Here's a bonus chapter for you all! Thank you so much for waiting. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and I hope you have a wonderful time reading!
The young wizards' exams were divided into two categories: written tests and practical tests.
Each subject's written and practical tests were arranged by lottery over two weeks, giving plenty of room for those hoping to cling to Merlin's stockinged feet at the last minute.
Cheating was impossible - during written exams, professors provided special anti-cheating quills. If anyone had thoughts of cheating, the quill would instantly smear their test paper with ink into an incomprehensible mess. This completely discouraged any thoughts of cheating among the young wizards, forcing them to desperately cram their neglected coursework and knowledge before exams, wishing they could split each second into two.
Glenn could use Occlumency to disable the anti-cheating quills, but was there any need?
Though his grades were slightly - well, a billion points - behind Hermione's, getting second place was still effortless.
It was only because first year knowledge was relatively limited that he could memorize it all like Hermione, so their written test scores should be similar. But what about later?
Second year, third year, all the way to seventh year - Glenn admitted his memory for knowledge was far inferior to Hermione's. The little girl's talent in this area was astounding. He could only hope to surpass her in the practical portions of each subject.
Hmm, maybe not even then.
Glenn was highly proficient in the spells he knew, but knew fewer spells overall compared to Hermione. She had learned many various spells that she could cast correctly, though she only mastered a few, mainly in Transfiguration.
Their approaches to learning spells each had their merits - neither could be said to be better. But at least for Hogwarts exams, Hermione had a big advantage.
Glenn didn't care about rankings - he'd do his best, as long as the little girl was happy.
Weren't these exams just like play?
Only extreme academic achievers like Hermione and complete academic failures would be overly nervous.
In the days before exams started, Hermione had trouble sleeping. Glenn had to brew Calming Draught and Sleeping Potion combined with his calming magic to maintain the little girl's health.
Just before entering the exam room, Glenn leaned against the wall, listening to the little girl beside him quietly reciting key points. He didn't disturb Hermione - everyone had their own methods and attitudes. Glenn certainly wouldn't interfere with the studious little girl, only wishing in his heart that she'd get good grades.
At the examiner's word, students could enter. The little girl stuffed her books into Glenn's waist pouch, took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
"Good luck," Glenn encouraged Hermione concisely. She gave him a tense smile before finding her seat.
After all young wizards found their places and settled, the examiner began distributing test papers.
Glenn glanced briefly, then waited for the examiner to announce the start.
As expected, it was simple. Glenn quickly completed his paper, put down his quill, and began resting with closed eyes.
Since Dumbledore had informed the examiner about Glenn's special eye condition beforehand, Glenn used the same test papers as normal young wizards. Though his eyes were still wrapped in silk, with his enhanced senses activated, Glenn completed the paper in minutes without issue.
The next few written tests were similar. Though the little academic genius Hermione still muttered about various questions she'd answered after leaving the exam room, Glenn could tell she was in a good mood and likely did well.
Neville and Draco listened beside them, constantly checking their answers against Hermione's, their expressions growing increasingly troubled as time passed.
Draco suddenly covered his ears: "I can't listen anymore - if I keep listening I feel like everything I wrote was nonsense."
Neville nodded, face pale.
The two quickly left together, secretly vowing never to check answers with Hermione after exams again unless they were idiots.
The practical portions were more interesting, with different and fun test questions for each subject.
This opinion came only from Glenn and Hermione, not representing other young wizards, disclaimer.
For example, in Charms practical, Professor Flitwick required them to make a pineapple tap-dance across a desk. Since Glenn didn't know tap dancing, he had the pineapple perform a set of martial arts moves instead, making Flitwick's eyes shine so brightly he forgot to grade, completely absorbed in memorizing the pineapple's every move.
"Indisputable Outstanding, Glenn, that set of... martial arts was excellent!" Flitwick applauded, generously giving Glenn an 'O'. Glenn nodded slightly in thanks.
