For Kael, this little mishap on the Charm exam wouldn't affect his score at all.
"Impeccable," Professor Flitwick remarked with a smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing your final grades, Kael.
I hope you won't deliberately answer one question wrong like last year; after all, it's been ages since Hogwarts had a student with full marks in every subject."
Kael chuckled a bit awkwardly.
Mostly because last year, he didn't expect to score full marks in the Magic Potion exam, so he answered it jokingly with the thirteenth use of Dragon Blood, thinking a point more or less wouldn't matter.
In the Transfiguration Technique exam, Professor McGonagall instructed them to transform rabbits into trophies, with the more exquisite the trophy, the higher the score, and points would be deducted if any rabbit fur remained.
Kael completed it effortlessly as well.
The final exam was, as usual, Magic History. When Professor Binns asked them to put down their quills, it signaled the end of this school year's courses.
Afterwards, they wouldn't have to study anymore, nor would they need to get up early or go to the library to do homework; they could fully enjoy their holiday life.
When Kael walked out of the classroom, the cheers around him never ceased.
Everyone wore smiles on their faces, and even the air was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
But what puzzled Kael was that some people showed a very odd expression upon seeing him.
Some would give him an encouraging smile, while others openly sneered.
Kael was bemused by all this and was hesitating whether to randomly ask someone when Cedric happened to walk over from nearby.
"I've heard..."
Cedric stepped forward, patted Kael's shoulder, and whispered, "It's okay, it's just one subject you didn't do well in; it doesn't mean anything. You're still the smartest student at Hogwarts, no doubt about it."
"Wait a second..." Kael hurriedly asked. "Why are you saying the same thing, what exactly happened?
And what does it mean by I didn't do well, has the result come out so soon?"
"You don't know yet?"
Cedric said, "Someone noticed Professor McGonagall shook her head while looking at your paper, so many are saying you mustn't have done well, and that's why she was so disappointed."
Kael was stunned; he really didn't know about this.
No wonder Cedric came to say he didn't do well, now he finally knew the reason.
However, Kael only thought about it briefly and didn't care.
At the time, he was so familiar with the questions that he almost memorized them, so he was very sure his answers were correct.
As for why Professor McGonagall shook her head... Who knows, the thoughts of an older cat lady aren't easy to guess.
"Kael... we've been looking for you."
At this moment, Fred and George also arrived, and as if they'd agreed in advance, their first words were identical to Cedric's.
"We've heard..."
"Stop!" Kael quickly interrupted them. "I did very well; I don't need your consolation."
"So... you want us to praise you?" Fred said with a peculiar expression.
"Alright then, let me think of how mom praises Percy..." George rubbed his face, making an exaggerated expression. "Look, it's all 'O's, I knew you could do it..."
"Kael, we're really proud of you..."
"Is that okay?" Fred said with a laugh. "But I think worrying about grades is something to consider a week later; isn't it a bit early to boast now..."
"So, you guys aren't here to comfort me?" Kael asked instinctively.
"Are you kidding?"
Fred gave him a disgruntled look. "If even your grades need comforting, then what should we do, go back to the dorm and have a good cry?"
"We just came to ask if you'd be going to the Forbidden Forest."
"We heard there's a Kneazle there..."
"Maybe we can catch one as a gift for Ginny."
"She's always wanted to have a Kneazle."
Kael thought about it, shook his head, and said, "I have something else to do later. By the way, lend me the Marauder's Map."
The twins, a bit disappointed at first, immediately raised their eyebrows when they heard Kael asking for the Marauder's Map, and exchanged a mischievous smile.
"Of course, go ahead and take it."
...
At night, Kael quietly left the common room and came alone to the entry of the restricted area.
He had thought long and hard about whether to get involved in this Philosopher's Stone business, and only made up his mind last night.
Come!
The Philosopher's Stone isn't the main concern; it's Nicolas Flamel's, and Dumbledore treasures it tightly. The chance of snatching it is small.
Kael came here for another matter.
Of course, since he'd be facing Voldemort, he made thorough preparations just in case.
Kael took out a tiny bottle from his pocket no bigger than his thumb.
Felix Felici.
He was well aware that he wasn't Harry and had no tragic connection with Voldemort, so to survive, he'd need some luck.
"Let's hope the rewards from this trip are worth it."
Kael uncorked the bottle and cautiously took a sip of the golden liquid inside.
Drinking it all would be wasteful; he only needed a few hours of luck.
The next second, Kael suddenly felt the whole world was different; an overwhelmingly exhilarating sensation coursed through him, as if endless opportunities lay before him.
He felt capable of anything, nothing seemed insurmountable... Things that once felt difficult seemed surprisingly easy now.
"Why did I waste so much time..."
Kael smiled and pushed open the door to the restricted area.
Inside, Fluffy roared and charged over, but upon realizing it was Kael, it immediately halted, excitedly jumped twice on the spot.
"Feeling too bored?"
Kael chuckled and gestured, "Come on, I'll take you somewhere else for a while, how about it."
Fluffy's side heads nodded excitedly, except the middle one looked unsure.
"Don't worry, we'll be back soon, Dumbledore won't know, I promise."
This time, Fluffy agreed.
Kael packed it into a box, then casually pulled out his broomstick, rode it and flew down from the trapdoor entrance.
The room was empty.
The previous Devil's Snare had been moved by him, clearly Professor Sprout hadn't resupplied.
It's possible she doesn't know either.
If Kael guessed right, there should be another entry used by professors when setting up the obstacle.
Since it's not necessary to enter through the trapdoor, no one has noticed something missing from this room.
This really is... too irresponsible.
Such an important obstacle and they don't check it regularly?
...