OWLs
OWLs
'Let's get this day over with...'.
Walking into the office Oz could see Dumbledore stood near his desk waiting for him. A slight smile was on the mans face as he looked towards Oz.
"I gather you're ready to head off as soon as possible Oz?".
Oz nodded at the headmaster and walked over to him. Looking at Dumbledore's grin Oz got the feeling that Dumbledore was looking forward to Oz not being at the school for a year. Maybe Oz being around was something akin to a loose cannon in the eyes of the old headmaster.
"I'll apparate us directly to the ministry... usually such a feat is impossible however I've lifted the enchantment disabling apparition in this room for a day. Should be enough time for us to head off and come back".
"Can't some random just apparate into here in that time?".
"Well that certainly can happen which is why I've told Minerva to keep an eye on this room while I'm gone...".
Presenting his shoulder to Oz, Oz reluctantly lifted his arm and put it on the shoulder of the headmaster. Seeing they were prepared, Dumbledore wore a slight grin and apparated immediately from the school.
.
'That feeling of nausea is no joke'.
Both Dumbledore and Oz had finally arrived at the ministry after apparating. The hustle and bustle of the ministry was a sight to behold and they drew many eyes to them as they walked on through. Many whispers were heard from the headmaster and student duo as they walked on through. The majority were centered around what had happened last year.
"You really have ruined my reputation to a high degree Oz... These misinformed witches and wizards are actually thinking that I'm dragging you here for a trial or to get you in trouble after all you've exposed".
"It's your fault in the first place for allowing any openings at all... Maybe next time you should not force someone to be your disciple and also not force a boy to stay in an abusive household...".
A slight bead of sweat seemed the trail down Dumbledore's head as he heard Oz's cutting words. Walking through the ministry Oz was focusing back on how Dumbledore apparated and compared it to Alfreda's version.
'It does seem like there are differences now I've experienced it first hand... I'll definitely have to look into it more'.
Finally after some walking the duo found themselves in front of a door in the ministry.
"Inside here Oz are the board of governors who will be looking over you while you do your OWLs... That also includes me of course. When you enter you will be doing each paper one after the other until finished. If any of your grades fall below an (E) then you will be denied your gap year next year. If you get (O)'s in all subjects though then not only will we allow the gap year but we shall listen to one request from you".
Oz nodded listening the Dumbledore's explanation. The headmaster smiled as he opened the door into the room. The room itself was essentially a trial room that instead of having a defendants panel in the middle had a desk instead with a quill and ink on it. Sitting in different seats around the room were the different people who were on the board of governors for Hogwarts. A space was left in the main seat that would usually have the judge in it in a hearing. This would be where Dumbledore would sit.
Oz walked on in under the gaze of the governors. Some looked at him in awe and praise whilst others looked at him in judgement. Judging by some gazes Oz could tell that these people did not believe in his skill and knowledge. Oz sat himself down at the desk in the centre of the room as Dumbledore made his way up to the main seat. Looking around to make sure everyone was accounted for Dumbledore rose his hand up and began to speak.
"We will now begin the testing sequence for Oz Ambrosius, third year. During this period the student shall partake in all his OWL exams early. If the student gets a grade below (E) in any papers then the student will not be allowed his leave of absence next year. If he gets all (O)'s however he will be allowed to request the board of governors one thing as well as be allowed to take his leave all of next year".
"We shall start off with your first subject, Transfiguration. In front of you is the test paper you shall work through. When finished raise your hand to notify us. If you do not finish by the time the hourglass on your table has all the sand fill the bottom then you will need to stop where you are and accept the grade given to you with the amount of questions you have answered...".
"Do you have any questions Oz?".
Oz shook his head as he looked up the Dumbledore.
"None at all, lets start".
.
The OWLs went exactly as anyone would expect with someone who wielded perfect memory. Oz worked through all the papers with relative ease. Each question he would read out and answer gracefully. As the tests went on the board of governors started to question if he was really taking it seriously considering the speed at which he was doing the papers.
Dumbledore was the only one who knew that Oz's knowledge was actually far greater than his own power. His wit and intelligence had even pinned him in a corner more than once as well. So seeing Oz breeze through the papers with relative ease wasn't surprising to him. After a few hours of doing tests Oz was finally on his last paper which was Care of Magical Creatures.
The amount of time you'd have for a test was usually around an hour and a half however Oz was completing each paper in around 30 minutes. Exactly around the 30 minute mark Oz rose his hand again and signalled that he had finished his paper.
"With that paper finished Oz all your written exams are now complete. You shall now move onto practical exams which we will oversee".
