O.W.L. Examinations

Hogwarts Castle, Transfiguration Classroom.

"Examinations begin tomorrow. As you can see, the detailed schedule is shown here. Your O.W.L. examinations will last two weeks, with one subject each day. The written theory papers will be held in the morning, and the practical assessments in the afternoon. The Astronomy examination will take place at night..."

At the front of the classroom, Professor McGonagall adjusted her black-framed glasses and looked solemnly at the students copying down the examination times and subjects. "A serious reminder: items intended for cheating, including but not limited to Self-Answering Quills, Memory Charms, cheat-sheet sleeves, and self-correcting ink, are strictly forbidden in the examination room. If discovered, it will be treated as cheating. You will be disqualified from the examination and expelled from school...

"Do not entertain any illusions of luck. Every year, several students believe they can evade the Wizengamot Examinations Board's inspections and avoid the invigilating professors' notice. They are always being clever for nothing. Everyone must bear responsibility for their own actions. I can only hope that person is not from Gryffindor..."

Professor McGonagall sighed softly, her nostrils flaring slightly. "You need to consider not only this examination, but your long-term future."

The young wizards below discussed the examination arrangements in hushed voices, as well as students caught cheating over the years. Yet even the harshest punishment had only been repeating a year; no one had been expelled.

"All right, any other questions?"

Hermione pursed her lips and raised her hand. "Professor, when will we find out our results?"

"Around the middle of July. An owl will bring you a letter."

"Brilliant. That means we won't have to worry about it before the holidays," Dean Thomas said in a low voice, and many of the young wizards agreed.

With the examinations approaching, the students' anxiety