Chapter 3
When the room began to adjoin with the assessment area, Merlin and the other Assessors were greeted with the sight of a young witch that had pure magic fizzling off her hair as she brews. Some of them noted a number of ingredients appeared to be in some form of bag that lacked air and at present a number of strange glass apparatus were being used on a selection of more volatile ingredients.
"Ms Granger if I might pull you away for a short moment." Nicolas approached as Hermione was beginning to distil some of the venom within the recipe. "Just a moment, I need this to cool at exactly the precise time." They watched as a few moments later they watched her conjure Ice and dunk in the glass dome holding the poison.
"Apologises Master Famel." Hermione noted before looking up to the new adaption to the room. "Not a problem, may I make some introductions" his hand guiding Hermione's gaze up to the portrait of Merlin. "The honour is mine Ms Granger." Merlin spoke out to the room and Hermione began to flush with embarrassment and nerves. "Merlin?" She was confirming she had heard correctly. "
"I should probably explain exactly why we have called upon Merlin first." Nicolas began to explain. "Maybe first you should explain how you even have a portrait of Merlin as all were quoted to have been destroyed." Hermione didn't give Nicolas a chance to reprieve before firing off a question.
"Well, I was lost for quiet sometimes you see. Many had forgotten that this portrait of myself existed, and I don't always have to stay within my own portrait bounds." Merlin began an explanation. "But in short about 87 years ago a young unspeakable came across a blacked Portrait frame and thought it peculiar. A las before they managed to damage it I appeared and have been hidden away in these bowels consulting the Department when I deem something interesting enough to peak my interest." Finishing as somewhat menacing eyes laid themselves on Hermione.
Although somewhat farfetched as it seemed, Hermione felt it was no place of her own to question the explanation. She looked towards Nicolas to continue. "Right, well we have asked Merlin to join us as some of the Master are at a point where your ability goes beyond the bounds of their scope. Because of such we have decided no further NEWT level testing will be taking place. Any tests from now will be considered either Mastery level or Devisionary level."
He continued "The potion I gave you was far beyond the scope of NEWT level to begin with. I believe it adequate for you to continue this brew to test your level overall and then make judgement." He gently smiled waiting to see the reaction. "So the results for my NEWT will be?" Hermione questioned in a slight panic as she could quiet gage how they could give a grade without a full through examination. "O's all round I would assume." Miranda spoke looking towards the other Assessors for confirmation. But before she saw everyone agree Newt coughed. "I am sure you have a great breath of knowledge for beasts however I must conclude without a practical interaction, I cannot give an appropriate assessment." He finished with a nervous gulp concerned the reaction of the others. "I agree much the same with the star reading." Cassandra finished off before any disagreements were laden.
"So, in all but Beast and Astronomy she will obtain an O. The testing for both can be completed after the brew or during simmer times." Merlin decided before anything more was said. All Assessors nodded and then looked to Hermione to continue.
Hermione began to bumble about before turning to the brew station thoroughly flushed. Whilst she continued to complete all manner of preparations the Assessors and Merlin watched the enchanted Chalk continue to process her idea. "May I ask what you are doing with the glass apparatus?" Nicolas broached. "I am distilling the poison to increase its potency. Although it will increase the volatility dehydrating the jumping shrooms will allow me to stabilize whilst reducing the bitterness in taste." Waving over to the airtight bags. Nicolas hummed and Miranda began intrigue by the charms she was placing and was attempting to decipher them herself.
Upon the preparation station she noticed a charm that was removing liquid and warming ingredients. A charm the was separating uneven cuts out to a trash pile and a several charms within enchantments to create seasonal temperatures for fresh ingredients. "Who taught you to brew Ms Granger?" Miranda perked up as she could see how diligent to the brew she had become. "Severus Snape, maybe not the kindest teacher but a true master of the Art. He taught me that not everything will be in a book. However, books are often my solace."
"I have about 20 minutes before having to do the next step." She spoke out the room once again looking up at the assessors. "I believe it best to review the star charts first." Merling mentioned before looking over to a table. "Shouldn't I follow my magic?" Hermione questioned as it was the first time today that anyone had tried to lead her to a subject. "I don't believe your magic would ever lead you to the star charts." It was a blunt statement but, in all Hermione, could not disagree.
