The History of Magic classroom was silent, the only sound being the faint rustling of robes as students settled into their seats. Ethan's quill, fresh with ink, was ready, his parchment laid out neatly before him.
Professor Binns drifted to the front of the room, his transparent form barely acknowledging the students. His voice was as dry and droning as ever.
"This is your exam for History of Magic. You will have one hour to complete it. Please ensure your names are written at the top of your parchment."
The exam was immediately revealed on the board, and Ethan leaned forward, his sharp eyes scanning the questions.
1. Describe the significance of the Goblin Rebellions and list at least three causes.
Ethan wrote quickly, detailing how the Goblin Rebellions were a series of conflicts between the magical government and goblin communities. He listed their desire for wands, mistreatment by wizards, and restrictions on goblin-made artifacts as the main causes.
2. Who was Uric the Oddball, and why is he remembered in wizarding history?
Ethan smiled slightly. Uric was a particularly eccentric wizard who wore a jellyfish for a hat and was known for his strange, often baffling behavior. Despite his oddities, he made several minor contributions to magical theory.
3. Explain the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and its importance.
Ethan's quill danced across the parchment. The Statute was established in 1692 to protect the magical world from the increasing threats posed by non-magical people. It enforced strict regulations on the exposure of magical creatures, beings, and practices.
4. List three notable wizarding councils before the creation of the Ministry of Magic.
Ethan listed the Council of Warlocks, the Wizards' Council, and the International Confederation of Wizards, providing brief descriptions of each.
The questions continued, each one testing his memory and understanding of magical history. Ethan felt a calm confidence as he answered, his countless hours of study making the knowledge flow naturally. Even the obscure details, such as the creation of the Werewolf Code of Conduct in 1637, came easily to him.
When he finally reached the last question, he glanced around. Some students were clearly struggling, their faces contorted in concentration, while others were furiously scribbling, racing against the clock.
Silenced rained down on the class as they were deeply immersed within there own exams, that was, until the full hour had elapsed.
"Time is up. Quills down," Professor Binns announced, though his tone lacked any sense of authority. The students' parchments floated to the front, stacking themselves neatly on his desk.
Ethan packed away his things, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He knew he had done well, nearly perfect. But as he stood to leave, he noticed Hermione Granger giving him a sharp look, her brow furrowed in determination. The unspoken competition between them was clear.
That night, Ethan struggled to focus on anything else. His thoughts kept drifting to his exams, to the little details he might have missed. But he forced himself to set the thoughts aside. Worrying wouldn't change the results. He wasnt at all worried about losing to Hermione. If he lost, he was still one of the best students in his year. He focused on other things, like what he should do during summer, that was, besides Lockharts trial. It seemed as if it was going to happen during summer time.
Eventually, he fell asleep, just glad that the exams were over.
The next morning, Ethan sat at the Ravenclaw table, his gaze steady and composed as he unfolded the neatly sealed parchment bearing his final grades. Around him, the Great Hall buzzed with a cacophony of eager voices, students comparing scores, sharing triumphs, or lamenting their missteps. For Ethan, however, the world seemed to quiet as his eyes scanned the precise columns of his results.
Ethan Wright
Transfiguration: EE
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Potions: EE
Herbology: O
History of Magic: O
Astronomy: O
A near-perfect performance. Ethan's expression remained unchanged, though a faint sense of satisfaction settled within him.
His focus shifted to the distant Gryffindor table, where Hermione Granger was already scanning her own parchment. Her face was a portrait of confidence, chin raised, lips slightly curved in a knowing smile, until the lines of her forehead tightened. She stood, her stride determined as she crossed the Great Hall directly toward him, parchment clutched tightly in her hand.
"Ethan!" she called, her voice louder than necessary, drawing curious glances. He turned to face her, expression polite, almost indifferent.
"Good morning, Hermione."
"I thought we could compare grades," she declared, her tone tinged with an unmistakable hint of smugness. "I'm rather proud of mine."
Ethan inclined his head, unfolding his parchment and sliding it across the table. "Of course."
Her confident smile wavered as her eyes swept over his marks. Then her own parchment trembled slightly in her grasp, her gaze darting back and forth between her results and his.
"No… that can't be right," she whispered, her voice almost lost beneath the hall's chatter. But the disbelief was clear. "I should have… I should have been first."
"Should have?" Ethan's voice was calm, measured, lacking any trace of mockery. "Seems like you weren't."
Hermione's cheeks flushed, her jaw tightening. "I… I studied every night. I reviewed every spell, memorized every formula, every historical date, I double-checked everything! How'd you get an Outsranding in Astronomy?"
"You still did really well," Ethan replied, complementing her.
Her grip on her parchment tightened, and for a brief moment, her frustration twisted into something almost desperate. But she quickly drew in a breath, her expression shifting to one of fierce resolve. "Fine. You won this year. But there are six more to come. I won't lose again."
Ethan leaned back slightly, an almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. "I look forward to the challenge."
"Why are you... You're just so… calm about it!" she burst out, her frustration slipping through the cracks of her usually measured demeanor. "Like this is nothing to you!"
"Would you prefer I made a scene?" he asked. "Gloating and boasting? No thanks."
Hermione's lips pressed into a thin line. "No. But… it's just-" She stopped, searching for words, then shook her head. "I won't lose next time. That's a promise."
With that, she turned sharply, marching back to the Gryffindor table, her posture rigid and her movements brisk. Ethan watched her go, his expression neutral.
Around him, the nearby Ravenclaws had taken notice of the whol conversation. Quiet murmurs rose, a few students leaning in to offer congratulations, some with genuine admiration, others with a hint of envy.
Ethan nodded politely to their well-wishes, but he did not linger in their praise.
His attention returned to the empty plate before him and around the table, thinking about what he should eat next.