Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
The OWL Lectures
The welcoming feast passed without anything noteworthy taking place. It was a nice change. There were no younger siblings to be sorted and then get blinded-sided when they end up in a different house than the one you were expecting. There were no ominous warnings about staying away from the third-floor corridor. And as a bonus, there was no lecture about the perils of encountering a dementor. A bit boring, really. Not that I would have it any other way. The only moment of horror we experienced was over dessert. Alicia, Angelina, Lee, and us triplets had the unfortunate epiphany that none of us had a prefect's badge. Meaning one of our no-name roommates from each of our dorms must have one. Bloody hell, the next three years were going to be annoying.
Likewise, breakfast in the morning was uneventful. We had pumpkin flakes. George had two bowls since he was feeling a bit peckish when he had woken up. We listened in as Harry and Ron were enthused about their first divination class, and Hermione bluntly informed them that the subject was a load of rubbish. Percy came by at one point with his head boy badge standing out prominently on his chest. We ignored him as he tried to impress upon us the importance of our fifth year. He gave up after a few short minutes. But that might have to do with the pastry Fred threatened to lob at his head if he didn't shove off. After him came Lupin and Sirius, working as a team as they passed out the class schedules. When Sirius handed our schedules to us, he threw in a sympathetic, "My condolences". Which made sense as soon as we saw what was listed first on our schedules. Potions.
It was almost a recurring joke at this point; having potions as the first class of the day. As I sat in my usual seat in the front with Adrian at my side, I couldn't decide who was unluckier. Us fifth year-Gryffindors or Snape. Based on Snape's dark countenance as he paced in front of us with his hands clasped behind his back, I'd have to say that it was probably the potions master.
"This will hopefully be the last year I will have to teach most of you", Snape started. It sounded rehearsed; making me wonder if this was going to be a rendition of the speech he uses for the first years. You know the one; where he tried to convince everyone that the subject of potions is Merlin's gift to wizardkind and that most of us are too stupid to master it. "As I had predicted, these last few years have proved your feeble minds are beyond redemption". Snape reached one end of the classroom before he turned on his heel and continued in his pacing endeavors.
Glancing to my right, I tried to share the humor I was finding in this with Adrian. But Adrian wasn't paying attention. He was methodically making notes in the margins of his potions text, looking bored out of his mind.
"I am, of course, referring to your impending examinations", Snape further explained. "The ordinary Wizarding Levels are an excellent way to separate serious students from the idle minded". He stopped at the front of the classroom as he glared at anyone brave enough to look him in the eye. "As such, this year's curriculum will be as challenging as the potions exam you'll be sitting in the spring. If you find this year difficult, take that as a warning that you will not survive potions at the NEWT level". It definitely sounded like Snape was desiring smaller class sizes. Snape pointed his wand at the blackboard stationed by his desk, and with the flick of his wrist, chalk written words appeared on its surface. "We will begin the year with brewing the invigoration draught. I assure all of you smart enough to listen that you'll have a need of it before the year is out".
Snape turned his back to us which, in this class, served as permission to get out of our seats and begin work. I was more amused by Snape's motivational intro than I should've been. If anything, it made me want to continue with potions as a NEWT student just to annoy the man. "Should I get the ingredients, or would you rather I set up the cauldron?" I asked; turning to Adrian once more.
Now that I was directly talking to him, Adrian looked up from his book. "I'll set up. You get the ingredients".
"Okay", I said as I stood up. Heaven knows I like a man who takes charge.
But before I could get too far, Adrian continued talking. "And when you get back, you're going to do most of the brewing. I'll jump in if you're about to make any mistakes".
I blinked once. "Come again?"
"It's our OWL year", Adrian answered as if that was a sufficient response. When I remained standing by our table; staring at him, Adrian decided to elaborate with a labored exhalation. Right, so sorry I don't know the inner workings of your mind. "And I've already passed my OWLs once before". That part was spoken in a whisper. The second part Adrian said in a normal volume. "It's your performance we have to concern ourselves with".
Oh, ye of little faith, I thought as I felt my right eyebrow twitch. I used to be a college graduate, thank you very much. I know how to study for exams. "You say that like I've never passed a class in my life", I complained.
Adrian tucked his chin down and gave me a look that was sufferably indulgent. The git. "Holly, let's be honest. We've been potions partners since our first year. Can you really claim that I haven't been holding your hand this whole time?"
Biting the inside of my cheek, I contemplated how much trouble I'd be in if I slapped Adrian across the face. My hand twitched, but I didn't allow myself to follow through with my instinct. If we were in any other class, I might have tried my luck. But with it being a new year and all, I didn't want to end up on Snape's bad list sooner than was inevitable. So instead, I pointed my finger at Adrian. "Warning. This is a warning". With that said and done, I made my way over to Snape's desk to collect the needed supplies.
