DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$ from this…
A/N: Sorry for the delay getting this one up.
Thanks for the reviews. To the reviewer who opined I'd hit 700 by Chapter 30. I hit 700 before this was posted. Wow!
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: BACK TO REALITY
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1988 - 16 WILLOW WAY, LOUGHTON, ESSEX, U.K.
Sirius had been released from St. Mungo's the day before with a clean bill of health, but orders to put on more weight and preferably in the form of muscle mass. Remus had been saying ever since that the Healer's must have missed something. While he did not doubt their diagnosis as to his physical condition, he childed Sirius that they completely missed in regards to his sanity, as Padfoot was certifiable before he was sent to Azkaban. Sirius retort had been that if that was the case, then perhaps they should rename the prison The Azkaban Institute for Treatment of Nutters, or the Squirrel Cage, as they collect nuts.
Sirius really had no place to go. True he was a free man and Head of an Ancient and Noble House. His family still owned - which meant he owned - several properties, but the only one not let out to a long term tenant was 12 Grimmauld Place London, his childhood home and a place he would rather see burned to the ground than live in ever again. As well as things were going with Sophie, he felt it was too soon to move in with her or vice versa. Remus had an inexpensive one bedroom and Sirius did not fancy sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future. In stepped Bob Granger.
Over the weeks, the two had become friends. They shared some mutual interests, most notably in three children currently inundating them with letter from Japan, but there were others as well. It turned out Bob was a prankster in his youth, just as Sirius was. The Grangers had a spare bedroom and reluctantly Sirius agreed to stay there for the time being. It was convenient in one respect. Two of the now five adults concerned with the welfare of three young children were living in the same place and the other three could get there far more easily than Robert could get to anywhere else. The five were meeting today to discuss a most recent letter from Rose, which had been in response to a previous letter from Robert.
It might have seemed odd weeks ago, but the presence of Mike Evans and his partner David Greengrass was seemingly normal to everyone not named Sirius Black or Sophie Tomkins. This was, in fact, the first time the two met the agents from Her Majesty's Government. But as Robert, Minnie and Remus seemed relaxed, the other two followed suit.
"Right then," Robert began. "For those of you who have not heard, the three finished one, two and three in their class in both magical an non-magical studies on the Mid-Year exams. They're over half way done."
"Been taking to my better half," Mike said. "If we could afford it, our younger ones would be there next year. Bloody brilliant from what you have told me."
"Twenty to twenty-five thousand Quid is a bit steep," Dave Greengrass nodded. "And that's just for two terms, not five. But yeah. Sounds better than Hogwarts, but Hogwarts is less expensive."
"It is markedly better in Defense," Minerva added. "That's due to two factors. First, they don't consider nearly as much magic as Dark as we do. More important, their Defense faculty has years in front of a class. For some reason, since about 1960 no professor has stayed on the job in that position at Hogwarts for more than eighteen months. Potions is better, but only because of the quality of instruction. The other spell casting classes are better only because they teach non-verbal and wandless casting practically from day one. Otherwise, they are comparable. The other magical courses are no better an no worse from what I observed.
"The real difference is in their non-magical education. Here, there isn't any. Hermione and the others would have not gone beyond their fifth or sixth year unless they did it on their own. There? The animosity that exists here in Britain towards Muggles is mostly due to ignorance. You should know that Muggle Studies, as we call it, is a required course all seven years on the Continent. Here, it is merely an unpopular elective."
"You told us about a third of all students at that school are from Europe," Remus said.
"About that," Minerva replied. "Harry, Hermione and Clarice are not just the only ones from Britain, they are the first in almost twenty years."
"Right then," Robert said. He had already reached the conclusion that the school was the best thing for the kids even if they would be college graduates or higher before they were twelve. "Rose agrees with our recommendation that we do not return the kids to the normal school in the fall. It would not be fair to them from an educational standpoint. They would be at secondary school level in classes with thirteen and fourteen years old and little Clarice would be seven, Hermione nine. And to send them back to Infants or Juniors? That would be a waste as well. Their age group is still learning arithmetic and according to Rose, they will have a year of Algebra by the time they get back. She thinks the 'socialization' issue can be overcome by fostering relationships with magical families rather than through school."
"And how would you placate the Education Boards?" Mike asked. "Schooling is compulsory here until they are sixteen and they have not disappeared into the magical void yet. They all have records."
"The school in Japan covers that. Our educational authorities will receive scores for their end of term exams that are based upon either tutored or home schooled examinations," Robert said.
"M-forges?"
"Arguably, but you did tell me that those are valid."
"They are. So that issue is a non-issue. Yet how will you deal with them being home all the time?"
Robert was not about to mention Sensei. He knew Sensei had some "projects" for them. He did not know what they were, but the impression he got was that they were not designed to allow idleness. "For now, Sirius has agreed to act as a minder for the kids once Remus starts up with you lot. I'm sure he can keep them busy."
"Ach!" Minerva said. "They'll burn the bloody house down, they will!"
"Oi!" Sirius said in protest.
"Next off," Robert pushed forward, "she also agrees that a more 'suitable' living situation is advisable. She likes Minnie's idea of using one of the Potter properties as they are heavily warded and one in particular is close to our Surgery."
"The fact that Hyde Park is across the way must have also be a part of it," Mike chuckled.
"There is that," Robert agreed. "And there's the fact that as Muggles, we can live there. It has Muggle services, including cable television, which was a bit of a shock to me."
"The Estate renovates the place every five years to keep it modern," Minerva said.
"Rose wonders whether we can be moved before the kids return," Robert added looking at Sirius and Remus.
"Shouldn't be a problem moving you out," Remus said.
"You may want to wait until they return to 'move in'," Sophie said. "I am sure your wife will have ideas in that regard."
Robert nodded in agreement. "One major argument in favor is the place is bloody huge. Sirius and Remus for that matter could live there in their own flats for all practical purposes. Plenty of privacy," Robert added winking at Sirius and Sophie who blushed at the veiled suggestion. "So. Any objections?"
There were none.
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1988 - SCHOOL DAY 1477 - WATANABE SCHOOL OF MAGICAL STUDIES, KYOTO JAPAN
Sensei watched in his invisible form as Harry and the rest of the class sat ashen face after what even he would have considered the most terrifying Defense Class on record. True, the students faced simulations. The terrifying beasts and wizards were not real, but they seemed quite real and quite deadly. Bloody hell, Sensei thought, if this was real, the Tri-wizard tournament was child's play! Under the circumstances, Sensei would have passed the whole class and was pleased that Professor Nagano had done so. Still … it was something to behold.
"You did well, Class," the Professor said (in Japanese). "So what have we learned today?"
"They're can be some really terrifying shit out there?" a student asked.
"Indeed," the Professor sighed. "Having again proved that to ask a dumb questions one must expect a dumb answer, even if it is honest. Try this then: What is the nature of courage?"
"The absence of fear?" a girl asked. Sensei felt she was borderline. She stood and fought but would have broken had the two on either side of her been killed or injured.
"It is the acceptance of fear," Harry said.
"Explain," the Professor continued.
"We knew this was not real, yet it was so real," Clarice added. "It was terrifying and yet - and yet we dealt with it."
"Very good. The warrior who says they fear not the coming battle is a fool. Fear is. You cannot hide from it. Courage is that part of character that prevents fear from consuming you. You want to curl into a ball and hope it all goes away, but you don't. You stand your ground and make it go away if you can. That is courage. To push through even when all seems hopeless, that is true courage. Fear is a part of life. It is how we deal with it - not how we ignore it - that defines the warrior. I am expecting great things from the lot of you when you sit your O.W.L.s in about two weeks. Overcome your fear and achieve your potential. Class dismissed."
Sensei remembered back to the time of the original Harry - assuming it was, because once time travel or time messaging, which was a better explanation of his existence proved possible, there was not real telling if his Creator was the original Harry Potter, or just another failed attempt. Odd that, Sensei thought. I might not even be a first! Harry after Harry may ave sent a me after me back to no avail. Then again, there is or was or will be not evidence of that. Damn does time suck!
