The Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, seemed to be showing signs of rebellion. A week before the exams, John received a letter from him. Scrimgeour claimed that his duties as Minister had kept him from responding sooner. John couldn't help but sneer at this excuse. It was clear to him that Scrimgeour was trying to assert his independence now that he was in office, suggesting that he was too busy with official matters to be concerned with anything else. The underlying message was clear: he was now untouchable, even by the likes of Merlin or Buckbeak.
John didn't bother replying. Instead, he stored the letter away, his expression unreadable. If Scrimgeour wanted to assert his independence, John would let him. Meanwhile, John redoubled his efforts to locate Peter Pettigrew, keeping the Marauder's Map active around the clock in hopes of capturing him.
Trying to lighten his mood, John tossed a stick for Tom to fetch and sat on the lawn, enjoying a moment of leisure. Daphne, busy with her own studies, hadn't had time to cook, sparing John from her culinary experiments. With exams approaching, classes had lightened their workload, giving students ample time to review.
John fiddled with a badge in his hand, recalling how he had used it to contact Professor Snape. The badge was a means of communication within the Qunxing Club, a student organization John had no intention of hiding. However, Snape, clearly disinterested, had removed his badge in disdain. It was obvious to John that no professor, especially one loyal to Dumbledore like Snape, would join a student club. The ninth badge remained unassigned.
John wondered if Snape would inform Dumbledore about Sirius's confinement in the Forbidden Forest, a place John visited occasionally. Sirius, for his part, had been relatively well-behaved, finding the forest a paradise compared to Azkaban.
Hagrid and Hermione were busy with their efforts to save Buckbeak, Hermione somehow finding the time to gather information despite the impending exams. John marveled at her dedication, knowing she would usually be buried in her studies.
The library was crowded with students reviewing for exams, leaving only a few seats available. John, there to return some overdue books, noticed Mrs. Pince's surprise at the number of restricted books he had borrowed. With the books returned, John focused on preparing for the exams.
A week passed, and the day of the exams arrived. The first exam was Transfiguration, where John successfully transformed a teapot into a turtle under Professor McGonagall's supervision. She praised his work, and John moved on to his next exams in Arithmancy and Divination, subjects overseen by Professor Vector. It was John's first encounter with the professor, who was curious about the student who had been absent for a year. The exams went smoothly, and by lunchtime, John was ready for a simple meal of bread and water, while Daphne took his place in the ongoing preparations and studies. John reluctantly finished his plate of mango pasta, a dish that could only be described as mediocre at best. "Transfiguration this morning was incredibly difficult," Malfoy grumbled, his expression sour. Transfiguration was not his forte. John glanced at Daphne, who had been listening. With her excellent grades and proficiency in Transfiguration, she seemed unfazed by the challenge.
In the afternoon, it was time for the spell test. Professor Flitwick looked at John with an expectant gaze, as if hoping for a remarkable improvement in the Happy Charm. John's partner for the test was Goyle, who let out a laugh, leaving John on the verge of tears. "Mr. Wick, your execution of the Happy Charm was excellent. Goyle, you still need to practice, at least until you don't accidentally turn the Happy Charm into a Sad Charm," Professor Flitwick commented. Despite clearly failing the exam, Goyle emerged with a bright smile, mistakenly believing he had performed well.
After the Charms exam, John proceeded to his Ancient Runes test, a subject he found remarkably easy. Professor Bathsheda Babbling was taken aback by John's performance, her expression one of disbelief at the ease with which he answered the questions. For John, who was exceptionally skilled in runes, teaching the subject seemed like a plausible future endeavor.
John concluded his first day of exams feeling more relaxed than nervous, performing at his usual level of competence. At dinner, Daphne mentioned the difficulty of the day's topics, though her expression betrayed a confidence that suggested she was among the top performers. Malfoy, on the other hand, appeared despondent, facing the prospect of additional training as punishment for concealing the loss of his wand. He was required to practice three times more than usual until the end of the term.
