Ethan walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, a quiet tension filling the air. Normally, Professor Quirrell would have been standing nervously at the front of the room, his turban slightly askew, his voice stuttering through the start of a lecture. But today, Quirrell was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, standing at the front, his long silver beard shimmering in the sunlight filtering through the tall, arched windows, was Professor Dumbledore.
There were murmurs among the students. Some were confused, others whispered excitedly. A few exchanged worried looks. Dumbledore, ever the calm figure, simply smiled and raised a hand for silence. The room quickly quieted.
"Good morning, my dear students," Dumbledore began, his voice warm yet commanding. "Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be overseeing your Defense Against the Dark Arts final examination. Please do not be alarmed. Your efforts and knowledge are what will be tested today, and I have full confidence in your abilities."
Unforeseen circumstances. Ethan knew exactly what that meant. Professor Quirrell was dead. The Philosopher's Stone incident had occurred. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had ventured beyond the trapdoor beneath Fluffy, and somehow, Dumbledore had been there in time to save the day.
And he had missed it. Dumbledore would have likely been able to sense him, his powerful magical senses too keen to miss another presence. Trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone under his watch would have been foolish.
But the regret still lingered. A missed opportunity. Perhaps next time, he would be bolder.
"Now then, please clear your desks," Dumbledore's voice pulled Ethan from his thoughts. "The written portion of your examination will begin shortly."
Scrolls of parchment appeared before each student, along with a sharp quill and a pot of ink. Ethan took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. He had always excelled in theory, and Defense Against the Dark Arts was no exception.
He glanced down at the first question:
1. Define the difference between a hex, a jinx, and a curse. Provide an example of each.
A simple start. Ethan began writing immediately. Hexes were minor harmful spells meant to inconvenience, like the Bat-Bogey Hex. Jinxes were slightly more disruptive but less dangerous, like the Knockback Jinx. Curses were the most severe, spells with lasting or dangerous effects, such as the Full Body-Bind Curse.
2. List and describe the five most common defensive spells used against magical creatures.
Easy. Ethan wrote them out with careful detail:
The Stunning Spell (Stupefy) - a basic but versatile stunning charm.
The Shield Charm (Protego) - an all-purpose barrier.
The Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) - useful for repelling smaller creatures.
The Fire-Making Charm (Incendio) - effective against plant-based monsters or certain beasts.
The Light Charm (Lumos) - which could be used to repel dark-dwelling creatures.
Ethan's quill moved swiftly, his answers precise, his thoughts clear. Question after question, he tackled them with ease.
3. Explain the proper method to identify a Boggart and the spell used to combat it.
Identify a Boggart by observing a creature that constantly changes form, depending on the fear of the person nearest to it. The counter-spell is Riddikulus, which forces the Boggart to take on a comedic form, thereby weakening it.
4. What is the function of the Sneakoscope, and in what situations might it prove unreliable?
Ethan wrote quickly. The Sneakoscope was a Dark Detector, a small magical device that spun and lit up when someone nearby was being dishonest. However, it could be unreliable in crowded areas or places filled with constant trickery, as it could activate without true threats.
The questions grew slightly more complex as he continued, delving into magical creatures, defensive strategies, and counter-curses. Ethan found himself enjoying the challenge, his focus entirely on the parchment before him.
But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but think of the main story of this. Harry had faced Quirrell, defeated Voldemort's weakened form, and likely gained a sense of courage and friendship that would fuel his future.
He glanced back up at Dumbledore, who was now pacing gently between the rows of desks, his gaze warm but sharp, watching the students carefully. Ethan wondered how much the headmaster truly knew. Did he suspect that Ethan was different? Did he see something in him that set him apart? Or was he just another student in the eyes of the world's greatest wizard?
Ethan's attention snapped back to his parchment to continue on towards the next question. Then the next, then the next.
Time passed on by as he focused on each questions, considering the best way to explain it without writing down paragraph after paragraph to answer.
He finished the answer and leaned back, reading over his work. Each answer was clear, detailed, and precise. Satisfied, he set his quill down and looked around. Some students were still writing furiously, while others were staring at the ceiling, trying to recall obscure facts.
Dumbledore walked to the front of the room again. "Time is nearly up, my dear students. Please complete your final thoughts and prepare to submit your scrolls."
Ethan did one last check, then set his quill down completely. A soft, warm feeling settled over him. Despite his regrets about the Stone, he was good at this. Magic, theory, and learning, it was his world.
"Please bring your completed scrolls to the front," Dumbledore announced, waving his wand as the exam sheets organized themselves on his desk.
Ethan stood, joining the slow-moving line of students handing in their work. As he reached the front, he met Dumbledore's gaze. The headmaster's blue eyes twinkled, and for a moment, Ethan felt a strange pressure, like being weighed or measured.
"Excellent work, young Mr . Wright," Dumbledore said softly. "I look forward to seeing your results."
Ethan nodded politely, murmured a quiet, "Thank you, Professor," and quickly made his way out of the room. For some reason, he felt exposed in front of that man, even with his amulet to block any memory charms. But he should still just be a regular student to everyone. He hadnt done anything to garner any attention unlike Harry Potter.
Walking back to his common room, a strange mixture of relief and anxiety washed over him. The exams were almost over. His first year was coming to an end. But there was so much more to learn, so much more to discover.
And though he had missed one great opportunity, he knew others would come. He just had to be ready.