Butterfly Effect ; H. Potter

13. predictions and exams.

The euphoria at finally winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week. Even the weather seemed to be celebrating; as June approached, the days became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt like doing was strolling into the grounds and flopping down on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps playing a casual game of Gobstones or watching the giant squid propel itself dreamily across the surface of the lake.

But they couldn't. The exams were nearly upon them, and instead of lazing around outside, the student were forced to remain inside the castle, trying to bully their brains into concentrating while enticing wafts of summer air drifted in through the windows. Even Fred and George Weasley Weasley had been spotted working; they were about to take their O.W.Ls (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) Percy was getting ready to sit his N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest qualification Hogwarts offered. As Percy hoped to enter the Ministry of Magic, he needed top grades. He was becoming increasingly edgy and gave very severe punishments to anybody who disturbed the quiet of the common room in the evenings. In fact, the only people who seemed more anxious than Percy were Antheia and Hermione.

Harry and Ron had given up asking them how they were managing to attend several classes at once, but they couldn't restrain themselves when they saw the exam timetable they had arranged.

MONDAY

9 o'clock, Arthimancy

9 o'clock, Transfiguration

Lunch

1 o'clock, Charms

1 o'clock, Ancient Runes

"Antheia?" Ron asked as Hermione was liable to explode when interrupted these days. "Er - are you sure you've copied these down right?"

"Hm?" said Antheia, looking down at the exam timetable. "Yes, of course."

"Is there any point asking how you're going to sit two exams at once?" said Harry.

"We told you," Anthea said, yawning tiredly. "We've fixed it up with Professor McGonagall.

"Has any of you seen my copy of Numerology and Grammatica?" Hermione said.

"Oh yeah, I borrowed it for a bit of bedtime reading," said Ron, but very quietly. Hermine started shifting heaps of parchment around on her table, looking for the book. Just then, there was a rustle at the window and Hedwig fluttered through it, a note clutched tightly in her beak,

"It's from Hagrid," said Harry, ripping the note open. "Buckbeak's appeal - it's set for the sixth."

"That's the day we finish out exams," said Hermione, still looking everywhere for her Arthimancy book.

"And they're coming here to do it," said Harry, still reading the letter. "Someone from the Ministry of Magic and - and an executioner."

Antheia's eyes widened.

"Why would they bring the executioner to the appeal? That makes it sound like they've already decided!"

"Yeah, it does," said Harry slowly.

"They can't!" Ron howled. "I've spent ages reading up stuff for him, they can't just ignore it all!"

Although hopeful, Antheia knew deep down that Buckbeak had no chance. Draco, who had been noticeably subdued since Gryffindor's triumph in the Quidditch final, seemed to regain some of his old swagger over the next few days. Antheia had overheard Malfoy's sneering comments and he was certain that Buckbeak was going to be killed, and seemed thoroughly pleased with himself for bringing it about. The worst thing of all was that they had no opportunity to go and see Hagrid, because the strict new security measures had not been lifted, and Harry didn't dare retrieve his Invisibility Cloak from below the one-eyed witch.