As usual, Will and Dumbledore went downstairs, used a Portkey, and returned to Hogwarts. After a brief conversation, they parted ways.
Will did not hurry back to the Room of Requirement. Instead, he went to the Dining Room for dinner, then headed to the High Tower with Sylvia. His routine was exactly as it had been lately, without the slightest change.
The Ninth Floor of the High Tower.
Will took out the thin roll of parchment and read it carefully.
A few minutes later, surprise flashed through Will's silver-gray eyes, but it lasted only a moment before giving way to deep thought.
Then Will moved a finger, and crimson flames consumed the parchment in his hand. Within seconds, it had turned to ash, leaving a black object in his palm...
Will took two deep breaths, pushed open the door, and went down to the Eighth Floor. He asked Anco to fetch him a drink. "Anco, bring me a glass of grape juice."
Will took the drink the house-elf respectfully offered, sat down at the table by the window, and exchanged a glance with Sylvia. Then he opened the Complete Guide to Potion Ingredients on the table and began studying it closely.
It was as though nothing had happened. The exams went on as usual.
Monday's Potions exam was as easy as eating and drinking for Will.
Will handed in his morning theory paper after just forty minutes, as he had before. The examiners passed it around as soon as they received it.
Some of what Will had written ran directly counter to prevailing wisdom in the Wizarding World.
For instance, in the theory questions on the Draught of Living Death, Will had included tips such as "pressing with the flat of a silver dagger releases more juice than slicing" and