Chapter 20
The three weeks of exams weren’t the easiest for Alyssa, though they weren’t too hard. While Alyssa was worried about Quirrel/ Riddle, that wasn’t the thing that was really what was bothering them. The points issue had also been, mostly, resolved. They had earned back the 130 points that they lost, but they had yet to earn the ones that Ron and Lavender had lost due to their relentless treatment of Alyssa.
No, what was bothering her was the general anxiety that they always got around tests and exams. They knew they were smart, and they were up there near the top with Draco and Hermione. But they had always had a hard time when they were being tested. Especially with written exams. They were always scared they would truly mess things up, and without the ability to erase things, the stress had just about gotten to them.
Thankfully there seemed to be some mercy towards their situation. Halfway through the first exam of the week, Flitwick had noticed just how shaky Alyssa had gotten, and had managed to get them permission to write their exams separate from the rest of the year. They were brought to a separate class where the sixth years were writing their exams, watched over by one of the exams administers. While there had been a bit of debate on the ethically, the administrator had lamented.
When they had managed to finish early and requested their D.A.D.A exam to do in the remaining time, the examiners had run several spells that all came up negative for whatever they had been looking for.
While the examiners had refused, Alyssa had been taken aside during the study period at lunch that day to run the exam early. The moment the questions were in front of them had scoffed, asked if the examiner was sure that’s what they had been meant to be working on, and had immediately started scrutinizing the questions. At first the examiner seemed mildly annoyed, but the more mistakes on the test itself they pointed out, the more the frustration had grown until the written portion of the exam had just been canceled, with everyone being given a passing mark.
“Alyssa, I know you’re probably rather busy, but I would like to talk to you about this system that you’re putting in place. A lot more students seen to be doing much better in their exams with the options that you have opened up to them.” Desmond called, heading up to the young enby. “I’ve heard talk that you have decided to transfer houses between years, we would be more than happy to have someone like you in Ravenclaw.”
“Of course, I would be happy to. I stand by that it would be best to split things. Exams are very stressful for so many people. This could be handled so much better.”
He nodded, handing them a small cup of coffee. “It’s also good seeing you doing so much better with how things are going now.”
“Hogwarts needs to be brought into the 21st century.” They responded, sipping the coffee. “Thanks for this. Unfortunately, our stress doesn’t end with the exams, and I know that not everyone is going to be onto this progressive shit.”
“Well for some of the classes are thankfully only practical exams. The only issue that will come with these; and I’m fairly certain that things will be talked about in-between the years, will be History of Magic.”
“For sure. But I may happen to know a few ways of dealing with ghosts if I must. Bins is one of the most biased professors here.”
“A way of dealing with ghosts?”
“Yeah. Psi. We just need a different HoM professor, but considering they are also neurodivergent, they will be willing to interfere. At least, I hope.”
“I’ve never met this person-“ At Alyssa’s snort he turned and arched an eyebrow. “What?”
“They are so far beyond that. They are the literal child of Death, they are- as much as they deny it; and I think that’s for the better of their own mental health, also a deity at my level if not higher. They have so many levels of immortality at this point it’s not even funny. They are a beyond multiversal being, and I’m just happy to be able to call them my friend.”
“That’s good at least.”
Alyssa paused as the shadows of the hall shifted, giving them a thumbs up before returning to normal.
“Alright, and that is a conformation. I’ll put two hundred and fifty galleons that the HoM exam will be canceled entirely this year.”
“Really think they will do it now?”
“Absolutely.”
“You know what sure, why not. Not that I want them to wait, but really. Right under the Headmaster’s nose.”
“Right under his nose.”
The next day the news was out. Professor Bins had been forced to move on from the mortal plane, permanently banished from ever returning, least of all to the same position. Desmond had more than willingly parted with the Galeons.
The rest of the exams hadn’t been too bad, and by the time they had gotten to the Practical exams Alyssa felt so much better about their position on the tests. Even though they had mostly come into their own as it was; and they were still very much nervous about the test, they knew this was where they did the best.