Chapter 13
Early NEWT's
"Oh no!" exclaimed Harry, "Was anyone hurt? What happened? Where are you going to stay? You can stay at Grimmauld…"
Dumbledore raised his hand, "Relax Harry. No one was hurt. Fortunately Arthur was awake and downstairs when the attack started and he and Molly apparated to Hogsmeade before the death eaters managed to raise any anti-apparition ward. No one else was in the house at the time…"
At that moment the door burst open and Professor Sprout entered, followed by Amelia Bones.
"Headmaster…" Professor Sprout began to say.
"Headmaster, our house was attacked this morning. I'd have been here earlier but thought it best to return to the Auror department first."
"Relax Amelia, I understand your predicament," Dumbledore said.
"I bet Fudge's house didn't get attacked this morning ! " Harry said under his breath.
"Yes, indeed Harry," replied Dumbledore, "Amelia, Arthur and Molly's house were also attacked this morning"
"Then Voldemort wants us both out of the way so Fudge gets re-elected ! " replied Amelia.
"It would appear so," replied Dumbledore, "Harry, would you be good enough to fetch Ronald and Ginevra please?"
Harry nodded and apparated to his dorm. No one was in the dorm so Harry made his way down to the common room. There he spotted Ron, Ginny and Hermione all by the fire, talking.
"Sorry Hermione, Dumbledore needs to see Ron and Ginny."
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"I'll tell you later," and with that, Harry apparated both Ron and Ginny straight to Dumbledore's office.
"You never cease to amaze me Harry Potter," said Amelia, "any chance you can fetch my niece?"
Harry nodded and apparated back to his dorm. He rooted through his trunk until he found his map and apparated to a corridor just round the corner from where Susan Bones was talking to her friends. He walked round the corner up to Susan, "Sorry to butt in, Susan, but your aunt is here and needs to see you in Dumbledore's office."
Susan had a worried look on her face but followed Harry around the corner and out of sight from her friends. As soon as they were round the corner, Harry apparated Susan and himself back up to Dumbledore's office.
"When did you learn to apparate?" Susan asked Harry.
"I'll tell you later," replied Harry.
"Everyone, please sit," Dumbledore waved his wand and a selection of overstuffed armchairs appeared around the headmaster's desk.
"For the benefit of those who don't know, the Weasley and Bones' homes were destroyed in death eaters attack this morning," Dumbledore raised his hand to dispel any question from Ron, Ginny and Susan, "no one was hurt and unfortunately none of the death eaters was captured. Both houses are in ruins and witchs and wizards from the Magical Clean Up Squad are collecting any personal items which may have survived and will also clean up both areas. This attack appears to have the motive of removing the candidates for Minister Of Magic so Minister Fudge retains power, however, I have it on good authority that Minister Fudge will be stepping down completely after a press conference he has called for tomorrow at the Ministry. Emergency procedures will then take place putting the Wizengamot in control of the Ministry. As for what will happen then, I can only speculate."
"How do you know all this Albus?" asked Amelia.
"Percy Weasley," Dumbledore replied simply.
"Percy? What about him Albus?" asked Molly.
"Minister Fudge seems to have lost all support in the Ministry, all but the support of a friendly ear from Percy. Of course Percy knows there will be a change in Minister soon, but I believe he is making himself useful in gaining valuable inside information for a certain candidate for the Minister Of Magic role."
"Arthur ! You cheat !" exclaimed Amelia.
Arthur Weasley shrugged, "Sorry Amelia, I didn't know what he was up to."
"Indeed, Percy is a law unto himself sometimes," replied Dumbledore with a chuckle, "I suggest you both stay here at Hogwarts tonight and we'll all head down to the Ministry together tomorrow for Minister Fudge's press conference."
"Will the Burrow be rebuilt Professor?" asked Ron.
Arthur answered, "If Harry will still offer us a place to stay, we'll rebuild it together as a family next summer, if not sooner."
"Of course you can stay at Grimmauld Place Mr Weasley," said Harry, "I'd appreciate someone to look after the place for me, you can stop there as well Madam Bones, if you want."
"Thank you Harry. My family has suffered a great deal of loss as a result of Voldemort's actions. I haven't anywhere else to go."
"Now then children, I mustn't take up any more of your time," Dumbledore said with a finality that told them they were no longer needed.
