Hermione Granger and the Order of the Phoenix

by SaraSmile416

Join Hermione in her 5th year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry as she and her friends organise against the darkest wizard of their time.

31. Chapter 31: OWLs

Chapter Thirty-One: OWLs

Ron's euphoria at helping Gryffindor scrape the Quidditch Cup was such that he couldn't settle for anything the next day. All he wanted to do was relive the match, so Hermione and Harry found it very difficult to find an opening to mention Grawp. Not that either of them tried very hard; neither was keen to be the one to bring Ron back to reality so abruptly. Seeing Ron so happy was a breath of fresh air, and Hermione felt guilty about doing anything to ruin it.

As it was another fine, warm day, they persuaded him to join them in revising under the beech tree at the edge of the lake, where they had less chance of being overheard than in the common room. Ron wasn't particularly keen on the idea at first—he was thoroughly enjoying the praise from every Gryffindor who walked past, not to mention the occasional outbursts of "Weasley is our King"—but after a while, he agreed that some fresh air might do him good.

They spread their books out in the shade of the beech tree and sat down while Ron talked them through his first save of the match for what felt like the dozenth time.

"Well, I mean, I'd already let in that one of Davies's, so I wasn't feeling all that confident, but I dunno, when Bradley came towards me, just out of nowhere, I thought—you can do this! And I had about a second to decide which way to fly, you know, because he looked like he was aiming for the right goal hoop—my right, obviously, his left—but I had a funny feeling that he was feinting, and so I took the chance and flew left—his right, I mean—and—well—you saw what happened," he concluded modestly, sweeping his hair back. Hermione's heart skipped a beat, and she audibly gasped.

"And then, when Chambers came at me about five minutes later—What?" Ron asked, stopping mid-sentence. Hermione gasped again, thinking she had been caught staring at him with what she knew was probably a ridiculous, love-struck grin. "Why are you grinning?"

"I'm not," said Harry quickly, taking the words out of Hermione's mouth. With a relieved sigh, she realised that Ron had noticed Harry grinning, not her.

"I'm just glad we won, that's all," Harry added, looking suspiciously down at his Transfiguration notes.

"Yeah," said Ron slowly, savouring the words, "we won. Did you see the look on Chang's face when Ginny got the Snitch right out from under her nose?"

"I suppose she cried, did she?" said Harry bitterly.

"Well, yeah—more out of temper than anything, though…" Ron frowned slightly. "But you saw her chuck her broom away when she got back to the ground, didn't you?"

"Er—" said Harry. Hermione knew it was now or never.

"Well, actually... no, Ron," said Hermione with a heavy sigh, putting down her book and looking at him apologetically. "As a matter of fact, the only bit of the match Harry and I saw was Davies's first goal."

Ron's carefully ruffled hair seemed to wilt with disappointment. "You didn't watch?" he said faintly, looking from one to the other. "You didn't see me make any of those saves?"

"Well—no," said Hermione, reaching her hand toward him without really thinking. "But Ron, we didn't want to leave—we had to!"

"Yeah?" said Ron, whose face was growing rather red. "How come?"

"It was Hagrid," said Harry. "He decided to tell us why he's been covered in injuries ever since he got back from the Giants. He wanted us to go into the Forest with him, we had no choice, you know how he gets. Anyway…"

The story was told in five minutes. By the end, a look of total incredulity had replaced Ron's indignation.

"He brought one back and hid it in the Forest?"

"Yep," said Harry grimly.

"No," said Ron, as though by saying this, he could make it untrue. "No, he can't have."

"Well, he has," said Hermione firmly. "Grawp's about sixteen feet tall, enjoys ripping up twenty-foot pine trees, and knows me," she snorted, "as Hermy."

Ron gave a nervous laugh.

"And Hagrid wants us to…?"

"Teach him English, yeah," said Harry.

"He's lost his mind," said Ron in an almost awed voice.

"Yes," said Hermione irritably, turning a page of Intermediate Transfiguration and glaring at a series of diagrams showing an owl turning into a pair of opera glasses. "Yes, I'm starting to think he has. But, unfortunately, he made Harry and me promise."

"Well, you're just going to have to break your promise, that's all," said Ron firmly. "I mean, come on... we've got exams, and we're about that far—" he held up his hand to show thumb and forefinger almost touching "—from being chucked out as it is. And anyway... remember Norbert? Remember Aragog? Have we ever come off better for mixing with any of Hagrid's monster mates?"

"I know, it's just that—we promised," said Hermione in a small voice.

Ron smoothed his hair flat again, looking preoccupied.

"Well," he sighed, "Hagrid hasn't been sacked yet, has he? He's hung on this long; maybe he'll hang on till the end of term, and we won't have to go near Grawp at all."

The castle grounds gleamed in the sunlight as though freshly painted; the cloudless sky reflected in the sparkling lake; the satin green lawns rippled occasionally in a gentle breeze. June had arrived, but to the fifth-years, this meant only one thing: their OWLs were upon them at last.

Their teachers were no longer assigning homework; lessons were devoted entirely to revising the topics most likely to come up in the exams. Hermione had her own rigorous revision schedule, meticulously planned down to the minute. Each subject had its designated time slot, colour-coded and carefully organised.

For Charms, she practised non-verbal spells for an hour each morning before breakfast, her wand movements precise and deliberate. She had even created flashcards with complex incantations and their effects, which she reviewed every night before bed.

Transfiguration required a different approach. Hermione spent hours transfiguring objects into increasingly complex forms, her brow furrowed in concentration. She had turned a matchstick into a needle so many times she could do it with her eyes closed, but she knew she needed to be ready for anything the examiners might throw at her.

Potions was another challenge altogether. Hermione had compiled a detailed notebook of recipes, ingredient properties, and common mistakes to avoid. She spent her weekends in the library, poring over Advanced Potion-Making, cross-referencing with her notes, and brewing practice potions in empty classrooms.

For Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione focused on both theory and practical application. She drilled herself on defensive spells, counter-curses, and duelling techniques, often roping Harry and Ron into practice sessions. Her notes on dark creatures and defensive strategies filled several thick binders.

Herbology was slightly more manageable, thanks to her organised notes and frequent visits to the greenhouses. She took care to memorise the properties of each magical plant and practised identifying them by sight and touch. She even created a miniature greenhouse in her dormitory to cultivate her own specimens for study. Parvati was in awe of the tiny biodome and asked if she could use it for her own studies. Hermione gladly agreed, as long as Parvati helped with the upkeep.

Hermione's study sessions for History of Magic were just as meticulously organised. She divided her notes into thematic sections (each colour-coded and cross-referenced, of course) with additional reading materials she had found in the library. Her method was to tackle one major historical event or period each night, ensuring she had a deep understanding of the context, key figures, and consequences.

To aid her memorisation, Hermione created detailed timelines that she pinned to the walls around her desk. Each timeline was annotated with dates, names, and significant events, providing a visual map of wizarding history that she could refer to at a glance.

In addition to her core subjects, Hermione had devised an equally rigorous schedule for her elective classes. Ancient Runes demanded a different kind of focus. She spent hours deciphering complex rune sequences and translating ancient texts. Neville often joined her, and they would sit together in the library, poring over dusty tomes and discussing the intricacies of rune meanings.

"Neville, look at this," Hermione said one evening, pointing to a particularly challenging passage. "If we apply the Elder Futhark interpretation, it changes the entire meaning of this inscription."

Neville squinted at the text, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I see what you mean. It's amazing how one small symbol can alter everything."

Hermione nodded, pleased. "Exactly. It's like a puzzle, and every piece fits perfectly when you find the right context."

Arithmancy required meticulous attention to detail. Hermione's revision involved complex calculations and numerical charts that covered every available surface in her dormitory. She often studied with Sophie, Ginny, and even Moaning Myrtle, who had a surprising knack for numbers. Myrtle floated above their study group, offering surprisingly insightful comments on their calculations.

"You know, back in my day, we didn't have these fancy charts," Myrtle said, peering over Hermione's shoulder. "We had to calculate everything by hand."

Hermione looked up at the ghost, intrigued. "Really, Myrtle? That must have been quite challenging."

Myrtle nodded solemnly. "It was, but it made us precise. One wrong number could throw off the entire spell."

That's what Hermione dreaded—one simple mistake could completely derail her OWLs.

In the evenings, as she usually revisited her extensive notes on Astronomy, Hermione felt a mix of exhaustion and determination—Astronomy involved late-night sessions at the top of the Astronomy Tower, charting star movements and planetary alignments.

In addition to her rigorous revision schedule, Hermione had taken it upon herself to combat the burgeoning black market trade of so-called "concentration aids" among the students. The stress of OWLs had driven some to desperate measures, and rumours of magical substances that could enhance focus and memory were rampant.

Hermione had confiscated several suspicious items, determined to investigate. She had spent hours testing them, only to discover that most were nothing more than dried doxy droppings or crushed billywig stings. She couldn't believe how gullible some students were, willing to ingest anything if it promised better results.

All of the serious students were boasting about their revision hours. It seemed to be a contest that, while Hermione was clearly winning, she didn't want to get involved in.

"How many hours d'you think you're doing a day?" Ernie Macmillan demanded of Hermione, Harry, and Ron as they queued outside Herbology, a manic gleam in his eye. Hermione ignored him, continuing to quiz herself with her Ancient Runes flash cards.

"I dunno," said Ron. "A few."

"More or less than eight?"

