remus's eyes mist up before he excused himself to help out in the kitchen.
"Wotcher Harry." Tonks greeted slapping Harry on the back, "Shacklebolt sends his greetings, he has watch duty at Azkaban."
"So are Aurors now guarding Azkaban?" Harry asked while watching Tonks hair change from purple spikes to a magenta Caesars cut.
"Yeah, for the time being," Tonks said while checking to see if her hair did indeed shorten, "until they find some sort of replacement guard."
Harry then noticed Neville Longbottom emerging from the kitchen with a large wooden bowl containing some of Mrs. Weasley's famous Garden Gnome-Free salad. He almost tripped over Crookshanks as he attempted to place the salad on the table. Luckily, Tonks was there to stop him, however she lost her balance and found her self under the table. Everyone looked at her for a moment before returning to his or her conversations. Tonks' clumsiness was well known by every one in the room. Neville, pink with embarrassment, helped Tonks up. Tonks rubbed her back but gave a wink to Neville to let him know she was all right. Neville then made his way towards Harry.
"Hey, Harry, how's your summer been?"
"Good," said Harry still amused from the spectacle Neville just caused, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Dumbledore asked my grandma if I could join you for your birthday party." said Neville, "I hope you don't mind me being here."
"Neville, its great to have you here," Harry replied with a smile, "Plus, wasn't your birthday a few days ago? So this can be a birthday party for the both of us."
"How did you know it was my birthday a few days ago?" Neville questioned.
"I think I heard it from someone before." replied Harry, who felt a little guilty not letting Neville know what he had learned about the prophesy.
"Oh." Neville accepted, "Harry, I didn't bring you anything, Dumbledore told me not to."
"That's fine." Harry began to explain, "I didn't want presents for my birthday this year, getting presents is actually something I really haven't gotten used to. Mrs. Weasley wanted to do something, so I told her a dinner would be just fine." Neville frowned for a moment.
"Don't worry Neville," said Harry, "I didn't get you anything either, so we can call it even."
Just then, Arthur Weasley appeared from the kitchen carrying a giant ham dressed with pineapple slices. Mrs. Weasley followed him with a large wooden bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes. Harry could see Ron's mouth beginning to water. Dumbledore clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "It looks like dinner is ready, so lets begin before the young Weasley leaves nothing for the rest of us." Everyone laughed as Ron quickly took a seat closest to the ham. Harry sat to Ron's right and Neville to Harry's right. Hermione and Ginny sat to Ron's left. Hermione kept slapping Ron's hands as he attempted to pick at the ham. "You can wait a few more minutes, its not like you're going to starve to death." said Hermione as she admonish Ron for his poor table manners. "More likely beaten to death at this rate." Ron whispered to Neville and Harry.
There were many discussions at the table as everyone feasted on Mrs. Weasley's delicious ham, mashed potatoes, sweet yams, fried tomatoes, candied okra, and curried greens. Harry never knew about some of these dishes, but he knew that Mrs. Weasley is an excellent cook. All the food was great, and Harry seemed to be eating more than he usually did. This didn't stop Mrs. Weasley for telling Harry to eat more every ten minutes.
The whole group talked about many different things. Mr. Weasley told them that all that he was learning all about muggle futbal and was teaching the British prime minister about Quidditch. "There is a lot in common with the two sports," said Mr. Weasley, "except that there are only two hoops, and no one flies, and there is only one ball. But very similar…"
A few conversations later, Neville was learning all about Weasley Wizard Wheezes and how Fred and George were doing. Neville learned that Gryffindors would get a discount when they go to buy their school supplies this year. This started a conversation about the O.W.Ls they just received. It seems that Neville did as well as Harry and Ron, except he got a P in Potions. "I didn't expect to do to well," Neville said, "but grandma was furious. She almost made me stay home, but she has been easier on me since what happened a few months ago."
Harry began to sink in his chair. He didn't want to think about what had happened anymore. Ron seemed to have felt this in Harry and quickly returned the subject back to O.W.Ls.
"Hermione got 12 perfect O.W.Ls!" Ron said proudly.
"Really, 'Ermione tha's great!" Hagrid bellowed, "Tha's two wizards at tis table that had 12 perfec' O.W.Ls"
"Who else had 12 perfect O.W.Ls?" Hermione said excitedly.
"Can' ye guess?" Hagrid smiled at Hermione, he was obviously very proud of her too, "Tha' be Prof'essor Dumbledore."
"Ah, yes, I did get 12 perfect O.W.Ls." Dumbledore interjected, "I had almost forgotten. Congratulations, Hermione, quite a feat. I'm just glad some of that intelligence has rubbed off on your companions."
Ron and Harry blushed for a moment. They both knew that without Hermione, they would be getting tutored by a bunch of third years.
"Who else got 12 perfect O.W.Ls, Professor?" Ginny asked.
"Well, lets see, there is Hermione and me," Dumbledore pondered while counting on his fingers, "Nicholas Flamel, and Atoinette Theophilus from Beauxbatons."
"That's only four," Hermione said curiously "the letter said I was one of five?"
Hagrid let out a low grunt, Professor McGonagall's face became worried and Professor Dumbledore began to frown. The rest people at the table seemed to not know why the question would cause their moods to change. Ron and Harry looked at each other curiously. Remus and Tonks too grew interested in who was the other wizard or witch to accomplish such an achivement. A few moments later they would find out why…