Harry, Ron, Ginny and Susan all got up and left the office. As soon as they were back in the corridor at the bottom of the moving staircase, Susan asked quietly, "are you going to tell me how you managed to apparate inside Hogwarts now?"
"I'll teach you," replied Harry. He then conjured a copy of his Auror training manual for Susan and gave it to her, "here, read this and meet me down by Hagrid's hut next Saturday at ten. Make a copy and give it to Ernie and bring him down on Saturday as well."
"Erm… I'm not very good at copying things…" Susan trailed off embarrassed.
Harry didn't comment, he conjured another book and gave her it. "This is for the DA, and you're not to mention anything about it to anyone okay?"
Susan nodded and made her way back to the Hufflepuff common room while Harry, Ron and Ginny made their way back to Gryffindor tower.
Just as the three of them reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Draco and Hannah appeared.
"What's going on?" asked Draco, "We've been waiting in the forest for you."
"Some of your friends turned up at our house and destroyed it ! " spat Ron.
"Ron ! " exclaimed Ginny, "They're not Draco's friends ! "
Ginny dragged Ron into the common room and was accosted by Neville and Luna.
Harry told Draco all about what happened and told him to have a day off training.
Just as Harry was entering the common room, Neville and Luna stepped out. Harry also told them to have a day off and went off to find Ginny.
The rest of the day up to dinner in the great hall was spent by each couple in the DA going off to various places around the castle and grounds on their own. Neville and Luna spent the day collecting plant life from the forest for Madam Pomfrey, handicapped by Luna occasionally going into day dream mode whilst staring at an unusual looking flower. Ron and Hermione spent the day in the library, with a break half way through the day outside in the grounds for Ron so he didn't go insane. Draco and Hannah weren't seen all day and Harry and Ginny walked around the parameter of the grounds hand-in-hand talking.
At dinner Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Neville spoke about the things they'd got up to during the day. Harry wasn't surprised at Neville's activities given his interest in plants but was interested in Luna's ability to use those plants for medicine and he was certainly not surprised at Hermione carrying on the research on detecting the polyjuice potion.
After dinner, everyone pretty much broke up into couples as had happened during the day. Eventually only Harry and Ginny were left in the common room, sharing an armchair together. Both with their eyes closed and smiles on their faces.
Harry woke up to find Ginny's head resting against his chest. He smiled down at her sleeping and gently purring like a cat. His smile grew wider, knowing what form Ginny's animagus would be.
Ginny started stirring. "Morning sleepy," Harry said as Ginny looked up at him.
"Mmm… what time is it?"
"It's about six I think, time for a run before breakfast," replied Harry.
"Okay, I'll go up and change. I'll be back in five minutes."
Ginny got up and disappeared up to the girl's dormitory, while Harry went up to his dormitory.
Fifteen minutes later they were both on the quidditch pitch doing their exercises.
When Harry and Ginny got back to the entrance hall, Susan Bones met them.
"My Aunt's left for The Ministry," informed Susan.
"There's no need to worry Susan, I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm sure Dumbledore will make sure anything left at your house will be moved to my house," replied Harry.
"Do you know when the press conference will be finished?" Susan asked.
"No but it still might be a while until we hear what the Wizengamot has decided to do."
"Thanks Harry. Will you let me know as soon as you hear anything?"
"Yes, no problem."
Harry and Ginny then went back up to their dorms to get changed.
The rest of the day was spent between the common room, the room of requirement and the library. Susan Bones joined the crowd after meeting up in the library. Everyone not being able to concentrate on anything for long, including Harry, and everyone waiting for the result of Fudge's press conference and the Wizengamot.
Harry was busy trying to revise for his exams tomorrow with everyone making up tasks for him to do and asking questions.
At about twenty past eight in the evening, Dumbledore's phoenix appeared out of thin air and landed next to Harry.
"Fawkes ! " exclaimed Harry. He got up and untied the note from Fawkes' leg. After a brief pause while Harry read the note he said, "erm… congratulations Susan… your Aunt has been made Minister Of Magic…"
"Bloody hell ! " exclaimed Ron, "no offence Susan," added Ron quietly.
"Thank you Harry…" replied Susan.
Harry put his hand up, "… and congratulations to Ron and Ginny… your Dad has also been made Minister Of Magic ! "
"Bloody hell ! " exclaimed Ron again.
