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Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, the exams they'd all thought were still far off arrived without warning.
The weather was sweltering, and the huge exam hall felt like an oven. Each student was handed a brand-new quill, specially enchanted to prevent cheating.
As for the written exams, Augustus breezed through them without breaking a sweat. For him, the theoretical knowledge of every subject was like flipping through a memory palace etched into his mind.
That vast mental palace covered almost every subject taught at Hogwarts. After all, someone determined to understand the entire magical system of this world couldn't possibly ignore the endless sea of theory.
Then came the practical tests. Professor Flitwick called them in one by one to see if they could make a pineapple tap-dance across a desk. Professor McGonagall had them transform a rat into a snuffbox—the more ornate, the better the score.
If the box still had whiskers, points were taken off. But whether it was directing a dancing pineapple or turning a squeaky rodent into a delicate little snuffbox, none of it posed any real challenge to Augustus. Honestly, any first-year who'd studied properly for two months could nail it.
As for the Potions test, which involved brewing a Forgetfulness Potion, it was even simpler—just a matter of following the steps, one by one, no thinking required.
This world really was too peaceful and comfortable. Most wizards had this laid-back, easygoing attitude deep in their bones. Back in Augustus's original world, even first-years at a magic academy had to team up or go solo into dangerous wild forests to hunt low-level magical beasts at the end of term. The two worlds had completely different systems and values. But really, neither one could be said to be better. Whether it was the strength-driven world that followed the law of the jungle, or the structured, civilized world of rules and knowledge—they both had their strengths.
The last exam was History of Magic. Just one more hour, and once they could name the group of oddball old wizards who invented the self-stirring cauldron, they'd be free.
A whole week off until the results came out. When Professor Binns' ghostly voice told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, Malfoy couldn't help joining in the wave of cheers from the rest of the class.
"That was way easier than I expected," Malfoy said smugly as they followed the crowd out into the sunshine. "Just watching Neville flailing around like an idiot during the exam boosted my answering speed like magic. What a delightful test. Neville's like an oasis in the desert—he probably has no idea how much he helps us."
"Draco, you really do have a thing for Neville, huh?" Lillian said with a teasing sparkle in her eyes. "His weak and helpless little self just makes you want to protect him, right? Let me guess—when did it start? That time with the Remembrall? You threw yourself in front of Harry just to save that ball... was it all part of the plan?"
Malfoy turned bright red. "Lillian, don't tease Draco like that," Augustus said lazily. "When it comes to feelings, nobody has the right to question someone else."And just like that, Malfoy felt like his whole world was crumbling.
"Yeah, the exams really were easy," came a voice from nearby—Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking past. Hermione looked proud. "Honestly, I didn't even need to memorize the 'Werewolf Code of Conduct from 1637' or that whole bit about the house-elf rebellions."
Malfoy glanced at the trio, who clearly hadn't noticed them yet. His cold gray-blue eyes lit up slightly—it was the perfect time to strike. No way was he letting this opportunity slip by.
"Weasley," he drawled, dragging out every syllable, "now that the exams are over, are you going to crawl back to that pigsty you call a house?
If you ask me, you'd be better off quitting school and taking a job with Hagrid as the Hogwarts key-keeper. Maybe then you'd earn just enough spare change to keep your family afloat—though I suppose that'd still be a step up from a house-elf's life, wouldn't it?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stopped. A flush crept up Ron's face, and he clenched his fists as he glared at Malfoy, who stood there, all smug and superior.
"What? Thinking of starting a fight? Didn't the last time—at midnight—teach you anything?"
Malfoy scoffed. "Want another lesson in how brilliant my magic's gotten? After training with Lord Augustus for this long, if I still can't handle amateurs like you and Potter, that'd be an embarrassment."
Harry suddenly smiled—bright and wide."Malfoy, you really still don't get it, do you? After everything we've been through... after watching Augustus fight Voldemort... you haven't realized how childish and ridiculous you look?
If he ever comes back—if the Death Eaters rise again—you think you'll still be strutting around, mocking your classmates and laughing at people's families?
Be honest, Malfoy, you're just a pampered little canary in a cage, pretending you're a falcon."
Malfoy froze. He hadn't expected that kind of speech from Harry. But then his face twisted with cold fury.
"How laughable. The 'Boy Who Lived'. The Savior of the Wizarding World. You think you can stop him from returning? You think I'm just some greenhouse flower? You don't see anything I've done—anything I've worked for.
You couldn't even beat me in a simple duel. So what gives you the right to say you can stand up to him? In the face of real power, your sneaky little tricks are nothing but jokes."
Harry calmly adjusted his glasses."Maybe. But we'll still do everything we can. No matter what happens, as long as we've tried, as long as we've fought—we won't regret it. I guess that's something a Slytherin like you will never understand. See you around."
The sunlight filtered through the treetops as Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked away. The soft blue light shimmered over the quiet, green lawn. Malfoy's proud expression didn't waver as he silently turned and walked off in the opposite direction.
Augustus narrowed his eyes slightly, the corner of his lips lifting in a warm smile. Watching young people grow... really was something to be happy about.No matter what lies ahead, the courage of youth always brings unexpected surprises.
"....."