"Less, I s'pose," said Ron.

"I'm doing eight," said Ernie, puffing out his chest and trying to catch Hermione's eye. She avoided eye contact but allowed a small smile to cross her lips. Only eight hours? That would be a holiday to Hermione. Ernie clearly caught her unimpressed smile. "Eight or nine," he stammered. "I'm getting an hour in before breakfast every day. Eight's my average. I can do ten on a good weekend day. I did nine and a half on Monday. Not so good on Tuesday—only seven and a quarter. Then, on Wednesday—"

He was, thankfully, cut off by Professor Sprout ushering them into the greenhouse.

Even with all the stress, Hermione found a certain comfort in the routine of her revision schedule. Knowing exactly what to expect helped ease her fears of failing. However, that comfort was shattered outside Potions a few days before the exams were set to begin.

"Of course, it's not what you know," Draco Malfoy said loudly to Crabbe and Goyle, "it's who you know. Now, Father's been friendly with the head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority for years—old Griselda Marchbanks—we've had her round for dinner and everything…"

"Do you think that's true?" Hermione whispered in alarm to Harry and Ron.

"Nothing we can do about it if it is," said Ron gloomily.

"I don't think it's true," said Neville quietly from behind them. "Because Griselda Marchbanks is a friend of my gran's, and she's never mentioned the Malfoys."

"What's she like, Neville?" asked Hermione at once. "Is she strict?"

"Bit like Gran, really," said Neville in a subdued voice.

"Knowing her won't hurt your chances, though, will it?" Ron told him encouragingly.

"Oh, I don't think it will make any difference," said Neville, even more miserably. "Gran's always telling Professor Marchbanks I'm not as good as my dad… well, you saw what she's like at St Mungo's."

Neville looked fixedly at the floor. Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged glances, unsure what to say. It was the first time Neville had acknowledged their encounter at the wizarding hospital in front of Ron and Harry.

Later that day, Hermione met up with Ron and Harry in the Great Hall, where, to her disgust, she caught them trying to buy a bottle labelled "Baruffio's Brain Elixir" from Ravenclaw sixth-year Eddie Carmichael for twelve Galleons. Hermione confiscated the bottle and rushed to throw it down the toilet where it belonged.

"Hermione, we wanted to buy that!" shouted Ron.

"Don't be stupid," she shot back. "You might as well take Harold Dingle's powdered dragon claw and be done with it."

"Dingle's got powdered dragon claw?" said Ron eagerly.

"Not anymore," Hermione replied. "I confiscated that too. None of these things actually work, you know."

"Dragon claw does work!" countered Ron. "It's supposed to be incredible, really gives your brain a boost, you come over all cunning for a few hours—Hermione, let me have a pinch, go on, it can't hurt—"

"This stuff can," Hermione grumbled grimly. "I've had a look at it, and it's actually dried Doxy droppings."

That information seemed to curb Ron and Harry's desire for brain stimulants.

They received their examination timetables and details of the procedure for OWLs during their next Transfiguration lesson.

"As you can see," Professor McGonagall told the class as they copied down the dates and times of their exams from the blackboard, "your OWLs are spread over two successive weeks. You will sit the theory papers in the mornings and the practicals in the afternoons. Your practical Astronomy examination will, of course, take place at night.

"Now, I must warn you that the most stringent anti-cheating charms have been applied to your examination papers. Auto-Answer Quills are banned from the examination hall, as are Remembralls, Detachable Cribbing Cuffs, and Self-Correcting Ink. Every year, I am afraid to say, there seems to be at least one student who thinks that they can get around the Wizarding Examinations Authority's rules. I can only hope that it is nobody in Gryffindor. Our new—Headmistress—" Professor McGonagall pronounced the word with disgust "—has asked the Heads of House to tell their students that cheating will be punished most severely—because, of course, your examination results will reflect upon the Headmistress's new regime at the school—" Professor McGonagall gave a tiny, yet telling sigh. "However, that is no reason not to do your very best. You have your own futures to think about."

"Please, Professor," said Hermione, her hand in the air, "when will we find out our results?"

"An owl will be sent to you sometime in July," said Professor McGonagall.

Hermione sighed. That was so long to wait.

The last weekend before exams dawned bright and clear, but Hermione barely noticed the cheerful weather. The pressure of the upcoming OWLs loomed over her like a dark cloud. She woke up early on Saturday, her mind already buzzing with a list of subjects she needed to cover.

She spent the entire morning in the common room, hunched over her books and notes, her quill flying across the parchment as she made last-minute summaries and flashcards. Her regimented schedule left little room for breaks; every minute counted. She forced herself into a robotic rhythm: study, review, test herself, and then start again. The repetition made it almost impossible to even think about the anxiety rising within her.

By lunchtime, Hermione's eyes were strained from hours of reading, but she resolutely packed her bag with materials for Ancient Runes and headed down to the Great Hall. She spotted Neville at a table, revising for Herbology, and joined him.

"Hey, Neville," she greeted him, her voice slightly strained. "Mind if I sit here?"

"Of course not, Hermione," Neville said, looking up with a tired smile. "You've been at it all morning, haven't you?"

"Yes," Hermione replied, a touch of anxiety in her voice. "There's just so much to cover. I can't afford to miss anything."

Neville nodded sympathetically, and the two silently studied together.

After lunch, Hermione found Harry and convinced him to help her revise for Theory of Charms, their first exam on Monday.

"Please, Harry, I really need to go over these concepts one more time," she pleaded. "You can quiz me on the spell theory and applications."

"Alright, Hermione," Harry agreed, though he looked slightly overwhelmed by the stack of notes she handed him.

They found a quiet corner in the common room, and Harry began reading out questions from Hermione's meticulously prepared flashcards.

"What's the theoretical basis for the Levitation Charm?" Harry asked, his eyes scanning the card.

"The Levitation Charm, also known as Wingardium Leviosa, relies on the principle of basic levitation through controlled magical exertion on the target object," Hermione recited. "The caster must maintain precise wand movements and a clear incantation to achieve and sustain levitation."

Harry looked at the card and then back at Hermione. "Uh, yeah, that's right."

Hermione snatched the card from his hand and double-checked the answer, her anxiety evident. "Yes, it is," she muttered, a crease forming on her forehead. "Next question."

They continued this for an hour, with Hermione constantly checking Harry's responses against her notes, her movements becoming more mechanical, and her frustration mounting. Harry's attempts to help were earnest but often fell short of Hermione's high standards.

"Why don't you just do it yourself?" Harry said, handing the book back to her. Hermione shrugged and continued on her own. There was no time for social niceties.

As Sunday wore on, Hermione's study sessions grew even more intense. She forced herself to move from one subject to another, her actions almost robotic. She reviewed her Arithmancy charts with Sophie, reviewing complex calculations until her head spun. She sat with Ginny, who agreed to quiz her on Transfiguration theory, their voices a quiet murmur in the frenetic common room.

Dinner was a subdued affair that night. Harry and Ron did not talk much but ate with gusto, having studied hard all day. Hermione, on the other hand, kept putting down her knife and fork and diving under the table for her bag, from which she would seize a book to check some fact or figure. Ron was just telling her that she ought to eat a decent meal or she would not sleep that night when her fork slid from her limp fingers and landed with a loud tinkle on her plate.

"Oh, my goodness," she said faintly, staring into the Entrance Hall. "Is that them? Is that the examiners?"

Harry and Ron whipped around on their bench. Through the doors to the Great Hall, they could see Umbridge standing with a small group of ancient-looking witches and wizards. Umbridge looked somewhat nervous.

"Shall we go and have a closer look?" said Ron.

Hermione and Harry nodded, and they hastened towards the double doors into the Entrance Hall, slowing down as they stepped over the threshold to walk sedately past the examiners. Hermione thought Professor Marchbanks must be the tiny, stooped witch with a face so lined it looked as though it had been draped in cobwebs; Umbridge was speaking to her deferentially. Professor Marchbanks seemed to be a little deaf; she answered Professor Umbridge very loudly, considering they were only a foot apart.

"Journey was fine, journey was fine, we've made it plenty of times before!" she said impatiently. "Now, I haven't heard from Dumbledore lately!" she added, peering around the Hall as though hopeful he might suddenly emerge from a broom cupboard. "No idea where he is, I suppose?"

"None at all," said Umbridge, shooting a hateful look at Hermione, Ron, and Harry, who were now dawdling around the foot of the stairs as Ron pretended to do up his shoelace. "But I daresay the Ministry of Magic will track him down soon enough."

"I doubt it," shouted tiny Professor Marchbanks, "not if Dumbledore doesn't want to be found! I should know ... examined him personally in Transfiguration and Charms when he did NEWTs ... did things with a wand I'd never seen before."

"Yes... well…" said Professor Umbridge as Hermione, Ron, and Harry dragged their feet up the marble staircase as slowly as they dared, "let me show you to the staff room. I daresay you'd like a cup of tea after your journey."

Late in the evening, Hermione found herself surprisingly alone at a table in the crowded common room, surrounded by stacks of parchment and textbooks. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her hands shook slightly from the strain. She looked down at her notes for Theory of Charms, her first exam, and took a deep breath.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I've prepared. I'm ready." She had to keep repeating that because whenever she stopped, all she heard ringing through her head was, "I'm not smart, just average."

