Chapter 354: OWL EXAMS

After that day, Harry felt his life had changed in no substantial way; his relationship with Zhang Qiu remained the same, and when they were together, they mostly discussed "important matters."

Of course, the topic discussed most at present was naturally the OWL exams. Zhang Qiu perhaps hoped Harry would pass through his own efforts, so she constantly quizzed him on key points, especially those annoying bits of Magical History.

Not just Zhang Qiu, but Sirius had also written specifically to urge Harry to study hard; the professors no longer assigned homework, and review sessions followed one after another. On the first Tuesday of June, Snape told him his Occlumency was now fully mastered, and he no longer needed to attend lessons.

On that same day, Snape also informed him that he had already coordinated the plan with Bai Gong, and the execution date had been set for after the OWL exams—this left Harry with nothing more to worry about, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the feverish atmosphere of intense preparation.

Even the Minister of Magic, Jim Hack, asked Harry during his final internship: "How many hours do you study each day? More than ten, or less?"

"I'd say less," Harry replied, not counting his class hours as study time.

"Ah, that's not good," said the Minister. "When I was in school, I studied fourteen hours a day!"

This did unsettle Harry, especially in the elevator, when Sir Humphrey hinted that "the Minister hadn't done well in his own exams," deepening his anxiety.

When Harry returned to his dorm that night, he found Neville sitting on his bed, staring blankly. Harry greeted him.

"I didn't find it," Neville said, looking dejectedly at his hands. "It's the last day, and I didn't make it. I found the door, but I couldn't get in—I only saw a lot of glass orbs inside."

"Two snake caretakers spotted me," Neville sighed. "Only after I got back did I realize I should've taken a dose of Felix Felicis—I should've asked Zhang Qiu for some."

"Aren't you worried about the exams?" Harry blinked. "That thing can wait, but the exams are right here."

"Exams? Didn't Zhang Qiu organize everyone to make a Grand Vow?" Neville looked utterly unconcerned.

"But that's just fooling fate—I doubt it'll do anything…" Harry wasn't trying to spread anxiety, but he truly believed the Grand Vow wouldn't work.

"My grandmother once said that if I truly wished for it, fate would stand firmly on my side," Neville declared confidently.

"Of course it would," Ron elbowed Harry. "Neville's grandmother knows the OWL examiners—of course she'd say that."

"You're overthinking it," Harry shook his head. "The examiners cover the names during written grading."

"But practical grading is entirely in their hands," Ron counted on his fingers. "If the examiner is inclined to favor you, theoretically we'd only need twenty points on the written to pass, and the multiple-choice total is…"

"You can't just aim to pass," Harry said, shoving a textbook into Ron's hands.

That book, *Magical Incantation Achievements*, stayed in Ron's hands for many days; only on the last Sunday before the exam did he nervously announce he'd memorized everything he needed to.

At dinner that night, the atmosphere was heavy; Harry and Ron barely spoke, his mind still churning with concepts.

"Oh, look—is that the examiner?" Ron suddenly pointed to the entrance hall.

Through the Great Hall's doors, they saw Snape standing with a group of ancient-looking male and female witches and wizards; Harry had never seen so many people so old still standing on their own—certainly not in the Muggle world.

"Old Bat's actually showing respect for once," Ron muttered.

"I didn't see Gerselda Marchbanks," Neville said, puzzled. "But it's better she's not here—she's famously strict as an examiner."

"Doesn't matter. We've all studied about the same," Harry said calmly.

Even so, when they returned to the common room, many still couldn't sleep, desperately cramming every last scrap of knowledge into their heads.

Harry, however, didn't overthink it; since mastering Occlumency, he'd gained a wonderful ability: if he wanted to sleep, he simply couldn't stay awake.

At 9: 0 Monday morning, they began filing into the Great Hall, transformed into a massive examination hall. The four House tables had been removed, replaced by rows of individual desks facing the staff table at the far end. Professor McGonagall stood before them, waited briefly, then announced, "Examination begins."

