Chapter 637: The Exam
Chapter 637: The Exam (Please subscribe, favorite, and vote)
Britain's summer isn't particularly hot, but the temperature difference between day and night can be quite significant. This is especially true in the Scottish Highlands where Hogwarts is located. Even with a large lake nearby, the temperature fluctuations remain, and the air becomes very humid. At night, walking through the castle's corridors feels damp and chilly. Fortunately, the House-Elves had already lit the fireplaces, making the Common Room much more comfortable.
“Isn’t the exam tomorrow? I remember most of the Seventh Year Gryffindors signed up. Why is everyone so rowdy tonight?” Hermione, returning from the Library, had planned to study some more, but the noise around her made it impossible to concentrate.
“Most people just signed up to gauge their own level and don’t really think they can pass the exam,” Liam shrugged, glancing over Hermione’s shoulder to see Harry and Ron playing a game of wizard’s chess that came with the Wizards' Guide to Muggles magazine.
“If they don’t expect to pass, then why are they taking the exam?” Hermione was puzzled by their mindset. “Shouldn’t everyone give their all in every exam?”
“That’s just how you think, Hermione,” Liam said, somewhat exasperated. Although Hermione had changed a lot, her tendency to be meticulous about certain issues hadn’t. But Liam didn’t see this as a bad thing; in his eyes, if she changed even this, she wouldn’t be Hermione anymore.
“At least this exam gives the students a chance to understand their current level,” Liam continued. “I think Hogwarts falls short in this aspect compared to Muggle schools. In Muggle schools, there are all kinds of preliminary tests and mock exams to help students gauge their performance. But in the wizarding world, students generally go into exams without a clear understanding of their capabilities.”
“This exam is an opportunity for everyone to identify their weaknesses so they can do better in the next one. That’s why so many people, knowing they won’t pass, still choose to take it,” Liam concluded, spreading his hands. “Besides, it’s free. Why not take the exam to gain some experience?”
“Alright, you always manage to find a logical explanation. And I agree, Hogwarts is indeed behind in terms of learning methods,” Hermione closed her book. She had already prepared thoroughly for the exam over the past few days, but out of habit, she wanted to review until the last moment.
After chatting for a bit, they both went back to their dormitories to sleep. The next morning, after breakfast, Liam joined a large group of Gryffindors waiting in the entrance hall. Soon, they saw the elderly Professor Marchbanks and Dumbledore walking into the castle together.
“Albus, you look older. I still remember your youthful vigor and the impressive performance you gave during the N.E.W.Ts Exam, especially in Transfiguration and practical spellcasting—”
“Those were indeed memorable times. Please, this way, Professor Marchbanks,” Dumbledore extended his hand to guide her. “We can have a cup of tea in the staff room while the Great Hall is being prepared after breakfast.”
As the two elderly figures walked away, many students looked slightly nervous. However, since most didn’t expect to pass this time, the overall atmosphere was much more relaxed compared to the O.W.L. Exams a year ago.
After scanning the entrance hall, Liam noticed that almost all the Seventh Year students were present for the exam. This was expected, as students who chose to stay at Hogwarts after Voldemort announced the establishment of another Hogwarts School had essentially chosen their side.
For example, Malfoy is now standing in the entrance hall, ready to take the exam. For the Malfoy family, they now hope more than anyone else for Voldemort's defeat. Because if Voldemort does not fail, then as traitors to Voldemort's side, they are as good as dead.
Pansy Parkinson, who used to be a frequent presence around Voldemort, is not standing by his side. The Parkinson family is now a core supporter of Voldemort, so during the last choice, Pansy boarded the Hogwarts Express back to London. For the same reason, common Slytherin students like Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini are also not in the entrance hall. To be precise, Malfoy is the only Slytherin student who has come to take the exam today.
"Quite surprising", Hermione whispered. "I always thought Malfoy wouldn't come to school this year, but I didn't expect him to be the only seventh-year Slytherin left at Hogwarts."
"What's so surprising about that?" Liam glanced at Malfoy, whose face was still pale but looked much more spirited than last year. "I don't think there's any place in Britain safer than Hogwarts Castle, guarded by Headmaster Dumbledore. Besides, as a clan that prioritizes its continuity, they wouldn't keep the current and future clan heads in the same place to ensure the clan's safety."
"Just like how the U.S. President and Vice President are not allowed to appear in the same place, right?" Hermione asked.
"Exactly", Liam replied. "Of course, that's also why I believe the Malfoy clan is now on the side of the Dark Lord's resistance. It's not because they are drawn to the light or willing to fight for justice, but because from a purely strategic standpoint, after our last operation, the Malfoy clan had no other choice to ensure their clan's survival."
"We should thank the Dark Lord for being a madman, or perhaps for becoming one after slicing his soul. It makes it much easier to distinguish friends from enemies now compared to the last war", Hermione said with a slight smile. "Well, it's time. I think we should go in to take the exam now."
Liam turned to look at the Great Hall's doors, which slowly opened inward. Like the previous exam, the Great Hall was filled with single-person desks. However, unlike the O.W.L. Exams from over a year ago, this was a special exam held under emergency circumstances, and fewer students were taking the N.E.W.T. exams compared to the O.W.L. Exams. Therefore, the exam period, which usually lasted a week, has been compressed into three days.
So, at 8:00 AM, the first written exam for Charms began, followed by a 15-minute break before the second written exam for Transfiguration. This exam schedule gave Liam a subtle sense of familiarity, reminiscent of the intense exam schedules he had during his senior year of high school in his previous life.
Flipping open the exam paper, Liam found the first question asking him to describe a spell to summon water and explain its principle. This wasn't difficult, especially since Flitwick's lesson on the Fountain of Water, where Seamus was made to copy the sentence "I am a wizard, not a baboon waving a wand", had left a lasting impression on Liam. He smiled slightly, bent down, and began writing on the exam paper. By this time, Hermione was already writing furiously on her own paper.
However, not everyone answered the questions as smoothly as they did. In fact, such smooth answers were the exception rather than the rule. Most of the students were either scratching their heads or flipping their papers back and forth, making rustling sounds.
Overall, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw students performed better, and some Hufflepuff students were also able to answer seriously. The ones who spent a long time flipping their papers without writing a single word were mainly Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students.
Finally, after over four hours, the morning exam was over.
(End of Chapter)
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