Spells and Visions; A Harry Potter story

Chapter 10: O.W.L.s

Hermione had prepared Murtlap essence for me and Neville, because we were bleeding like crazy for a week. It helped with the pain and lessened the bleeding. The days grew boring without the DA meetings to look forward to, and with Umbridge watching everywhere, Neville and I couldn't come close to the trio. So we studied hard, because we still wanted to pass our O.W.L.s.
The snow had melted, and the winter ended. At the end of our Easter holiday, there were notices everywhere in the Gryffindor Tower, saying that we would have to speak with our Head of House about our future career. There were also leaflets of jobs we could take, and what we needed to do for it.

"Well, I don't fancy Healing," Ron said. I turned around and looked over his shoulder at the leaflet. "It say that you need at least an 'E' for N.E.W.T.s in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms and Dark Arts."
E stood for Exceeds Expectations, which was doable, but I still felt a bit of a disappointment, since that was exactly what I did want to do. Maybe I would just have to work harder. I was good at Charms and Dark Arts, Transfiguration was going alright, and Potions would too if Snape wasn't sneering all the time to stress you out. And Herbology? Well, it was just taking care of plants. Couldn't be that hard, right?

When it was my turn to talk to McGonagall about it, I noticed Umbridge sitting in the corner of the room, with a clipboard and a quill. Awesome. I covered my left hand by putting it in the pocket of my robe, I didn't want that discussion now.
"So, miss Black, what would you like to do after finishing your seventh year?" she asked.
"Well, er- I've been thinking about Healing."
"Have you looked at what that would require?"
"Yes, Professor, it's a lot." I felt the disappointment again, and I felt like McGonagall clearly thought I wouldn't be good enough for it.
"But maybe if I work hard enough..."

"Hem, hem."
McGonagall looked around at Umbridge.
"Yes?"
"Miss Black has unfortunately not scored very well in Potions, so I'm afraid she won't be able to take that path."
"I think since I'm her Head of House, I need to guide her to that path if that's what she wants."
"And I'm her mother, so I'm responsible for what's good for her."
McGonagall ignored her comment, and turned back to me. I wanted to tell McGonagall about the potions I'd been brewing, but not with Umbridge there.
"I'll help you, if being a Healer is what you want, I'll do what I can to make you achieve that. You have been scoring well in all the other subjects, especially Charms and Transfiguration, so I think won't be a problem. Just keep studying hard."
"Thank you, Professor," I said relieved, and left with a smile. Maybe I could still do it.

The next day, after Transfiguration, McGonagall held me back.
"I didn't want to tell you with your mother there, but you have been doing great in Defence Against the Dark Arts. I truly believe that you can score very well on your O.W.L.s."
"Thank you, Professor. And... what about Potions?"
"Well, I think you can get good at it with a bit of practice. What I've heard from Professor Snape is that you're not paying enough attention, and he says that that is the reason he separated you from your brother."

I looked nervously behind me, but the door was shut.
"I've been brewing healing potions at home."
McGonagall raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Have you really? Did they work?"
"Well, I have only tried out one yet, but as far as I know, it worked alright." I couldn't tell her about mr Weasley, so I left it at that.
"That- that is really good. So you are really invested in becoming a Healer?"
"Well, yeah, I am. I want to help people."
"That is great. I will help you as best as I can."
"Thank you, Professor."

~

A few days later, Fred and George came to me in the common room.
"We thought you deserve to know," Fred said.
"Know what?" I asked.
"We're going to pull a prank, so make sure you're near the Entrance Hall on Monday, around two o'clock," George said.
"Why are you telling me this?"
The two looked at each other.
"We're going," George said. "We're going to build a business, because we're done here at school."
"Yeah, we don't care about N.E.W.T.s, and Umbridge has made us sick," Fred said. "And you've trusted us with so many important things, so we thought you deserved to know this."
"There's one thing I haven't told," I said. "It'll probably make you even more mad at Umbridge."
"Revelio," I said, showing my hand.
Fred eyes grew wide, and George said: "Wow."
"That's how Neville and I have been punished our life long."
"We've seen how bad Lee's hand had gotten after receiving detention with her, but this is way worse," Fred said. "We are definitely going to pull that prank."