Ron was reading two years' worth of Charms notes with his fingers in his ears, his lips moving soundlessly; Seamus Finnigan was lying flat on his back on the floor, reciting the definition of a Substantive Charm while Dean checked it against The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5; and Parvati and Lavender, who were practising basic Locomotion Charms, were making their pencil-cases race each other around the edge of the table.

Despite her exhaustion, she forced herself to review her notes one last time. She repeated the key points under her breath, her voice steady even as her heart raced with anxiety.

Finally, as the common room emptied and the fire burned low, Hermione allowed herself to close her books. She felt a small measure of satisfaction mixed with the lingering nerves. She had done everything she could to prepare. Now, she just had to face the exams.

With one last look at her neatly organised notes, Hermione headed up to bed, determined to get a good night's sleep. As she lay in bed, her mind buzzing with spells and theories, Hermione took deep, calming breaths. She visualised herself succeeding, her wand steady and her mind sharp. Slowly, she drifted into a fitful sleep, her dreams filled with swirling runes and glowing wandlight.

None of the fifth-years talked much at breakfast the next day. Parvati was quietly practising incantations under her breath, causing the salt cellar in front of her to twitch intermittently; Hermione was rereading Achievements in Charming at such a speed that her eyes appeared blurred; and Neville kept nervously dropping his knife and fork, even managing to knock over the marmalade at one point.

Once breakfast was over, the fifth- and seventh-years milled around in the Entrance Hall while the other students headed off to lessons. At half past nine, they were called forward class by class to re-enter the Great Hall, which had been rearranged; the four house tables were replaced by many individual tables facing the staff table. Professor McGonagall stood at the front, overseeing the proceedings. When everyone was seated and quiet, she announced, "You may begin," and turned over an enormous hourglass on the desk beside her, which was also stocked with spare quills, ink bottles, and rolls of parchment.

Hermione turned over her paper, her heart pounding, and focused on the first question:

Give the incantation and describe the wand movement required to make objects fly.

Her mind immediately fell into the familiar rhythm of exam mode. She picked up her quill and wrote confidently:

The incantation is 'Wingardium Leviosa.' The wand movement is a swish-and-flick motion.

Feeling a surge of relief at the straightforward start, Hermione moved on to the next question.

What is the incantation for the Summoning Charm, and what are the potential dangers of mispronunciation?

Her quill flew across the parchment:

The incantation for the Summoning Charm is 'Accio.' Mispronunciation can lead to unintended objects being summoned, which may cause accidents or disruptions. For example, 'Acio' could summon an object near the intended one, potentially causing collisions.

She glanced at the next question, her brow furrowing slightly in concentration.

Explain the difference between the Mending Charm 'Reparo' and the Vanishing Spell 'Evanesco.' Provide an example of when each would be appropriately used.

Hermione took a deep breath and began to write:

The Mending Charm 'Reparo' fixes broken objects, restoring them to their original state. For instance, it can be used to repair shattered glass. On the other hand, the Vanishing Spell 'Evanesco' causes objects to disappear completely. An appropriate use for 'Evanesco' would be cleaning up spilt potions or disposing of waste materials.

As she worked her way through the paper, each question flowed naturally, her knowledge translating seamlessly onto the parchment.

Describe the effects and practical uses of the Silencing Charm 'Silencio.'

The Silencing Charm 'Silencio' temporarily prevents sound production in the target. It is practical for situations requiring silence, such as subduing a noisy animal or preventing disruptions during a delicate operation.

What is the incantation for the Shield Charm, and what type of spells can it deflect?

The incantation for the Shield Charm is 'Protego.' It can deflect minor to moderate jinxes, hexes, and curses, providing a temporary barrier between the caster and the incoming spell.

With each answer, Hermione's confidence grew. Her meticulous preparation was paying off.

Explain the process and wand movement for the Disillusionment Charm. What are its limitations?

The Disillusionment Charm requires a gentle tap on the target's head while envisioning the target blending into its surroundings. Its limitations include partial visibility in certain lighting conditions, which can be disrupted by physical contact or sudden movements.

Hermione maintained a steady pace, addressing each question carefully. Finally, she reached the last one:

Describe the incantation and wand movement for the Cheering Charm.

The incantation for the Cheering Charm is 'Risus.' The wand movement involves a smooth, upward flick while focusing on the desired emotion of happiness and contentment.

When the examiner called for time, Hermione took a deep breath and laid down her quill, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. The first exam was done, and she knew she had done as well as she could have hoped.

"Well, it wasn't too bad, was it?" implored Hermione in the Entrance Hall, still clutching the exam paper. "I'm not sure I did myself justice on Cheering Charms; I just ran out of time. Did you put in the counter-charm for hiccoughs? I wasn't sure whether I ought to; it felt like too much – and on question twenty-three –"

"Hermione," said Ron sternly, "we've been through this before... we're not going through every exam afterwards. It's bad enough doing them once."

It was moments like these that Hermione wished she had gone into Ravenclaw.

The fifth-years ate lunch with the rest of the school (the four house tables had reappeared for the lunch hour), then they trooped off into the small chamber beside the Great Hall, where they were to wait until called for their practical examination. As small groups of students were called forwards in alphabetical order, those left behind muttered incantations and practised wand movements, occasionally poking each other in the back or eye by mistake.

The corridor was filled with a tense, nervous energy, the low murmur of students' voices blending with the occasional clink of a dropped quill or shuffled parchment. Hermione clutched her wand tightly, taking deep breaths to steady her nerves.

"Granger, Goldstein, Goyle, Greengrass," called Professor Flitwick, his voice carrying a reassuring lilt. "You're next."

Hermione's stomach flipped, but she forced herself to stay calm. She followed Professor Flitwick into the Great Hall, the familiar space now transformed into a series of examination stations. A different examiner manned each station, and their faces were a mixture of stern concentration and polite attentiveness.

Professor Flitwick directed her to a free examiner at the far end of the hall. The examiner was a tall, elegant witch with silver hair neatly tied back in a bun. She wore deep purple robes adorned with intricate gold embroidery. Her sharp blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and experience as she smiled warmly at Hermione.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger," she said, consulting a clipboard. "I am Madam Marchbanks. Are you ready to begin?"

Hermione nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. "Yes, ma'am."

"Excellent. Let's start with the Levitation Charm. Please levitate this feather," Madam Marchbanks instructed, placing a pristine white feather on the desk before her.

Hermione took a deep breath, focused her mind, and performed the familiar swish-and-flick motion with her wand. "Wingardium Leviosa," she said clearly. The feather rose smoothly into the air, hovering at a steady height.

"Very good," Madam Marchbanks said, making a note on her clipboard. "Now, a Colour-Changing Charm. Change the colour of this apple."

Hermione pointed her wand at the red apple on the desk. "Colovaria," she intoned, and the apple shifted from red to a bright, cheerful yellow.

Madam Marchbanks nodded approvingly. "Well done. Now, please demonstrate the Growth Charm on this plant."

A small potted plant sat on the desk, its leaves barely peeking over the rim. Hermione aimed her wand and concentrated. "Engorgio," she said, and the plant began to proliferate, its leaves unfurling and stretching upwards until it nearly reached the ceiling.

"Excellent control," Madam Marchbanks commented, her pen moving swiftly over the parchment. "Now, I'd like you to perform the Silencing Charm on this bell."

Hermione focused on the small bell in front of her. "Silencio," she cast, and the bell emitted no sound when Madam Marchbanks rang it.

"Very good, very good indeed," Madam Marchbanks said, clearly impressed. "Let's try something a bit more advanced, shall we? Please perform the Shield Charm."

Hermione nodded, raising her wand with confidence. "Protego," she cast, and a shimmering barrier appeared before her, glimmering faintly in the air.

Madam Marchbanks raised an eyebrow, impressed. "For extra credit, can you perform the Disillusionment Charm on yourself?"

Hermione hesitated for only a moment before casting "Disillusio." A cold sensation washed over her as her body blended into the surroundings, becoming almost invisible.

Madam Marchbanks raised an eyebrow, impressed. "For extra credit, can you perform a non-verbal Summoning Charm? Summon an object from outside this hall."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Non-verbal spells required intense concentration and control. She thought for a moment, then decided to summon her Charms textbook from the Gryffindor common room. She closed her eyes briefly, visualising the book clearly in her mind, and with a flick of her wand, she focused all her energy on the spell.

The air around her seemed to tingle with magic. Suddenly, the heavy doors of the Great Hall creaked open, and a moment later, her well-worn Charms textbook soared through the entrance, flying straight into her outstretched hand.

Madam Marchbanks beamed at her. "Outstanding work, Miss Granger. You have shown excellent skill and control. I am very impressed."

Hermione's heart soared with relief and pride. "Thank you, Madam Marchbanks," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"You may go now," the examiner said kindly. "Best of luck with the rest of your exams."

Hermione exited the Great Hall, her heart still pounding but now with exhilaration rather than fear. She had done it. The first practical exam was behind her, and she had excelled. She couldn't wait to share the news with Harry, Ron, and the others.

There was no time to relax that night; they went straight to the common room after dinner and submerged themselves in revision for the Transfiguration exam the next day. Hermione went to bed, her head buzzing with complex spell models and theories.

Hermione woke up with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. She sat up quickly, realising what day it was hitting her like a tidal wave. Today was the Transfiguration exam, and the pressure of doing well to make Professor McGonagall proud weighed heavily on her shoulders.

She glanced at the clock beside her bed. It was still early, but she knew she couldn't fall back asleep. Hermione swung her legs out of bed and quietly made her way to the bathroom, not wanting to disturb her roommates. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to shake off the lingering sleepiness and anxiety that clung to her.

