After their last close call, the goblins remained unusually quiet for a long stretch. Even Lanlock's activities became more subdued, as the goblins who hunted intelligent beings seemed to be keeping a lower profile.
...
Time marched on, and the end of the school year loomed. This period was particularly crucial for Hogwarts' fifth-year students; it would shape their futures and chart their paths in the wizarding world. This year, Harry and his classmates were facing one of the two most critical exams of their academic careers… the Ordinary Wizarding Levels!
Unlike previous years, the O.W.L.s were being administered not by Hogwarts professors but by examiners from the Ministry of Magic's Wizarding Examinations Authority.
As for the exam content, in addition to the core subjects that all witches and wizards had to take, students were also tested on their chosen electives. Essentially, the more subjects one chose, the more exams one had to endure.
Harry and his friends felt this was particularly tough on Hermione Granger. Yet, she seemed unfazed, even eager to take on the challenge and aiming to achieve top marks.
On the eve of the exams, nearly every house common room was overflowing with students, and the dormitories were no different. Even during what was supposed to be downtime, students were burning the midnight oil. The diligent ones were reviewing, while the less prepared—like the Weasley twins—were cramming, hoping to answer a few more questions correctly.
In Harry's dormitory, nestled within the Slytherin Common Room, Malfoy and Harry were quizzing each other on Standard Book of Spells and Intermediate Transfiguration, occasionally practicing spellcasting techniques and reviewing standard spells. Despite both considering themselves "manly" melee mages, their magical abilities weren't terrible; they simply couldn't compare with the exceptional talents of Hermione Granger and Cassandra Volle.
"Scarhead, fancy a little competition?"
Malfoy abruptly closed his textbook.
Intrigued, Harry raised an eyebrow. "What sort of competition?"
"Whose grades are better?"
Malfoy smirked confidently. "We've chosen the same number of subjects, so it's a fair contest."
"Oh?" Harry nodded, his interest piqued. "What's at stake if you lose?"
"The loser must fulfill one condition set by the winner."
"Alright!"
...
The next morning, after breakfast, students gathered outside the Great Hall, chattering nervously.
As Harry and his friends arrived, they overheard snippets of conversation:
"How much did you study?"
"Ugh, not at all. I'm doomed to fail."
"Liar! I saw you rushing back from the library before curfew last night!"
"..."
"Did you bring all your exam supplies?"
"Of course, just a quill."
"What about your wand?"
"What wand?"
"..."
"Hey, wrong exam room."
"..."
"I only studied for one night; let's hope it's enough."
"Don't worry, I only studied for fifteen minutes... and you?"
"Studied? I forgot to review; I thought the exam was tomorrow!"
"..."
"Aha! I finished my Potions notes last night! I'm definitely getting an O this time!"
"Um, today's Charms and Transfiguration."
"..."
Harry and the others listened to the students' chatter while waiting for the exam to begin.
The time passed quickly as they were amused by the gossip. When the time came, they found their designated seats and prepared to begin.
Today's exams covered two subjects: Charms and History of Magic. Charms included both theoretical and practical assessments, while History of Magic was purely a written exam.
Overseeing the exams was Professor Tofford, an employee of the Ministry of Magic's Wizarding Examinations Authority.
He went through the usual routine: a brief explanation, a verbal warning, and then the exam began.
The theoretical section of the Charms exam focused on the origins and principles of charms, along with the appropriate applications and restrictions. The questions in this section were generally not too difficult, as the Charms exams emphasized practical application.
However, some brainpower was required, and many students were scratching their heads shortly after the exam began.
Then, suddenly, Cassandra Volle raised her hand to submit her paper.
"Professor, I'm finished."
What?!
It was hard to describe the discomfort this announcement caused.
Was it really necessary to show off like that? Some students hadn't even turned the page, and she was already handing it in?
A wave of pressure washed over a large group of students, and suddenly, the exam hall felt like a prison. Being bad at something was tolerable, but being overshadowed by someone else was truly awful.
"Are you sure you don't want to check it again?"
If an ordinary student had done this, Professor Tofford would have assumed they were either causing trouble or simply giving up, perhaps even disqualifying them.
But this was different. Despite this being their first encounter, Tofford recognized Cassandra Volle instantly from descriptions provided by his colleagues.
The Dark Lord's student, a ruthless figure who could strip him of his position with a mere frown.
Cassandra Volle was hard to miss: her unique aura, beautiful face, elegant blonde hair, and impeccable clothes made her the most dazzling person in any room. Inherited from the Dark Lord, perhaps, there were bad traits there, but certainly no ugly ones.
It was precisely because he recognized Cassandra Volle that Professor Tofford offered his advice so patiently.
"Of course, Professor, the exam rules don't say you can't hand in your paper early." Cassandra Volle's smile was confident. "Isn't that right?"
Hearing this, Harry and Malfoy, seated at the back, were stunned.
The exam rules didn't say that because they hadn't expected such a monster to appear in the exam hall! They had only finished half of their papers!
Witnessing Cassandra Volle's performance, they suddenly felt a little panicked, constantly wondering how far others had progressed and whether they had fallen behind, which caused their quill pens to slow their pace.
"..."
Professor Tofford prided himself on his professional conduct. Even if the student was the Dark Lord's apprentice, he would not offer special treatment.
But as Cassandra Volle pointed out, she hadn't broken any rules.
She hadn't cheated, nor done anything else improper; she had simply handed in her paper early.
Though this was unprecedented, Tofford sighed. "Well, I hope you have checked your paper thoroughly."
With that, he went to collect Cassandra Volle's answer sheet.
---
We stand at the threshold. A handful of powerstones between here and something I think will stay with you. Push us over and see what waits on the other side.