For Transfiguration practical, they had to turn a mouse into a snuffbox - Professor McGonagall said the more ornate the box, the more points they'd earn, while any remaining mouse whiskers or tails would lose points.
This was manageable - even though Glenn's Transfiguration talent wasn't outstanding, he still earned an 'O' from Professor McGonagall.
The Potions practical exam wasn't worth mentioning - Glenn could brew a Forgetfulness Potion matching Snape's quality even with all five senses blocked.
Snape didn't even look at him when passing by, simply ignored him and casually gave full marks.
Of course the little girl also earned full marks from him - Hermione successfully withstood Snape's pressure. Among all present young wizards, only Harry had Snape staring over his shoulder longer than her.
She calmly completed an excellent Forgetfulness Potion. Snape glanced at it, snorted coldly, and gave Hermione full marks.
The little girl made a face at Snape's back as he left, then flashed Glenn a victory sign, beaming.
Glenn returned a thumbs up.
After these three major exams finished, the young wizards arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom for that exam.
Their DADA professor Quirrell had been missing for a long time. Harry and Ron's faces were pale - they believed Professor Quirrell had fallen victim to Snape, his body probably rotting somewhere.
Then they saw their "desperately missed" Professor Snape stride into the DADA classroom, wearing an eerie cold smile.
Glenn knew the professor was happy about being the DADA examiner, even if his smile remained spine-chilling.
"Seeing you all is most unpleasant. I hope you still have enough luck to survive this exam using those heads stuffed with flutterby bushes," Snape said eerily, casually slamming shut the classroom's only door.
And locked it.
Young wizards: ??
Added an anti-unlocking charm.
Young wizards: ?!!!!
And a silencing charm.
Young wizards: !!!!!
We're done for, is Snape going to kill us all?!
Harry and Ron turned ashen, clutching their desks to avoid collapsing.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Snape's mouth curved into an eerie smile: "Have fun."
Who's having fun with whom, you bastard!!
Inside the exam room, the young wizards' discussions rose and fell.
Hermione whispered helplessly to Glenn: "Looks like Professor Snape is really happy."
Glenn nodded: "After all, this is the position he most wanted, applied to Dumbledore many times but never got approved. Now that Quirrell's gone, he gets to be temporary examiner."
Hermione shrugged, focusing on listening to Snape's exam instructions.
"Now then, prick up your ears and listen carefully. I don't want anyone with worse memory than a troll asking me to repeat the exam questions," Snape slammed the podium, startling the noisy young wizards into silence. They all stood in neat rows, concentrating to remember the DADA exam questions Snape was about to give.
But honestly, they couldn't imagine what kind of practical test questions this subject would have. Their DADA professor Quirrell was useless, never teaching anything useful in class, and now he'd disappeared. This made all present young wizards feel very uneasy.
Moreover, the scariest professor was giving the questions!
"Your exam content is: Choose your best attack spell and cast it at me with full force. Then, I will cast the same spell you chose back at you - you must dodge or defend against it. I will grade you based on your performance."
All present young wizards were shocked.
What! You want us to attack you with spells!
Then you'll use the same spells to attack us?!
What kind of exam is this - how can their current spell level compare to a professor like Snape?
And defending against Snape's returned spells - how are we supposed to defend? Quirrell never taught us any of this!
Harry bravely raised his hand - since Snape wanted to kill him anyway, he couldn't do it in public right? Might as well take this chance to properly confront this thief trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone: "Professor, Professor Quirrell never taught us how to defend against spells. Is this practical test really appropriate?"
Snape smiled coldly, mercilessly starting to mock Harry: "Just because Quirrell didn't teach you, you couldn't study on your own? And use your brain to remember properly - I said dodging is also acceptable. Potter, it's truly incredible that you could forget something even a troll would remember."
Harry's face turned red, though unclear whether from anger or public humiliation.
Hermione silently gave Harry a thumbs up.
Even she wouldn't dare challenge Snape in public - Harry was truly a brave child.
Just a bit foolish.