After dressing quickly, Hermione gathered her notes and textbooks, reviewing key concepts one last time. She couldn't afford to miss anything. Transfiguration was among the most challenging subjects, and Professor McGonagall's high expectations only added to the pressure.

She headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast, her stomach churning with nerves. The room was already filling up with students, all of them looking just as anxious as she felt. Hermione found a seat at the Gryffindor table, trying to focus on her notes instead of the food in front of her.

Before she knew it, the students were ushered out of the Great Hall while it was transformed for the exam. Hermione tried to speed-read the last of her notes but, unfortunately, only managed to get about three-quarters of the way through before Professor McGonagall called all of the fifth and seventh-year students back in.

Professor McGonagall called for silence and began distributing the exam papers. Hermione's hands trembled slightly as she took her paper and turned it over. She took a deep breath and lowered her eyes to the first question:

Describe the incantation and wand movement required for the Switching Spell. Provide an example of its practical use.

Hermione's quill flew across the parchment:

The incantation for the Switching Spell is 'Switch'. The wand movement involves a quick flick towards the two objects to be switched while visualising the objects swapping places. A practical use would be switching the positions of a quill and a book on a desk.

She felt a small surge of confidence as she moved on to the next question:

Explain the process and theoretical principles involved in transforming an owl into opera glasses. What are the potential complications?

Hermione paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts, then wrote:

The process of transforming an owl into opera glasses involves the incantation, 'Avisoculus,' and a smooth, continuous motion of the wand. The theoretical principles include understanding the mass and shape alteration and maintaining the intrinsic properties of the object while changing its form. Potential complications include incomplete transformation, where parts of the owl remain, or the opera glasses retain some animate characteristics.

She continued, her mind racing:

Discuss the theory behind the Vanishing Spell and its limitations. Why is it considered advanced magic?

Hermione stopped, wondering how specific she should be in her answer. The Vanishing Spell was quite a tricky one and had a lot of nuances.

The Vanishing Spell, 'Evanesco', is based on the principle of matter transference, where the object is essentially disintegrated and dispersed into non-being. Its limitations include difficulty with larger and more complex objects, as the spell requires precise control and understanding of the object's molecular structure. It is considered advanced magic due to the complexity and potential risks involved in the spell.

Hermione glanced at the clock, realising with a jolt that time was slipping away faster than she anticipated. Her attention to detail was causing her to spend more time on each question than she should. The ball of anxiety was rising exponentially.

She hurried to the next question:

Describe the theory of conjuring spells and why their practical application is highly regulated.

Hermione wrote as quickly and clearly as she could:

Conjuring spells involve creating objects out of thin air based on the caster's magical energy and focus. The theory behind these spells includes the manipulation of magical particles to form a desired object. Practical application is highly regulated due to the potential for creating hazardous or unstable items, the significant magical drain on the caster, and the ethical considerations of conjuring living creatures.

The pressure was mounting, and Hermione could feel the seconds ticking away. She forced herself to move on, her handwriting becoming slightly messier as she raced to complete the remaining questions. Each one required a level of detail and precision that she prided herself on, but now it was working against her.

Explain the importance of concentration and visualisation in performing Transfiguration spells. How does this affect the success rate of beginners compared to advanced practitioners?

Hermione's mind was in overdrive as she scribbled her answer:

Concentration and visualisation are crucial in Transfiguration spells because they ensure the caster maintains control over the transformation process. A clear mental image of the desired outcome and focused intent directly affect the success rate. Beginners often struggle with these aspects, leading to incomplete or flawed transformations, while advanced practitioners can achieve seamless and precise results due to their refined focus and experience.

As the examiner called for the papers to be handed in, Hermione felt a wave of panic. Her heart racing, she quickly finished her last sentence and put down her quill. She had answered all the questions, but the nagging feeling that she could have done better if she had managed her time more efficiently gnawed at her.

She handed in her paper and left the Great Hall, her mind still buzzing with all the information she had crammed into it. As she returned to the common room, Hermione tried to reassure herself to no avail. She could feel herself slipping into the gripping arms of anxiety and needed to fill herself with facts and figures to ward it off.

Hermione spent the entire lunch break working on Transfiguration spells over and over again. Every time she paused, the anxiety was right there, threatening to break through the surface. She was fairly sure Ron and Harry had tried to talk to her and offered her food, but she couldn't afford the luxury of stopping if she wanted to maintain any sense of sanity before the practical exam.

Hermione's heart was thumping so loudly outside the Great Hall that she was sure it was echoing throughout the corridor. The practical Transfiguration exam was moments away, and the pressure threatened to overwhelm her.

Professor McGonagall appeared at the entrance, her expression stern but her eyes softening as she caught Hermione's gaze. She gave Hermione a small, encouraging wink, which provided a fleeting moment of comfort.

"Granger, Goldstein, Goyle, Greengrass," McGonagall called, her voice steady. "You're next."

Hermione's stomach flipped upside down, but she forced herself to breathe deeply as she followed Professor McGonagall into the Great Hall. The room was set up as it had been for the written exams, with individual examination stations, each manned by a different examiner.

Professor McGonagall directed Hermione to a free station where an elderly wizard with a long, silver beard and kind, twinkling eyes sat waiting. He wore deep blue robes adorned with silver stars, and a gentle smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger," he greeted her warmly. "I am Professor Wintringham. Are you ready to begin?"

Hermione nodded, though her heart pounded in her ears. "Yes, Professor."

"Excellent," he said, consulting his clipboard. "Let's start with the basic Switching Spell. Please switch the positions of this quill and this ink bottle."

Hermione took a deep breath, raised her wand, and concentrated. "Mutatrum," she commanded. The quill and ink bottle swapped places with a soft pop.

"Very good," Professor Wintringham said, making a note. "Now, please transform this matchstick into a needle."

Hermione flawlessly transformed the matchstick, elongating and sharpening it into a perfect needle.

"Well done. Next, please demonstrate the Vanishing Spell on this goblet."

Hermione aimed her wand at the goblet. "Evanesco," she said, and the goblet vanished instantly.

"Excellent control," Professor Wintringham remarked. "Now, transform this small statue into a real mouse."

Hermione felt a wave of anxiety crash over her. She took a moment to steady her breathing before focusing on the statue. "Avertas," she incanted. The statue shifted, its features becoming more lifelike until it scampered across the desk as a real mouse.

But then she noticed a tiny detail – the mouse's tail was slightly too long. Panic flared in her chest, and she insisted, "I need to correct that!"

Professor Wintringham looked surprised but nodded. "If you feel it necessary, Miss Granger."

Hermione, nearly manic, performed the spell again, ensuring the mouse's tail was the correct length this time. "Avertas," she repeated, and the mouse transformed perfectly.

"Impressive dedication to detail," Professor Wintringham said, though Hermione barely registered his praise, her mind racing with the fear of making another mistake.

"Finally, for extra credit, please perform a non-verbal Transfiguration of this feather into a cup."

Hermione's heart was racing, but she forced herself to focus. She visualised the transformation clearly in her mind and flicked her wand. The feather shimmered and morphed into a delicate porcelain cup.

"Very well done, Miss Granger," Professor Wintringham said, clearly impressed. "You've shown excellent skill and control."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione replied, shaking slightly.

"You may go now," he said kindly. "Best of luck with the rest of your exams."

Hermione exited the Great Hall, her heart still pounding, her hands trembling. She was going to lose control. She needed a moment to compose herself. She ran through the corridors.

She made her way to the Prefects' bathroom, murmuring the password to the statue guarding the entrance. The door swung open, and she slipped inside, grateful for the solitude. Hermione sank onto the edge of the ornate bathtub, the tension in her shoulders slowly easing. Only after a few moments did she realise she still had her robes on, but Hermione didn't care. She took several deep breaths, closing her eyes and letting the quiet calm her racing thoughts. The soothing sound of the enchanted fountain helped steady her nerves. She did NOT want to have to take the Calming Draught.

When she was finally calm enough to think straight, Hermione got out of the water and disrobed, performing a quick spell to dry her clothes. She eased back into the calming waters and did a few more deep breathing exercises. Finally calmer, Hermione pulled out her notes, determined to use the quiet time to review for her next exam.

As she skimmed through her notes, Hermione reminded herself that she had done her best and that she was smart, not just average.

Maybe if she said it enough, she'd start to believe it someday.

Hermione woke up early on the day of her Herbology exams, feeling a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. She had spent countless hours in the greenhouse and the library preparing for this day, and she hoped her hard work would pay off.

Professor Sprout handed out the exam papers, and Hermione immediately began reading through the questions.

Most of the questions were straightforward, covering topics like the uses of Gillyweed and the care of Mandrakes. However, her heart sank when she reached the question about Screechsnap.

Describe the primary uses and care requirements for Screechsnap.

Hermione frowned, racking her brain for the details. She remembered reading about Screechsnap, but the specific care requirements were eluding her. She did her best to answer the question, though she knew it wasn't as thorough as she would have liked.

As she continued through the exam, she glanced up and noticed Neville had already finished and was handing in his paper. She couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for him. Neville had always had a natural talent for Herbology, and seeing him excel was heart-warming.

After the theory exam, it was time for the practical portion. Hermione felt more confident about this part, thanks to the miniature greenhouse she had built in her dormitory, and the countless hours she had spent tending to her plants honed her skills and knowledge.

