Harry Potter and the Different Life Chapter 8: NEWTs, a harry potter fanfic

Disclaimer: The last time I checked I did not own Harry Potter. However, who knows, it might have changed.

Chapter 07: N.E.W.T.s

June 4th, 1985

It had been almost two years since Harry had become the heir to head of the family of the Potter, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Black, and Slytherin Houses. From the Slytherin bloodline's tapestry, they discovered that Harry became the head of Slytherin at the death of both Lily Potter and the former head of the family a Tom Marvolo Riddle, who had died on the same day as his mother. All they had discovered of the latter was that he had been the Head Boy at Hogwarts in the 30's; he was the son of Merope Gaunt the little sister of Morfin Gaunt Lily's great-grandfather. Lily's squib grandfather was the result of Morfin Gaunt who had apparently got so drunk at a pub one night that he then slept with a muggle woman not ever remembering it, she later gave birth to a baby boy that the Evans family adopted raising it as their own. As far as their search proved Morfin died without knowing he had a son, while imprisoned in Azkaban for the murder of the Riddles.

His sister Merope Gaunt had married the muggle Tom Riddle and he had apparently abandoned her upon discovering that she was a witch. She died giving birth to her son that she named Tom Marvolo Riddle, Tom Riddle for his father and Marvolo for her own grandfather.

What Tom Riddle did after Hogwarts all they could find, was that he disappeared until his death on the same day as the Potters.

As for being the Heir of the Black family, they had it done that day at Gringotts when Sirius on the way out asked Harry if he wanted to be formally adopted. As he already had the blood of Black running through his veins after a ceremony done by his parents and Sirius when he believed he would never get the opportunity to have his own child. Sirius said that this would also help in case Dumbledore ever decided he wanted to place Harry back with his muggle relatives, as Harry was still a ward of the Headmaster since Moody had technically kidnapped him and not adopted him. Harry had agreed and became Harry James Potter-Black.

However, that was long time ago right now the nine year old Harry and Nym were looking for the things they would take with them to Hogwarts the following day when they would start taking their NEWTs.

"Hey Nym, have you seen my katana? I'm trying to find it so we can practice while at Hogwarts." Spoke a green haired, pink-eyed half-blend between Nymphadora Tonks and Harry Potter-Black.

"Nope, but I have mine here." Spoke Nym while holding up a meter long practice katana.

"Nymi, that's mine." Spoke the kind-of Harry from behind her.

"It is? You sure?" Nym spoke uncertainly while looking closer at the sword in her hands.

"Nymphadora, have you finished packing? I see that Harry is still packing." Spoke the voice of an amused Remus Lupin behind them. Turning around both Harry and Nym saw that both Remus and Sirius where in the doorframe of the room they were currently occupying.

"Err...I'm not finished packing, can't you see me doing that right now?" Nym asked confusedly from besides the suitcase. This confused both werewolf and animagus until they looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Harry, why don't you make the rings show?" An amused Sirius Black questioned.

Looking between the two adults wondering what they were on about, Harry concentrated on making the rings that he knew to be in his fingers appear, after a few seconds he noticed that the rings were not appearing even when they were supposed to appear with just a thought. Thinking it to be some sort of prank from his Godfather Harry asked, "What did you do Padfoot?"

"Mr. Padfoot denies any knowledge of wrong doing, Ms. Wingclaw." Sirius answered Harry. At those words looks of horror appeared on both Harry and Nym's faces. They looked at each other and Nym looked at her hand were five rings appeared on her fingers and both looks of horror intensified causing the two Marauders to burst into laughter at the predicament of their two young charges.

Unfortunately, for the two older men they failed to notice the two young people mutter words under their breaths and the soft glow that enveloped them, as they continued laughing. It was only when their laughter raised a few octaves that they stopped and look at each other and noticed that they where now female versions of each other.