"Trouble in paradise, Miss Weasley?" Snape asked without looking up from what looked to be a potions journal. His voice was far too casual to be anything but baiting.
But it won't work. I helped myself to the stewed mandrake; taking out the amount we would need without sparing a single look at Professor Snape. After all, I have three older brothers, two brothers I shared a womb with, one younger brother, and a little sister. I know better than to react to verbal spurs… Mostly. "Not yet", I answered; keeping my voice respectful. "But out of curiosity, how many detentions would you give me if I slapped another student?"
The dark and almost daring look Snape gave me was more than enough of an answer.
Walking into the transfiguration classroom, I was slammed with the sense that I was in the wrong room. The animals in their cages were still there. And there were still desks and a blackboard, so clearly, it was still a classroom. There was just… more. More color. More smells. More chaos. Sirius sure had been busy in the short amount of time he had access to this room.
At his first sight of the room, Adrian groaned and dropped his forehead into the palm of his left hand; the sure signs of the headache.
"Come in, Come in" Sirius greeted as he stood at the front of the classroom with his arms held out like a showman welcoming spectators into the big top. "Sit wherever you like. There are no assigned seats. Seating carts bore me".
"Spare me", Adrian grumbled under his breath as our classmates started to walk around us to claim their preferred spots.
Fred, George, and Lee were much more thrilled with Sirius' presence as a teacher than Adrian. Laughing, they walked past us, keeping to the Gryffindor side of the room. "How far do you think we can push the sit anywhere rule?" George asked.
Knowing what George was suggesting, Fred tilted his head in Lee's direction. "What do you think? Shall we sit on the floor?"
Never one to disappoint, Lee shook his head. "Nah. I'm going to sit in the teacher's chair". And they did just that. Fred and George set up camp on the floor in front of the first table on the Gryffindor side of the classroom. While Lee claimed prime real estate behind Sirius' new desk.
"Excellent choice, Mr. Jordan", Sirius praised as Lee took things a bit further and put his feet up onto the desktop; leaning back in what was probably the most comfortable chair in the classroom. "Five points to Gryffindor".
"This is madness", Adrian complained as I tried and failed to mask the humor this environment was evoking in me. Heh, what can I say? Karma is sweet.
"It won't be that bad", I attempted to be supportive as I led Adrian further in the room; making a beeline for the front row table on Gryffindor's side; the one behind Fred and George.
"Famous last words", Adrian muttered to himself as he followed at a sedate pace. But he paused when he saw exactly where I was choosing to set up shop. "Not the front".
I didn't bother stopping. Taking the seat right behind Fred, I placed my bookbag on the tabletop before answering my boyfriend. "What's wrong with the front? We always sit in the front". It was a struggle to keep my face void of any obvious expression. I was guilty of enjoying this probably more than I should be.
"It's too close", Adrian stated, being surprisingly dramatic compared to how he usually handles life's stressors.
"Mr. Pucey", Sirius called from where he was still standing at the front of the room. "Are you having difficulty finding your seat?" The jest in Sirius' voice told more than his words did.
And the responding scowl that took over Adrian's face was equally as telling.
Once everyone was seated, Sirius jumped right into it. "Now, as you'll all remember, I'm Professor Black. I will, unfortunately, be teaching transfiguration this year instead of defense". Sirius smiled at all who were listening. Even the Slytherins, despite the fact none of them looked happy to see him. Adrian included; although, I suspect, for a completely separate reason. "You are fifth years", Sirius went on to say. "I don't have to tell you that means OWLs". Then, adopting a nostalgic air, Sirius added, "I remember when I took my OWLs. And, I won't lie. They were bloody awful".
Adrian grumbled something incoherent under his breath, but he was easier to ignore than indulge at this moment in time. So, I kept my attention on Sirius. It wouldn't do to lose house points, after all.
"Here, here", Fred and George cheered from the cheap seats.
Encouraged, Sirius kept going. "It's all anyone is going to want to talk about this year. All the teachers, except me, of course. Your parents and your extended family. Even your friend who's slightly more boring than the others". Sirius paused in front of the Gryffindor side of the room. Making eye contact with me, he smiled mischievously. "Miss Weasley knows what I'm talking about".
And then he walked away before Adrian could even so much as utter a curse word. But that didn't prevent Adrian from commenting, "I'm going to kill him".
"No, you won't" I commented right back; snuffing out an urge to snicker. "You love him".
