The weather at Hogwarts had been dark and gloomy lately, damp and windy on top of it, leaving the wizards feeling oppressed. But this morning, their moods were no longer at the mercy of the weather. Some time ago, a notice had been posted on the bulletin boards in every common room, stating that the Ministry of Magic had changed the requirements for the Apparition exam. Compared with previous years, underage wizards who had not yet turned seventeen could take the Apparition exam this year as long as they had attended the course—and the first exam was today.
After breakfast, Harry and several young Gryffindor lions crossed the Great Hall and headed toward the double doors leading to the Entrance Hall.
"The Ministry of Magic did a decent job with this reform today." Harry, who had been gloomy for days, looked rather pleased now. "I'm sick of being taken by Side-Along Apparition. You know, it's like Muggle cars—some people don't get carsick when they're driving, but sitting in the back... it feels awful!"
"Flying cars are even worse. Never let Luna sit in the back..." Hermione's voice sounded from behind Harry. "But I think letting ordinary young wizards under seventeen take the exam is very dangerous. Think of Susan and Flag!"
"But Granger, didn't you pass it years early yourself?" Ron argued. This time, he had finally caught Hermione in a weak spot and left Miss Know-It-All momentarily speechless. Hugging her books, she stopped talking to Harry and the others and strode away.
"I think Granger just doesn't see herself as being on the same level as the rest of us," Lavender said in a somewhat inappropriate cheerful tone. "She thinks she isn't an ordinary young wizard!"
"She really isn't an ordinary young wizard!" Ginny rolled her eyes at her