Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

This Saturday, we’re blessed with good weather; sunlight spreads across the castle’s stone walls and steps like melted golden butter.

Almost moldy from the recent rainy weather, students eagerly come out of the castle, lying on the grass or leaning against the corridor to leisurely soak up the sun.

Fred and George have even set up a stall by the Black Lake to sell their latest ”underwater competition souvenir products”—perhaps inspired by those merchants in Hogsmeade, most of them are little statuettes.

The Grindylow flails on a sheepskin blanket, and the Merperson statue perfectly reproduces its quirky appearance. When held, some ”pfft” and emit a loud fart sound, others release a pungent smell, and some suddenly grow two slender legs, run about, and scream—”Don’t touch me! Help!”

A large number of students stop to watch; from the crowd, bursts of exclamations rise from time to time. Many students enthusiastically empty their pockets.

”Five Sickles each! Limited edition, first come, first served!”

”I want that runaway Grindylow!”

As a breeze whispers over the grass, Vid and his friends sit under a beech tree away from the clamor, still faintly hearing the Weasley brothers’ hawking from afar.

Harry, fiddling with a flying broomstick model, turns his head and curiously asks, ”Are Fred and George short of money lately? I keep seeing them selling things in the common room.”

”No shortage,” Hermione says without looking up from her book, ”but they’re planning to open a shop as soon as they graduate, so the more funds they have, the better.”

”That’s great. They’ve planned out what they want to do early on, achieving their dreams step by step.”

Michael lies on the grass, hands behind his head, looking at the azure sky, and says wistfully, ”I don’t know what I’ll do after graduation. Try to enter the Ministry of Magic? It doesn’t sound that interesting.”

”Isn’t it too early to think about that?” Harry said surprisedly, ”We still have several years until graduation!”

Upon hearing this, Hermione immediately frowned, ”No, in fact, it’s already too late to consider that... only one year is left.”

”What?” Harry asks in confusion.

Hermione says sternly, ”If you want to become an Auror, Harry, you need at least five NEWTs, with grades no lower than ’Exceeds Expectations.’ So in next year’s OWLs exams, you need to get certificates in at least five subjects and achieve a very high standard to continue your studies.”

Michael adds, ”For instance, Professor McGonagall requires ’Good’ or better in Transfiguration, while Professor Snape only allows students with ’Outstanding’ in Magic Potion to attend his NEWT-level course.”

Harry’s face turns slightly pale, ”Magic Potion... ’Outstanding’?”

Harry’s grades in Magic Potion aren’t too bad, but gaining Professor Snape’s acknowledgment of ’Outstanding’ standard might be harder than ascending to heaven.

And the professor’s intentional or unintentional targeting hasn’t made Harry detest school yet, but it certainly makes attending Magic Potion Class a torment, where he continually struggles with the basics.

”Joining the Ministry of Magic or becoming a Healer also requires solid NEWT scores.”

Theo sighs, ”So... even though you don’t have to take the final exams this semester, Harry, you really need to start preparing early.”

Leian silently nods, speaking of which, his expression turns slightly bitter; the ease and relaxation brought by the good weather all disappear.

Compared to their peers, their grades are considered excellent. But until the real results come out, who can guarantee they’ll receive the best evaluation?

Harry: ”...”

Because of the Magic League, Harry knows he doesn’t have to take the final exams, so this school year, he has unintentionally relaxed his study demands. At this moment, an indescribable urgency and panic suddenly arise in his heart.

At times like these, Harry really admires Vid—knowing that Vid might achieve ’Outstanding’ even if he were to take the NEWT exams now, unlike those still anxious about their final exams.

It is then he realizes Vid hasn’t joined in the conversation... does he think they’re too immature?

Harry turns his head and sees it’s not the case—Vid is resting his chin, with eyes slightly squinting, staring at the students playing on the lawn as if he hadn’t noticed what the others were saying.

”Vid, what are you thinking?” Harry strangely asks.

The black-haired boy turns his head; his gray eyes blink as if his thoughts haven’t returned from afar.

Theo suddenly remembers something and says, ”By the way, Vid, were you with Rolf when you returned to the castle the night before last? Someone saw you two pass through the hall; Rolf was reportedly looking ashen. He’s been acting strange these two days, seemingly worried... do you know what’s going on?”

Since they’re all familiar with Vid, Theo, Leian, and the younger year Rolf have a good relationship in Hufflepuff.

Vid recalls the incident, and since the professors didn’t mention keeping it secret, he recounts what happened that night.

He’s not adept at storytelling; his voice is flat without much fluctuation or intentional mystery, as if reading a Magic Potion research report.