But, this timeline was surely different. Sensei had to admit that aside from wandless magic and skills that were considered either unnecessary (mind magics) impossible to teach (wandless magic) or dark (several spells and ritual magic), in theory this school was not better than Hogwarts in terms of the scope of magic taught up to N.E.W.T. level. The overall quality of education was better where the two schools stood otherwise on equal stead. Then again, that was due more to the caliber of the overall faculty and lack of outside interference than anything else. McGonagall, Flitwick, Lupin and Sprout from his time would fit in well here. Most of the other professors he knew from his timeline would not. As this Harry was not taking Care of Magical Creatures, he had no real way to gage the Professors of that subject against Hagrid and, at this time, there was not real way to gage. Hagrid was just the groundskeeper and "game warden" for now and in the "original" timeline, he was not slated to become a professor until September of 1993, six years from now. As this Harry had not opted for that course…
Practically from the beginning of their Fifth O.W.L. year in magical studies (School Day 1204), the spell casting classes for the kids began introducing them to stave magic. The professors knew the 25 Full Summer Class had all received Staves ages ago when they climbed Fujiyama, and took advantage of the fact that the Class was actually ahead of the course work to begin to teach them about their new magical tool. Sensei learned that they waited until now for a variety of reasons. Basically as Second though Fourth Years, they still lacked the control and focus needed to use the staves to their maximum effect. As the original Harry never had a stave, this was new magic for Sensei.
He could see the utility in certain instances. Warding and Curse Breaking would be enhanced with such a tool. There was something to be said for spell casting without powering the spell with one's own magic. Under certain circumstances, stamina was a useful thing for a witch or wizard - especially in combat. The problem was that for a stave to work at maximum potential, it must be in contact with either a natural or magically enhanced surface at all times. That would work at distance, where the caster was outside of the range of a wand carrier and could rain a world of hurt down on his opponents without fear of a counter. Unfortunately, the original Harry almost always engaged an adversary at close range, well within wand fire. A stave would fix him to a spot when mobility could be the difference between victory and defeat and life and death. Still, it was a very powerful tool in the wizard arsenal and Sensei was pleased that the kids were learning about them.
The other thing that stunned Sensei was that the kids already had learned the Patronus Charm. All three were fully corporeal, and Harry's and Hermione's were the same as last time: a stag and an otter. Clarice's was a ram. True, while corporeal, the charms were still weak. That was a function of their true magical age and their charms would probably be quite powerful in five to ten real years. The Patronus was taught both in Defense (as it had many uses against dark creatures, magic and as a shield) and in Charms, for that what it was. As a pure charm, it was a secure way to send messages.
Sensei was also surprised that they were all learning to become animangi. This magic, that would allow them to assume an animal form at will yet retain their human intelligence, was not taught in Britain. Sensei knew it was hard to master. But as he watched the lessons which had begun in the Eight Term (half way through their Fourth Year), he began to wonder whether it was just the lack of good instruction that made it hard. Again, this was taught in both Defense and Transfiguration. The Transfiguration professor focused on benign creatures. Everyone had one and it was usually the one they mastered first. Such creatures, such as dogs, cats, birds and common rodents had uses in escape and stealth. It was a great way to get out of a bind - as had Peter Pettigrew - or gather information - as had a particularly annoying reporter named Rita Skeeter. But these forms were vulnerable to predation.
In Defense, the professors assisted in practicing the "Base" form, or their passive Spirit Animal. Defense, however, expanded upon the meditations and techniques to help the students find and perfect their "Warrior" form or aggressive Spirit Animal. Few ever perfected both forms, even with instruction. The "Warrior" form was always a powerful predator and could be used in a fight. Both forms were being taught wandlessly. No student had yet succeeded in transforming. Given their youth, this was hardly a surprise. What surprised Sensei is they all knew generally what their base form was going to be. He also knew every student was encouraged to continue both processed over the next year. To his surprise, the Professors said that over half of the students would probably succeed in achieving their "Base Form" sometime before the next summer.
Sensei told the kids and Rose that this could be a great advantage. If they achieved either or both forms before they turned eleven, they fell into a loophole in British Magical Law. Their transformations would be considered natural, a form of controlled accidental magic and they would be unregulated. For all others, becoming an animangus after that age was considered "unnatural" and a suspect sign of dark tendencies. Those people were required to register themselves with the Ministry for Magic. Sensei agreed it was a silly law, but added that most laws in the Wizarding World, or at least in Wizarding Britain began with silly and ended with down right insane.
