Final exams arrived as scheduled. Just as Owen, brimming with confidence, was preparing to take his fourth-year exams, he was informed that he didn't need to take them.
However, he still had to participate.
His assignment: Proctoring the History of Magic exam.
Professor Binns was fine as a lecturer, but if he were the proctor, every student would undoubtedly score perfect marks. If you couldn't cheat your way to a perfect score under a ghost who barely noticed the living, the problem wasn't the professor—it was you.
"Everyone, plagiarism is forbidden, but open-book consultation is allowed. During the exam, absolutely no communication is permitted. Otherwise, I will ensure your entire holiday is spent in a state of dizziness!"
Unlike other subjects, History of Magic was purely a written exam. Hearing that it was open-book, the young wizards were ecstatic. But just as they pulled out their textbooks ready to copy, Owen spoke again.
"Professor Snape says your brains are on par with a troll's. I'm inclined to agree. I don't expect you to memorize the entire book like Miss Granger, but you should at least know which book to copy from to pass, right?"
With a wave of his hand, copies of his Revised History of Magic Notes flew onto the students' desks. "The exam begins. Remember the consequences of violating exam discipline."
The young wizards scrambled to start writing. Not a single soul dared to make a sound. Because whenever they glanced up, they saw Owen floating in mid-air, looking down at them like a hawk, wand in hand...
This was the guy who blew up half a troll with a single Disarming Charm. If that spell hit them, there probably wouldn't be anything left to bury.
Under this high-pressure environment, the two-hour exam finished thirty minutes early.
Seeing the students ready to cheer, Owen suddenly smiled. "If anyone dares to throw their book in the air..."
Whoosh!!
Before he could even finish his sentence, a book soared toward the ceiling. The corner of Owen's mouth twitched. He cast a Summoning Charm to catch it. Sure enough, it was a copy of his Revised History of Magic Notes. He looked up at the bewildered student who had thrown it and said calmly:
"Very good, Mr. Ron Weasley. Starting next term, you won't be needing this book. All your future History of Magic exams will be closed-book."
Ron's face turned almost as red as his hair.
But what surprised Ron even more was that Draco Malfoy, his nemesis, walked right past him without a single sneer. Instead, Draco approached Owen with a look of cautious respect.
"Um... Mr. Corlett, my father would like to invite you to visit our manor during the Christmas holidays..."
"I would be honored, Draco. Please tell Mr. Malfoy I will be there."
He agreed?
Draco looked up sharply, seeing the young wizard's warm smile. He was visibly moved. "That's wonderful! I look forward to your arrival."
Owen was a bit surprised by the invitation too. But Dumbledore had told him that while the Death Eaters who followed Voldemort faced a reckoning, a group of them—including the Malfoys—had avoided punishment by claiming they were under the Imperius Curse and donating large sums of gold.
Of course, it also helped that there was no concrete evidence of Lucius Malfoy personally committing crimes during that time...
---
Exams were over, and Christmas had arrived. When the professors appeared in the Great Hall wearing brand-new, stylish robes shimmering with gold and silver light, the students were awestruck.
Professor McGonagall liked green, so Owen designed a fitted, emerald-green robe for her. When she moved, golden and silver threads shimmered, revealing the faint, majestic image of a roaring lion on her cuffs.
Professor Sprout liked red, so Owen designed a burgundy robe with side buttons. As she walked, a trail of starlight seemed to linger briefly behind her.
Professor Flitwick wore a deep coffee-colored robe. When he raised his wand, the alchemical embroidery on his chest formed the image of a soaring eagle with spread wings.
Professor Snape preferred black. His new robe was double-breasted with wide lapels, looking more like a trench coat than traditional wizarding wear. Given his habit of storming around with his cloak billowing, this outfit made him look suddenly, strikingly handsome—especially with the galaxy-like trail of light following in his wake...
While Owen was most proud of the alchemical runework, the professors were most delighted by the visual effects those runes produced.
The four Heads of House looked magnificent, and Dumbledore was no exception. When the Headmaster, draped in starlight, announced the start of the feast, the Great Hall filled with laughter and joy.
Quite a few students stayed behind for the holidays—not because they were homeless, but because their parents were busy or away.
Owen spent Christmas Eve at the castle. The next morning, he would head to Malfoy Manor. What he didn't expect was waking up to find his bedroom floor completely disappeared—buried under a mountain of gifts of all shapes and sizes!
Oh my, everyone is too kind!
Owen's mood instantly soared. Receiving so many presents all at once was a wonderful feeling.
After dressing and getting ready, Owen went down to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid was waiting there with a Hippogriff—a special transport approved by Dumbledore.
"Thanks, Hagrid. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."
Owen didn't bow. instead, he walked right up and hugged the creature's neck. The great eagle head gently nudged the boy in return. Once Owen climbed onto its back, the Hippogriff launched into the sky, disappearing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.
Hagrid stood there, scratching his head and chuckling. It made sense. Magical creatures loved the boy. Even the Mooncalves invited him to dance in the moonlight.
The only thing that worried Hagrid was that the Acromantulas and the centaurs didn't seem to like Owen very much.
Ah well. Time to go check on Whitey...
Ever since Owen released Whitey into the Forbidden Forest, the white phoenix had become the apple of Hagrid's eye. He visited every few days, mesmerized by its magnificent white plumage.
Best of all, he occasionally ran into that little Wampus Cat, Molly. Although she wasn't very friendly and never let him pet her, she had stopped trying to bite him. That was progress!
Thinking of this, Hagrid happily picked up a bucket of fresh meat and headed into the forest.
---
Malfoy Manor was vast. When Owen descended from the sky, the Malfoy family was already waiting at the gates.
"Mr. Corlett understands etiquette..."
Lucius Malfoy watched the young wizard land outside the manor gates. Taking in the boy's impeccable attire and demeanor, the look of disdain vanished from his eyes, replaced by a serious, respectful expression.