Chapter 1
Cassandra O’Keefe sat in the Ravenclaw common room surrounded by her year mates. Her 5th year was about to end; they only had two more days at Hogwarts before they would take the train back to London. Her friends and classmates celebrated the end of OWLs and discussed their holiday plans when Samantha Fitch turned to her.
“Do you want to meet in Diagon during the summer, preferably after we receive our results? I need new robes, and we could go to Gringotts and get you that inheritance test you’ve kept forgetting since our second year.”
“Why not, I will spend the first two weeks in Ireland with my Grandparents, but as soon as I am back, we can go – or wait til we receive the results. I also want to get some proper robes, as I hope to start interviews for possible apprenticeships in Defence.”
“Sure! If you are searching for robes for interviews, we should take Gemma. She knows the latest fashion and will know what the Masters expect of their prospective apprentices. Let’s talk to her on the train.”
Five weeks later, the day after their OWL results and booklists were delivered, Cassandra met with her friends Samantha and Gemma in the Leaky Cauldron for lunch. They were comparing their results when Samantha gasped and stared at Cassandra.
“Sam? Are you all right?” Gemma asked, worry obvious in her voice.
Samantha simply handed her the parchment with Cassandra’s results on it as if it was all the explanation needed. Gemma took it and read.
OWL Results of Cassandra Azalea O’Keefe
Passing Grades: Outstanding (O), Exceeds Expectations (EE), Acceptable (A)
Failing Grades: Poor (P), Dreadful (D), Troll (T)
Charms | O |
| Potions | O |
Transfiguration | O |
| Defence against the Dark Arts | O |
Herbology | O |
| History of Magic | EE |
Astronomy | EE |
| Muggle Studies | O |
Care of Magical Creatures | A |
| Divination | P |
Ancient Runes (independent) | O |
| Arithmancy (independent) | O |
Warding (independent) | O |
| Healing (independent) | EE |
Wizarding Law (independent) | EE |
| Magical Theory (independent) | O |
“Cass, I know you’re a Ravenclaw, but don’t you think 15 OWLs are a bit over the top? I mean, you have ten Os, four EE and one A. That is incredible, but you won’t even be able to take most of those at Hogwarts for NEWTS. And even with those you can take at school, you will be dead on your feet by the time we sit the tests at the end of our seventh year. Those are way too many classes; the workload won’t be manageable without serious sacrifices on your health.”
“I know, Gemma, but I heard some upper years talking about independent studies and OWLs on the train at the beginning of our third year, and I asked Flitwick about it. He explained how I could take additional OWLs at the ministry over the summer. We talked about my options and if I was sure I could manage. He helped my parents and me with finding tutors for the subjects not offered at Hogwarts. And when I realised Divination and COMC were not really to my interests – god knows why I chose them – he talked to Professors Babbling and Sinistra about supervising my independent studies in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. It was stressful, but I am a muggle-born; I need to stand out somehow if I want to make a name for myself, and this is the only way I know how.”
“Do you plan on taking all of them in your NEWTs?” Samantha asked, still reeling from the shock of seeing her fellow raven’s results.
“I am planning on taking up Ancient Runes and Arithmancy at Hogwarts now that I can drop Divination and COMC. I will keep up my independent Warding, Healing, and Magical Theory studies. I want to take a NEWT in History, but I’ll also have to do independent study there, as Professor Binns’ classes are worthless for any kind of advanced study.” Cassandra grinned sheepishly at her friends, knowing how they would think her crazy for taking such a course load.
“You plan on taking eleven NEWTs? Are you suicidal? Girl, do you have any idea how demanding classes will be? They are called Nastily Exhausting for a reason, you know!” Gemma exploded. “Be prepared for us to monitor you closely in the coming years – I don’t want to lose you.” She took a breath and then continued. “I will keep the core subjects, minus transfigurations – only managed an Acceptable there – Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, leaving me with 6 NEWTs. That will be enough for me. I need some time for myself. How about you, Sam?”
Samantha shrugged. “I’ll keep the core classes and Ancient Runes, but that’s it. I still don’t know what I want to do after school, and if I need any more OWLs or NEWTs, I will take them independently after we leave Hogwarts. That way, I can concentrate on acing those six NEWTS. Anyway, let’s go to Gringotts to get some money from our vaults, and then we have some shopping to do!”
They stood and left the pub through the small courtyard. Diagon Alley was buzzing with excitement. Students and their parents were everywhere, shopping for robes, books and whatever else they’d need for the coming school year. The three girls headed for the bank that stood proudly at the centre of the alley. Upon entering the establishment, Cassandra and her friends headed to one of the tellers.
“Hello, Master Goblin. I would like to exchange some pounds for Galleons.”
“And take an inheritance test.” Samantha quickly adds.
“I don’t really need that, Sam.”
“Yes, you do. You’ve wanted to take one since our second year, and you forget about it every time you are here. You always wondered whether your parents are from a Squibline or not.” Gemma interjected.
“I really don’t think it is necessary. Let’s just get the money and go shopping. I need those robes for my interviews.”
“Cass! You are taking that test today with us here.” Samantha turned toward the goblin. “Master Goblin, this happens every time we come here to take that test. She always comes up with inane excuses or outright refuses to take it. And as soon as we leave, she starts talking about wanting to go back to take the test when she has less on her plate.”
The goblin took a closer look at Cassandra. “It sounds like you might be under compulsions to forget about wanting to get an inheritance test every time you are near our bank. I would recommend you follow your friends’ advice and get one done. It will only take a minute, and then you will know everything there is to know about your heritage and possible influences and glamours you are under.”
“I really don’t think …”
Without considering Cassandra’s mumblings, the teller asked another goblin to take them to a private meeting room. Samantha and Gemma each held one of Cassandra’s hands on the way, keeping her with them and on course to the office. Once there, the goblin told them that one of the managers would join them shortly to administer the test.