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Chapter 880: A Special Graduation Exam
Chapter 880: A Special Graduation Exam
"By the way, Ivan, you still have to take the N.E.W.T. exams, right? Did they give you two separate test papers?" Hermione suddenly remembered this and asked curiously.
If she wasn't mistaken, the fifth-year and seventh-year exams were held around the same time, all within these few days. Unless one used a Time-Turner, there was no way to manage both.
Ivan shook his head and explained, "I'm graduating early this time, so I won't be taking the exams with the other seventh-years. The Ministry of Magic will arrange a separate time for me. I've heard that many people will be present, and the difficulty will be much higher than the regular N.E.W.T. exams."
Strictly speaking, he was the first student in Hogwarts history to graduate early. Even with Pierce's special approval, he needed to prove himself convincingly.
Hearing Ivan's words, Harry and the others became interested in this special exam. However, thinking about their own O.W.L. exams in the afternoon, they felt a headache coming on.
...
For two weeks, the young wizards of Hogwarts were caught up in a cycle of exams and preparation.
When the final History of Magic exam ended, the students who left the exam hall all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Since the results would typically be released at the end of the term, they still had about a week to relax before that.
The special exam organized by the Ministry of Magic was also scheduled, set for the last day of June.
Ivan, as usual, got up early. When he arrived at the Great Hall, he found it had been completely transformed. The four long tables for the students had been removed, replaced by a temporary exam platform.
To generate some publicity, the Ministry of Magic did not restrict access, and the Great Hall was filled with young wizards eager to watch the exam, making it as lively as a festival.
"Wow, even Minister of Magic Pierce and Grandmaster of the Order of Merlin, Goshawk, are here", Ron exclaimed, staring at the examiners on the platform. This was the first time he had seen such a grand occasion.
"Go on, Ivan. I believe you'll do great", Hermione encouraged, and Harry and Ron patted Ivan on the shoulder to cheer him on.
"Of course, no need to worry", Ivan replied with a smile, then walked past them toward the exam platform.
Richard Goshawk, who was chatting with some professors, was the first to notice Ivan's arrival. He stepped forward, visibly pleased, and said, "It's been a long time, Hals! When I awarded you the Order of Merlin, I knew you were destined for great things..."
"You flatter me, Grandmaster Goshawk", Ivan replied humbly. He had a great deal of respect for Richard Goshawk, the fair and pragmatic Grandmaster of the Order of Merlin.
After a brief exchange with Goshawk, Ivan turned to greet Acting Minister Pierce, examiners Toffey, Macnair, and others.
Notably, the Daily Prophet had sent a reporter, none other than Ivan's old acquaintance, Rita Skeeter!
Though they hadn't seen each other in a few months, Rita Skeeter looked much more haggard. Despite her usual forced smile, she felt a deep sense of fear when facing Ivan.
As a seasoned gossip reporter, Rita Skeeter could piece together what had happened during the upheaval at the newspaper a few months ago and had a vague understanding of how her former boss had been forced into retirement.
If she had been irritated by Ivan holding a trump card over her before, now she didn't even dare to think of revenge.
Ivan, on the other hand, chatted casually with Rita Skeeter, his expression unchanged.
Although he didn't particularly like this gossip journalist, he had to admit that she had a talent for manipulating public opinion and swaying the masses. If handled well, she could become a sharp blade against their enemies.
"Time is almost up, Hals. Please step onto the exam stage now", Mcgonagall glanced at the clock and interrupted Ivan and the others' conversation.
Ivan nodded and walked to the center of the exam area, standing facing the crowd.
Since today's exam covered practical classes in Transfiguration, spell casting, Divination, and Dark Magic Defense, there were no desks or test papers in front of him, just a small platform about the height of a person.
Once Ivan was in position, Professor Mcgonagall looked at Pierce for the Acting Minister's approval, then cleared her throat and announced, "The exam will now begin. The first section is Transfiguration. Your target is the wooden platform in front of you. You need to transfigure it into any animal. Your score will be based on the completeness of the transfiguration and the time taken."
"I understand, Professors!" Ivan nodded to the examiners, then with a gentle flick of his wrist, the wooden platform in front of him began to transform as if it were melting.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a burst of intense flames suddenly enveloped the platform. Hermione was startled, fearing that something had gone wrong with Ivan's casting. Harry and Ron were equally worried.
The examiners, including Mcgonagall, looked on with deep surprise. The next moment, a melodious cry echoed through the Great Hall!
A golden-red Phoenix emerged from the flames, spreading its wings and circling above the empty plates. Crimson flames surrounded its body, and its tail flames cascaded like brilliant fireworks, drawing gasps of wonder from the young wizards. Even the Ministry of Magic officials gaped in amazement.
"Remarkable, is that a... Phoenix?!" Professor Macnair looked up at the Phoenix flying above the Great Hall, speaking in awe.
Pierce and the others were similarly stunned by Ivan's masterful transfiguration. If they hadn't seen the casting process with their own eyes, they would have thought it was a real Phoenix.
"Those flames... how did you do that, Hals?" Professor Mcgonagall asked eagerly. While she could transfigure something similar to a Phoenix, she could never give it the ability to control fire!
"I'm afraid I'll have to keep that a secret for now, Professor Mcgonagall", Ivan shrugged helplessly. This situation had also caught him off guard.
During the transfiguration, he felt his Phoenix bloodline suddenly activate, and the "Phoenix" he transfigured automatically gained some control over fire.
Although this ability was very weak compared to a real Phoenix, it sparked Ivan's curiosity. If he could further develop his Phoenix bloodline, could he one day summon a true Phoenix like Dumbledore's members?
(End of Chapter)
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