The practical exam was held in Greenhouse Three, where Professor Sprout had set up various stations with different magical plants. Hermione moved from station to station, demonstrating her ability to identify and care for each plant. She deftly repotted a Venomous Tentacula, pruned a Flutterby Bush, and easily harvested Bubotuber pus.

Her confidence grew as she worked, and she could see the results of her preparation in every task she completed. When she finished, Professor Sprout gave her an approving nod, which made Hermione's heart swell with pride.

As the students gathered their things and prepared to leave, Hermione felt a sense of relief wash over her. Despite the hiccup with the Screechsnap question, she knew she had done well overall. She was particularly pleased with how helpful her miniature greenhouse had prepared her for the practical exam.

Walking back to the common room, Hermione allowed herself a small smile. One more set of exams was behind her, thank goodness.

Thursday morning dawned bright and early, with sunlight streaming through the windows of the Gryffindor common room. Hermione was already up, sitting at the table with her DA notes spread before her (since taking notes in Umbridge's Defence Against the Dark Arts class was useless), along with notes from her classes with Professor Lupin and Professor Moody (kind of).

Down in the Great Hall, Hermione joined Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. The atmosphere was charged with nervous energy as students discussed the impending exam. Hermione poured herself a cup of tea, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

"Morning, Hermione," Harry said, sitting down beside her. "Ready for today?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, taking a deep breath. "I just hope we all do well and show Umbridge that her pathetic teaching hasn't held us back."

Ron grinned, biting into a piece of toast. "I can't wait to see the git's face when we all ace it. It'll be priceless."

Hermione nodded. "It's about time she realised that we've been learning more from each other than we ever did in her classes."

As they ate, various members of the DA came over to their table, offering words of encouragement and solidarity.

"Good luck, guys," said Neville, who looked more confident than Hermione had ever seen him. "We've got this."

"Thanks, Neville," Harry said, clapping him on the back. "You're going to do great." Hermione knew how much Harry's endorsement would mean to Neville and hoped it would give him an extra boost of confidence during the exam.

Luna Lovegood drifted over, her usual dreamy expression replaced by a rare look of focus. "I think we're all well-prepared," she said serenely. "Umbridge won't know what hit her."

Ginny sat down at the table just before the end of breakfast. "Go show her what real Defence Against the Dark Arts looks like," she said, her eyes sparkling with defiance.

After the Great Hall switched from breakfast to the exam tables, Hermione felt a wave of calm wash over her. She knew they were prepared. They had trained hard and supported each other; now, it was time to prove themselves.

When Professor Umbridge called for silence and began distributing the exam papers, Hermione took a deep breath and focused. She thought of all the DA meetings, all the spells they had practised, and all the encouragement they had given each other.

This was their moment. And she was determined to make it count.

As much as the theory exam was satisfying – knowing with each correct answer, Hermione was proving Umbridge wrong – the practical examination was even more gratifying. Hermione (and the other DA members) could easily accomplish anything the proctor asked them to, whereas all of the other fifth-year students struggled. Every time Hermione performed a spell mentioned, she would look defiantly towards Umbridge to ensure she was watching. Hermione felt a quick moment of pure glee every time Umbridge "hem-hemmed."

Thursday night found the Gryffindor common room buzzing with activity. Students were celebrating the end of the Defence Against the Dark Arts exam, and the fire crackled warmly in the hearth, casting a cosy glow around the room. Amid the chaos, Hermione and Neville had claimed a large table near the fireplace, their Ancient Runes textbooks, parchment, and rune dictionaries spread out before them.

The lively atmosphere contrasted sharply with their table's focused and studious mood. Hermione was determined to make the most of the evening, knowing that the Ancient Runes exam loomed large the next day.

"You're doing great, Neville," Hermione said, offering him an encouraging smile. "Remember how well you did in Herbology? You've got this."

Neville nodded, though he still looked slightly nervous. "Thanks, Hermione."

They began reviewing critical concepts, translating complex runes and discussing their meanings and historical significance. Hermione quizzed Neville, offering tips and mnemonics to help him remember the trickier runes.

Meanwhile, the background noise of the common room provided a constant distraction. Harry, Ron, and other Gryffindors were playing a rowdy game of Exploding Snap, their laughter and chatter occasionally breaking Neville's concentration.

Ron eventually wandered over with a mischievous grin. "Come on, Hermione, take a break. You're going to wear out your brain!"

Hermione rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Thanks for the concern, Ronald, but we need to be ready for tomorrow."

Harry joined them, looking slightly guilty for not studying. "Is there anything I can do to help? I don't know much about Ancient Runes, but I can fetch books or something."

"I'm fine, thanks." What Hermione really needed them to do was to leave her alone.

As the night wore on, Neville showed significant improvement. He correctly translated complex runes and explained their significance with increasing confidence. Hermione beamed with pride, pleased with his progress.

To keep their energy up, Hermione had prepared a small plate of snacks, including pumpkin pasties and chocolate frogs, which they nibbled on as they studied.

As the night progressed, the common room gradually emptied. Harry and Ron headed up to the dormitory, leaving Hermione and Neville in a quieter, more focused environment.

"Alright, let's go over everything one last time," Hermione said, her determination unwavering. They reviewed their notes, ensuring they had covered all possible topics.

Finally, they packed up their study materials and headed to their respective dormitories. As Hermione climbed the stairs to her room, she felt the familiar ball of anxiety creeping up but pushed it down with the mental image of Umbridge's face as Hermione performed the Limbo Mist counter-charm.

Friday morning dawned bright and clear, but Hermione felt the weight of the day pressing down on her as she made her way to the Great Hall for the Ancient Runes exam. The room buzzed with nervous energy as she entered. The Great Hall was far less crowded for this exam – only a handful of fifth- and seventh-years had taken this elective.

Hermione found herself sitting next to Neville, who looked more nervous than she had seen him in quite some time. She offered him a reassuring smile. "We've prepared well, Neville. We'll get through this."

Neville nodded, trying to muster a smile in return. "Thanks, Hermione. Good luck."

Professor Babbling, the Ancient Runes instructor, moved to the front of the hall and called for silence. She began handing out the exam papers, and Hermione took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm and focused.

Hermione turned over her paper and read through the first set of questions. The exam was as tricky as she had expected, each question requiring a deep understanding of the runes, their meanings, and their applications. She took a deep breath and started to work.

Translate the following passage of runes into English. Describe the significance of each rune used.

Hermione's quill flew across the parchment as she meticulously translated the passage, carefully noting the significance of each rune. The runes twisted and turned in her mind, and she felt a momentary flash of doubt before pushing it aside and pressing on.

Compare and contrast the meanings and uses of the runes tiwaz and ansuz. Provide historical contexts in which each rune was commonly used.

Hermione detailed the uses of tiwaz, associated with the god Tyr and symbolising victory and honour in battle, and ansuz, related to the god Odin and representing communication and divine inspiration. She provided historical contexts, recalling the numerous texts she had studied.

Halfway through the exam, Hermione encountered a particularly challenging section.

Translate the following runes into their literal and figurative meanings: ehwaz and eihwaz.

Hermione's mind raced. She quickly jotted down her translation for ehwaz, writing "partnership." Then she moved on to eihwaz, noting it as "defence." But as she worked, a nagging doubt crept into her thoughts. Was she sure she had got it right?

She continued through the exam, translating and analysing runes, but worrying about her previous answer gnawed at her concentration. The complexity of the exam began to weigh heavily on her, and she could feel the pressure building.

Finally, Professor Babbling called for time, and Hermione reluctantly put down her quill. She glanced at Neville, who looked equally drained.

They walked out of the Great Hall together, the tension slowly easing as they left the exam behind.

"How did you do?" Hermione asked, her voice soaked with worry.

Neville shrugged. "It was tough. I think I did okay, but I'm not sure about some of the translations. What about you?"

Hermione sighed, frustration evident in her expression. "I think I messed up a few things."

Neville gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sure you did great."

"I hope so," she replied, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "But if I don't check now, I'm going to lose it."

Hermione stopped mid-corridor and whipped out her Ancient Runes text from her knapsack. She furiously rifled through the pages until she found what she was looking for. "Dammit!" she exclaimed, slamming the book shut.

"What?"

"I mixed up ehwaz and eihwaz."

"I'm pretty sure I did, too," Neville said, trying to console her. "I bet a lot of people did."

Hermione didn't trust herself enough to respond to Neville without unduly taking her frustrations out on him.

They walked a bit further on until they were interrupted by a commotion down the corridor. Sophie was walking the opposite way, away from the commotion. "Oi, Granger," she said. "I wouldn't go that way if I were you – someone's put another Niffler in Umbridge's office."

"Oh, that's just great," Hermione spat. "Just bloody wonderful."

As soon as they got to the common room, she was met with Ron and Harry sitting there playing a leisurely game of Wizard's Chess. The sight just annoyed her even more.

"How were the Runes?" said Ron, yawning and stretching.

"I mistranslated ehwaz," said Hermione furiously. "It means partnership, not defence; I mixed it up with eihwaz."

"Ah well," said Ron lazily, "that's only one mistake, isn't it? You'll still get –"

"Oh, shut up!" said Hermione angrily. "It could be the one mistake that makes the difference between a pass and a fail. And what's more, someone's put another Niffler in Umbridge's office. I don't know how they got it through that new door, but I just walked past there, and Umbridge is shrieking her head off – by the sound of it, it tried to take a chunk out of her leg –"

"Good," said Harry and Ron together.

