As the head of Slytherin House, Snape was the one to receive Dante when he arrived in Hogwarts headmaster office. The moment Snape laid eyes on Dante, he noticed the boy's silver eyes were still dull and unfocused. "It seems your eyes haven't returned to normal," Snape commented, his tone neutral but observant.
Dante nodded. "I'm going to be stuck with this state for longer than I thought, but I've figured out how to navigate without my eyes."
Snape raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Do you need help walking?"
Dante smiled faintly. "No need."
Snape turned and began walking toward the exam hall, Dante following closely behind. Snape glanced back occasionally, noting how Dante kept pace effortlessly. "You don't need to worry about me," Dante said, as if reading Snape's thoughts. "I can keep up. I see the world, just… differently."
Snape was puzzled by the explanation but decided to test Dante's claim. He quickened his pace, but Dante matched his speed without a problem. The two arrived at the exam hall, where the theory portion of the O.W.L. exams was about to begin. As Dante entered the room, all eyes turned to him. The students whispered among themselves, their curiosity piqued by his sudden appearance.
The examiner, an elderly woman named Griselda Marchbanks, looked up from her desk. Snape stepped forward and said, "This is Dante Malfoy. He has some… special circumstances. He's blind and couldn't attend school this year but is still taking the exams."
Griselda nodded, her expression softening. "I've heard a great deal about Mr. Malfoy. It's a pity about your eyes. I suggest you take the exam separately. We can assist you with reading and writing the answers."
Dante shook his head. "Thank you, but it's not necessary. I'll do the exam like everyone else."
Griselda glanced at Snape, who gave a subtle nod. She sighed and gestured toward the seats. "Very well. Take a seat."
Dante turned and walked to the back of the hall, his movements smooth and confident. Snape, Griselda, and the students watched him with a mix of surprise and confusion. This wasn't the behavior of someone who was blind. Yet, no one commented.
The exam papers were distributed, and the students began reading and writing their answers. Griselda kept an eye on Dante, curious about how he would handle the test. She noticed he didn't pick up his quill immediately. Instead, he rested his hand on the paper, his expression calm and focused.
A moment later, Dante's hand moved to the ink bottle. Under Griselda's astonished gaze, ink droplets floated from the bottle to his hand. He moved his hand back to the paper, and the ink began to flow onto the page, forming words as if guided by an invisible force.
Dante repeated the process with the next exam paper. Barely fifteen minutes into the exam, he stood up, his papers neatly stacked in front of him. "I'm done," he said, his voice calm. He walked out of the hall, leaving the other students staring after him in disbelief.
Griselda hurried over to his desk and picked up the exam papers. Her eyes widened as she flipped through them. Every question was answered, and none were left blank. She skimmed through a few answers and found them to be flawless. Her mind raced as she tried to comprehend what she had just witnessed.
________________
As soon as Dante stepped out of the exam hall, he was met by Snape and Professor McGonagall. McGonagall greeted him with a warm smile, though her eyes betrayed her concern. "It's been a while, Mr. Malfoy. Are you alright? Why are you out so early?"
Dante returned her smile politely. "I finished the exam. It was quite simple and straightforward."
McGonagall's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The exam is designed to take two hours for even the most capable students. While you are far from an ordinary student, Mr. Malfoy, it should still take you more time than that."
Dante shook his head. "I've developed a new magic for reading and writing. I can use my magic to scan the ink on the paper, allowing me to 'see' what's written by feeling and interpreting the magic. Then, I use magic to shape ink from the bottle and drop it onto the paper in the desired form. In a way, I'm much faster at reading and writing now than I was before." He chuckled lightly. "I was a fool for not thinking of creating printing ink magic instead of writing sooner."
McGonagall and Snape exchanged glances, both visibly impressed. Dante looked at Snape and asked "Can we move on to the practical exams ahead of schedule?"
Snape simply nodded. "I'll take you to Professor Tofty."
Snape led Dante to Professor Tofty, a good-natured man who was overseeing the practical portion of the O.W.L. exams. Snape briefly explained Dante's circumstances, and Tofty, ever accommodating, agreed to make an exception. Dante was tested alone, ahead of schedule.
The pattern repeated itself over the next few days. Each morning, Dante would arrive at Hogwarts via the Floo Network, take his exams in record time, and then return to Malfoy Manor. Dumbledore, who had allowed Dante to use his office for the Floo connection, didn't mind the arrangement.
Once the exams were over, Dante chose not to return to Hogwarts. Instead, he stayed at Malfoy Manor, continuing his solitary training. It wasn't long before Draco returned home for the summer break. The younger Malfoy immediately sought out his brother, pestering him with questions.
"Where were you all this time?" Draco demanded. "Why didn't you contact us? What happened to you?"
Dante, however, remained silent. No matter how much Draco pressed, Dante refused to answer. His focus was elsewhere, his mind occupied by whatever mysterious thing he was doing all day long.
A month after the end of the school year, the O.W.L. exam results arrived. Dante had achieved an "Outstanding" in every subject. The news spread quickly, and while it was no surprise to those who knew him, it was still a remarkable feat—especially considering his condition.
Draco, holding the results in his hands, couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and frustration. "You aced every subject, even in this state," he said, shaking his head.
Dante simply smiled, his expression unreadable. "Some things are better left unsaid, Draco."
___________
Dumbledore sat in his office, the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the windows. In his hands, he held Dante Malfoy's O.W.L. exam results. The parchment was filled with "Outstanding" marks across every subject, a testament to Dante's unparalleled skill and intelligence. Dumbledore's eyes lingered on the results, his expression a mix of admiration and concern.
"Remarkable," he murmured to himself. Despite his condition, Dante had not only adapted but excelled. It was a clear sign that the boy had overcome his new challenge, at least academically. But Dumbledore knew there was more at stake than just exam results.
His thoughts turned to Ginny Weasley. The young girl's condition had worsened over the months, and the healers at St. Mungo's had long since given up hope. Dante was their last chance, and Dumbledore could no longer delay the conversation. He needed to speak with him—not as a headmaster to a student, but as one wizard seeking help from another.