"Ron, Ginny, your Dad has been placed in charge of the general day to day running of the Ministry and Susan, your Aunt has been placed specifically in charge of all security and law enforcement," finished Harry.
"Great ! " exclaimed Ron and Ginny together.
"My aunt was already doing that job," complained Susan.
"Yes but now she's in charge without having Fudge stopping her," explained Harry.
"I suppose so. Congratulations Ron, Ginny," Susan finished and exited the room.
"Well, I suppose we'd best call it a night." And with that, they all made their way back to their dorms.
"Bloody hell Harry, are you sleeping with the whole library ? " asked Ron, stunned at the sight of Harry in bed with all his transfiguration books.
"Er ? " was Harry's reply.
"Come on mate. You've got to get up. Long day today."
"Give me a minute," replied Harry.
When Harry had got dressed, they both went down for breakfast in the great hall, talking about Harry's impending Transfiguration exams.
"I still haven't asked Dumbledore about the book reading thing," said Harry as they sat down at the table, "I never got the chance yesterday."
"You have to find out ! I need to know how to do that ! "
Harry grinned at Ron and tucked into his breakfast.
Harry's stomach felt like a butterfly exhibit in a botanical garden after breakfast so he decided to meditate to calm his nerves.
Professor McGonagall came into the hall with a formidable looking woman following quickly behind, trying to keep up with her.
"All ready Potter ? " asked the professor.
"Yes Professor, I'm ready."
"This is Examiner Murtarg, she has come from the Ministry to invigilate your exams. The first exam will be the Transfiguration theory exam and will be held in my office. Clear ? "
"Yes Professor."
Professor McGonagall turned and left the hall, Harry and the examiner following quickly behind.
When Harry got to Professor McGonagall's office, he noticed that it had changed since the last time he was there. 'It had probably been transfigured just for his exam', he thought. The room seemed bigger and brighter and all the professor's personal belongings had been moved, hidden or locked away somewhere.
Harry was instructed to sit at a little desk in the middle of the room, all ready laid out with the exam paper, ink bottle and quill. He sat down and stared at the paper wondering whether he'd do alright, until the professor laid a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I'm sure you'll do just fine Mr Potter," she said and left the room.
Harry and the examiner stared at each other until he heard the clock near the hospital wing chime.
"You may start. You have exactly three hours. No talking, verbally or mentally. No cheating of any kind. Understood ? " Examiner Murtarg asked.
Harry, wondering whether this was a trick question, being told he couldn't speak unless being asked a question, just nodded in return.
Harry, put a hand on the exam paper to turn it over and suddenly felt all the questions rush into him. As soon as he looked at the first question, the answer came to him as though his mind had already sorted through all the questions and organised all the answers for him.
Harry smiled and began to write.
An hour later Harry had just crossed the half way mark in his exam.
He lifted his head. The examiner was writing something down. 'Probably a report on how I cheated on the exam', Harry thought.
Harry put his head down with even more determination to finish his exam paper. Even with his best friend's Dad as one of the new Minister's Of Magic, he still found it hard to trust anyone from the Ministry, especially after Umbridge !
Another hour later, Harry had finished his exam. He turned back to the beginning and read through all the questions again. He noticed a few strange things about a lot of the questions. As he read through the questions, he noticed that nearly half the questions weren't on the curriculum.
'That's odd,' Harry thought, 'These must be seventh year NEWT questions.'
"Erm.. Examiner Murtarg? I've finished."
The examiner looked up at Harry, then walked from behind Professor McGonagall's desk to collect the completed exam from Harry.
Before she collected the paper, she asked, "Are you sure you're finished ? Sure you don't want to look through it to check it ? "
"I'm sure Examiner. I've already checked through it, thanks," replied Harry.
The examiner took the exam paper and put it in a folder on Professor McGonagall's desk. "Now Harry, the headmaster gave me instructions to send you to his office as soon as you'd finished so you'd better go."
"Thank you," Harry replied and he left the office.
While Harry was walking along the corridor, Harry's mind was swelling with questions. Questions about his ability to read books whilst sleeping. Questions about the exam he'd just taken. Questions about the exam he would be taking later. Questions about his other exams.
Before he knew it, he was standing outside the headmaster's office. He was just trying to think what kind of sweet Dumbledore had used for the password this time when the gargoyle bowed to Harry and moved to the side letting him pass.
Harry ascended the staircase and as if by magic, the door to the headmaster's office swung open.
"Ah Harry. Please come in. Sit down," Dumbledore said, "unless you've got a time turner I take it you've finished your Transfiguration exam?"
"Yes sir… err… about the exam that is, not the time turner," Harry replied.
"Is there anything you would like to tell me Harry?" Dumbledore said, looking over his half moon spectacles.
"Yes sir. I've been meaning to see you about a few thing sir. I've found out I have the ability to read books when I'm sleeping. Do you know how I'm doing it sir ? "
"Mmm… I think a little experiment is in order."
Dumbledore rose up and walked over to one of his bookshelves. He looked over to Harry for a moment, as if deciding what to do, and reached out for a book. The book looked very old, almost as if it was too old to be in English. It also looked as if it was extremely delicate and would fall apart as soon as Harry touched it.
"I would like you to take this book back to your dormitory and lock it in your chest. Tonight, remove it from your chest and sleep with it. Come and see me again tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."
"But sir, I have classes then," Harry said.
"Don't worry Harry. If I'm right, you won't need to go to your classes anymore. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay sir. Thanks," replied Harry wondering what his Headmaster meant by 'not needing to go to anymore classes'.
Harry waited for a few seconds before deciding that Dumbledore had indeed finished the conversation and was not going to expand on why he wouldn't need to go to anymore classes and he left to take the book back to his dorm.
When he got there, he sat on his bed and looked at the first few pages of the book. The pages were in English at least. The content of the pages were still difficult to understand however. It appeared as though the book was about some sort of ancient South American magic Harry had never heard about.
'Well, this should be interesting,' Harry thought to himself as he hid the book in the depths of his trunk.
Just as he closed and sealed his trunk someone entered the dorm making Harry jump.
"Oh… Professor, sorry."
"It's okay Potter. I'm just here to tell you that your practical Transfiguration exam will be straight after lunch in the Great Hall. Okay?"
"Yes Professor," Harry replied. Before he managed to get any questions out, Professor McGonagall had left the dorm leaving Harry on his own.
Harry went back to his trunk, took out the book Dumbledore gave him and sat down on his bed. He opened the book at chapter one and started reading.
Harry had completely lost track of time when Neville burst through the door.
"Oh, Harry. Didn't know you were here! Just came to collect my Salvia Divinorum. I want to show it to Professor Sprout. I think Professor Trelawney might be interested in this as well!"
Neville collected his plant. "Well, see you later."
"Yeah, see you later Neville."
Harry put the book back in his trunk and left the dormitory to go down to the great hall for lunch.
"So what's the book about Harry ? " asked Hermione. Ron rolled his eyes skywards, Harry chuckled.
"I think Dumbledore chose the perfect book for me to fall asleep with. It looks to be about the history of South American magic. I got the impression this book isn't in the school library either."
"Oh ! Can I have a look at it ? "
"Sorry Hermione. I've got to give it back to Dumbledore tomorrow morning."
After nearly an hour of talking to his friends, including Ginny, Harry waited patiently in the great hall for his practical Transfiguration exam to start. He expected to be nervous but his progress in his theory exam gave him a new found confidence.
Professor McGonagall and Examiner Murtarg entered the hall. Professor McGonagall swished her wand and the house tables and benches moved to the sides of the hall, which was quite a shock to Harry as he was still sitting down on one of the benches.
Harry stood up, slightly shaken, as the two staunch women approached him.
"Mr Potter, you will now be taking the practical part of your Transfiguration exam. Examiner Murtarg will be giving you the necessary instructions. Please follow those instructions as best you can. Okay?"
"Yes, Professor," replied Harry.
"Good luck. Please come to my office when you're finished." The Professor turned and exited the hall leaving Harry alone once more with the examiner.
"Right then Harry, there isn't any time limit for each individual test, however, there is a time limit of four hours for the whole exam. If you're not sure how to perform a particular transfiguration, just take your time. If necessary you can skip a transfiguration and if there's time you can go back and try it again. Do you understand?"
"Yes Examiner," replied Harry.
"At the end of the exam, you can try to gain extra credit by performing an advanced transfiguration that was not included in the exam. Okay?"
Harry smiled, he knew exactly what he could do and judging by the look on the Examiner's face, he knew what she was expecting.
"Right, shall we start?"
Harry nodded.
