The one with the sisters - Year Five [COMPLETED]

Chapter 3 - The one with the speeches

As usual, when the now Fifth Years Hufflepuffs got to Class 34 for their first Transfiguration lesson of the year, Professor McGonagall was already there. Or rather, her cat form was. The tabby cat was silent as all of the students sat down in the double tables. Everyone, already used to this kind of things, starting to pick their books up and placing them on the table. As soon as Iris reached over to open her book, a hand stopped her. Confused, she looked up, only to see McGonagall – the real McGonagall – standing beside her table and staring at the class.

"Good morning." She said.

"Good morning, Professor McGonagall." At least half of the students responded to which she nodded.

"Welcome back." She continued. "And now that you are Fifth Years, there are some things you ought to understand."

Beside Iris, Dorcas groaned lowly, and the red haired girl giggled. Everyone was saying the same things... Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor Merrythought... It was always the same speech. It was almost as if they had all rehearsed the whole thing together, trying to make it as dull and boring for their students as humanly possible. And Iris had to say... If that was the goal, they were doing a great job at it.

"First of all... The Prefects." McGonagall kept talking. If she'd heard Dorcas' groan she decided to ignore it. "Miss Evans and Mr. Miller, am I right?"

At the mention of her name, Iris nodded. McGonagall glanced at her, before looking at Brendon, who was sitting about two chairs behind the girl. He puffed his chest out a bit and ran a hand through his blonde hair, apparently proud of his own accomplishment. Beside him, Veronica sighed dreamily. Iris arched an eyebrow, before turning to Dorcas, who had the same surprised, yet, amused expression on her face. Before they could start whispering, though, Professor McGonagall started talking again.

"Very well... And I take you already know your duties as Prefects then?"

"Yes. Becky and Gregory talked to both of us on the train." Brendon answered. At the mention of the Seventh Year Head girl and boy, McGonagall nodded.

Just remembering that particular conversation, Iris huffed, annoyed. Both of them went on and on about the honor it was to be a Prefect and that it was a job, not just some privileges every now and then. Of course Iris knew all that. She knew that now she'd have to be a better example and stuff, but still, she couldn't quite understand why Professor Sprout had picked her out of all the girls in her year to be a prefect. Dorcas would be a much better option. She would 'make sure everyone was alright, help the ones who craved it, give detention only when needed and not abuse of the power' as Becky Roberts had put to her a few days ago in the Hogwarts Express.

"Since you apparently have this part sorted out, let's discuss something else." McGonagall said, snapping Iris out of her memories and forcing the girl to spin around in her seat and look at the Professor, who was walking down the aisle in between the desks of her classroom and up again. "Something that will determinate your future here in this school. Something that you need to be prepared for. Something that will evaluate whether your time in here has been worth it. Any idea of what I am talking about?"

"The O.W.L.s." Almost every student mumbled, and even if the annoyance of being told about those tests for the fifth time showed on their tone, McGonagall smiled.

"The Ordinary Wizarding Level." She said as if it was the greatest invention she had ever heard about. "It is a subject-specific test taken during Hogwarts students' fifth year, administrated by the Wizarding Examinations Authority. The score made by a student on a particular O.W.L. determines whether or not he or she will be allowed to continue taking that subject in subsequent school years. These examinations in sort determine what type of career students will be able to obtain once their education is complete. Some careers require certain subjects to be taken at N.E.W.T. -level and with a passing grade or in some cases top grades. In order to be admitted into a class at N.E.W.T. a student must first achieve an 'Outstanding' or 'Exceeds Expectations' at O.W.L. in order to cope with the upcoming course work, which will be much more advanced. Any questions?"

Everyone gulped, nervously. It was true that they've heard about the O.W.L.s many times this first week of classes alone, but no other description of the thing was so real and scary as McGonagall's. Of course, they should've expected it. If there was one thing Professor McGonagall was not was one to soften things up for her students. Especially now that, in her vision, they were almost adults and, therefore, responsible for their acts. No one said. That is, until Theo Simpson, a very shy boy that, more often than not, allowed Brendon's popularity overshadow himself, raised his hand slightly.

"Yes, Mr. Simpson?" McGonagall asked, giving him the permission to talk.

"But Professor... What if we fail?" His voice was trembling slightly and Iris almost felt bad for him.

Professor McGonagall tried to look impassive, but everyone could tell she, as well, was taken aback by that question.

"Mr. Simpson..." She sighed slightly. "You've been preparing for this since your First Year. Even more, since your Fourth. Always learning and revising. If you managed you're A's until now, there's no reason for you to fail. Of course, a bit more of study and some focus this year are never too much, but as long as you keep trying, you'll make it."

Theo didn't seem that much comforted, but still nodded.

"But what if we do fail, Professor? I mean... It could happen, couldn't it?" Leontine asked, and Iris frowned. She had never seen the beautiful brunette, confident girl sound so insecure as now.

"Well, Miss Merrythought..." McGonagall said. "If you do fail, you'll be held back in some subjects of your choice. You need at least three O.W.L.s to continue the course, but three is a small number, don't you think? Everyone has their strengths."

Again, the class fell silent. It was clear they wanted to argue. But how? Against what? McGonagall was right. As much as the O.W.L.s were amazingly intense and Iris would much rather do anything but them, she had to, if she wanted to continue to study magic with her friends. And boy, did she want it.

"Very well... Let's begin our class, then, shall we?" McGonagall said, turning around to write on the board. "As I said, we'll be revising everything we've ever saw in Transfiguration, so we can make sure that all of you are well prepared to take your tests. Now, wands in hands, please..."

Iris reached the pocket of her robe and pulled out her wand. Dorcas did the same, but as soon as she had the wand in hands, she leaned over to her best friend.

"I bet even Professor Kennedy will give us this lecture about the O.W.L.s." She said.

"Of course she will." Iris responded. "She'll not receive her payment if she doesn't."

Dorcas giggled.

"But can you just imagine it? I mean... She's so... messy all the time... Almost every class stumbling over a plant or a creature... I can't even imagine how her speech about 'the scary, very difficult O.W.L.s' will be like."

It was Iris' turn to giggle.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see."