Special Graduate Exams

"By the way, Ivan, don't you have to take both the N.E.W.T.s? Don't tell me they sent you two sets?" Hermione asked curiously, suddenly remembering.

If she wasn't mistaken, the fifth-year and seventh-year students' exams were held almost side by side over the course of a few days, and would never have been caught in time unless the Time-Turner was used.

Ivan shook his head and explained, "I'm skipping a grade, so I won't be taking the exam with the other seventh years. The Ministry of Magic will make time for me on my own, and I'm told there will be a lot of people coming. It's bound to be more difficult than the normal N.E.W.T."

He was, technically, the first ever examinee to graduate early at Hogwarts, and even with Pierce's special approval, he had to be convincing.

Hearing Ivan's words, Harry and the others became interested in the special exam, but the thought of having to take another O.W.L. in the afternoon gave them a headache.

… .

For two weeks, the young Hogwarts wizards had to struggle with exams and preparation.

When the final History of Magic exam came to an end, the students who left the exam hall all breathed a sigh of relief.

This was because grades were usually given out at the end of the school year, and they had about a week to relax before they had to leave school.

The Ministry's special exam was scheduled for the last day of June.

Ivan got up early as usual, and when he arrived at the Great Hall, he found that it had been refurbished. The tables had been removed and replaced by a makeshift examination table.

The Ministry of Magic did not stop people from entering and exiting the Great Hall, presumably for the sake of publicity. The hall was packed with young wizards, and it was as lively as a festival.

"My God, even Minister for Magic Pierce and the Master of the Order of Merlin, Goshawk, are here." Ron looked at the proctors on the stage and was speechless. This was the first time he had seen such a scene.

"Go on, Ivan, I'm sure you'll be fine…" Hermione said encouragingly, and Harry and Ron patted Ivan on the shoulder to cheer him on.

"Of course. You don't say?" Ivan smiled and nodded, then walked past the trio to the exam table.

Richard Goshawk, who was chatting with a few professors, was the first to notice Ivan's arrival. He took a few steps forward happily and said emotionally, "It's been a long time, Hals! When I gave you the Order of Merlin, I knew you'd achieve something…"

"You flatter me, Commander Goshawk," Ivan replied humbly, impressed by Richard Goshawk's integrity and lack of pedantry.

After exchanging pleasantries with Goshawk, Ivan turned to greet Acting Minister Piers, proctor Tofty, and Marchbanks.

Notably, the Daily Prophet also sent a reporter, an old acquaintance of Ivan's, Rita Skeeter!

However, in the few months that she had not seen her, Rita Skeeter looked much more haggard. When she faced Ivan, she still had a formulaic smile on her face, but deep down, she was deeply frightened.

As a veteran gossip reporter, Rita Skeeter naturally understood what had happened during the riot at the newspaper six months earlier, and had a vague idea of how her boss had been retired.

If she had been angry at Ivan for threatening her with this information before, she was now afraid of revenge.

Ivan made small talk with Rita Skeeter as usual.

Although he did not like this gossip reporter, he had to admit that she was very talented at fooling the people and reversing public opinion. If she controlled it well, she might become a sharp blade that could slash her enemies.

"It's about time, Hales. Now, please get to the examination stage." McGonagall glanced at the clock and interrupted Ivan's small talk.

Ivan nodded and made his way to the middle of the room, where he stood facing everyone.

Since today was a practical lesson on Transfiguration, Charms, Divination, and Defence Against the Dark Arts, he did not have a desk and chair in front of him, only a small table about the height of a man.

Professor McGonagall looked at Pierce for permission from the acting Minister, then cleared her throat and spoke.

"Then the exam begins now. The first round is a Transfiguration, and the target of the Transfiguration is the wooden platform in front of you, which can be transformed into any animal… We will judge your results based on how complete your Transfiguration is and how long it takes."

"I understand, Professor!" Ivan gestured to the invigilators on the stage. With a gentle flick of his wrist, the wooden platform in front of him began to transform as if it had melted.

In the blink of an eye, the entire wooden platform was engulfed in flames, causing Hermione to jump in shock, thinking that Ivan's spell had gone awry.

McGonagall and the others, who were in charge of invigilating, had looks of deep surprise on their faces. The next second, a pleasant immortal cry sounded in the hall!

A golden-red phoenix soared out of the flames and hovered over the Great Hall, its wings beating furiously. Red flames surrounded it, and the flames of its tail fell from the sky like brilliant fireworks. The young wizards who were watching exclaimed, and even the Ministry of Magic's commissioners stared.

"Impressive, this is a… phoenix?!" Professor Marchbanks muttered to himself, looking up in wonder at the phoenix soaring above the Great Hall.

Peel and the others were equally stunned by Ivan's skill in transfiguration. If they hadn't seen him cast the spell, they would have thought he was a real phoenix.

"Those flames…how did you do it, Hales?" Professor McGonagall asked eagerly. She could transform into a phoenix-like creature, but she would never give it the ability to control fire!

"Well, if you'll excuse me for a moment, Professor McGonagall," Ivan said with a resigned shrug.

During the transformation, he felt the phoenix blood in his body suddenly being triggered, and the "phoenix" he transformed into automatically gained the ability to control fire.

Although this ability was very weak and could not be compared to the original phoenix, it aroused Ivan's curiosity, and he wondered if he would one day be able to summon a phoenix of his own making, as the members of Dumbledore's Order did…