Chapter 27 - Early Exams

Harry awoke the morning after his transformation, Sunday, (the day before his exams began), feeling intensely aware of something. He could not put his finger on what it was. He reached for his glasses, only to find them already in his hand. Shaking himself slightly, he looked around for his wand, and again he soon felt it in the palm of his hand. Definitely perturbed now, he rose, dressed and headed down to the common room.

There was a small clamour of Gryffindor sixth years, who were all chattering excitedly around a notice on the wall. Neville beckoned him and pointed at the note, which Harry read.

"All Gryffindor sixth years should be aware that they may have the weekend off school after the exams are over. This may be spent in Hogsmeade or with family."

Harry looked up to see Ron grinning at him from the other side of the room, and Harry went over to him.

"Read the note?" Ron asked happily.

Harry nodded. "Yeah I did, and I was thinking, would you want to come to Godric's Hollow again?"

Ron looked up at him quickly. "That'd be great, but we've already been invited somewhere else!" Harry's eyes narrowed. Ron continued hastily. ""We" including you of course... we've been invited to head quarters! Apparently Remus wants to see us."

Harry smiled. "Yeah that sounds great. Is Hermione going too?" Ron's eyes narrowed slightly.

"No she isn't," he said quickly, and from the tone of his voice Harry could tell that this didn't hugely upset Ron. Ron had all but admitted he still liked Hermione, but on the surface he was bubbling with a mixture of jealousy from the Aniservian charm, love for Hermione and depression at their breaking up. However he was desperately trying to keep any hint of a moan out of his voice, so as to keep any chance of getting together with Hermione again open.

Harry cast around for another topic. "Is the exam timetable up? Surely it must be?"

"Nah, we're getting it at breakfast," said Ron, who rose to his feet. "Reckon we should go look?" Harry nodded, grateful that Ron had taken the bait and they headed down to the main hall for breakfast.

It was a cold day, and the enchanted sky above the hall was covered with dull grey clouds. The Gryffindor table, (along with the rest of the hall), was empty and Harry and Ron walked straight to the far end of the room, by the staff table, to a small pile of papers. Routing through the pile, they soon found their own timetables, and then sat down to examine them. Harry looked carefully down at his.

Monday 28th March: PM Charms

Tuesday 29th March: AM Potions PM Transfiguration

Thursday 31st March: AM Herbology PM Defence against the dark arts.

Harry looked up from his timetable, to see Ron frowning at his.

"Ah, I have an exam on Friday!" he said, exasperatedly, "Care of ruddy Magical Creatures! I'll kill Hagrid!"

Harry laughed. "I get to finish on Thursday!" Ron scowled at him. Harry coughed nervously before hastily changing the subject. "Hey, that's Dawlish!"

"What?" said Ron. Harry was looking down the room and through the small bit of the door to where Dawlish, an Auror, was standing. He was obviously waiting for someone. Harry and Ron crept down the hall, out of side of the Auror, and stood behind the door. After a few seconds they were rewarded with the sounds of swift approaching footsteps, and a curt greeting.

"Good morning Dawlish," came Snape's voice from behind the door, and Harry had to hit Ron to stop him from saying anything.

"Good morning Snape," Dawlish replied, and Harry watched their shadows shaking hands. "I don't suppose you know where Professor Dumbledore is do you? I'm afraid I need to talk to him."

"No I don't," Snape replied apologetically, "may I ask why you need to see him?"

"You may," Dawlish agreed amicably, "it's just that we have received information that Karkaroff has been spotted in a small town in Wiltshire, and I was wondering whether Dumbledore knew anything about it."

"Karkaroff?" Snape seemed riveted by this news. "Well I certainly didn't know that... that's very interesting..." Snape trailed off. "Is there any other reason you need to speak to the Headmaster?"

"Well I was just generally wondering if he knew anything about he-who- must-not-be-named," said Dawlish simply, "he's been very quiet and we have very little information about his army or who he is trying to recruit."

Snape took no time in replying. "Well I may be able to help you there..." he said, and he and Dawlish walked straight into the main hall. Snape froze as he spotted Harry. "Potter! What are you doing here?"

"Having my breakfast, sir," Harry responded sarcastically, "Or am I in the wrong room?"

"Ten points from Gryffindor!" Snape replied angrily, "and if you are ever so insolent again Potter it will be fifty. Now get out of my sight!"

Harry needed no second bidding. He and Ron scooted out of the room and up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower. Ron turned to Harry.

"What was that all about?"



Harry and Ron, who had wasted no time telling Hermione what had happened, spent the rest of the day, and the following morning between revising Charms and talking about Snape.

Harry found, much to his surprise, that his revision was going brilliantly. He had been able, since his successful transformation, to perform any spell that Hermione could read off the syllabus. Hermione had been just as puzzled by this as he was, until Harry remembered what Dumbledore had said after that day in the chasm of life.

"So you've gained extra magic power now?" said Hermione, in a tone Harry couldn't understand.

"Apparently..." he said slowly, not quite sure what to expect.

"Well that's just typical!" Hermione burst out shrilly, causing a few first years behind her to jump violently. Ron looked at her, startled, but he had no chance to interrupt. "I work really hard for over five years, reading books, studying hard, and then you spend five minutes in that chasm and you've gained more than I have! It's not fair!" And with that she stood up and strode from the common room.

Ron caught Harry's eye, and Harry could tell that he was torn between amusement and concern, but amusement won. He let out a small laugh, which eased the tension of the common room, and people gradually got back to normal.

"Terrible thing, envy," remarked Ron dryly.

Harry laughed, before checking his watch. "We better go," he said to Ron, "the exam starts in fifteen minutes."

They went downstairs, where they were called in by name. Hermione wasn't speaking to them, and she was called in much earlier than either of the previous two. Harry went when his name was called and, as these were only school exams rather than national qualifications, he was assigned to Professor McGonagall.

It went really well. Like in revision he was able to perform all the charms to perfection. Even Professor McGonagall was surprised and gave him a broad smile before he departed.

Ron had not fared so well. He came back ashen faced, saying nothing except muttering something to do with "would be ok". Harry said nothing, and did not voice aloud the possibilities that Ron could have meant, suffice to allow himself a small smile.

His potions exam the next day was not as bad as it could have been. Unlike his other branches of magic, gaining magical potency could not top up Harry's potion-making skills. However, he felt afterwards that it was not his worst potions exam, and was very confident with at least two of the four potions he'd had to make.

His other exams however, went as flawlessly as the charms exam had. He breezed through his transfiguration, but at a shrewd glance from Professor McGonagall, he neglected to show off his Animagus form. In Herbology he handled all the plants correctly, and succeeded in producing the largest amount of Gridulwa milk in the previous ten years of exams. In his defence against the dark arts exam, he was yet against asked by an examiner to demonstrate the Patronus charm, which Harry happily did.

Ron, after his initial struggling at Charms, had done even worse at Herbology, but had managed to do very well in transfiguration and care of magical creatures. His defence against the dark arts was the exam he was most confident on, or so he said.

And so it was, that on the Saturday morning, Harry found himself facing a weekend at Grimmauld place. He, Ron and Ginny headed down early on Saturday morning to Hogsmeade, and found their way through to the fireplace at the three broomsticks. After Ron and Ginny, with their luggage, had disappeared, Harry stepped into the fireplace.

"Number 12, Grimmauld Place!"