The Prisoner of Azkaban (Hermione Granger X Male Reader)

32. Exams and Executions

(Y/N)'s POV

(Y/N)'s euphoria from 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 onto the grounds and sitting 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 students were forced to remain inside the castle, trying to bully their brains into concentrating while enticing wafts of summer air drifted in through the window.

Even Fred and George had been spotted working; they were about to take their O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels). Percy was getting ready to sit his N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest qualification Hogwarts offered.

(Y/N) sat with Hermione, Harry and Ron. Each one of them trying to cram knowledge into their heads.

(Y/N) had to pull his wand out several times to mend paper cuts he gave himself as he turned through the pages of his books. Hermione hadn't spoken a word since they started revising and gave anyone who spoke above a whisper a death glare. Harry had wiped his glasses clean almost a thousand times, while Ron was sweating onto the pages of his books.

The only time they had even thought of a break was when there was a small rustle at the window. Turning his head, (Y/N) saw Hedwig flutter through it, a note clinched tightly in her beak.

"It's from Hagrid," said Harry, ripping the vote open. "Buckbeak's appeal — its set for the sixth."

"That's the day we finish our exams," said Hermione, looking everywhere for her Arithmancy book.

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

(Y/N) felt his throat close.

"They're bringing the executioner to the appeal! But that sounds as though they've already decided!"

"Yeah, it does," said Harry slowly.

"They can't!" Ron howled. "Me and (Y/N) have spent ages reading up stuff for him, they can't just ignore it all!"

But (Y/N) had a horrible feeling that the Committee for the Disposal of Magical Creatures had had its mind made up for it by Lucius Malfoy.

Exam week began and an unnatural hush fell over the castle. The third-years emerged from Transfiguration at lunchtime on Monday limp and ashen-faced, comparing results and bemoaning the difficulty of the tasks they had been set, which had included turning a teapot into a tortoise.

Despite (Y/N) having overheard the worried of others regarding their turtles and that almost ensuring he had a complete pass, he was still sweating bullets. His turtle kept blinking really quickly, he didn't even think that would deduct any marks, it just freaked him out.

Then, after a hasty lunch, it was straight back upstairs for the Charms exam. Hermione had been right; Professor Flitwick did indeed test them in Cheering Charms. (Y/N) fought his nerves quite well but they only completely disappeared when his charm on Hermione worked effortlessly and her worried face relaxed into the warm smile that he loved so much.

After dinner, the students hurried back to their Common Rooms, not to relax, but to start revising for Care of Magical Creature, Potions and Astronomy.

Hagrid had presided over the Care of Magical Creatures exam the following morning with a very preoccupied air indeed; although this didn't worry (Y/N). Considering his performance in lessons and his love and enthusiasm for leading in this lesson, it was the only exam he was certain he'd pass.