A day at Hogwarts.

Chapter 587 Ambushed

The final exams in 1995 came earlier than in previous years.

The hallway was no longer filled with laughter and playful banter; even the mischievous ghost wouldn't bother the students at this time.

The library became the most crowded place, filled with students who had temporarily taken Merlin's footsteps. Mrs. Pince patrolled back and forth vigilantly, ready to chase away any student who made a noise.

The long table was piled high with books, parchment, and all sorts of stationery. The rustling of quills flying across paper, the frantic turning of pages, and the occasional low groan of pain mingled together to create a unique finale symphony.

The long table in the Gryffindor common room was piled high with books, parchment, and all sorts of stationery. The rustling of quills flying across the paper, the rustling of pages being turned impatiently, and the occasional low groan of pain all blended together to form a unique final symphony.

Because the exam was moved up, Hermione's study plan was disrupted, and she didn't have time to read nearly ten books. In desperation, she asked Charles if he knew how to borrow a Time-Turner from the Ministry of Magic.

Charles, unable to bear it any longer, sent her to his office in his alchemy laboratory to study in peace and quiet.

Without Hermione's methodical guidance, Ron seemed to have lost his soul, slumped in front of the long table, staring blankly at the history of magic textbook, muttering the dates of various major historical events, looking as if he was about to be overwhelmed by despair.

Harry huddled in a corner, pressing his index finger to his temple, closing his eyes and silently reciting the key points of spellcasting; dark circles were already beginning to appear under his eyes.

The air was filled with a sweet and sour smell. Fifth and seventh graders were facing important exams, and each of them had a bottle of Red Claw drink in hand to refresh themselves, taking a sip every few pages of their books.

At this point, if any of the younger students made a loud noise in the common room, they would be stuffed into the fireplace.

A seventh-grade student sneakily approached Charles and earnestly asked, "Smith, can you predict the questions for this year's ultimate wizard exam?"

Charles cast a stun spell on him, letting him sleep for a while.

Mental stress and lack of sleep are minor issues; some people were even carried directly to the school clinic for more serious reasons.

"That haphazardly concocted energy potion," Snape was so angry his hair almost stood on end. "He's going to have to repeat a year."

A fifth-year boy in Slytherin mixed together all the energy potions he could get his hands on on the market and chugged them down.

Whether it's energizing or not is unknown, but the side effects are obvious. The person has gone mad, like an angry monster attacking anyone in sight, and with exceptionally quick reflexes, dodging several spells.

Fortunately, Charles and his friends had just finished Potions class. Charles went over and knocked the guy down with one punch, then helped get him to the school infirmary.

The school clinic wouldn't dare admit her in this situation; it would be terrible if Mrs. Pomfrey got injured. She'd have to be sent to St. Mungo's Hospital, and she wouldn't be able to take the exam the day after tomorrow.

Such incidents occur every few years, and the professors and Mrs. Pomfrey are used to them.

Snape was furious. He was the head of Slytherin School and a Potions Master. Now, a Slytherin student had been held back a year because he drank a potion he had concocted. It was like being slapped in the face by the soles of two stinky shoes. At that moment, he wished he could throw the guy into the pressure potion pot and turn it on full blast.

Dumbledore shook his head helplessly and said, "One spot will have to be left vacant for this year's Common Wizarding Level exams."

It's not a big deal; it just means the invigilators will have a little less work, and Hogwarts will have to pay for one more person's registration fee.

However, some people might be willing to take the challenge and not waste the registration fee.

A notice was quickly posted on the bulletin board, stating that students who wished to take on the ordinary wizard level exam could submit their names to the dean before breakfast was over the next day.

"Will anyone sign up?" Charles asked Nick, who was practically bewildered. "What if they fail the exam and have to repeat a year?"

Nick said, "It's okay, there's one more makeup exam before school starts, and if you pass that, you'll be fine."

The make-up exam really touched on Charles's blind spot. He asked Nick and found out that there would be a make-up exam half a month before the start of the new school year, and those who failed this time would have to repeat the year.

Charles paid no attention to such matters, merely listening as gossip. After saying goodbye to Nick in the corridor, he went to the library to borrow two books. Hermione was also in the library; among the bookshelves, Harry whispered to her, "Will you sign up for the Ordinary Wizarding Level exam?"

“No,” Hermione said seriously. “I’m not ready yet, and I don’t want to lose the castle so easily.”

Charles had promised them both that whoever achieved excellent results in all the ordinary wizarding exams would receive a castle.

Therefore, Hermione is cautious and will not try it lightly.

Harry is out of the question; Quidditch isn't tested in the regular wizarding exams.

Another night was spent in intense studying, with the exam date drawing ever closer.

The following afternoon, after Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall asked Charles to stay behind.

Professor McGonagall said to Charles with satisfaction, "I knew you would take the regular wizarding exams. I even made a bet with Pomona that she would treat all of us professors to a big meal when Dancing Grass Restaurant reopens."

Charles blinked, puzzled, and asked, "Professor, I don't think I heard you clearly. What did you just say?"

Professor McGonagall, as if she knew him all along, smiled and said, "You wanted to give everyone a surprise, so you had Alastor secretly ask me to sign you up, right?"

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret for you."

"I only reported to Albus. When Pomona sees you in the exam hall tomorrow, she'll be so surprised her jaw will drop."

After she finished speaking, she gave Charles a look that said she understood everything and knew how to cooperate.

Charles took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

The exam is tomorrow, and Dumbledore probably had the same thought, wanting to show off or something. It's too late to change now.

As for the culprit, needless to say, it must be Grindelwald. Last time, when he was impersonating Moody, he got beaten up by Charles. If he didn't get revenge, he wouldn't be Grindelwald.

Professor McGonagall thought he was starting to get nervous and encouraged him, "It's okay, I believe you can do it."

Charles said calmly, "I will try my best, Professor McGonagall."

With some time before dinner, Charles drew his wand and stormed toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office, his imposing presence causing the students along the way to shun him.

"Oh!"

Charles kicked open the office door.

He didn't want to get involved in anything like the real or fake Moody this school year; he figured if anything happened, he'd just go sit on Voldemort's dad's grave.

I can't believe they've actually bullied me.

Behind the desk, two pairs of eyes, one real and one fake, stared at him in surprise.

If Charles were calm at this moment, he would have noticed the other person's surprised look. If it were him who did it, he certainly wouldn't be surprised by his arrival, and therefore wouldn't have such a look.

But Charles was furious. He turned around, slammed the door, and decided to beat the boy first, starting with the Cruciatus Curse.

Barty Crouch Jr.: ? ? ?
He couldn't understand what was going on. He had been hiding himself very well all year, and even Dumbledore hadn't noticed him. He hadn't offended him, so why was he suddenly being attacked so severely?
(End of this chapter)