As the end of the school year loomed over Hogwarts, a certain tension began to settle in the castle's atmosphere. The Great Hall buzzed with a nervous energy, students murmuring over textbooks and hastily written notes during meals. Even the library, a sanctuary of quiet whispers and rustling pages, seemed more crowded than usual, with nearly every table occupied by hunched-over students, quills scratching furiously.
Ethan was no exception. His days were the same steady cycle of classes, study sessions, and quiet hours spent in the Room of Requirement, perfecting his spells and pushing his magical limits. But there was a not so secret rivalry between him and Hermione Granger.
She hadnt been quite about her decleration months ago. There were others in the library that day, listening in, trying to hear any gossip or secrets.
It wasn't long before whispers began to spread. Not much of a rumor this was, or interesting. Only a certain portions of students cared for this kind of thing, the others waved it by since they couldnt watch much drama from unfold between the two.
The rest of the Ravenclaws, of course, had noticed. At first, it was just a few curious glances when grades were posted. But as the final exams drew closer, it became something of a house-wide focus.
"Have you heard? Ethan and the Gryffindor girl are tied again!"
"I saw him in the library yesterday, and she was right there on the other side. Do you think they know they're competing?"
"Oh, they definitely know. Hermione's always going on about it. But Ethan… he's so quiet, who knows what he's thinking?"
It was harmless fun.
A competition he could throw himself into without consequence. A contest that didn't involve the secrets he kept, the magic he practiced in secret, or the dangers of the world beyond the castle's walls. Just a battle of knowledge and skill a first year Hogwarts student knows.
It was enough to make him smile sometimes, a rare, faint curve of his lips that a few Ravenclaws had noticed. His quiet demeanor didn't change, but they saw something else, a quiet confidence, a calm intensity. And they began to cheer him on in their own ways.
Even the upper years seemed invested, a few of them watching the growing rivalry with amusement. Hermione, meanwhile, hadn't kept it a secret. She spoke about it with her friends, occasionally voicing her determination to maintain the highest marks. Ron Weasley had grumbled about her endless study sessions, while Harry seemed supportive but confused by the obsession with grades.
Ethan noticed her pushing herself harder. If she saw him in the library, she would quickly settle at a nearby table, her quill flying over parchment at a frantic pace. If he answered a question in class, she would immediately seek to add her own insight, even when it wasn't necessary.
He respected it. There was a fire in her that reminded him of his own quiet drive. And so he continued, unbothered by the attention, but focused all the same.
The days passed, the tension in the castle growing with each. Professors began to drop hints about the exam formats.
"In Charms, you will be expected to perform your spells with precision," Professor Flitwick chirped, his tiny form bouncing on his stack of books.
"In Transfiguration, practical application is everything," Professor McGonagall stated, her sharp gaze sweeping the room. "A written exam is one thing, but transforming objects flawlessly will be crucial."
Ethan listened, taking notes diligently, his mind already racing with ideas at what the 'dreaded' finals could be. Practical exams were his strength, he understood magic beyond the words in textbooks. But theory mattered too, and he wasn't going to neglect it.
In the Ravenclaw common room, his quiet corner was always filled with open books and scattered parchment. Sometimes other students would pass by, dropping a word of encouragement.
He smiled at their support, though he never responded much. It was strange, in a way, this feeling of being part of something, even though he remained distant. They saw him as a quiet, studious rival to Hermione, and for now, he was fine with that.
The nights were spent in the Room of Requirement, practicing his spells, refining his technique. He wanted to ensure there would be no mistakes, no hesitation. Each incantation had to be clear, each wand movement precise.
But he didn't push himself too far. Exhaustion would only dull his mind, and he needed to be sharp.
Hermione seemed to be working just as hard, if not harder. He occasionally saw her rushing between classes, her bag heavy with books. Her friends struggled to keep up, often looking exasperated by her relentless studying. But Ethan couldn't help but admire it. She was determined, and so was he.
Eventually, the final week arrived. The atmosphere in the Great Hall was thick with tension. Meals were quieter, the usual chatter replaced with anxious murmurs and the rustle of parchment. Even the professors seemed to carry a certain gravity, their instructions focused and serious.
Ethan's mornings became a steady pattern, wake at a decent time, review his notes, a quick look through his known spells, and prepare himself mentally. The Ravenclaw common room was quieter too, most of the other students buried in their own studies.
But he heard the occasional conversation go towards them.
"I heard Hermione hasn't slept properly in days."
"Ethan's still so calm. How does he do it?"
"Calm? Have you seen him in the library? He's a machine."
The night before the exams, Ethan found himself staring at his notes, the familiar diagrams and incantations blurring slightly before his eyes. He closed his books, leaning back in his chair. He had prepared. He knew the material. Panic wouldn't help him now.
"Just one more stretch." Ethan whispered, his voice low and steady. "Then I can relax for a whole summer."
The morning of the first final exam arrived, the sun casting a soft, golden light over the castle. The Great Hall was filled with students, their expressions ranging from confident to utterly terrified. The professors moved with a certain gravity, guiding the students to their seats.
Ethan took his place among the Ravenclaws, his parchment and quill neatly set before him. The familiar scent of ink and old parchment filled the air, and a calm settled over him.
Hermione sat a few rows away, her eyes focused, her quill ready. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and she offered a small, determined nod. Ethan returned it with a faint smile.
The competition, the whispers, the quiet encouragement from his housemates, it all faded into the background. There was only the exam, only the test of everything he had studied.
The first but not final challenge had begun.