Scarlet and Gold

Chapter 4

Katsuki climbed through the portrait hole and headed for the Great Hall. His thoughts kept him occupied.

Ordinary Wizarding Levels, known as O.W.L.s for short, were behind him. The passing grades were "Outstanding," "Exceeds Expectations," and "Acceptable." Katsuki had scored "Outstanding" in every subject.

Auror candidates had requirements to meet. First of all, a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s, Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, with no score under "Exceeds Expectations" needed to be met. Recommended N.E.W.T. subjects were Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Transfiguration. That left the fifth subject up to the candidate. And after Hogwarts, it would take three years to become an Auror.

This school year, there would be more free time. Katsuki planned on using it for studying and training. His future as an Auror awaited him.

The ceiling of the Great Hall was overcast, just like the sky visible through the high mullioned windows. Even after the rain last night, it had yet to blow away.

Before Katsuki could eat his first bite of breakfast, Ochako sat across from him. "Good morning!" She was bright and cheery.

He merely grunted.

"How excited are you for this school year?"

A smirk curved his lips. "I'm ready to fucking crush it."

"How did you do on your O.W.L.s?"

"I passed."

"I passed all of mine as well." She scratched the back of her head. "I know I could have done better in certain subjects, though."

"Study next time."

She dramatically rolled her eyes. "Ah, if only I thought of that sooner."

He humored her. "What class?"

"Professor Aizawa's class."

Defense Against the Dark Arts. It wasn't a secret that he wanted to be an Auror. She talked to him for a reason.

"Sounds like you could use some tutoring."

"Know any tutors?" She didn't make eye contact when she took a bite of eggs.

Would his schedule allow for some tutoring? Defense Against the Dark Arts was his best subject. There also was the thing he needed to ask Professor McGonagall about.

"Maybe..."

The matter wasn't pressed further.

After they had eaten, they waited for Professor McGonagall to leave the High Table. Before they received their class schedule, she would confirm that they achieved the necessary O.W.L. grades to continue with their chosen N.E.W.T.s.

Professor McGonagall looked over her notes before talking to Ochako first. "I see plenty of 'Exceeds Expectations' and some 'Outstandings.' I did speak with Professor Aizawa about the 'Acceptable' you nearly had..."

Brown eyes briefly glanced at Katsuki before looking back at Professor McGonagall. "I worked with Professor Aizawa to bring me up. I plan on studying more. I'm going to try and find a tutor too."

"See to it that you do." Professor McGonagall handed Ochako her schedule and addressed Katsuki. "If memory serves me correct, you had 'Outstandings' in all your subjects."

Ochako's jaw dropped.

"Yes," Katsuki confirmed.

"I expect nothing but the best from you, Mister Bakugo." She handed him his schedule.

He grinned. "Nothing but the best."

Nodding, she turned to leave.

"Professor, I have a question," he said.