Exams

A few days passed in a blur of nerves and whispered discussions as the Hogwarts students busied themselves with preparations for the upcoming exams. With barely four weeks left, the castle thrummed with anxious energy. Some students spent their days buried beneath stacks of parchment, practicing wand movements, and memorizing spells. Others, like the Gryffindor Quidditch team, were at the mercy of Oliver Wood's relentless training sessions — his obsession with strategies and drills leaving them little time for anything else.

The halls buzzed with activity, each group preoccupied with their own worries and ambitions.

It was near noon when Cael found himself seated beside Katie Bell at the Gryffindor table, the Great Hall bustling with chatter and the clinking of cutlery. Katie, poking half-heartedly at her lunch, turned toward him with a sigh.

"So," she began, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "how's your exam prep going? I bet you'll do great — you're clever enough. But I'm hopeless at Potions." She groaned softly. "With Snape breathing down my neck, I'm convinced he's waiting for me to mess up so he can fail me."

Cael offered her a reassuring smile, his tone steady, practical. "You're not hopeless, Katie. You just need to focus on the basics — especially with Potions. It's mostly about precision. Know your ingredients, memorize the process step by step, and it's not so bad." He paused, considering. "We've only covered seven potions this term. Master those and you'll be fine."

Katie exhaled, clearly unconvinced but grateful for the encouragement. "I hope so," she muttered, picking at her food again. Then, her expression softened, curiosity replacing worry. "What about you? Any plans for the holidays?"

Cael shrugged lightly, a distant look crossing his face. "Not much. Probably heading back to the orphanage," he admitted. "If I can, I'd like to find a job in Diagon Alley — earn a few Galleons. Could use the money."

Katie's brows knitted with concern, but she quickly masked it with a bright smile. "Good luck," she said sincerely. "You'll manage — you always do."

Before Cael could reply, a faint chime echoed in his mind — the familiar voice of the system interface he'd grown accustomed to.

Congratulations! Quest Complete: Earn 100 House Points.

You've achieved the final points this morning during Charms class. Reward: +5 Intelligence. Bonus: Increased likelihood of securing First Place in Year-End Exams.

Cael's lips curled ever so slightly. It was a small, invisible victory, but satisfying nonetheless.

The weeks flew by, and before anyone could fully brace themselves, the day of exams arrived. Despite the panic that gripped most first-years, Cael moved through the days with calm determination.

The first challenge was Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall's domain. Their task: transform a mouse into a snuffbox.

Around him, students muttered spells nervously. Some produced half-hearted results — snuffboxes with twitching tails, others with fur still clinging to the edges. Cassandra, predictably, performed hers flawlessly.

When Cael's turn came, he stepped forward, wand steady, his mind clear. With a flick and precise incantation, the mouse vanished, replaced by a sleek, polished snuffbox. Etched onto its lid was the roaring lion of Gryffindor.

Professor McGonagall arched a brow, clearly impressed. "Excellent work," she remarked, awarding him full marks.

Next came Herbology, where students were tested on their knowledge of magical plants. First, they sat a written exam, then individually identified the plants presented by Professor Sprout. Cael passed both effortlessly, recognizing each specimen with ease, earning another top score.

Charms followed, with Professor Flitwick instructing them to detail the origins of various spells and their inventors. Afterwards, they demonstrated their practical skills by casting a Cleaning Charm. Cael executed both components flawlessly, his days of silent practice paying off.

But the most dreaded exam awaited them next: Potions with Professor Snape.

The dungeons were cold, the air thick with tension. First, they completed the written test, naming ingredients, properties, and brewing steps. Then came the practical — brewing a specific potion, though its name was intentionally left blank on the sheet, a subtle trick of Snape's to catch the unprepared.

Cael worked carefully, his movements precise. The potion shimmered the correct color, bubbling as expected. Yet, Snape's sneering expression betrayed no satisfaction.

"For a first-year… acceptable," Snape muttered begrudgingly, scribbling notes on his parchment. Despite the cold reception, Cael knew he'd done well.

Astronomy followed, with students required to identify constellations and celestial bodies beneath the night sky. Cael pointed out the stars with ease, his sharp memory serving him well.

History of Magic, taught by the ever-droning Professor Binns, was entirely written. Questions ranged from the history of Hogwarts itself to the dark, tragic tales of werewolves. Cael scribbled answers quickly, grateful for his habit of late-night reading sessions.

The final challenge, to everyone's relief, was Defense Against the Dark Arts, overseen by Professor James Potter himself.

In stark contrast to Snape, James kept the exam simple: cast a spell against an illusion of a Dark Creature — more of a confidence exercise than a true test.

Students eagerly stepped up, eager to impress the famous Gryffindor alumnus. Cael's spellwork was sharp, efficient, the phantom Dark Creature vanishing with ease.

And with that, the exams were over.

Laughter and relieved sighs filled the common rooms. The weight of the term lifted from their shoulders as they celebrated the end of their first year, their worries fading — at least for now.