Harry flipped his paper. His heartbeat quickened slightly, but the first question immediately caught his eye: the Levitation Charm. He instantly felt calmer; his mind dismissed it as a free point—he only needed to write down what everyone knew.

An hour and a half later, when Harry finished the last free-point question and turned to the back, he realized the exam was single-sided. He was astonished: the paper seemed unusually easy. Was he studying too well? Glancing around, he saw many classmates still writing furiously, and he began doubting he'd studied too little—he realized he could've expanded on open-ended questions, like the countercurse for hiccups.

So he added "Muffliato" after his original answers of "Finite Incantatem" and "Wingardium Leviosa."

After the final half-hour passed, Harry felt his paper had nothing more to add; Professor McGonagall finally called for papers to be handed in.

"Phew, brilliant, Harry," Ron grabbed his shoulder excitedly. "Lucky break—all the questions were exactly what I reviewed!"

Sensitive to the word "luck," Harry suddenly wondered: perhaps this year's exam paper really was easier than usual. Had the Grand Vow worked?

In the afternoon's practical exam, Harry was assigned to an examiner named Jonack, a bald man who, upon hearing "Harry Potter," suddenly displayed extraordinary leniency—even when Harry confused the Coloration Charm with the Growth Charm, causing the intended orange mouse to swell violently, it seemed to have no negative effect.

"You must've worried I couldn't see clearly—what a thoughtful boy," Jonack smiled warmly and gave him a high mark.

As they left the Great Hall, Ron exclaimed excitedly: "I swear, Professor Capel is the best examiner I've ever seen! When I accidentally turned the plate into a mushroom, he said he suddenly had blurry vision and let me try again!"

"Yeah, he's really nice," another student chimed in, and soon students began praising their own examiners, as if every student had received special treatment from every examiner.

That night, Harry met Zhang Qiu in the library and briefly described the unusually lenient exam conditions.

"Did your Grand Vow actually work?" Harry asked, incredulous.

"I didn't even expect it to!" Zhang Qiu looked equally stunned. "And even if it did, it should've made everyone feel like they performed exceptionally—not this obvious, blatant favoritism anyone could spot."

"Then it's probably not the spell's effect," Harry reasoned. "This is likely deliberate."

"But who has the power to manipulate OWL examiners—and the motive?" Zhang Qiu frowned slightly, then uttered the same name as Harry: "Arnold!"

"Of course—it must be Arnold, trying to showcase his achievements by having examiners go easy," Zhang Qiu exclaimed in realization. "How else would he prove his education reforms worked? He needs to show improved scores—and the easiest way is to make the exams easier! Acting as both player and referee—that's what this is. This year's students are just incredibly lucky."

"I'm wondering," Harry touched his cheek, "did the Grand Vow cause fate to arrange Arnold's education reforms in advance—or did Arnold's reforms inspire you to make the Grand Vow in the first place?"

"Don't bring up such brain-aching, depressing nonsense," Zhang Qiu frowned. "Look at tomorrow's Transfiguration."

On the next day's written exam, Harry noticed even difficult charms were tested superficially; the Transfiguration Charm was tested with only one incantation and its definition. The practical exam was even more lenient: Harry was certain he saw Hannah turn her weasel into a flock of flamingos flying wildly—but the examiner still smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

Wednesday's Herbology exam went well for Harry; Thursday's Defense Against the Dark Arts was the opposite—he sincerely hoped it would be harder, so his skill could truly show.

It was only after the absurdly easy written exam in Defense Against the Dark Arts that Harry finally understood why Hermione had seemed listless these past two days.

Fortunately, during the practical exam, Examiner Jonack suggested Harry produce a Patronus—giving him a perfect chance to demonstrate his ability. He was certain he'd earn an Outstanding just for that.

After Friday's Muggle Studies, Harry enjoyed what might have been his most relaxed weekend since fifth year. No external pressures disturbed him; even the upcoming exams felt certain—as if he had a set of the Seven Sins tucked in his pocket.

Yet, just as with the last time he felt certain—during the Triwizard Tournament—the real test wasn't the competition itself. When Harry finished writing the final letter on his History of Magic paper, he realized: the true trial was only just beginning.