Hermione went to the charts and made her assessment; she took notes and measurements. Monitored dates and moon cycles before presenting her findings. "But what can you see?" It was strange question to be asked but Hermione was not surprised as she had come to realise that Cassandra was most likely a true seer. "I do not believe I can see what you can." It was matter of fact and firm, but it was meant. "She gets a O in her NEWT from me, but she has no further testing needed in this subject it would be futile." Cassandra turned to the group before grazing past to the sitting area and collecting her teacup.
The rest of the group appeared a little shook from the shortness, but Merlin began to chuckle. "I have never been one for thought of prophetic dreams or visions, so I am not surprised. Thank you for your time, Madame Cassandra." Hermione nodded towards the older witch.
"Mr Scamander, I believe you wish to see my practice with beasts." A gentle smile rested on her face. "R…Right you were, this way." He lead Hermione and the others over to a large open area within the atrium that had a number of Iron gated exits or rather entrances for the beasts within. "I must ask before beginning if there anything you believe would prevent you from inappropriate introduction to a beast."
His question was for Hermione's protection however it sounded more like a question of her ability. "I don't believe I am pure of heart anymore. I don't believe creatures of light would take to me." She spoke softly but they could all her the fear she had to the thought she was losing herself to the dark. "Why don't we test this theory?" Newt smiled Hermione. "Firstly, a thestral." He waved his wand and slowly but surely a few thestrals entered the atrium. He looked towards the table of food and brushes to attempt to give Hermione a hint.
Before Hermione could move towards the table a large mare stood in front of her and bowed its head, it was unexpected as Hermione had yet to begin an introduction however she bowed her head gentle as well. Just as Hermione could raise her head the mare rested her own head to her. Hermione breathed heavily as it felt like the thestral in front of her was trying to take away some sorrow.
Hermione hadn't realised tears were flowing done her face before she felt a nudge at her side, a small foal was bonking her hand trying to engage her in some form of pain. "Did you know Ms Granger, the reason someone can see a thestral only after seeing death first hand isn't because they are dark but because they are supposedly born of sorrow. And it is said the greatest of sorrows comes from death." He gently placed a hand on her shoulder before throwing some meat cuts towards the foal and using a spell to guide them back behind their gate.
"Now for the true test." Newt smiled with confidence. The golden bars lifted soundlessly and a shimmer of light sparkled as a unicorn entered the atrium. Hermione looked to the stand and saw nothing she thought would assist her. She lowered herself to the floor and waited. Watching the beast inspect the Atrium and go up to Newt as a form of respect and the bond they hand.
Finally, the unicorn took notice of the small witch sitting on the floor of the atrium watching him. He could feel her sadness, worry and fears. His horn shone bright as he walked towards her like he was trying to break though a thousand shield of heartbreak. When he finally reached her, he placed his snout in her hands and waited for her to look him within the eye. When their eyes meet, he saw every challenge and turmoil she faced. Every triumph she managed and golden tears ran down his snout and began to pool in her hands.
"Remarkable." Newt spoke. His words caused the unicorn to depart and leave Hermione sat in wonder. Nicolas approached Hermione with a vial. "You've been given a rare gift. Bottle it. Keep it." It pulled Hermione out of her head, and she saw the gift she was left. Carefully ensuring not to lose a drop.
After allowing Hermione sometime to resolve herself. "Rare for a Unicorn to even give up some hairs let alone to give you tears of purity. I've only seen it happen twice before in my lifetime." Newt remarked as he watched Hermione straighten her appearance. "Tears of Purity can only be given to someone pure of soul, despite actions, spells the witch or wizard has cast before. Magicks they have used. A unicorn can sense the cause, reason and above all else can tell the Soul of any whom them choose to engage." After the statement was made a weight seemed to be lifted from Hermione's shoulder.
"Pure of soul." Hermione whispered it as she readied herself to face the assessors.
"O's all around it would appear." Merlin announced as Hermione came to face her assessors once again. "I must agree that your NEWT exams are now complete and there seems to be a brew you need to get back to." Nicolas added on the back of Merlin's statement.
Hermione felt like it been a lifetime since the brew but realised it was just short of the twenty minutes, she originally stated the simmer needed. "I will continue then." She took this as an excuse to quickly get back to the brew.
For the next hour Hermione set about almost everything she needed to complete the brew and when she finally managed to set her cauldron to the final simmer. She then began to take Iron and salt to set about making a large rune circle. She performed many enchantments and wards around the rune circle. She brought out sand, dirt, a jar of water and finally some ash. She lay each within their own section of the rune circle.
She finally joined the Assessors for a break once every preparation was complete.