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1988 - SCHOOL DAY 1490 - WATANABE SCHOOL OF MAGICAL STUDIES, KYOTO JAPAN
Rose was sitting in her floor's library / study room watch the children as they studied for their next exams. They were into their O.W.L.s, the magical equivalent of the O Levels back home (soon to become GCSEs). This Term, non-magical classes ended four weeks early and they had a three day exam period for those end of year exams. 88-4, those few who began as at Seventh Year non-magical, had the worst deal in a way. They did not take O Levels in this system. But they did have to take College Boards. Fortunately, those only lasted about six hours. Still, it was a lot to take in at once. The other years only had to worry about O.W.L.s as a career influencing examination.
She watched as her three favorite charges worked and worked and helped anyone who asked - at least where they were taking the same exams. They could still act their age. They still did. But here, in this room with their books opened, they had grown so much.
Coming here to be with them this month - as she had to remind herself that that was all the real time that had passed - was the best decision of her life. She had been with them through so much and watched them grow as students. She had learned more about magic and the world for that matter than she probably had her entire life and she had not missed a day of her babies lives. For now, she truly considered all three of them her children and they considered her their Mum.
She had tried not to mother them to death. She had to try, as there were twenty-three other children she had to help as well. Still, she had spent more time with Hermione at this school (and Harry and Clarice as well as the three were almost inseparable) than she had probably in the entire time since Hermione became her daughter. All three had arrived here cocooned in their own shells. All three had been friendless until those days when they met in the hospital. Harry had suffered from the worst forms of abuse imaginable at the hands of his former "care givers" and Clarice had lost the only family she had ever known and had seen both her parents die. The friendship that had formed before they came here had taken some of the edges off. The friendships and experiences they had here had seemed to erase the surface scars of their pasts.
Rose was no fool. She knew Harry would never forget the abuse he suffered. Clarice would never forget losing her folks. None of the three of them would ever forget the loneliness of being without friends. But the gaping wounds had healed. She had been there to watch over the healing and was glad. Had she stayed at home, she would have missed it and been confronted with a different Harry, Hermione and Clarice than the three who had left home.
Her kids were the top of this class. They were very competitive people. But as between the three of them, they were very, very supportive. The handful of kids who might be considered bullies at this school (the real bad ones never lasted a Term) knew better than to pick on any of these three because the other two were there as well. The Long Term Floor learned that fast, and learned that if you are nice to them, they will be there for you too. They stuck up for each other and all their friends and the school knew it. It seemed every first term as older students arrived and joined their year, there were a few who thought it their right to pick on the Long Terms, who were always younger. That lasted a couple of weeks or less.
The Floor was a tight group. They all helped each other. They all celebrated birthdays and holidays. They all considered each others' achievements a collective one. But they had leaders. Regardless of age, those leaders were Harry, Hermione and Clarice - and Clarice was the youngest on the floor by a noticeable margin. No one cared about that. Rose looked back on the "big bonding moment" as she thought of it. There was the before. Before there had been cliques on the Floor. Harry, Hermione, Clarice, the Donovans and McGonagalls were one. There were three others and a couple of students without one. Then, on Clarice's real Birthday, the Floor climbed Fujiyama together. It was never that way again. They somehow went from a collection of groups, to a collection of friends who were part of one Group.
The School had a Prefect system in place for all students who were not either in non-magical University or had passed their N.E.W.T.s and moved on to Masters Levels (Magical University). On very rare occasions, this honor had fallen to a Full Summer Student. For the most part, Prefects were fourteen years of age or older. There were two classes of Prefect, although no real distinction between them. Non-Magical ones where selected from students who were three years away from University studies. Magical ones were in their fifth year of magical studies. It was an honor to be a prefect. By that point, you were expected to be fluent in Japanese and were expected to enforce the school rules. It was rare for any student on a Full Term Floor to be made prefect as they were always younger than the yearlies - the students who attended two to four terms a summer.
Rose's Floor was a shock. When the Full Summer students finished their third year, two in 88-4 were selected as Non-magical Prefects. At the end of Fourth Year, four made Magical Prefect - a record. One was in 88-3 (Steven McGonagall) and the other three were Harry, Hermione and Clarice. As such, while young, they were very popular because they were more about fixing a problem than handing out punishments. Rose remembered a recent conversation that was soon Floor legend.
"You have a most interesting and abnormal group of students under your direction," Professor Genda said to Rose Granger and Emily Donovan.
"How so?" Rose asked.