"It is not good!" said Hermione hotly. "She thinks it's Hagrid doing it, remember? And we do not want Hagrid chucked out!"

"He's teaching at the moment; she can't blame him," said Harry, gesturing out of the window.

"Oh, you're so naïve sometimes, Harry. You really think Umbridge will wait for proof?" said Hermione before she swept off towards the girls' dormitories, banging the door behind her.

The weekend found Hermione in an increasingly irritable mood. The weight of the upcoming Potions exam hung over her like a dark cloud, and she had sequestered herself in the Gryffindor common room, surrounded by a fortress of textbooks, parchment, cauldrons, and ink pots.

Harry and Ron cautiously approached her table on Saturday morning, each holding a breakfast plate. They exchanged wary glances before Ron finally spoke up.

"Hermione, you've been at this for hours. Don't you think you should take a break?" he suggested, trying to sound nonchalant.

Hermione looked up, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I can't take a break, Ronald… and frankly, nor should you. Do you know how complex the Draught of Living Death is? Or how intricate the antidote for common poisons can be?"

Ron flinched slightly at her tone. "Alright, alright. We just thought you might want some breakfast," he said, placing a plate beside her.

Hermione sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I know you mean well, but I really need to focus. Potions is so precise, and if I mess up even one step…"

Harry nodded understandingly. "Okay, but make sure you eat something. We'll be over there studying if you need anything."

They left her to her studies, and Hermione resumed her intense revision, her quill scratching furiously across the parchment as she wrote detailed notes on potion ingredients and their effects.

As the hours passed, Hermione's frustration grew. She struggled with a particularly challenging section on the properties of aconite and its use in the Wolfsbane Potion. Her head ached from the constant reading.

On Sunday afternoon, Ginny approached her, holding a cup of tea. "Here, Hermione. This might help," she said gently, placing the cup beside her.

Hermione glanced up, her irritation momentarily giving way to gratitude. "Thanks, Ginny. I appreciate it."

For the first time that weekend, Hermione felt a small measure of comfort as she sipped the warm tea. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of stress and anxiety and focus on the tea.

By Sunday evening, Hermione's mood had not improved much, but she had made significant progress in her revision. She closed her final textbook with a tired sigh and rubbed her temples.

Harry and Ron returned to the common room, having given her space for most of the day. Ron hesitated before speaking. "How's it going?"

Hermione managed a small smile. "Better. I think I've covered everything, but I'm just so tired. I'm sorry I've been so cranky. It's just... a lot."

Ron grinned. "What? You act as though these exams will determine the rest of our lives or something. Blimey."

Hermione opened her mouth to give a scathing reply before realising Ron was just being sarcastic. She allowed herself to laugh and felt the tension in her shoulders ease ever so slightly.

Monday morning arrived with a sense of grim anticipation as Hermione entered the Great Hall for the Potions theory exam. Professor Snape swept into the hall, his robes billowing behind him, and began distributing the exam papers with his usual air of disdain. Hermione took a deep breath as the paper landed before her, willing herself to stay calm and focused.

As she turned over the paper, she felt a rush of relief at the first question:

List and explain the components of Polyjuice Potion and describe the effects of each ingredient.

Hermione's quill moved swiftly across the parchment as she meticulously detailed the potion's components:

Lacewing flies, stewed for 21 days, which help the potion take effect.

Leeches, which are used for their transformative properties.

Powdered Bicorn horn, an essential stabilising agent.

Knotgrass, which binds the potion together.

Fluxweed, picked at the full moon, crucial for the potion's magical transformation.

Shredded Boomslang skin, which enhances the potency of the potion.

A piece of the person you wish to turn into, such as hair or fingernail, to complete the transformation.

She continued through the exam, answering questions about the properties of bezoars, the process of creating the Draught of Living Death, and the antidotes for various magical poisons. Each question required a deep understanding of potion theory, ingredient interactions, and brewing techniques.

Midway through the exam, she encountered the question she had been dreading:

Explain the theoretical principles behind the Wolfsbane Potion and its effects on werewolves. Discuss any potential risks and limitations in its use.

Hermione paused briefly, gathering her thoughts, then wrote a comprehensive explanation, drawing on her extensive revision over the weekend. She highlighted the importance of aconite and the meticulous brewing process required to ensure the potion's efficacy and safety.

Despite her earlier frustration and fatigue, Hermione felt a growing confidence as she progressed through the exam. Her detailed preparation was paying off.

When Professor Snape finally called for the papers to be handed in, Hermione collected her things and left the Great Hall, joining the crowd of students discussing the exam. She felt she had performed relatively well, especially explaining the Polyjuice Potion.

The afternoon's practical exam was much better than any Gryffindor could have hoped for; Snape was nowhere to be found. His absence made the students much more relaxed than they usually were during Potions. Sitting between Hermione and Harry, Neville looked happier than Hermione had ever seen him in a Potions class. When Professor Marchbanks said, 'Step away from your cauldrons, please, the examination is over," Hermione corked her sample flask, feeling that she had brewed an almost perfect potion.

"Only four exams left," said Parvati wearily as they returned to the Gryffindor common room.

"Only!" Hermione snapped. "I've got Arithmancy, and it's probably the toughest subject there is!"

Tuesday's exam was scheduled to be Care of Magical Creatures. The practical examination took place in the afternoon on the lawn on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where students were required to correctly identify the Knarl hidden among a dozen hedgehogs (the trick was to offer them all milk in turn: Knarls, highly suspicious creatures whose quills had many magical properties, generally went berserk at what they saw as an attempt to poison them); then demonstrate correct handling of a Bowtruckle; feed and clean out a Fire Crab without sustaining severe burns; and choose, from a wide selection of food, the diet they would give a sick unicorn.

Hermione caught sight of Hagrid, watching anxiously out of his cabin window. She managed to give him what she hoped was a comforting smile, trying to tell him non-verbally that they were all doing well.

Tuesday night, the Gryffindor common room was a hive of activity. Students were scattered about, some frantically revising, others trying to find a moment of relaxation. Hermione, however, was deeply engrossed in her books, her focus laser-sharp as she prepared for the trio of exams on Wednesday: Astronomy theory in the morning, Arithmancy theory in the afternoon (most of the other students were scheduled for their Divination practical exams), and Astronomy practical exam in the evening.

She had set up a study station near the fire, surrounded by stacks of parchment, textbooks, and charts. Her primary concern was the Arithmancy theory exam in the afternoon, and she was determined to master every aspect. Then, as study breaks, Hermione planned on revising Astronomy.

She reviewed Professor Vector's example OWL paper and created a detailed revision schedule to ensure she covered everything.

"Alright," she murmured to herself, flipping through her meticulously organised notes. "First, the fundamental principles."

She began by reviewing the theoretical knowledge section. She recited definitions of magical numbers and their significance, committing them to memory. She meticulously read about the historical development of Arithmancy and its notable figures, such as Pythagoras and Bridget Wenlock.

Hermione paused to take a sip of tea, glancing at the clock. Time to work on a little Astronomy. She started by revising star charts and celestial phenomena, saving the planets and moons for her next Arithmancy break.

Next, she delved into the practical application, solving complex practice equations and identifying numerical patterns and their magical implications. She also quizzed herself on scenario analysis, giving herself a sample scenario and predicting potential outcomes using Arithmancy principles.

Around midnight, she took a brief break, stretching her legs and walking around the common room. She set up her telescope and pointed it at random sections of the sky, testing herself. After successfully identifying twenty celestial items in a row, she moved back to her study area to work on revising the different moons and phenomena.

Unfortunately, the next thing Hermione knew, Ron was softly shaking her awake. "'Mione," he said softly near her ear, causing goose pimples to explode all over her body. "'Mione, it's time for breakfast."

"I must have fallen asleep," she said as soon as she could catch her breath. She could still feel Ron's breath on her neck and ear. She jumped up frantically, tossing all of her books into her bag.

"You've got time," Ron said, putting a hand on hers to calm her down. "Harry and I woke up super early to get a bit more studying in and grab some food."

Hermione glanced at her watch and, indeed, confirmed it wasn't even seven o'clock. However, she was too disoriented to be impressed that Ron and Harry were out of bed at such an hour. "I'll meet you both in the Great Hall," she said and ran to her dormitory to change.

The Astronomy theory paper on Wednesday morning went well enough despite Hermione's lack of sleep. Her meticulous preparation paid off as she navigated through the questions with confidence. One question asked for the names and characteristics of Jupiter's largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Hermione had no trouble recalling the details, describing each moon's unique features and place in the solar system.

Another question required an explanation of the phases of the moon and their effects on magical properties, while another asked for a detailed description of the Orion constellation and its significance in wizarding history. As she handed in her paper and made her way to the Great Hall for lunch, the weight of the upcoming Arithmancy exam bore down on her.

By the time she entered the exam room for Arithmancy that afternoon, she was running on sheer determination. She took her seat, feeling the tension in the room as the other students settled in. Sophie sat down next to her and looked just as harried as Hermione but managed to give her a small smile. Professor Vector and the proctor walked in, their presence commanding attention, and began distributing the exam papers.

Hermione turned over her paper, her heart pounding. The first section was on theoretical knowledge:

Define the fundamental principles of Arithmancy, including the significance of magical numbers.

