Man of Archives

Chapter 3

The last exams passed quite calmly and without major issues. The students continued to prepare, but not as intensely as at the beginning. When the last exam was completed, you could feel the students exhale and relax a bit.

Now, we have to wait to find out what grades we received. The results will be known in three days, but the official documents won't arrive until summer. The Heads of Houses invite each student to their office to share the news: whether they passed their OWLs or not, how well they did, and what their prospects are. Students who didn't do too well will have discussions about whether they can continue studying at Hogwarts or will have to leave and seek their future elsewhere.

For me, the exams were over, just like for the other students. But that didn't mean I simply put aside my wand and books to enjoy doing nothing. I continued to study and practice. Now, without the worry, I could start preparing more thoroughly. I methodically worked through one spell after another, repeating them dozens of times until they were perfect. Fortunately, I retained the memories of this body's previous owner, so I could compare my results with his and see where I needed to improve.

On the third day, the fifth years were summoned by the Heads of Houses immediately after lunch. A schedule was posted on the notice board showing when each student should go to Professor McGonagall's office. Everyone was given roughly the same amount of time, but I was sure some meetings wouldn't take as long. My meeting was scheduled for early morning. I was the first to be called in.

At the appointed time, I approached the door and knocked lightly. After a second, the door, activated by magic, slowly opened. Stepping forward, I found myself in the office of the Gryffindor Head of House, who was also the Transfiguration professor and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.

"Good morning, Professor," I greeted her, looking at the woman sitting at the desk. She was wearing a dark-colored robe that contrasted sharply with her fair skin, and her glasses glinted in the morning sunlight streaming in from the window. Her hair, streaked with silver, was pulled back in a tight bun. There was a lot of paperwork on her desk, but everything looked very organized, with neatly stacked files and color-coded tabs. The bookshelves lining the walls were equally immaculate, each book in its precise place. If you looked around, it might seem like a pedant lived in this room. Maintaining such strict order isn't easy. I think magic helps with that.

"Good morning, Mr. Jody," she nodded and gestured to a chair. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you," I nodded back and sat down.

She looked at several documents. Her face was very pleased, like a cat that had eaten the best cream in the world. There was also an open official letter on her desk. I couldn't read what it said since magic obscured it.

"Well," she began. "I was pleasantly surprised by your OWL results. I congratulate you on receiving 'Outstanding' in all subjects, both practical and theoretical."

"Hoo," I exhaled and relaxed a bit. Yes, waiting for the exam results had kept me tense. I hadn't even thought about it.

"Yes, congratulations," she nodded. "Once again, I am pleasantly surprised and truly proud to have such a student in Gryffindor. But you're not here to hear my praises. Let's talk about your future."

"Yes, all right."

"You are being offered a Hogwarts scholarship to cover the next autumn term," she began. "In addition, this sum includes expenses for materials and living at the school. With this money, you can buy books, ingredients, a few robes, and other little things that might be useful."

She paused for a few seconds.

"Do you remember the rules for maintaining the scholarship?" she asked.