An hour into the exam Harry was beginning to get quite tired. It seemed as though he'd transfigured every known item in the world into something else and back again several times. He'd even transfigured benches and tables into animals he'd never seen before, only memorised from sleeping with his books, and then animated them. He was getting quite worried about being too tired to show off his Animagus skills.
"Okay Mr Potter, that's enough for the time being. You can have a rest while I fetch a volunteer for the next part of your exam."
'The next part!' Harry thought, 'what's next ? '
Ten minutes later in came Examiner Murtarg and …
"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed. Ginny gave a small wave to Harry.
"Harry, you will now begin the second and final part of your practical Transfiguration exam… Human Transfiguration."
'Oh God no ! ' Harry thought, 'what if I mess it up ? ' Harry nodded at the examiner.
Half an hour later Harry had finished and was allowed to rest once more. Ginny stayed with him whilst the examiner went off to the kitchen for refreshments.
"I'm glad I didn't mess things up. I was afraid I'd turn you into a rock or something and not be able to get you back ! "
"I never doubted you for a second Harry," Ginny replied, cuddling up to Harry and giving him a peck on his cheek.
"I'm glad it's over. That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'd have preferred to go up against Voldemort again ! "
"Don't speak like that Harry ! " exclaimed Ginny, "I don't want to think about you going up against him ! "
"Unfortunately it's something I can't avoid," said Harry quietly.
Examiner Murtarg came back into the great hall with a small jug of pumpkin juice and a couple of glasses. "Here you are Harry, sorry it took so long, the house elves took some convincing to allow me to bring you the juice. Have a good drink then you can show me your Animagus form. Minerva told me you'd learned the art but wouldn't tell me what form you'd take. It's very rare to see a student of your age perform such an advanced art."
"Thank you Examiner," Harry said taking a drink.
Once Harry had been refreshed, he gave Ginny a knowing smile and transformed into his Golden Griffin form. The examiner gasped with her hand over her mouth and Ginny knelt down and started stroking Harry. Harry started purring contently under Ginny's touch and the examiner joined Ginny in stroking Harry.
"This is marvellous ! " the examiner exclaimed, "Never before have I seen a magical Animagus form ! "
Ginny stood up and took a couple of steps back, concentrated and transformed into her Animagus form.
"Oh my ! " the examiner exclaimed. There seemed to be an echo as "Oh my ! " repeated. Harry looked over by the door and noticed Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore enter the hall. He noticed Dumbledore performing a spell on the door, presumably locking it, and moved his attention to Ginny.
Harry could see the ecstatic joy on the faces of his piers and smiled within. Ginny rubbed up against Harry and the both flopped over on the floor playing like two huge golden kittens.
"Oh my ! Oh my ! " the examiner kept repeating, "I'm never going to forget this… Two Golden Griffin Animagi ! Full marks… full marks ! "
Dumbledore chuckled, tiers forming in his eyes as he too knelt down to stroke both Harry and Ginny's fur.
Harry made a mewling sound and he and Ginny stood up. Harry circled the group, stretched his wings and took off effortlessly into the magical sky of the great hall. Ginny watched, stretched her wings but didn't take off, instead she transformed back into her human form as Harry came down to land next to her. As soon as Harry landed, he too transformed back into his human form.
"Harry Potter what are you doing teaching another student how to transform ! " Professor McGonagall chided him, then, out of nowhere, she embraced him. "I'm so proud of you, both of you ! "
Dumbledore turned to Examiner Murtarg, "How did Harry do on his exams Phidelma ? "
"Outstanding ! " Examiner Murtarg said shaking her head, "Never in all my years as an examiner have I seen such an outstanding display of talent in Transfiguration. Multiple transfigurations with and without a wand. If there was a higher mark than outstanding, I'd give it." The examiner turned to Harry, "Very well done Mr Potter, you've made my day. You'll make an outstanding Auror ! Thank you."
Harry was gob smacked, 'Auror?' he thought, 'Wow!'
Dumbledore unlocked the door and the examiner left the hall with Professor McGonagall.
Harry turned to Dumbledore and was about to speak when Dumbledore raised his hand, "Harry, Phidelma Murtarg was from the Auror department in the Ministry. She's responsible for running the entrance exams for the Auror Academy. Your exams today will go towards your N.E.W.T.'s and your entrance into the Academy as will all your future exams."