Hermione's quill moved swiftly across the parchment:

Arithmancy is the study of the magical properties of numbers. The fundamental principles involve understanding the intrinsic values of numbers and their effects on the magical world. Each number has a unique vibration and significance, influencing spells, magical properties, and even personal traits. For example, the number seven is considered highly magical and powerful, often associated with luck and protection.

Her eyes darted to the second question:

Explain how Arithmancy is used to predict the future and its applications in magical practices.

Hermione's eyes bulged—this was one of the vaguest questions she had encountered throughout the entire OWL process. She tried to condense her thoughts as much as possible.

Arithmancy can predict future events by analysing numerical patterns and relationships. By interpreting these patterns, Arithmancers can foresee potential outcomes and advise on the best course of action. In magical practices, Arithmancy enhances spellcasting, creates protective wards, and optimises potion-making processes. For instance, the correct timing of a spell, based on numerical analysis, can significantly increase its potency.

Vowing to return to that question, Hermione pressed on. Soon, she reached the practical application section.

Solve the following complex magical equations using Arithmancy techniques, demonstrating a solid understanding of numerical patterns and their magical implications.

Hermione worked through the equations, her quill scratching rapidly. Thankfully, her practice equations from the night before had been much more complex and involved.

Perform magical calculations related to spellcasting, potion-making, or other magical processes, showcasing the practical application of Arithmancy in daily wizarding life.

Hermione put the tip of her quill into her mouth, running her tongue back and forth absentmindedly against the rachis. She glanced over at Sophie. Would it be ethical to use the calculations they had both figured out (with Ginny and Myrtle's help) to create the DA coins?

Hermione took a precious moment of her exam time to mentally list the pros and cons, finally deciding that since she had been the one to think of and perform the spell, it would be okay to use their equations. Hermione got to work meticulously calculating the required raw magical energy input (MEI) for the Protean Charm and determined the desired output for practical spellcasting (DOPS). She explained optimising the functional spell units (FSU) to achieve the highest magical conversion efficiency coefficient (MCEC).

The final part of the exam was to "calibrate a Portkey using Arithmancy to ensure precise destination." Each student was provided with an old, rolled-up Muggle newspaper, and Hermione set to work creating the Portkey. She detailed her complex calculations and accounted for magical fluctuations as she went, documenting her process meticulously. When she was finished, she took the Portkey up to the proctor and reached out to touch it as the precise time ticked by. Hermione immediately found herself on the other side of the Great Hall within the designated metre-by-metre square, successfully travelling by a Portkey she had created.

"Excellent work, Miss Granger," the examiner said as she was dismissed from the test. She looked back and saw that Sophie was waiting for her turn to test her Portkey. She silently wished her all the luck before heading up to the Gryffindor common room to study once more (and try to fit in a nap).

As the sun set and the sky darkened, Hermione joined the other fifth-year students in the Astronomy Tower just before eleven o'clock. The cool night air was crisp, and the stars shone brightly overhead, twinkling like tiny diamonds. It was a perfect night for stargazing. Each of them set up their telescope, and when Professor Marchbanks gave the word, they proceeded to flip over their star charts and fill them in.

Professors Marchbanks and Tofty strolled among them, observing as they recorded the precise positions of the stars and planets they were observing. All was quiet except for the rustle of parchment, the occasional creak of a telescope as it was adjusted on its stand, and the scribbling of many quills. Half an hour passed, then an hour; the little squares of reflected gold light flickering on the ground below started to vanish as lights in the castle windows were extinguished.

Just as Hermione was entering Venus onto her star chart, a flood of light filled her telescope. The front doors of the castle had opened, and light was spilling down the stone steps across the lawn. Hermione glanced down to see six shadows moving over the brightly lit grass before the doors swung shut, and the lawn became a sea of darkness once again.

Hermione quickly forgot the light as she continued with the exam. She turned her telescope towards the southern sky, her eyes scanning for the familiar shape of Canis Major. She immediately singled out its brightest star, Sirius, twinkling brilliantly. She knew Sirius was a straightforward star to spot due to its brightness, but she also understood that correctly plotting its exact position required precision.

She made a few adjustments to her telescope, aligning it perfectly. As the lens brought the star into sharp focus, there it was, Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, standing out against the darker backdrop of the sky.

Hermione noted down the coordinates carefully, her quill scratching softly against the parchment. She took a moment to admire the star, thinking about its significance. Sirius was not only the brightest star in the night sky but also part of a binary star system, adding complexity to its observation.

With a deep breath, she moved on to identify the other stars in Canis Major, double-checking her notes and ensuring her calculations were precise. Just as she completed her documentation, she heard a roar from the castle grounds. Hermione lifted her eye from her telescope and craned her neck to see the cause of the noise. There was a commotion outside Hagrid's hut, the source of the noise. Hermione squinted, trying to make out what was going on.

Professor Tofty gave a dry cough. "Try and concentrate, boys and girls," he said softly.

But Hermione couldn't concentrate. She recognised Professor Umbridge's squat silhouette blocking the light of Hagrid's hut.

"Ahem—twenty minutes to go," said Professor Tofty.

Hermione jumped and returned at once to her star chart.

But then there was a BANG from the grounds. Several people cried, "Ouch!" when they poked themselves in the face with the ends of their telescopes as they hastened to see what was happening below.

Hagrid's door had burst open and, by the light flooding out of the cabin, they saw him quite clearly—a massive figure roaring and brandishing his fists, surrounded by six people, all of whom, judging by the tiny threads of red light they were casting in his direction, seemed to be attempting to Stun him.

"No!" cried Hermione despite herself.

"My dear!" said Professor Tofty in a scandalised voice. "This is an examination!"

But Hermione (and the rest of the class) were no longer paying the slightest attention to their star charts. Jets of red light were still flying about beside Hagrid's cabin, yet they all bounced off him. Hagrid was still upright and putting up quite a fight. Cries and yells echoed across the grounds; a man yelled, "Be reasonable, Hagrid!"

Hagrid roared, "Reasonable be damned, yeh won't take me like this, Dawlish."

Fang bounded out behind Hagrid, attempting to defend the giant. He was leaping repeatedly at the wizards surrounding them until a Stunning Spell caught the poor dog, and he fell to the ground. Hagrid gave a howl of fury, lifted the culprit of the spell from the ground, and threw him. The man flew what looked like ten feet and did not get up again.

Hermione gasped, both hands over her mouth. She looked frantically between Harry and Ron, who both looked terrified.

"Look!" squealed Parvati, who was leaning over the parapet and pointing to the foot of the castle where the front doors had opened again; more light was spilling out onto the dark lawn, and a single long black shadow was now rippling across the grass.

"Now, really!" said Professor Tofty anxiously. "Only sixteen minutes left, you know!"

But nobody paid him the slightest attention; they were watching the person now sprinting towards the battle beside Hagrid's cabin.

"How dare you!" the figure shouted as she ran. "How dare you!"

"It's McGonagall!" whispered Hermione.

"Leave him alone! Alone, I say!" bellowed Professor McGonagall's voice through the darkness. "On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing! Nothing to warrant such—"

Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender all screamed. The figures around the cabin had shot no fewer than four Stunners at Professor McGonagall. Halfway between the cabin and castle, the red beams collided with her; for a moment, she looked luminous and glowed an eerie red, then she lifted right off her feet, landed hard on her back, and moved no more.

Hermione felt as though she couldn't move either. Her body was numb with fear, confusion, and anger.

"Galloping gargoyles!" shouted Professor Tofty, who also seemed to have finally forgotten the exam completely. "Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behaviour!"

"COWARDS!" bellowed Hagrid; his voice carried clearly to the top of the tower, and several lights flickered back on inside the castle. "RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O' THAT—AN' THAT—"

"Oh my—" gasped Hermione.

Hagrid took two massive swipes at his closest attackers; judging by their immediate collapse, they had been knocked cold. Hermione saw Hagrid double over and thought he had finally been overcome by a spell. But, on the contrary, the next moment, Hagrid was standing again with what appeared to be a sack on his back—then Hermione realised that Fang's limp body was draped around his shoulders.

"Get him, get him!" screamed Umbridge, but her remaining helper seemed highly reluctant to go within reach of Hagrid's fists; indeed, he was backing away so fast he tripped over one of his unconscious colleagues and fell over. Hagrid turned and began to run with Fang still hanging around his neck. Umbridge sent one last Stunning Spell after him, but it missed, and Hagrid, running full-pelt towards the distant gates, disappeared into the darkness.

There was a long minute's quivering silence as everybody gazed open-mouthed into the grounds. Then Professor Tofty's voice said feebly, "Um... five minutes to go, everybody."

Though she had only filled in three-quarters of her chart, Hermione was desperate for the exam to end. There was no way she could casually go back to her work after what she had just seen. When the time came at last, she, Ron, and Harry forced their telescopes haphazardly back into their holders and dashed back down the spiral staircase. None of the students were going to bed; they were all talking loudly and excitedly at the foot of the stairs about what they had witnessed.

"That evil woman!" gasped Hermione, having difficulty talking due to rage. "Trying to sneak up on Hagrid in the dead of night!"

"She clearly wanted to avoid another scene like Trelawney's," said Ernie Macmillan sagely, squeezing over to join them.

"Hagrid did well, didn't he?" said Ron, who looked more alarmed than impressed. "How come all the spells bounced off him?"

