A Whole New Beginning (Completed)

Chapter 15

The morning of O.W.L.S. had every fifth and seventh year student on edge. Hermione was frantically looking through her notes, while Harry and Ron were patiently waiting for their exams.

When it was time for the exams, they were excused outside to wait by the Entrance Hall until the Great Hall was ready for them. Harry walked over to Hermione and put his hands on her arms, staring straight at her, as though having a silent conversation. After a moment she nodded, smiling slightly at him.

Finally, the doors to the hall opened and they entered, looking at the setup.

"Good luck," Hermione whispered to Ron and Harry right before she went to find her seat. They nodded at her and each other before taking off to their own seats.

Harry stared at Professor McGonagall until she flipped the hourglass over. Taking a deep breath, he flipped his exams over and started to work on it, finding the questions easier than what he had imagined.

He finished his exams shortly before the hourglass stopped. He put his quill down and waited for the last drop in the hourglass, wondering how Ron and Hermione did on their exams. A few moments later his exams levitated in the air and flew towards Professor McGonagall.

"This is the end of your Charms examination," she said. "After lunch, you will take the practical examination in the corridor next to the hall. You are all dismissed."

Harry waited for Ron and Hermione to join him before leaving the hall.

"How did you do?"

"Not bad," Ron said, nodding his head. "I feel pretty confident."

"I think I did well," Hermione said. "I am not sure about everything, but-"

"-Hermione," Harry said, giving her a look, "I'm sure you did fine. Relax."

She nodded.

"We still have some time. Want to go see Sirius? He doesn't have a class right now."

They nodded and followed Harry to the defense classroom. They saw Sirius sitting at the desk, grading assignments. Harry knocked on the door and Sirius looked up, smiling as he did so.

"How did it go?" he asked, putting his quill down to stand up. The trio walked up to the front of the class.

"Wasn't bad. A little easier than I thought it was," Harry replied. Ron nodded in agreement.

"I thought it was pretty easy, although I'm unsure about some of my answers," Hermione said. Harry shook his head.

"She's convinced that she messed up on something when we all know she got everything right."

Sirius looked up, smiling slightly. "Let's see, who does that remind me of? Oh, right, Lily."

"Mum?" Harry asked, smiling slightly. Hermione blushed.

"Use to do the same exact things that Hermione does."

"And dad?" Harry asked. Sirius laughed, shaking his head.

"Your father was more laid-back. Him and I were a lot like your brothers," he said, gesturing towards Ron. "In our seventh year, James became Head boy and started working harder on his studies, effectively catching Lily's attention. She decided that he matured enough for her, and started to date him."