"Let us begin with the fact that we've completed eight Terms this summer. You have the Full Term, First Year Magical English students. You began with twenty-five and you still have all. Every other major language Full Term section has had at least three drop out. Some leave from home sickness, others 'cause they're too young to cut it. You two have lost none.
"Let us add that Prefect Selection means you have six now: two in 88-4 as Non-magical selections and FOUR in 88-2 as magicals! To have two in a Full Term Floor is rare but has happened. But six? Including three under the age of nine with authority over any non-college or Masters level student? Not normal.
"Throw in their overall class performance. Given their actual ages, we've come to expect a certain average at or below overall average performance as the older Term Only students return. Yet the lot of them are top third or higher across the board?
"Whatever you're doing there, keep it up!"
The story was relayed to the entire floor that night in a special meeting. Brian Johnson from Canada yelled out "WE DON'T DO NORMAL!"
Rose beamed with pride as all her charges then voted and made that the floor motto. Harry, Hermione and Clarice were among the youngest, but had blossomed into the leaders of the floor and were respected beyond. Rose never saw that coming, but was so proud of those three and all her charges. She was definitely going to re-apply for next summer! Emily was not, so Rose was now thinking of Remus or Harry and Clarice's godfather as the magical counterpart for this tight knit group of high performing kids.
Rose watched in awe as the relationship between her three children evolved over time. Clarice was clearly the sister. She was a best friend, but she was now Harry's sister and to a slightly lesser degree Hermione's. The three were a team and a group one could not ignore, but a different dynamic was building between the other two. Thankfully, Rose thought, it did not matter. It had no effect on anyone one of the other's relationship with Clarice or hers with them.
She knew the school called Harry and Hermione "The Boyfriend and Girlfriend." They were always close. They were always holding hands and were not concerned about their occasional kisses on the cheek or forehead. The three were very close, but those two were even closer still. Harry and Hermione were now seen as a part of the place. No one teased them about their open displays of friendship or their close relationship with Clarice. But all knew that this Trio was a couple with their sister as an equal. They were all too young for romantic involvement. But Rose knew one day that bubble would burst. She had come to know all three children - including Hermione - so well. If Harry continued to grow as a person as he had, and if one day his relationship with Hermione really became romantic in nature, she would have no objection. Convincing Robert, however, might be an issue.
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1988 - HEATHROW INTERNATION AIRPORT, LONDON U.K.
"DADDY!" a voice called from the crowd exiting Customs. Robert Granger looked and saw a young girl with brown hair shooting towards him like a missile. He was soon being hugged by her, even though she was barely taller than his stomach.
"Tinkerbelle?" he asked.
"I've missed you so much, Daddy! Had Mum not been there … or Harry or Clarice? I don't know. I don't know if I could have done it."
"Missed you too, Princess. Have you grown?"
"Only a little, Daddy. Harry, though. He's a lot bigger!"
"Look at me?"
Hermione looked up.
"Little taller," Robert smiled. "Lost a bit of your baby fat and such. You look good, Sweetie."
"Thanks dad. Mind Body and Magic, that's what they say, you know."
"Indeed I do. Where's you're Mum?"
"There she is!" Hermione said. "Mum!"
Rose Granger appeared from the crowd with Harry and Clarice in tow for only a moment. As soon as they saw Robert, they too ran over dragging their bags behind them.
"Bloody hell, Harry …"
"Daddy! Language!" Hermione started.
"Give me a break," Clarice said. "He hasn't seen us in a month and we haven't seen him in ages and … Sissy, we know you can cuss like a sailor!"
"My daughter?" Robert began.
"One of the youngest Prefects," Clarice said. "I am the youngest. Older kids don't respond to the rule book. Good cussing and better hexing works!"
"I prefer just to cuss them out for being stupid enough to be caught," Harry added as he took hold of Hermione's hand by what was now instinct.
"You have definitely grown," Robert said.
"Six inches!" Harry replied proudly.
"Those potions worked miracles," Rose added as she arrived. She practically fell into Robert's arms. "God I've missed you!" she said pulling herself forward into a deep and long kiss.
"Missed you too," Robert said.
"Get a room," Clarice chided.
"What's that?" Robert asked with an eyebrow raised.
"It's what we young prefects say to older students snogging in broad daylight!"
Robert could not help but laugh. "And I intend to," he whispered to his wife.
"You'd better," she replied. "It may only have been a month for you but…"
"Regrets?"
"Only that you were not there, love," Rose replied. "I learned so much there. And I can speak Japanese. Good thing that, as they can't use that as a secret language," she whispered.
"Should I be worried?"
"Not really."
Robert nodded. "Right then! Car! Follow me."
"We moved?" Rose asked.
"Not yet, love. Minnie is still working out the details. After Disney."
Rose nodded.
The reunited family walked off in search of their car.
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1988 - 16 WILLOW WAY, LOUGHTON, ESSEX, U.K.
The muti-purpose pulled into the short drive before the house the kids and Rose had left a month ago in real time but had not seen in over 1,500 days for them. Each pulled their bags out of the back and dragged them behind them. Although they had yet to say anything to Robert, each was packed with presents that they had bought for him, Remus, Sirius and Minerva.
They entered the front door and there was a huge banner on the wall in the main living room proclaiming "WELCOME HOME!"
"They're here," a voice called out. The kids were still getting used to being in the room when four adults entered. Minerva led the group followed be Remus, Sirius and Sophie, although Harry and the others had forgotten her name by now.
"You're better?" Harry asked looking at Sirius.
"Well enough to get out of the Hospital, Harry. And my my if you didn't sprout a bit. You all look - erm …"
"I believe the word is fit," Minerva said.
Rose snorted. "Kind of hard not to get into shape at that school."
Sirius hugged his godchildren and then Hermione. The hugs continued until the only adult who had not hugged them was Sophie.
"Erm, I'm sorry," Harry said to her, "but I forgot your name. I remember you were Sirius's Healer or something."
Sophie smiled at him. "I am pleased you remember that, Harry. I know you four have been away a long time. Thanks. I'm Sophie."
"Pleased to meet you again, Sophie," Harry said.
"Likewise," Hermione and Clarice added.
"So - erm - are you here to keep an eye on Sirius?"
The adults, save Rose, began to chuckle.
"She's keeping more than just an eye on the Old Dog," Remus said. Noting the confused look on the children's faces he added, "they're dating."
"They're not going to get all kissy face, are they?" Clarice asked.
"You kiss Harry all the time," Rose observed. "As does Hermione."
"Not on the lips, that's icky! Besides, he's my brother."
"And what is Hermione then," Sirius asked.
"Shouldn't have asked her that one," Rose whispered.
"Well, if you believe all the others at school, she's his girlfriend."
Hermione and Harry blushed but did not deny the fact that it was what everyone thought.
"I of course know better," Clarice continued. "They are not boyfriend and girlfriend - yet!"
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Honestly!" Hermione huffed. The adults laughed at this.
"Well, how'd you do this last Term," Robert asked. "The last letters we received were from the end of Ninth Term.
"Same as usual," Hermione said as if it was not big deal. "First, Second and Third in non-magical studies."
"And magical?" Minerva asked.
"Don't know yet," Harry said as he felt Hermione tense up.
"Is something wrong, Child?" Sophie asked.
"No! Nothing!" Hermione shot back in a squeak.
Clarice rolled her eyes. "She's always like that," she said. "She always thinks she blew it on exams and always gets top marks. It's annoying, really."
"It's worse!" Hermione said. "I was so sure we'd get our scores! It must mean we didn't do well!"
"And what makes you think you didn't get your scores?" Rose asked.
Hermione glared at her mother. "What do you mean, Mother?"
"Oh, it's just that I got your scores the day before we left."
"And why didn't you give them to me! You know how worried I get!"
"Because this time, I thought it would be best if you got them now so the whole family would be here."
"To see me fail," Hermione grumbles.
Rose pulled three envelopes from her purse and passed them to the three children. Hermione nervously opened hers, and was afraid to look.
"Wow!" Clarice said first. "Clean sweep for me!" She handed her scores to Harry, who then passed them around the room:
ENGLISH SECTION CLASS: 88-2
CLARICE LILLIAN JAMESON
REAL AGE: 7
ASSIMILATED AGE: 11
LOUGHTON, ESSEX, UK
I.C.W. CERTIFIED ORDINARY WIZARING LEVELS
Passing Grades:
O - Outstanding.
E - Exceeds Expectations
A - Acceptable.*
*Will need remedial study or professor permission for NEWT level.
Failing Grades:
P - Poor. May retake exams.
D - Dreadful. Must retake required classes.
T - Troll. Dropped from school.
HONORS:
H - Honors: Top score on ICW in this examination year.
WD - With Distinction: Top 1% of all international exams.
COURSE THEORY PRACTICAL OVERALL
ARITHMANCY: O N O
ASTRONOMY: O O O
ANCIENT RUNES: O N O
CHARMS: O+ O+ O+WD
DEFENSE: O O O
HERBOLOGY: O O O
MIND MAGICS: O O O
POTIONS: O O+ O
RITUAL MAGICS: O+ O+ O+WD
TRANSFIGURATION: O+ O O
CLASS RANK: 3/437
"These are excellent marks, Clarice," McGonagall said. "I am proud of you."
"Thanks," Clarice said blushing. "We all worked really hard."
"I knew that before I left," McGonagall smiled. "I wish even a small fraction of my students worked as hard as the three of you."
"H-Harry?" Hermione asked still afraid to look at her marks.
Harry looked at his marks and smiled. He passed them to Hermione who then passed them around the room.
ENGLISH SECTION CLASS: 88-2
HARRY JAMES POTTER
REAL AGE: 7
ASSIMILATED AGE: 12
LOUGHTON, ESSEX, UK
I.C.W. CERTIFIED ORDINARY WIZARING LEVELS
COURSE THEORY PRACTICAL OVERALL
ARITHMANCY: O N O
ASTRONOMY O O O
ANCIENT RUNES: O N O
CHARMS: O O+ O
DEFENSE: O+ O+ O+/WD
HERBOLOGY: O O O
MIND MAGICS: O O+ O
POTIONS: O+ O+ O+/H
RITUAL MAGICS: O O O
TRANSFIGURATION: O O+ O
CLASS RANK: 2/437
"Honors in Potions?" Sirius asked.
"I like cooking," Harry shrugged. "The two are similar."
"And what does Honors really mean?"
"It means your godson got the highest marks in the world this year," Minerva said.
Sirius chuckled. "Way to go! Your Mum was pretty good at Potions too, you know."
"She was?" Harry asked.
"Best in our year," Remus replied. "Drove Snivellus spare, she did."
"Who?"
"He was second best. He hated losing to a Gryffindor," Sirius said.
"And now he's Potions Professor at Hogwarts," Minerva added.
"Has Dumbledore gone mental?" Sirius said. "Why would he make that low life, Death Eater, greasy git a Professor?"
Minerva shrugged. "He insists he knows what he's doing."
"Who? The Headmaster or Slime Ball?"
"The Headmaster."
"Hmph," Sirius said. "Remind me never to talk to that sanctimonious ass again. Gone round the twist long ago if you ask me."
"These are wonderful," Remus added trying to get back on point.
"Go on, Hermione," Rose said. "Have a look.
Cautiously, she pulled her marks from the envelope and opened the folded page. She kept her eyes closed for several seconds before slowly opening them to read what she knew was the end of her magical education. She was so certain she made mistakes, just as she always was. As she read, a smile began to appear on her face. By the time she finished, it was huge.
"Well," Harry asked. Hermione handed him her marks.
ENGLISH SECTION CLASS: 88-2
HERMIONE JANE GRANGER
REAL AGE: 8
ASSIMILATED AGE: 12
LOUGHTON, ESSEX, UK
I.C.W. CERTIFIED ORDINARY WIZARING LEVELS
COURSE THEORY PRACTICAL OVERALL
ARITHMANCY: O+ N O+/WD
ASTRONOMY O O O
ANCIENT RUNES: O+ N O+/WD
CHARMS: O+ O O
DEFENSE: O O+ O
HERBOLOGY: O O O
MIND MAGICS: O O+ O
POTIONS: O+ O O
RITUAL MAGICS: O O O
TRANSFIGURATION: O+ O+ O+/H
CLASS RANK: 1/437
"Figures," Harry said without emotion but a smirk on his face as he passed the marks to Clarice.
"What?" the adults asked.
"Honors in Transfiguration and top of the Class again," Harry beamed. "I swear I don't understand how you always get so worked up when you always come out on top, Hermione."
"Neither do I," Hermione admitted.