George "Of course, Mum would never agree to it. We don't want to break her heart again after Percy."
George explained with uncharacteristic seriousness:
George "But we're planning to conduct proper market research during this final year—see what products students actually want."
Fred "Honestly, we've already saved enough to open our shop—thanks to Orli consistently buying back our potions, our products have been selling brilliantly."
Fred continued with growing enthusiasm:
Fred "Well—"
He added hastily before Hermione could explode:
Fred "Anyway, fifth years, your fifth year is going to be an absolute nightmare. You'll probably spend half the year preparing for those bloody exams."
They departed with their breakfast, but the O.W.L. discussion lingered like a storm cloud.
Harry "Do you reckon this year will be brutal?"
Harry asked with growing apprehension:
Harry "All those exams and certificates..."
Ron "Absolutely brutal."
Ron confirmed grimly:
Ron "Ordinary Wizarding Levels are crucial—they determine your future career and pretty much everything else. Whatever you want to do afterward, the more O.W.L. certificates you earn, the better. Your results affect which courses you can take in the final two years and which N.E.W.T.s you're eligible for—it's all interconnected."
Hermione seemed genuinely surprised that Ron understood the examination system so thoroughly, but she nodded approvingly:
Hermione "Exactly. O.W.L. exams shape your future options, while N.E.W.T. exams determine your ultimate career path. Hogwarts doesn't penalize specialization, but only if you know precisely what you want to achieve."
Harry "Do any of you actually know what you want to do?"
Harry inquired as they left the Great Hall for History of Magic.
Ron "I'm not entirely certain... unless... well..."
Ron appeared distinctly uncomfortable.
Harry "What?"
Harry pressed eagerly.
Ron "Well, maybe becoming an Auror would be rather brilliant."
Ron attempted nonchalance, failing spectacularly.
Harry "Yes, absolutely!"
Harry agreed with infectious enthusiasm.
Ron "But it's incredibly demanding—their selection standards are notoriously high."
Ron then turned toward the girls:
Ron "Hermione, what are your plans?"
Hermione "I haven't decided definitively, but I want to do something genuinely meaningful."
Hermione replied thoughtfully.
Harry "Being an Auror is meaningful!"
Harry suggested hopefully.
Hermione "True, but it's not the only meaningful path. Perhaps I could expand S.P.E.W. into something more substantial..."
Hermione mused, her eyes distant with possibility.
Ron and Harry suddenly found the ceiling and floor fascinating—neither dared respond to Hermione's house-elf crusade. Finally, Orli broke the awkward silence:
Orli "Hermione, you might consider starting with the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures—they have a specific division handling house-elves. Working in an official capacity might give you more credibility with the elves themselves."
Hermione "That's brilliant, Orli!"
Hermione exclaimed with genuine appreciation:
Hermione "What about you? Any grand plans?"
Orli "I'm not seeking traditional employment."
Orli stated matter-of-factly:
Orli "I'll continue expanding my potions business, and if inspiration strikes, pursue independent research."
Ron "Bloody hell, I wish I had some distant relative ready to leave me a massive inheritance."
Ron sighed with profound envy.
History of Magic remained universally acknowledged as the school's most torturous subject. Professor Binns's monotonous drone could transform even the epic Giant Wars into a devastatingly effective sleeping draught. Despite their recent Auror aspirations, both boys were nodding off within ten minutes.
Hermione "If I don't lend you my History of Magic notes this year, how exactly do you expect to survive your O.W.L. exams?"
Hermione regarded them with withering disdain as they stumbled from the classroom.
Ron "We'd fail completely and catastrophically, obviously..."
Ron admitted with refreshing honesty:
Ron "So we're entirely dependent on you, Hermione..."
Harry had gone suspiciously quiet. Orli glanced in his direction and immediately spotted the cause: Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang were walking intimately arm-in-arm down the corridor's far end, their heads bent together in whispered conversation.
The sight hit Harry like a Bludger to the chest, and Orli felt her heart clench in sympathy.
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