The remainder of the break went by quickly with lots of studying for the upcoming exams that would determine what NEWT level classes they were eligible to take. As they sat at breakfast Harry looked up at Sirius, "What would a normal load of NEWT Classes be?" His green eyes conveying exactly how nervous he was about what his exam score would be and what that could mean for his future prospects. Sirus looked at his godson, "well the number you need and which ones varies according to what you want to do for a career, pup. For what you have expressed an in interest in you would need to take at least five and I would suggest seven. It would be required for you to take NEWT level "Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I would suggest also adding Runes and Arithmancy." Harry stared down at his hands folded on the table.
Sirus then turned to Theo, "What exactly do you want to do when you leave Hogwarts? Theo nervously bit his lower lip, "Well I had considered a career in Arithmantic Research, but also considered becoming a Potions Master myself." Sirius nodded, "similarly you would be advised to take NEWTS in Potions, Herbology, Charms, and Runes and Arithmancy. On average students in my year took three but five to seven is preferable if you can buckle down and manage the course load."
As they finished their breakfast in silence, Harry felt a sense of sadness as he prepared to return to Hogwarts. Standing up and shrinking their trunks Harry and Theo made their way to King's Cross Station via floo.
As they came out the familiar sight of the scarlet steam engine greeted them, Harry and Theo walked down the corridor of the train and found and empty compartment which they charmed for privacy. It took only ten minutes before there was a knock on the door. Harry smiled as they opened the compartment door to reveal Blaise. The dark-skinned boy smirked, "Happiest of New Years to you both. I trust that you didn't have too eventful of a holiday." Harry and Theo exchanged looks; itwas clear that Harry was going to let him take the lead here. So, Theo cleared his throat, "I had a rather remarkable moment where my father took me to be introduced to the Dark Lord. They're getting ready to initiate new members among legacies. So, some of our class marked. Just be aware of who you say what around and involve yourself with." Theo put extra emphasis on the last three words.
Harry shrugged, "Not bad at least not as bad as Theo's. It was my first real holiday anyhow. So, I just am not sure of what to compare it too." Blaise nodded, and then flopped down on the seat across from them, I managed to survive another vacation with mother, then again she has a new husband and so she is distracted. So, I spent most of studying aside from the day of the actual celebration."
Harry smirked, "we did a lot of that as well, I'm nervous though, Theo and Blaise exchanged looks, but it was Theo who answered, "Harry you have been studying, and I've been reviewing your essays all year before you turn them in and so has Blaise. You'll be fine." The Italian boy nodded his agreement, "You're marks have definitely improved."
Harry beamed at his friends; it was true that Harry's marks had improved remarkably over the first part of the year. Harry had gone from getting Es and As , to having E/O overage in all of his classes. Neville too had shown improvement as he spent time with them working on the practical aspects. Harry also dropped a not-so-subtle hint to Neville one day when they were working in the room of requirement, and it came out that Neville was using his dad's wand.
Harry, Blaise, and Theo looked at Neville as he continued to struggle with the summoning charm. The room was set up in the usual fashion they used for these practice sessions, and pillows and books were now all over the place. The now very lanky wizard had a look of frustration on his face. "I'll never live up to my dad. Gran is sure to be disappointed in my when I get my OWL results this year. I am supposed to become and Auror like them you know." Harry turned to hisfriend who had failed once more to summon a book from across the room to himself, "the wand chooses the wizard. At least that is what Olivander says. Are you sure that your wand suits you?"
As the trio departed the train they made their way over to carriages, Harry slowly made his over to pet one of the skeletal horses. A very sharp voice cut through the night, "what are you doing Harry?" Harry turned to find his former friends standing close to them, "can't you see them?" The bushy haired witch snapped, "see what Harry? They're going to pull themselves like always." Theo who had picked up a couple of apples to feed the threstals mocked her, "assuming that something isn't real just because you can't see it even though you see the results of its activity?"
Hermione rounded on Theo who was feeding the skeletal horses, "It's just not logical." Blaise chuckled, "Granger, we can see them. They can only be seen by those who have witnessed death,"
Neville came up standing with a petite fairy like blonde girl, behind Ron and Hermione. It was the blonde girl though who spoke, "it's true, I can see them too. They're just as sane as I am and everyone else. It makes sense that Harry can see them. I know why Theo might be able to see them Blaise too if you know anything about the rumors."
Blaise cringed at the mention of the rumor that surrounded his mother. Soon Neville and the blond girl joined Theo, Harry and Blaise in the carriage Ron and Hermione choosing to walk rather than expand the carriage and ride with them. The rest of the trip was accomplished in silence after Neville introduced his new girlfriend, "Harry Potter, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, meet my girlfriend, Luna Lovegood." The boys took turns, lifting Luna's hand and gently brushing their lips to her knuckles, according to Theo and the book on etiquette that Harry had found in the Black library that was the correct response.
The remainder of the term flew once they were back at Hogwarts. And soon it was time to take their OWL Exams. The first day of exams consisted of the written and practical charms exam. The morning being the written and the afternoon being the practical. Harry was asked to perform the summoning and cheering charms as his practical and was relieved when both went flawlessly. The proctor then asked if he wanted to try and do both nonverbally for extra points. Harry was excited and tried as they were working on nonverbal spells in their practice sessions.
The second day had transfiguration following the same pattern. Harry had to transform a hedgehog into a bin cushion and a rat into a goblet as well as a ferret to a duster. The third day of exams was when they take their herbology exams. The herbology practical included taking care of Then, they finally took their defense and runes exams continuing in the same pattern. The second week kept the pattern for Potions, Astronomy and History of Magic as well as Arithmancy.
Harry nearly passed out during the history exam because he got a headache that worse than any of the ones that he had previously. Thankfully, he had been continuing his occlumency practice and managed to push his wall up against the pain and push it out. It didn't come back afterwards.
As they finished their last OWL exam the group assembled out by the Lake under the shade of a tree that Harry and Theo loved, it made a nice spot to just sit and think. The roots even set in such a way that the tree seemed make a seat that was perfect to rest in after a long day of exams. Neville plopped down closer to the lake hoping to look for some particular plants that might be useful. While Blaise Theo and Harry settled under the shade of the tree. Susan, Hannah, and Ernie settled into a game of Exploding Snap in the middle of the area.
Looking around at his friends, "Anyone have any plans for the summer?" Blaise just shrugged. Hannah smiled, "I'm going to be volunteering at St. Mungo's. If I did as well as I hope, I want to be a mediwitch." Harry smiled, "I wish that I had thought of that. I didn't even know that they would allow volunteers." Hannah nodded, "I can check with my mum and see if they still could use more." Ernie smirked, "I'm going to visit my grandfather in Ireland."
Luna turned, "Dad and I are going to look for magical creatures in Sweeden." Harry just smiled at his friends, knowing that He and Theo would be spending the summer training with Sirius and Susan had already made it clear that she would coming around. With Sirius officially cleared, hewas back to working for the department of magical law enforcement. That would mostly be early or later in the day.
As the day turned into evening Harry and Theo delved into more research on methods of traveling the road to immortality. Unfortunately, they came up empty handed as per usual. Theywent to bed that night looking forward to the summer for the first time ever for either of them!