Harry frowned and asked, perplexed, "What happened?"
Ron said with deep regret, "We shouldn't have done so well on today's Potions exam!"
Harry's voice was full of confusion. "Why?"
"Think about it carefully! Didn't we decide..." Ron reminded him, "that once we entered the next academic year, we could get rid of Potions?"
Harry's eyes widened. "Right! Snape said back then that to take his N.E.W.T. classes, you needed at least an 'E' in Potions!"
The two stared at each other, as though only at that moment had they finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
Ron scratched his head. "I'm not counting on getting an 'O,' but I'm pretty confident I can get an 'A'!"
His face turned even uglier. "If I'm a little luckier, and the examiners are a bit more lenient... getting an 'E' isn't completely impossible!"
"That's right!" Harry's brow had already furrowed. "After all, the examiners aren't Snape. He can't interfere with either the Written Exam or the practical exam. We really might get an 'E'..."
"Then we'll be in huge trouble!" Ron said in an almost despairing tone. "That means we'll have to put up with Snape until graduation before we can finally get rid of him!"
Hermione did not know whether to laugh or cry at Ron and Harry's conversation.
She took a deep breath, as though trying hard to suppress the urge to roll her eyes.
"Harry?" she said with emphasis. "Don't forget... when you had your career consultation, what did you tell Professor McGonagall your dream job was?"
Harry's voice was weaker than before, but his response came incredibly quickly. "I want to become an Auror!"
Hermione nodded and continued, "Then you should remember clearly what Professor McGonagall told you..."
"To become an Auror, you need at least five N.E.W.T. certificates!