The next day brought an unexpected task from Hagrid. Despite extensive lessons on Fantastic Beasts, the students were assigned to care for Flobberworms, with the simple goal of keeping them alive for an hour. John couldn't help but think Hagrid was taking it a bit too easy; after all, Flobberworms required minimal attention to survive. This task seemed like a brief respite in a week filled with rigorous exams. John observed Hagrid engaging in light-hearted conversation with a few students while they checked on the Flobberworms' well-being.
In the afternoon, the atmosphere tensed again for the potion test, filled with the sounds of distress. Malfoy, however, seemed in his element, smugly observing the struggling Gryffindors. The task was to brew a Confusion Potion, a concoction designed to disorient its consumer. The main challenge lay in achieving the correct thickness of the potion, a task that John found surprisingly straightforward. He was the first to complete the potion and submit it to Professor Snape for evaluation. Snape, maintaining his usual stoic demeanor, awarded John a perfect score. Glancing at Harry, who appeared perplexed, John contemplated offering a hint but decided against it, respecting Harry's journey as the chosen one.
The evening brought astronomy classes atop the tallest tower, a location not far from the Divination classroom. The third day of exams began with the History of Magic, a subject so dull that John wondered if Professor Binns possessed the ability to hypnotize. The exam, focusing on witch hunts in the Middle Ages, was as tedious as the lectures. The sweltering classroom made students yearn for a refreshing bite of nut ice cream as they diligently scribbled their answers on parchment. Professor Binns collected the papers with his usual lack of enthusiasm, unaffected by the oppressive heat.
The heat persisted into the afternoon's Herbology exam. The greenhouse, under the relentless sun, became stifling, causing a Slytherin student to nearly faint. Once the exam concluded, everyone eagerly escaped the greenhouse in search of cooler surroundings.
Thursday marked the last day of exams. Professor Lupin, a favorite among the students, had devised the most enjoyable test: an outdoor obstacle course. John navigated through the challenges, including crossing a deep pond, with a mix of determination and skill, showcasing his adaptability and quick thinking. In the magical creatures' habitat, John's presence was enough to instill fear in the hearts of the creatures lurking within. Grindylows, hiding in their murky waters, were swiftly scared off by his mere threat. The potholes, usually bustling with red caps, were eerily silent, as not a single one dared to emerge in his presence. The Hinkypunk, found in the swamp, had curled itself into a ball, hoping to go unnoticed by John. Lastly, an old box harboring a Boggart was cleverly dealt with by transforming the creature into chocolate rice rolls before being securely locked away again. John humorously warned the Boggart to "Get out of China with your chocolate rice rolls," showcasing his unique approach to handling magical creatures.
The final two exams, Divination and Muggle Studies, were up next. John breezed through Divination without the need for any predictions, securing full marks effortlessly. The sensation of having an unfair advantage was strangely exhilarating. Professor Trelawney, before he left, ominously mentioned that the prophecy he had made at the beginning of the school year was nearing its fulfillment. This revelation momentarily stunned John, as he pondered the implications of his earlier prophecy.
Muggle Studies concluded with a simple question about the purpose of a rubber duck, which John answered without difficulty. As he exited the examination room, an owl landed on his arm, delivering a letter from Hagrid. The letter bore bad news: Buckbeak's appeal had failed. John immediately understood that Rufus Scrimgeour had a hand in this decision. Despite John's efforts to persuade a Slytherin classmate to withdraw the complaint against Buckbeak, Scrimgeour's determination prevailed. It seemed Scrimgeour was using Buckbeak's situation to test John, to gauge his reactions and decisions moving forward.
John couldn't help but sneer at the calculated move. "Hehe, it's a clever scheme. I suppose he thinks Johnny Silverhand won't turn hostile over a Hippogriff," he mused. In his view, the situation wasn't personally painful, but it was undeniably irritating.
John's handling of magical creatures, his effortless success in exams, and his reaction to Buckbeak's failed appeal painted a picture of a student who was not only powerful and intelligent but also deeply connected to the creatures and people around him. His interactions with the magical world around him were marked by a blend of humor, cleverness, and a readiness to confront challenges head-on, even when faced with the machinations of figures like Rufus Scrimgeour.
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge