Will walked Sylvia all the way back to her common room and stopped at the entrance to the girls' dormitory.
"Good night." Sylvia opened her arms.
"Good night." Will drew her into an embrace.
It was a brief hug, though. A minute later, Sylvia went inside, and Will turned toward the stairs.
At breakfast the next morning, quite a few students still had books out, making the most of their last chance to study.
After breakfast, only the fifth- and seventh-years remained out of class at Hogwarts. At nine thirty, they began to be called into the Great Hall.
Will took his seat and noticed Professor McGonagall watching him. He nodded to her. She smiled, then turned and said something quietly to the examiners.
Several of the examiners looked at Will in surprise.
Charms theory—Ordinary Wizarding Levels.
Professor McGonagall turned over a huge hourglass on the table beside her and announced, "You may begin."
Will turned over his parchment exam paper and read the first question: (1) Write the spell that makes an object fly. (2) Describe the wand movement.
Will dipped his quill in ink and began to write.
Cheering Charm... Hiccuping Charm... Summoning Charm...
The questions were not difficult for Will. In fact, he finished the two-hour exam in just forty-five minutes.
After thinking it over for two minutes, Will decided to hand in his paper early.
Professor McGonagall was clearly unsurprised. Smiling, she took his paper and let him leave the exam hall.
Many students noticed Will handing in his paper early, which made them even more nervous. Some had answered only a third of the questions and could not help picking up the pace.
Hermione noticed too. Her heart tightened, and she began reading the questions much faster.
The Charms practical followed the theory