While still looking like Nym the freshly rediscovered Harry looked at Moony and said, "So that you may have a taste of forgetting who you are, Ms. Padfoot. Beside you stands the formerly known as Mr. Padfoot, the newly minted Ms. Moony. You will both look like a female version of the other for the next week, do enjoy." Finishing with those words both Harry and Nym abandoned the room in laughter heading towards the kitchen and a late breakfast.

It was five hours later while at lunch that both Remus and Sirius finally came out of their room, hunger having overruled embarrassment. When both women entered the kitchen, the entire conversation stopped as the three other adults looked at the two former males. The silence that lasted a few minutes, aside from the snickers coming from Harry and Nym, was broken when Andromeda spoke, "Do I even want to know?"

In what surprised them even more the female Sirius spoke: "Probably not, but be assured that vengeance will belong to the Marauders, this embarrassment will not be forgotten."

"Cuz, since when have you known such big words?" Asked an amazed Andromeda, causing the female Remus to glare at her whiles both young children burst into laughter.

"Mom," Spoke Nym between laughter, "The one who looks like Sirius is Remus, and the one that looks like Remus is Sirius." Her words spoken she collapsed to the floor in uncontrollable laughter at the glare sent by the two 'women'.

Opening his mouth Sirius noticed another part of the prank that he and Moony had not noticed before, "Ms. Moony officially declares this attack a prank war between Ms. Wingclaw & Mr. Shadowfang against Ms. Padfoot & Ms. Moony."

"Ms. Padfoot agrees and supports Ms. Moony's challenge." Remus spoke from beside Sirius.

"Mr. Shadowfang accepts Ms. Moony's challenge." Harry spoke.

"Ms. Wingclaw accepts Ms. Moony's challenge." Nym spoke.

"Mr. Shadowfang as the challenged would like to place the condition of the war not starting until after the NEWTs."

"Ms. Wingclaw agrees with Mr. Shadowfang's condition."

"Ms. Moony accepts Mr. Shadowfang's condition."

"Ms. Padfoot accepts Mr. Shadowfang's condition. Ms Padfoot also suggests that the war start on July 1st, 1985, after a month of war Mrs. Andy, Mr. Ted and Mr. Mad-Eye will decide the winner."

"Mr. Shadowfang accepts on Marauders' honor."

"Ms. Wingclaw accepts on Marauders' honor."

"Ms. Padfoot accepts on Marauders' honor."

"Ms. Moony declares Marauders' Challenge started."

"July is going to be a long month." Ted says in a resigned voice.

Just like two years previously a man and a woman make their way into Hogwarts. Both looking almost identical, the only differences being that the male one stood at one point eight hundred and seventy nine meters tall, and his companion at one point six hundred and twenty five meters tall with a slight but notice able swell at her bust line. Aside from that, they both had the same silver-grey eyes and long black hair. When they made their way into the Great Hall, it was apparent that this time unlike the last the Headmaster had announced their coming.

"Mr. and Ms. Tonks, welcome once more to Hogwarts, you're schedules will be given to you on the morrow and you may once more choose where you wish to stay for the duration of your testing."

"We thank you Headmaster," Spoke Orion.

"We'll stay in the same place as the last time," Added Cassiopeia.

"With the current seventh year Gryffindors," Finished Orion as they made their way to the Gryffindor table where they saw their red-haired friend, with another red haired boy at his side.

"Wotcher Bill" they spoke at the same time as they sat across from their friend.

"Been a long time," he spoke as he looked at the two friends he had made two years ago, "This here's my little brother Charlie, doing his OWLs now."

"Wotcher Charlie," Nym said.

"Have you made your will?" Harry asked the younger brother.

"My will…? Why would I need to do that?" asked a confused Charlie.

"Bill, didn't you tell him?" Nym asked in a surprise voice.

"What didn't he tell me?" Asked a now slightly scared, Charlie Weasley.

"Well, we're not supposed to talk about it, but during the DADA test you have to fight a dragon without a wand and most people die, very few pass that test." Harry said in a low conspiratorial tone while looking from side to side as if looking for spies.

"WHAT!", Screamed Charlie. "Are you serious?"

