End-Term Exams and the Gathering in Dumbledore's Office
**Chapter 20: End-Term Exams and the Gathering in Dumbledore's Office**
As the term drew to a close, the atmosphere at Hogwarts shifted from the easygoing, explorative pace of early lessons to a more intense focus on revision and preparation for the end-of-term exams. The halls of the castle echoed with the frantic whispers of students reviewing spells, potion ingredients, and magical theory.
For Alex Black McKinnon, the exams posed little challenge. His knowledge, both from his previous life and the newly integrated insights gained from the Horcrux, had made his studies much easier than those of his peers. However, he still took them seriously, knowing that excelling in these exams would further establish his place in the academic hierarchy of Hogwarts.
---
**Ravenclaw Tower: Final Preparations**
The night before exams, the Ravenclaw common room buzzed with quiet determination. Students poured over books, quills scratching against parchment. Alex sat by the fireplace, reviewing Transfiguration theory for a bit of last-minute preparation. His friends—Jamie Turner, Oliver West, and Cho Chang—were also deep in study.
“I’ll be fine if I don’t forget my potion ingredients during the practicals,” Oliver groaned, rubbing his temples. “Snape’s always looking for a reason to dock points.”
“True,” Jamie added, glancing at Alex. “But you’ve been acing all of Snape’s lessons. Any advice?”
Alex offered a reassuring smile. “Just be precise with your measurements and don’t let him get to you. He wants you to crack under pressure—don’t give him the satisfaction.”
Cho looked up from her Charms textbook. “You’re oddly calm, Alex. Not worried at all?”
Alex shrugged. “I’ve always been good at exams. But I’d still rather not draw too much attention, so I’ll stick to doing well without standing out too much.”
They nodded, and the conversation moved on to their individual strategies for the exams. Alex, despite his calm demeanor, knew that his performance would likely be exceptional, but he intended to keep a low profile—especially with Dumbledore watching. The headmaster’s eyes were always on the lookout for promising students, and Alex preferred to stay just out of direct sight.
---
**End-Term Exams**
The exams were as varied as they were rigorous. Charms practicals tested their ability to levitate multiple objects at once, Potions required brewing a cure for boils under Snape’s ever-watchful eye, and Transfiguration focused on transforming a beetle into a button.
Alex’s exam results were as he expected. He performed near-perfectly in most subjects, though he deliberately fumbled a few minor details in classes like Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions, where standing out too much could draw unwanted attention. His knowledge from the Horcrux made understanding spellwork, runes, and Arithmancy almost second nature, giving him an edge others didn’t have.
---
**The Teachers’ Meeting in Dumbledore’s Office**
With the exams finished, the Hogwarts staff gathered in Dumbledore’s office for their end-of-term meeting. The office was filled with the familiar trinkets and magical artifacts that were synonymous with the headmaster’s presence. A soft glow from the enchanted ceiling illuminated the faces of the staff, who sat in various seats around the room.
Dumbledore sat behind his grand desk, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles. Professor McGonagall, with her usual stern expression, stood near the window, while Snape hovered at the back of the room, arms crossed, looking as unapproachable as ever. Professors Flitwick and Sprout sat beside each other, quietly chatting, while Hagrid, taking up far more space than the others, smiled warmly at the conversation around him.
Dumbledore raised a hand for silence, and the room settled into stillness.
“We have reached the end of another term,” Dumbledore began, his voice calm but commanding. “It has been a productive year, and I would like to hear from each of you regarding the progress of our students.”
Professor McGonagall was the first to speak, her voice clipped and precise. “I must say that the first years have shown promise, particularly in Transfiguration. Mr. Alex McKinnon has been a standout student, though he has taken care not to draw too much attention to himself. He performs at a level well beyond his years.”
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. “Mr. McKinnon, yes. He has an interesting past, I believe, and there is much potential within him. But I wonder, is he hiding his true capabilities?”
Snape, who had remained silent thus far, spoke up, his voice cold and cutting. “McKinnon is competent, perhaps unnaturally so, in Potions. But there’s something...odd about him. His control is too perfect at times, as if he’s holding back. He deliberately underperforms in certain areas, especially in Defense Against the Dark Arts.”
Professor Flitwick interjected, his voice enthusiastic. “Well, in Charms, he’s shown extraordinary aptitude. He has a natural affinity for spellwork—precise and effective. I have no complaints about him.”
“I agree with Flitwick,” Sprout added. “He’s attentive in Herbology and has an understanding of magical plants beyond what’s expected of a first-year. He seems to have a broad knowledge base.”
Dumbledore listened to each teacher carefully, absorbing their insights. When the conversation quieted, he spoke again, his voice contemplative.
“It seems young Mr. McKinnon is a student worth watching closely. He has an unusual background, and his talents may lead him down paths we cannot yet see. I will keep an eye on him, but for now, let us allow him to continue his studies without interference. He may play a larger role in the future than we currently understand.”
---
**Outside the Office**
While the teachers discussed his progress, Alex remained blissfully unaware of the full extent of their interest. He had expected to excel, but not to become a topic of conversation among the staff. As he enjoyed his break with friends in the common room, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone—perhaps Dumbledore himself—was watching him more closely than before.
With his growing knowledge, friendships, and the power he had gained from the Ravenclaw Diadem, Alex knew that his time to make a real impact on the wizarding world was approaching. But he would tread carefully. After all, playing his cards right was the key to both survival and success in this world of magic—and now, Marvel.