Chapter 73: Final Exam (2)
Many young wizards didn't understand why spells worked the way they did. They only cared about how to cast them. Because of this, practical exams were often easier than written ones.
Unlike the written tests, the practical spell exams were overseen by Professor Flitwick himself, who called the students into the classroom one by one in alphabetical order.
As a member of the Black family, Phineas was naturally among the first few.
The first-year spell test focused on proficiency and magical control. After entering the classroom, each student was required to draw a spell assignment at random from a box provided by Professor Flitwick. Phineas drew a difficult one: make a pineapple dance across a desk.
This particular challenge required excellent control of spellwork and a fine grasp of magical balance. However, Phineas had already mastered all the required spells. Though he hadn't yet achieved wandless magic, he could already cast spells silently.
With a smooth flick of his wand, he completed the task easily, and the pineapple performed a cheerful dance across the desk.
The second day was Transfiguration. Like Charms, the written portion was manageable, though it delved deeper into the theory. For Phineas, it was still no challenge.
The practical component involved transforming a mouse into a snuffbox—the more detailed and refined the result, the higher the score.
Phineas, already preparing for his Animagus transformation, easily transfigured his mouse into a crystal-clear snuffbox etched with a miniature Hogwarts crest. Professor McGonagall was so impressed she remarked once again that inviting Phineas to the Transfiguration Club had been the right choice.
The Potions exam was more challenging—but only in a relative sense. Phineas, who had once taken the equivalent of a Muggle college entrance exam, found potion-brewing to be far simpler than complex chemistry. Even though the exam provided only vague quantities, his deep understanding of theory and excellent memory made the process straightforward.
Also, being a Slytherin gave him another advantage: Snape. The Potions Master barely glanced at Phineas during the exam, while other students had to endure Snape's silent, sudden appearances behind them—an experience many found terrifying.
Compared to Snape's eerie presence, Professor Sprout's Herbology exam felt like a holiday. The material was light, and nearly identical to the review she'd given in the last class—even in the same order. Her kindness as head of Hufflepuff showed through.
Defense Against the Dark Arts had no final. Professor Jonathan had left, and Professor Dumbledore—perhaps conveniently—claimed he was too busy to cover it. Phineas suspected the Headmaster was just avoiding the effort.
Astronomy required the drawing of a solar system star chart. It was simple and almost pointless—any student who had memorised a magical star chart could pass easily.
The History of Magic, the final exam, had no practical component. The written portion, however, was infamous for its difficulty. Professor Binns' dull, droning lectures and the sheer amount of historical detail made the subject exhausting for most.
Phineas had tried to memorize as much as he could beforehand—who invented the self-stirring cauldron, the werewolf code of conduct, the bizarre adventures of Eccentric Ethelred—but it was a lot to keep straight.
Fortunately, when Professor Binns finally said, "Quills down," a wave of cheers swept through the classroom.
The exams were over. Students from all Houses were thrilled, spinning and jumping with joy.
They had a full week of freedom ahead before results were posted. After that, it would be time to pack up for the summer holidays—nine weeks of vacation.
The final Quidditch match took place the next day. Contrary to Phineas' expectations, it was not Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, but Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff.
Slytherin won easily and claimed the Quidditch Cup. For now, none of the other Houses could match their strength—most were between generations, and their rosters were weak.
But Phineas knew this wouldn't last. Next year, their class would be eligible for the team, and that changed everything. The Weasley twins, Angelina Johnson, Cedric Diggory, and Roger Davies were all incredibly talented.
Not to mention the upcoming arrival of two legendary Seekers—Cho Chang and Harry Potter.
The era of Slytherin dominance was nearing its end.
Not just in Quidditch. Though Slytherin had won the House Cup for two consecutive years, Phineas remembered that Gryffindor would claim it for several years once Harry entered school.
Still, Phineas didn't much care for House points or trophies. What he needed was time—and now he had it.
Even though he wasn't as isolated as when he'd first come to Hogwarts, he didn't join the other students in celebration. Gryffindors couldn't visit the Slytherin common room, and he had somewhere better to be anyway.
The Room of Requirement.
He spent the week there, preparing to perform the Animagus transformation for the first time.
Unlike other wizards, Phineas had the benefit of the system's rewards. He only needed to complete a full transformation—human to animal and back again—to succeed.
Animagus magic, like the Patronus Charm, reflected the wizard's inner self. Often, a witch or wizard's Animagus form matched their Patronus, though Patronuses could change—Animagus forms could not.
In the stormy atmosphere he had conjured within the Room of Requirement, Phineas drank the potion he had carefully prepared.
He placed his wand—obtained from the system—against his chest. Since he hadn't been able to visit Diagon Alley, and Dumbledore mistakenly believed the wand had been stolen from a dark wizard, the Headmaster allowed Phineas to use it temporarily.
Now, it was time.