Looking at each other in mock confusion Nym and Harry once more speak at the same time, "No, he's our cousin though. We're Orion and Cassiopeia/Tonks." In the last part while Harry said Cassiopeia, Nym said Tonks and glared at Harry for using her other hated name, while Harry completely disregarded the glare all together.

"Yes, Charlie you have to wrestle a dragon without a wand." Bill said catching on to, what his two friends were trying to do.

"That is so spiffingly wicked!" A delighted Charlie Weasley said. Which confused all other three but Harry was more concerned with whether or not spiffingly was an actual word or not.

"You're actually delighted about fighting a dragon?" Nym spoke.

"Who wouldn't be? They're so much fun and extremely playful too!" Spoke the excited young boy.

"Dear brother, I think our prank backfired." Nym said to the distracted looking Harry, who kept muttering under his breath 'spiffingly wicked', until Nym abruptly elbowed him in the side.

"No matter, Bill, we were told to give you this, you may read it now, but we cannot speak of it until later when there aren't other people around." Harry said while taking out a black envelope from one of the pockets of his coat.

Looking at the envelope Bill reads:

William WilsonWeasley

Gryffindor Table, Great Hall

Hogwarts, Scotland.

Bill also notices the seal on the letter was a staff over some weird instruments with a large M in the background, which kept fading and reappearing.

"Only you can read the letter, everyone else will see a blank piece of parchment." Nym said from in front of Bill. Opening the letter, he read:

Mr. William Wilson Weasley,

You have been formally recommended to join the Department of Mysteries by Unspeakable Class S Agent Orion Polaris Tonks-Black von Ravenclaw and Unspeakable Class S Agent Cassiopeia Andromeda Tonks-Black von Ravenclaw. Be assured that this letter and the contents of it are a Level 15 Class Omega secret, the reveling of its contents can and will be punishable by a Dementor's Kiss. Should you wish to accept a position within our department give your yay or nay? To either of the agents mentioned within this letter. Should your NEWT scores prove to be as high as your OWLs, you will undergo Basic Unspeakable training for three years and afterwards specialized training in whichever inter-department you wish to take part in, this will last from two to six years depending on the severity to master the work required in this section. If you choose to accept this offer, you would always be on call to the Department even after your retirement, if a dire situation comes up that requires us to call upon your expertise. Other conditions may apply that will be explained if you chose to accept this offer and obtain the required marks.

Yours sincerely,

Head of the Unspeakables Jasoph Rendak

Bill reread the letter five times before he looked up at his two friends. At the request of his inquiring eyes, they both pulled out small badges that looked like the seal on the letter but at the same time distinctly different.

"Only you can see it since you are holding the letter, everyone else will see our hands empty." Harry inquires, "What do you say?"

"Yay," Bill answers instantly noticing magic spreading through him, along with the weight of the envelope becoming heavier.

They disembark immediately after supper and make their way to an unused classroom. There Bill turns the envelope upside down and a black dragon hide wallet falls out. When he opens it, Bill finds a badge that has the same symbol as the envelope with 'A' in the background instead of 'M'. Across from the badge is a small card that has a picture of him and beside its written:

Name: William Wilson Weasley

Skill Rank: Unspeakable-in-Training

Class: F

Age: 17

Eye color: Blue

Height: 2 Meters

Hair: Maroon

"The ID card will state your statistics, but you can change everything from your name to your physical looks, other Unspeakables will see the true stats but everyone else will see the alteration. Any physical or magical changes to your appearance will automatically update your picture and data. Like if you're hiding as a muggle law enforcement officer the badge will change into whichever branch you're pretending to be, all of this will be explained in the basic training," explains Nym.

"Rest assured that normally you would not be privy to any of this information until after your results are in, but we have faith in the fact that you can do it," encourages Harry.

"So you two aren't really here to take your NEWTs are you? You're here to recruit?" Bill asks in a semi-disappointed tone, thinking that they were not here to be his friend, but were just looking to recruit him.

"No and kinda," states Nym.

"We are here to take our NEWTs-," adds Harry.

"-Recruiting was just a bonus-," continues Nym.

"-When we befriended you we thought you'd make a good Unspeakable so we recommended you and they've been observing you ever since," finishes Harry.

"How can you be Unspeakables if you haven't taken your NEWTs?" asks a bewildered Bill.

"We'll have to say special circumstances, when you become an Unspeakable, we'll tell you the truth until then we can't. But let's just say that we're too young to take them," Nym says evasively.

The following Morning they received their schedules:

Thursday June 6th, 1985

9am – 11:30amCharms Theory

2pm – 4:30pm Charms Practical

Friday, June 7th, 1985

9am – 11:30amDADA Theory

2pm – 4:30pm DADA Practical

Monday, June 10th, 1985

9am – 11:30am Divination Theory

2pm – 4:30pm Divination Practical

Tuesday, June 11th, 1985

9am – 11:30amAncient Runes

2pm – 4:30pm Muggle Studies

Wednesday, June 12th, 1985

9am – 11:30amCare of Magical Creatures Theory

2pm – 4:30pm Care of Magical Creatures Practical

Thursday, June 13th, 1985

9am – 11:30amHerbology

9pm – 12:30am Astronomy Theory & Practical

Friday, June 14th, 1985

9am – 11:30am Transfiguration Theory

2pm – 4:30pm Transfiguration Practical

Monday, June 17th, 1985

9am – 11:30amPotions Theory

2pm – 4:30pm Potions Practical

Tuesday, June 18th, 1985

9am – 11:30amArithmancy

2pm – 4:30pm History of Magic

On Thursday, the charms tests proved to be quite simple as they were far above NEWT level since before they had even attempted their OWLs. The DADA tests also proved undemanding for the two lifelong friends, as they have been training years to defeat the Dank Dork Moldywarts and his Stench Bringers Brigade.

Divination proved a bit tougher, but in the end, Harry was positive that he had passed after he predicted that the tester would be drenched in his own tea when a fraud ran into him. Luckily for Harry as the man was just about to fail him Trelawney came in and stumbled into the man drenching him in his own tea while saying that she had received a vision in which this would happen so she immediately made her way to the great hall in all haste to fulfill it. As the tea-covered man gives, Harry full marks for his prediction, Trelawney eyes turn from misty grey to violet before exiting the great hall to the sound of Harry's snickers. They had Nym pass using a smaller yet no less daring feat upon predicting that a golden-eyed raven would appear and peck the examiner on the head, which appeared as the examiner started to write the fail mark on her test.

Ancient Runes went effortlessly for both of them, as it was nothing but old languages, which they had been learning since the age of three. Muggle Studies was unproblematic as they both live with a muggle and their home is full of muggle things.

Care of Magical Creatures was a bit more complicated when they were required to show the proper care for a Thestral, which neither could see. Herbology's only difficulty proved to be when a Venomous Tentacula took a liking to Nym, failing to leave her alone through the entire test. Astronomy went without incident unless you mention the point when Harry turned to the examiner saying that he could not place Cassiopeia on the star chart, as she was only fifteen feet away from him.

Transfiguration proved to be an effortless exam for them both, especially with the demonstration of their sex-changing curse, the only invention of theirs created using Arithmancy. Potions turned out to be another of their trouble-free exams as it was one of their most favorite subjects, especially when they attempted to create stronger acids and potions that exploded.

Arithmancy proved to be a challenging but an enjoyable one for Harry, Nym found it to be the most complicated test of all. After finishing the History of Magic test, that both Harry and Nym swear that it is the exact same test as the OWL exam two years prior.

Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test scores

Pass Grades:

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:

Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

Orion Polaris Tonks-Black von Ravenclaw has achieved:

Ancient Runes O

Arithmancy O

Astronomy O

Care of Magical Creatures O

Charms O

Defense Against the Dark Arts O

Divination O

Herbology O

History of Magic O

Muggle Studies O

Potions O

Transfiguration O

Cassiopeia Andromeda Tonks-Black von Ravenclaw has achieved: