63 Chapter 63: "Ordinary Wizarding Levels"

After the plan was set, Harry only needed to focus on taking his exams. The OWLs, or Ordinary Wizarding Levels, had two main locations for testing within the UK: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for its students, and the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Education for everyone else. Harry, not being a Hogwarts student yet, had to opt for the Ministry.

He had two opportunities to take the exams: one during the summer break in July and the other during the winter holidays in December. Harry chose the December slot, wanting to get it done sooner rather than later.

After careful consideration and advice from Arcturus, Harry chose to take his OWLs in Arithmancy, History of Magic, and Muggle Studies. These subjects were primarily theoretical, allowing Harry to demonstrate his knowledge without drawing undue attention. They were also subjects that many bright students could pass easily, ensuring Harry's success wouldn't seem too out of the ordinary to his future classmates.

With over two months to prepare, Harry stuck to his regular study routine, diving into the sixth-year Hogwarts curriculum. He also had to visit Ollivanders a week later to get his new wand which he was pretty excited about.

A week later, Harry headed back to Ollivander's shop. His visit was timed for the evening to ensure that he could pick up his wand after Ollivander had completed the necessary adjustments. The streets of Diagon Alley were mostly deserted by the time Harry arrived, giving the place a quiet, almost eerie atmosphere. Harry had hoped to be there earlier, but a message from Ollivander mentioned needing a little more time to finalize the wand.

Upon entering the shop, the elderly wandmaker emerged from the back, holding a beautifully crafted box. The marine blue exterior of the box, coupled with its standard white bottom, signaled that the wand within was ready and waiting for Harry.

Ollivander, with a grand gesture, unveiled the wand, and Harry immediately felt a surge of excitement. Just by looking at it, he could tell it was special.

The wand, crafted from polished blackthorn wood, had a series of natural bumps running along its length, much like the legendary Elder Wand, giving it a formidable appearance. It measured 11 inches and featured a pointed tip and a crafted grip at the base, with one of the bumps highlighted by a silver band.

"11 inches, Blackthorn, thunderbird feather core. A powerful wand for an equally powerful wizard," Ollivander announced as he handed the wand to Harry.

Grasping the wand, Harry experienced an extraordinary sensation, as if a wave of energy surged through him. It was an experience unlike any he had with other wands, marking this wand as uniquely his. The air shimmered with red and blue sparks emanating from the wand's tip, illuminating the dimly lit room.

"This is exactly what I envisioned. Perfect," the wand maker whispered to himself. Harry, overjoyed with his new wand, paid Ollivander the remaining balance. He couldn't wait to show Sirius his new wand and get back to his studies.

In the weeks leading up to the OWL exams, Harry found himself deeply immersed in his spellwork, thanks to his new wand. The advanced spells he practiced flowed more smoothly than ever before, and it seemed like the wand made magic more efficient, using less magical energy for each spell. This wand was a perfect match for Harry, and he was thrilled with how effortlessly he could now perform his favorite spells. With no further use for the wand he had been borrowing, Harry handed it back to Arcturus, who arranged for it to be cleaned and maintained before placing it back in the collection of the Black family's wands.

As the OWL exams approached, Harry spent the last week before the exams focusing on revising his chosen subjects. The subjects were a breeze for him, but Muggle Studies presented a unique challenge. Harry found himself having to think backwards, to ensure his answers matched the often skewed perspective the wizarding world held about Muggles. It was a strange exercise, writing answers he knew were factually incorrect, but necessary to meet the examiners' expectations.

When the day of the exam finally arrived, everything was set. Sirius had sorted out all the necessary paperwork, so Harry's job was simply to write the exams and return home. Amelia Bones was chosen to accompany Harry to the Ministry instead of Sirius, to avoid drawing attention and raising questions that could alert Dumbledore to their plans. Amelia, with her significant influence at the Ministry, was the perfect choice to navigate any potential obstacles they might encounter.

That morning, Harry and Amelia used the floo network from the Bones Manor, directly linked to the Ministry due to Amelia's position. This was much more convenient than using the more public entrance from the muggle world via the telephone booth. Their choice of entry was part of going openly, without the need to sneak around.

Harry's experience at the Ministry was smooth, thanks to Amelia's presence.

They arrived through the Floo network, landing right at the Ministry's Atrium on level 8. Harry's first task was to check in at a booth for his visitor's badge. It was a straightforward process, and soon Harry had a shiny silver badge pinned to his chest, clearly stating his name and the reason for his visit: the OWL exams.

Only after getting his badge did Harry really take in his surroundings. Despite having spent a good amount of time in the magical world by now, the Atrium's grandeur caught him off guard.

The place was bustling with activity. People hustled across the polished dark wood floor, while paper airplanes whizzed above, carrying messages from one ministry department to another. The Atrium stretched out impressively long before him, its peacock-blue ceiling adorned with golden symbols that shifted and changed, reminiscent of a vast, celestial announcement board.

The walls, gleaming with shiny dark wood, housed numerous gilded fireplaces. Wizards and witches popped out from the left-hand fireplaces, while others lined up on the right, waiting for their turn to whisk away.

In the middle of the Atrium stood the Fountain of Magical Brethren. This fountain featured a group of golden statues - a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf - all elegantly spouting water into a shimmering pool below. Further down, at the Atrium's end, were golden gates guarded by a security stand. Harry, with Amelia's assistance, checked in his brand-new wand there before heading towards the lifts.

They were bound for the Department of Magical Education, where Harry would sit for his exams. Amelia effortlessly handled all the necessary permissions for Harry's entry, escorting him to the room where he would be tested. The entire process felt surreal to Harry, yet Amelia's presence and the efficient flow of their movements through the Ministry made everything seem perfectly ordinary.

Harry blended in quite well with the other examinees, looking more like a slightly shorter 15-year-old rather than his actual age. This helped him avoid drawing undue attention, as his visitor badge did not disclose his age.

The other students there seemed to be either from less wealthy backgrounds, unable to afford Hogwarts or other schools, or from old families preferring private tuition over institutional education. Harry noticed he was unique in his situation, taking the exams earlier than usual.

The examination days were spread out, with Harry needing to attend on three separate occasions due to his choice of subjects. To his surprise, the exam hall was enormous, akin to fitting a football stadium inside, with each student's desk spaced five meters apart in every direction to prevent any possibility of cheating.

The invigilators did not move around much. They kept a watchful eye from their elevated positions, ensuring the integrity of the exams. Harry, experienced in taking exams from his past life, found the process quite straightforward. The expansive setup of the exam hall and the distance between the desks made any attempt at peeking futile.

Amelia was always there, waiting outside, ready to assist with any complications, but their thorough preparation ensured that none arose. Harry completed each of his exams smoothly, marking a crucial step towards his goal of gaining independence and securing his future without any hitches. Each successful exam day brought Harry closer to the freedom he sought, a testament to the meticulous planning and support from Sirius, Amelia and the rest of his family.