Oz nodded as he continued onto his practical exams for the subjects that was relevant in. His practical knowledge was on the same level as his mental knowledge for the most part as he breezed on through all of tests as well. The final test he had to do was to brew a potion. The potion in question was a 'Forgetfulness Potion'.
With Oz's practice in potion making that he did in the RoR on his off time he was proficient enough to make a potion of this level. Certain potions were still out of his grasp though. Looking at all the ingredients presented to him he followed the steps he remembered and created the potion in the cauldron. When the potion was done the governors all looked down in awe at how perfect it was.
"It's safe to say that young Oz has gotten an (O) in practical potions. With that finished Oz you have completed all of your OWL exams. If you could please step out of the room for an hour we shall grade your papers here. We will call you back in with your results as soon as we can".
Looking up to Dumbledore Oz nodded in acknowledgement as he silently walked out of the room. The governors who watched the boy leave felt a slight chill down their spine noting how talented the boy was and how his expression didn't change once throughout any of the papers. If they hadn't seen him answer those exam questions first hand they would have instantly thought he was cheating with the answers he had put down...
.
Walking out into the ministry by himself Oz walked over to a nearby bench placed for those who'd usually be waiting to be allowed in for a trial. Sat down he closed his eyes and rested. Thinking on all the papers he had just done he believed he had definitely gotten the best grade possible in every one.
'It should be all 'O's... With them allowing me to request something it'll make my life much easier if I can request 'that' for next year'.
Oz found himself snoozing slightly as the governors were grading his papers. With how detailed some of his answers were he felt like he may be waiting a bit longer than an hour. His peaceful sleep was disturbed however as he felt a prod on his shoulder. He opened his eyes to look at the person who had woken him up and staring back at him was a familiar face.
"It's been some time Tonks, you look well".
Tonks smiled at Oz who yawned after his nap. Sitting down next to him she had a look on her face that screamed 'curiosity'.
"What are you doing here in the ministry this time? Finally landed yourself in trouble with that crazy Animagus form you have?".
Oz laughed as he looked at the carefree witch.
"Not quite. Next year im planning on taking a gap year from school to travel. Dumbledore and the board of governors asked for me to do my OWLs early to show I was knowledgeable enough to warrant a year away from education".
Tonk's jaw fell slightly as she looked at Oz.
"You're only in your third year right!? Doing OWLs in your third year is incredible! If I did mine in my third year... I definitely wouldn't be here right now thats for sure".
Oz and Tonks both laughed as Tonks talked about herself. Looking at the witch Oz realised something about himself deep down. It was faint but he felt a slight attraction to her. Maybe because with his two lives combined he was around his mid to late 20's which made it so a witch like Tonks who was older was much more interesting to him compared to the girls he knew at Hogwarts. Pursuing a relationship now though was something Oz couldn't see himself doing, especially given that he was going to journey the world soon. In the future though Oz found that his tastes towards woman are probably going to end up being on the 'older' side.
"What are you doing around here anyway Tonks?".
Tonks sighed as she looked at Oz.
"My boss... Alastor Moody has been sending me on errands all day again as usual. I need to sort out several things before a certain time later".
"Well I probably shouldn't keep you then... I've still got to wait for Dumbledore as he wants to take me somewhere after all this OWL stuff is done. I'm half-tempted to just run off now but... nah it's probably not worth it".
Tonk's eyes seemed to glow slightly as she heard Oz's situation. Oz recognised that her eyes seemed to carry a level of understanding all of a sudden. She spoke quietly to herself, just enough so that Oz could barely pick it out.
"Ah so he's who...".
Tonks stood back up and smiled at Oz. Grabbing all the papers she had tightly she looked down at him.
"Well It was nice to talk to you again Tonks, take care of yourself".
"Yeah it was nice to talk to you too. I imagine we will see each other again soon~"
With that slightly mysterious message Tonks dashed off into the ministry with her papers in hand. A grin seemed to be on her face as she ran on through. Oz recalled her whispering to herself as he realised what situation was about to unfold.
'Oh so thats what's about to happen huh...'.
Looking at the door to the room where the governors were grading his papers he sensed that they would not be done for a while still. Resting his head back he fell into a deep sleep again. The young descendant of Merlin sleeping peacefully in the ministry was a sight to behold for sure.
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A/N - Surprise double upload. (mainly as im bored and decided to write haha). Also this is officially chapter 100 written of the story. two chapters ago still included the auxiliary chapters which aren't technically 'chapters'. So heres to 100 again!