Percy Jackson and the Hound of Hogwarts [Book 3]

46) Exams

While the weather outside was seemingly celebrating, the school was not. Exams were speeding towards us, and we had to stay inside of the castle, studying and forcing our minds to work. Even Fred and George were studying for their O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels). Perry was studying for his N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest qualification Hogwarts offered. He wanted to be in the Ministry when he grew older, so he had to get top grades. He was very edgy, and punished anyone who ruined the quiet of the common room at night. The only person who was more anxious than him was Hermione.

"Hermione?" Ron asked cautiously one day, looking at her exams schedule. "Er — are you sure you've copied down these times right?"

"What?" Hermione snapped, picking up the schedule. "Yes, of course I have."

"Is there any point asking how you're going to sit for two exams at once?" Harry asked.

"No," Hermione said shortly. "Have any of you seen my copy of Numerology and Grammatica?"

"Oh, yeah, I borrowed it for a bit of bedtime reading," Ron said very quietly. Hermione went rummaging through her papers and books searching for it. There was a sudden rustle at the window, and Hedwig flew through, a note in her beak.

"It's from Hagrid," Harry tore the note open. "Buckbeak's appeal — it's set for the sixth."

"That's the day we finish our exams," Hermione said, still looking for her Arithmancy book.

"And they're coming up here to do it," Harry said. "Someone from the Ministry of Magic and — and an executioner."

Hermione looked up, "They're bringing the executioner to the appeal! But that sounds as though they've already decided!"

"Yeah, it does," I whispered, tears sprouting in my eyes.

"They can't!" Ron shouted. "I've spent ages reading up on stuff for him; they can't just ignore it all!"

I had a feeling they would.

***

Exam week brought about a quiet at Hogwarts. We left Transfiguration feeling tired and bored, comparing answers and complaining. After a quick lunch we went straight to Charms. When that was finished, we went to the common room, not to relax, but to study for the rest of our tests.

Our second to last exam was for Defense Against the Dark arts. Lupin had made an obstacle (I spelled obstacle wrong, and it autocorrected to abs tackle) course, which was definitely the best test we could have gotten. We had to wade across a paddling pool with grindylows, cross some potholes with Red Caps, squish through a marsh while ignoring the hinkypunks, and battle a boggart in an old tree.

"Great, Percy," Lupin grinned at me as I climbed out of the trunk, "Full marks."

Harry also did great. Ron did well until he got to the hinkypunk, in which he sunk waist deep into the mud. Hermione had gone to fight the boggart, and a minute later, she came out screaming.

"Hermione!" Lupin said, startled. "What's the matter?"

"P-P-Professor McGonagall!" Hermione cried. "Sh-she said I'd failed everything!"

***

When we got to the top of the steps to the castle, we stopped in our tracks. Cornelius Fudge was standing there, staring out at the grounds. He started at the sight of us.

"Hello there, Harry! Percy!" He said. "Just had an exam, I expect? Nearly finished?"

"Yeah," I said. Hermione and Ron stood awkwardly behind us.

"Lovely day," Fudge stared out at the lake. "Pity... pity...." He sighed heavily, "I'm here on an unpleasant mission, boys. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad hippogriff. As I needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, I was asked to step in."

"Does that mean the appeal's already happened?" Ron stepped forward.

"No, no, it's scheduled for this afternoon," Fudge said, curiously staring down at Ron.

"Then you might not have to witness an execution at all!" Ron said stubbornly. "The hippogriff might get off!"

Before Fudge had the chance to answer, two wizards stepped through the doors behind him. One was ancient, looking like he'd turn to dust if you breathed on him a little too hard. The other was tall and handsome, with a small mustache. The ancient wizard squinted at Hagrid's cabin, "Dear, dear, I'm getting too old for this.... Two o'clock, isn't it, Fudge?"

The man with the mustache had an axe in his belt. Ron opened his mouth to say something about it, but Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.

"Why'd you stop me?" Ron demanded as we walked into the Great Hall for lunch. "Did you see them? They've even got the axe ready! This isn't justice!"

"Ron, your dad works for the Ministry, you can't go saying things like that to his boss!" Hermione looked upset. "As long as Hagrid keeps his head this time, and argues his case properly, they can't possibly execute Buckbeak...."

Hermione didn't believe in her own words.

My last exam was in art, which was considerably short. All we had to do was bring one of our old artworks to life using magic. I got full marks on that.

I walked towards Gryffindor tower, Anna heading towards her last exam with me. We joked a bit, but then we had to split apart.

"Good luck on your exam!" I called, grinning at her.

"Thanks!"

I smiled, climbing through the wall. I walked for a bit longer, then dropped through the common room ceiling onto the floor below. Harry, who had seemingly just came in, jumped beside me.

"Buckbeak lost," Ron said weakly, looking between the two of us.

I was checking the end of the last chapter to see if I had been supposed to post today (I honestly forget which day it is all of the time), and then realized it said that I would see you on Tuesday. I had posted that on Tuesday. Sorry for the misunderstanding. A couple of thongs have happened. So another one of my goats gave birth, and we named it Hiccup. It's really small, like smaller than it should be. My sisters witnessed the birth, and I went out right after it had happened. I hope you guys aren't eating right now. So not long after we got there, our dog came over. The placenta was still hanging out of the goat, and my dog just... ate it. I watched my dog eat goat placenta. I was almost sick. It was disgusting. But the dog was also super protective of the baby, which was cute. Uh, so you know how my sister was talking with the police and stuff? Yeah, apparently the police want to talk to us, too. That's cool. Never been questioned by the police before. Well, maybe when I was younger, but I can't remember for sure. I know CPS or something talked to me. Also, we got the email verified for me and my friend's account! I'm super happy, and thanks to Michael from Wattpad support for that gracious manual verification. We love you, Michael. Also, I did this one project wrong, and was worried I'd have to redo it. My teacher said it was fine, and that the poster was great, and gave me a perfect score. That's freaking awesome.

Anyway, I hope you guys have had a great Thursday, and I will see you on Saturday!