The horrified pale-faced scowl Adrian sent in my direction suggested just how appalled he was that I would ever make such a statement.
Now standing over on the Slytherin side of the room, Sirius said, "I am, regrettably, responsible for making sure you are ready to tackle the transfiguration exam", Sirius turned and moved until he was standing in the center front, directly situated in front of the aisle. "So", he declared as he clicked his heels together like a drill sergeant. "Bear with me and I'll do what I can to not make this year as miserable as it was when I was in your shoes".
"Here, here!" Fred and George cheered again.
Sirius beamed. "Five points to Gryffindor for the enthusiasm".
Out of all the introductions we had to stomach today involving our impending OWLs, by far, the best was Lupin. Similar to how we'd been sitting all day, Adrian and I sat shoulder to shoulder in the front of the classroom. Unlike in his past brother's classroom, Adrian had no problem being close to the teacher in defense.
"I imagine you've been hearing about it all day", Lupin said after he introduced himself and took attendance. He was the only teacher to have done so. But considering he was the only teacher that hadn't taught us in the past, it made sense. Roll call would help him learn all our names. "But it is a very important year. Some of you may already have an inkling of what you might like to do in the future. If so, you know what results you'll need to achieve your dreams". Many on the Slytherin side of the room sat up just a little bit straighter. "Those of you who haven't given the future much thought can use their OWL scores to help find what you would like to pursue". Many Gryffindors perked up, myself included.
Lupin stopped talking as he stood in front of the blackboard with his back facing us. He was relaxed as he chose to pick up a piece of chalk and write the muggle way. He wrote two words; theory and practical. "The defense against the dark arts OWL", he started as he turned back to us. "Unlike many of the other subjects, the practical portion of the exams weighs a bit more". Quickly, Lupin wrote down 65% next to the word practical. "Now, most subjects place an even balance on both the practical and theory portions of their exams. Charms and transfiguration, for example. The reason I'm telling you this is so you can plan how you'd like to attack these exams. If you're good at spell work, learn some different spells and enchantments that were not taught in class. Even us teachers don't know what the examiners will ask of you come test day. If bookwork is more up your alley, make sure you know who invented what spell and why. The more facts you know about a spell the better".
He allowed his words to sink in as he looked around the classroom slowly; giving people time to interrupt him if they had any questions. Lupin didn't move around quite as much as Snape and Sirius had when they lectured. He was content with staying close to the blackboard. Despite that, he had no trouble commanding the attention of the room.
The entirety of the fifth year had heard endless warnings about how challenging this year would be all day. Mostly out of warning for us not to goof off and destroy our chances, academically speaking. It was enough to put everyone on edge. Even Fred and George, who generally trusted enough in their own abilities to not worry about what some score from some test said about them. But in all those lectures, no one had bothered to break the OWLs down and tell us how they worked. Until Lupin, that is.
"As I mentioned previously, a few subjects weigh the practical and theory portions of their exams a bit differently. History of magic and divination are two examples of subjects that deem the theory portion to be more important". A small quirk of a smile on Lupin's face was a cue that he was about to let us in on a joke. "In the case of history of magic, there is only a practical portion". A small smattering of laughs let Lupin know some appreciated his humor. "And divination places a higher value on the theory portion because so few have the gift to achieve on the practical. And the experts in the field didn't want to discourage anyone from taking a purely academic interest in the field".
From there, Lupin quickly moved on to the subjects that deemed the practical sections more important than theory. "Defense and potions are the two you have to be able to apply what you learn to real-life to be successful". Here, Lupin paused again. This time, to write 35% next to the word theory. "I'm sure you can imagine why this is. Studying both of these subjects at the NEWT level could end in disaster if students did not have a strong fundamental basis of application. Now, there isn't much I can do to help you prepare for potions. But in this classroom, we will work together to make sure every one of you is on top of your game in time for the defense OWL".
The energy in the room increased as Lupin told us his plan for the year. "So, whenever there is hex, curse, or counter curse you are uncomfortable with, speak up. We'll work on it. If you feel shy to ask about it in class, come see me in my office. We'll work on it together without the eyes of your classmates watching. If there is a spell that hasn't been covered, ask. If I can, I will teach it to you. And above all else, remember you have all made it to your fifth year. Everyone in this room is an accomplished young witch or wizard. And by the end of this year, you will be ready to sit for your OWLs. So, try not to be too stressed", Lupin finished with a slightly shy smile that I think he intended to be reassuring.
Still, his lecture had the desired effect. Many in the room took deep breaths. I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders that I wasn't aware was there. The OWLs, right. The way Lupin talked, he made them sound completely doable. And I was eager to take his word for it.