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"What are N.E.W.T.s exams?"
Hermione's astonished look made Harry stare back in confusion.
Even though he'd been at Hogwarts for almost three years, there were still plenty of magical concepts he didn't fully understand. He hadn't grown up surrounded by magic like Ron, nor was he as bookish as Hermione.
"N.E.W.T.s are the exams only seventh-year witches and wizards take," George explained, closing his book. "Percy's been studying for them nonstop. He says passing these exams is the moment you change your destiny—whether you get into the Ministry of Magic depends entirely on the results."
"But George," Hermione said, frowning, "you're only in your second year. Why would you take an exam meant for seventh years?"
Harry and Ron turned to look at George, and Hermione practically leaned across the table to hear his answer.
George nodded. "I applied to Dumbledore to graduate early. He approved it."
"Graduate early?!" the three of them yelled in unison, drawing curious glances from nearby students in the library.
George shrugged. "Hogwarts' curriculum isn't doing much for me anymore. I want to graduate early and work at the Ministry to push myself further."
The three friends exchanged astonished looks. If anyone else had said Hogwarts wasn't helping them, they'd think them arrogant. But this was George—George Weasley, who outshone every prodigy, the only one Dumbledore had trusted to sit the N.E.W.T.s ahead of schedule.
"So…does that mean we won't see you anymore?" Hermione's voice trembled with disappointment.
"I'm not dead, I've just graduated," George said lightly. "We can still hang out during vacations."
Besides, if he did join the Ministry, he might even represent them at next year's Triwizard Tournament back at Hogwarts.
"By the way," Harry asked, "any sign of Sirius lately?"
"No," George scowled. "That blasted man—who knows where he's hiding!"
Harry's face hardened. Since learning that Sirius had betrayed his parents, leading to their deaths and his own orphanhood, he'd hated him with a passion.
"I've been working on a new tracking charm that might locate Sirius," George said, eyes gleaming. "Once exams are over, we'll give it a try."
Harry practically jumped up. "Really? We could actually find Sirius?"
"Let's just say it's worth trying. I'm still refining it—give me a couple more days."
The next morning, in the Great Hall…
"George, it's almost time for class—why aren't you getting up?"
A second-year Slytherin, having finished breakfast and on his way to class, was surprised to see George still leisurely eating his morning meal, unhurried and unbothered.
Normally, by this hour, George would have vanished.
"You guys go on," George said, still chewing. "I'm on my way to sit an exam."
George waved with a cheerful smile.
"What exam? Isn't it still a week until the final exams?"
The younger students looked at him in confusion.
"It's about that time," George replied, setting down his pumpkin porridge and rising from his seat. He headed toward the group of seventh-year students.
The N.E.W.T. exams were scheduled a week earlier than the usual final exams for younger students. Proctors included not only Hogwarts professors but also officials from the Ministry of Magic.
"If the Head of House hadn't told me this morning, I wouldn't have believed you were really taking the N.E.W.T.s with us," said the Slytherin seventh-year prefect. He stood up along with the other seventh-years as George approached, speaking with a tone of mixed surprise and admiration.
"Come on, let's go to the exam hall. There's only half an hour before it starts."
"He's actually taking the seventh-year N.E.W.T.s!"
The younger students still lingering in the Great Hall erupted in astonishment as George walked off with the seventh-years.
Word spread rapidly throughout the entire school.
And soon everyone knew the reason: George was taking the N.E.W.T.s to graduate early.
Just days after the chaos caused by Sirius Black's break-in, Hogwarts was once again buzzing with excitement.
Students all over the school speculated about how George would perform—how many "Outstandings" or "Exceeds Expectations" he might score, whether he would actually manage to graduate, or if he'd fail miserably and embarrass himself.
Some even set up betting pools on the results.
George didn't mind. The more attention the better—if he succeeded, the impact would be greater, which could only help him when applying to the Ministry of Magic.
After all, many of these students had parents with considerable influence in the wizarding world.
Three days later, when George and the seventh-years finished their final exam and stepped out of the classroom, a large crowd of students was already waiting.
Among them were Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and fellow Slytherin classmates, along with many others who had rushed over after class just to watch.
If George passed the N.E.W.T.s and graduated early, he would become the youngest graduate in Hogwarts history—a feat that would surely be recorded in the school's official records.
And as a Slytherin, his success would also be a great honor for his house.
"No problem," George said confidently, flashing an "OK" hand sign. The crowd broke into smiles and excited murmurs.
"George, is your new tracking spell ready?"
Once the crowd dispersed, Harry, Hermione, and Ron pulled George aside eagerly.
"More or less. Let's give it a try."
With a wave of his hand, four slips of paper—blue, white, red, and black, each etched with runes—flew out and hovered in midair just above the ground.
A large circle formed beneath the four pieces of paper.
"Rihai Four-Formation!"
His previous tracking spells had all been based on this world's magic—and this world's wizards had developed powerful counter-charms to resist tracking.
Even the Ministry, despite having experts in tracking magic, had failed to locate Sirius Black.
Sirius clearly had a strong mastery of anti-tracking spells.
But the Rihai Four-Formation George used now was not of this world—it came from Academy City in another world, part of a magical system used by the Anglican Church.
That meant Sirius wouldn't sense it and had no means of defending against it.
"Found him. Near the Whomping Willow!" George announced.
"He looks like he's trying to leave the school. Go alert the professors—I'll intercept him!"
With a half-truth and a confident smirk, George gave the trio his instructions. Before they could reply, he spread his wings and soared off toward the Whomping Willow.
(End of Chapter)