"It'll be his giant blood," said Hermione shakily. "It's very hard to Stun a giant; they're like trolls, really tough... but poor Professor McGonagall... four Stunners straight in the chest, and she's not exactly young, is she?" She couldn't allow herself to feel any sort of emotion about Professor McGonagall, just facts. If she thought about it too much, she'd break down. It was all too much.

"Dreadful, dreadful," said Ernie, shaking his head pompously. "Well, I'm off to bed. Night, all."

People around them drifted away, still talking excitedly about what they had just seen.

"At least they didn't get to take Hagrid off to Azkaban," said Ron. "I expect he's gone to join Dumbledore, hasn't he?"

"I suppose so," said Hermione, who looked tearful. "Oh, this is awful. I really thought Dumbledore would be back before long, but now we've lost Hagrid too."

They traipsed back to the Gryffindor common room to find it full. The commotion out in the grounds had woken several people, who had hastened to rouse their friends. Seamus and Dean, who had arrived ahead of Hermione, Ron, and Harry, were now telling everyone what they had seen and heard from the top of the Astronomy Tower.

"But why sack Hagrid now?" asked Angelina Johnson, shaking her head. "It's not like Trelawney; he's been teaching much better than usual this year!"

"Umbridge hates part-humans," said Hermione bitterly, flopping down into an armchair. "She was always going to try and get Hagrid out."

"And she thought Hagrid was putting Nifflers in her office," piped up Katie Bell.

"Oh, blimey," said Lee Jordan, covering his mouth. "It's me who's been putting the Nifflers in her office. Fred and George left me a couple; I've been levitating them in through her window."

"She'd have sacked him anyway," said Dean. "He was too close to Dumbledore."

"That's true," said Harry, sinking into an armchair beside Hermione's.

"I just hope Professor McGonagall's all right," said Lavender tearfully.

"They carried her back up to the castle; we watched through the dormitory window," said Colin Creevey. "She didn't look very well."

"Madam Pomfrey will sort her out," said Alicia Spinnet firmly. "She's never failed yet."

It was nearly four in the morning before the common room cleared. Hermione dragged herself up to bed and immediately fell asleep without even changing into her pyjamas. However, her sleep was plagued by her usual nightmares, now with the added terror of seeing Professor McGonagall struck by those Stunners.

Thankfully, their final exam, History of Magic, was not to take place until that afternoon. Hermione would have very much liked to go back to bed after breakfast, but she knew she had to spend her morning doing some last-minute revision. Throughout the last few weeks, Hermione had been working on creating notes for Harry and Ron to review. They were extremely appreciative, but what they didn't realise was that rewriting her notes helped Hermione recall the last five years of Professor Binns' lectures. From those notes, she was able to create flashcards for herself, which she sleepily went through after breakfast.

Every time her eyes drooped, Hermione would bite the inside of her lip. Soon, her lip had doubled in size. She had to run up to her dormitory to grab her Bruise-Healing Paste from her trunk. The paste was a soft shade of lavender, emitting a faint, pleasant herbal scent. Hermione unscrewed the lid and carefully applied the paste to her lip. The cool sensation was immediate, and she felt a slight tingling as it began to work its magic.

Within moments, the swelling started to go down. Hermione watched in the mirror, relief washing over her as her lip returned to its normal size. She smiled, satisfied with the quick results. If only she had something (legal) that would help her stay awake.

The afternoon sun filtered weakly through the high windows of the Great Hall, casting long shadows across the rows of students bent over their exam papers. Hermione stifled a yawn, her eyes gritty from lack of sleep.

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to shake off the fog of exhaustion as she turned over her History of Magic exam paper. She loved the subject, but today, the words seemed to swim before her eyes. She blinked rapidly, focusing on the first question.

In your opinion, did wand legislation contribute to, or lead to better control of, goblin riots of the eighteenth century?

Hermione steadied her quill and began to write, her mind dredging up the facts from her notes and flashcards.

Wand legislation, particularly the restrictive laws enacted in the early eighteenth century, significantly contributed to the unrest that culminated in the Goblin riots. These laws, which prohibited non-human magical beings, including goblins, from carrying or using wands, were perceived as deeply discriminatory. Goblins, who are inherently magical beings with their own forms of magic and craftsmanship, viewed these restrictions as an affront to their autonomy and a direct attack on their rights.

Hermione started realising some similarities to their current situation, which gave her a tiny boost in energy.

The wand ban exacerbated existing tensions between goblins and wizards, who had long-standing grievances over issues such as economic exploitation, cultural disrespect, and land rights. By denying goblins access to wands, the legislation symbolised broader inequalities and injustices, fuelling resentment and leading to several violent uprisings. The riots were a manifestation of this pent-up anger and the desire for equality and recognition of goblins' inherent magical capabilities.

Conversely, the same wand legislation that contributed to the riots also played a role in controlling them, although this was a problematic and morally dubious aspect of wizarding governance. The enforcement of wand restrictions was a tool used by the Ministry of Magic to limit the offensive capabilities of goblins during these uprisings. By ensuring that goblins did not have access to wands, the Ministry aimed to prevent them from matching the wizards in direct magical combat, thus maintaining a degree of control over the rebellions.

In conclusion, while wand legislation initially contributed to the goblin riots by exacerbating existing inequalities and injustices, it also served as a tool for the Ministry of Magic to control these uprisings. The dual role of this legislation underscores the complex dynamics between governance and rebellion in the wizarding world. To create a more harmonious society, it is crucial that future legislation be crafted with a deeper understanding of and respect for the rights and contributions of all magical beings, including goblins.

She paused for a moment, rubbing her eyes. The words were clear, but her mind felt sluggish. Hermione knew she could have been much more elegant in her answer, but she knew she needed to move on. She could fill the whole two hours answering just that question.

Explain the significance of the International Statute of Secrecy, passed in 1692.

Hermione tried to shake the sleep from her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was start biting her lip again. Instead, she tried to keep her leg bouncing under her desk. Her anxiety made it quite effortless.

The International Statute of Secrecy was enacted in 1692 to protect the wizarding world from Muggle persecution and ensure the secrecy of magical activities. This legislation mandated that magical creatures and communities remain hidden from Muggle society, leading to the establishment of many concealment charms and protective measures still in use today.

Hermione glanced around the hall briefly. Ron looked equally haggard, his quill scratching furiously across the parchment. She took a deep breath and turned to the next question.

Discuss the role of Uric the Oddball in early magical history.

She put her quill to the parchment but felt her heavy head start to droop. The "U" of her answer was a big blob of ink. Clearly, shaking her leg wasn't working. Hermione started to squeeze her earlobe instead.

Uric the Oddball, a medieval wizard known for his eccentric behaviour, made significant contributions to the study of magical creatures. Despite his peculiar habits, such as wearing a jellyfish for a hat, Uric documented numerous magical species and their behaviours, providing valuable insights that laid the groundwork for modern magizoology.

As she wrote, Hermione felt a wave of dizziness. She pressed on, her handwriting neat but slightly shaky.

Analyse the effects of the Giant Wars on the wizarding communities in Europe.

The Giant Wars profoundly impacted wizarding communities across Europe, causing widespread destruction and fear. Giants, used by wizards as mercenaries, often turned on their handlers, leading to brutal conflicts. The wars resulted in the near-extermination of giants and stricter control measures on their interactions with the wizarding world.

Hermione's mind drifted momentarily to Hagrid. She pushed the thought away, knowing she needed to focus.

Towards the end of the exam, she was deep into an essay on the formation of the Wizengamot when a sudden commotion broke her concentration. She looked up to see Harry being escorted out of the hall, pale and shaking, a dazed look in his eyes. Her heart lurched with concern, but she forced herself to stay seated, her quill hovering over the parchment.

The last question stared back at her.

Summarise the contributions of Elfrida Clagg to the development of the magical creature classification system.

Had she ever heard of a witch named Elfrida Clagg? Who in the bloody hell was Elfrida Clagg, and what was she doing on the OWL?

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose, willing herself to dredge up any memory of Elfrida Bloody Clagg from the recesses of her mind. Whoever Elfrida was, she was hiding behind flashes of Harry at the cemetery.

Hermione shook her head and chanced a glance at Ron. He was looking back at her, concern etched across his face. Something in Hermione's expression must have triggered something in Ron because his concern transformed into that goofy grin Hermione loved as he silently mouthed, "Classification."

Hermione tilted her head in confusion.

Ron mouthed again: "Magical Creature Classification."

Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. She looked at him again.

"You got this!" Ron over-emphasised each word for the third time.

Then it hit her! Elfrida Clagg! Classification! Her head snapped back to her parchment, quill at the ready.

Elfrida Clagg, Chief of the Wizards' Council in the 14th century, was instrumental in the development of the magical creature classification system. Her efforts to categorise and regulate interactions with magical creatures laid the foundation for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Clagg's work ensured better protection and understanding of both magical creatures and wizards.

Hermione finished the last sentence with a flourish, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the rush of completion. She glanced at Ron, who was still writing furiously, then back at the door where Harry had disappeared.

The examiner called time, and Hermione set down her quill with a sigh of relief mixed with anxiety. She and Ron exchanged worried looks as they handed in their papers and hurried out of the Great Hall.

"We need to find Harry," Hermione said urgently, her fatigue forgotten in the wave of concern for her friend.

Ron nodded, his face grim. "Let's go."

They made their way to the hospital wing, their minds racing with worry about Harry and the events of the night before. Hermione's heart pounded, not from the stress of the exam but from the fear of what they might find when they reached their friend.