Cabinet Conundrum

John Doe

Last Time:

After sulking a little over the loss of his own personal link to Harry he sighed, "Yeah, but we'll have to wait until after the Transfiguration exam and find a way to keep Blaise out of my hair."

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The last exam of the day was about to begin. Professor McGonagall watched as everyone took their seats and waited for the chattering to cease. The old witch's eyes narrowed as Draco and Theo sat near Harry. Yes, she, along with everyone else, saw what happened in the Great Hall and the tension in the Golden Trio was still strong, but this was still an odd change. Perhaps, she should inform Albus of this. The headmaster was actually not present for that outburst because he has been busy trying to locate the pieces of Voldemort's soul, which were hidden very well. No trace has been found beyond the one Albus said he felt in Harry as a baby.

This change in Potter's behavior might have something to do with the potions they've been putting in his food. It's possible that they were wearing off or backfiring or she will have to have Molly Weasley contact Horace Slughorn for stronger potions since the brat could be gaining an immunity after so many years. If only she could get Severus to do it, but he will want to know what the potions are being used for and he can't know. Horace doesn't know, but he also doesn't ask questions especially since this is being done for his dear friend Albus Dumbledore ...

"Silence everyone. It's time for the exam to begin. First, will be a practical portion. Cedric will give each of you a bottomless box of items. You must take at least six of the ten items provided and perform six different transfigurations. Two of which must be from this year and one must show immense detail. Put everything in your box so no one can use your ideas. No textbook changes! Everything must be original either in design or concept. Afterwards, we have the written portion." The professor said and mentally rolled her eyes when Ron groaned in despair.

Cedric levitated several boxes in the air and sent them to each student, "You have only 5 minutes to complete this task and I want to point out that I'm Minerva's assistant not yours so do remember to put your name on the box's lid. When you're done close the box and I'll take it. There are no changes after I take the box so be sure that you're done before shutting the lid."

(Not a single sign that he was crying.) Draco observed as he took a quill to scribble his name on the lid. Cedric had no redness around his eyes or showed any erratic emotions from the earlier episode. It actually seemed a bit hard to believe that really happened especially since the Hufflepuff was not known for wearing his heart on his sleeve. Draco tried to not focus on that for too long and, instead, focus on his exam ...

"Remember! 5 minutes 6 items! Go!" Cedric announced and to add some flare he transfigured the quill on McGonagall's desk into a clock and it started counting down each second.

After easily transfiguring three of the items in a minute Draco took a second to glance at Cedric, but it wasn't the Professor's assistant acting strangely. Cedric was simply scanning the room looking for any cheating or finished exams. It was McGonagall who was staring at Harry with a mix of frustration, exasperation and ... disappointment?

(Why would she be disappointed in Harry? He stood up for himself earlier ... maybe that is the problem.) Draco was starting to wonder if there was much more going on here than anyone thought possible. All he knew was that McGonagall was in the Order because of his godfather's spying, but was there something else going on that his godfather not a part of? Something involving Harry?

The sound of the clicking clock brought Draco out of his thoughts and he went back to his exam. He was finished with 7 items when he heard someone close their lid. Just like before Harry had finished ahead of everyone else. As Cedric came over and picked up the box Draco noticed something pass between the Hufflepuff and Harry when their eyes connected. It was like Harry was giving Cedric a silent warning or order, but for what? Whatever it was Cedric seemed to understand and casually took the box away to the front of the class. Either way Draco had a test to finish and he finished transfiguring all ten items right after Harry with two minutes left ...