The morning of the Care of Magical Creatures examination dawned warm and bright. The sun broke through the clouds, casting golden light across the grounds. Edmund walked to the Great Hall with a sense of finality. This was the last subject. Fifteen N.E.W.T.s. After this, he would be done.
He sat at his assigned desk, number 147, and waited. The lead examiner, a witch with tangled grey hair and a kind, weathered face, rose from her desk precisely at nine o'clock.
"Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests," she said. "Subject: Care of Magical Creatures. Theory paper. You have two hours. Begin."
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The parchment was warm as Edmund touched it. He read the first question, then the second, then the third. They were practical, focused on the handling and understanding of magical creatures.
*Question 1: Describe the proper procedure for approaching and calming a Hippogriff, including the required gestures, body language, and safety precautions.*
Edmund wrote about the standard protocol: maintain eye contact, bow and wait for the Hippogriff to bow back, approach slowly with hands visible, avoid sudden movements. He described the safety precautions: never approach from behind, never run, never show fear. He noted that Hippogriffs were proud creatures and would attack if they sensed disrespect.
*Question 2: Explain the differences between a werewolf and a true wolf, including the physical characteristics, behavior, and the effects of the Wolfsbane Potion.*
Edmund wrote about the physical differences: werewolves in wolf form had shorter snouts, more human-like eyes, and a tufted tail; true wolves had longer snouts, yellow eyes, and bushy tails. He described behavioral differences: werewolves retained some human intelligence and targeted humans preferentially; true wolves avoided humans. He explained that the Wolfsbane Potion, when taken daily in the week before the full moon, allowed the werewolf to retain their human mind during transformation, though the body still changed.
*Question 3: A wizard has found a nest of young Acromantulas in his garden. Discuss the options for safe removal, including the risks and the legal requirements.*
Edmund wrote about Acromantulas as XXXXX-class creatures (known wizard killers). He described the risks: the mother would be nearby and extremely aggressive; the venom was deadly; the young could overrun the area. He discussed the options: contact the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures (which would send a specialized removal team), use fire to drive them away (but not to kill, as Acromantulas were a protected species in their native habitat), or relocate them to a suitable habitat (such as the Forbidden Forest) with professional help. He noted that killing Acromantulas without Ministry authorization was illegal.
*Question 4: Describe the life cycle of a Dragon, including the hatching process, growth stages, and the challenges of captive breeding.*
Edmund wrote about the dragon life cycle: egg (incubation period of 12-24 months, requiring constant heat), hatchling (born with fully developed wings and the ability to breathe fire within hours), juvenile (rapid growth, molting of scales), adult (full size reached at 3-5 years, depending on species). He described the challenges of captive breeding: dragons were territorial and would fight to the death; they required enormous amounts of food; they were resistant to most tranquilizers; and the International Statute of Secrecy made it difficult to maintain dragon reserves without Muggle detection.
*Question 5: A witch wishes to befriend a Thestral. Using magical creature theory, describe the steps she should take, including the limitations of Thestral behavior.*
This was the hardest question. Edmund wrote about Thestrals as creatures that could only be seen by those who had witnessed death. He described the steps: first, the witch must accept her own mortality and the death she has seen; second, she should approach slowly, offering raw meat (Thestrals were carnivorous); third, she should avoid sudden movements and loud noises; fourth, she should spend time near them regularly to build trust. He noted the limitations: Thestrals would never fully trust someone who feared death; they were skittish and would flee if startled; and they could only be ridden by those who had seen death.
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The two hours passed. Edmund wrote until his hand cramped, filling every page, leaving nothing blank. When the proctor called "Time," he set down his quill and stretched his fingers.
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The practical examination for Care of Magical Creatures was held on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where Professor Kettleburn had set up a series of enclosures. A panel of three examiners sat at a table near the forest edge—two witches and one wizard, all wearing dragon-hide gloves and protective goggles.
"Mr. Prince," the lead examiner said, consulting her notes. "You will perform a series of creature handling demonstrations. You have one hour. Begin."
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**Challenge One: *Hippogriff Approach* – Calming**
A Hippogriff stood in an enclosure, its wings half-spread, its eyes wary. The examiner pointed. "Approach and calm this Hippogriff. Do not attempt to ride it."
Edmund approached slowly, maintaining eye contact. He bowed low. The Hippogriff stared at him for a long moment, then bowed back. Edmund stepped forward, offering his hand. The Hippogriff sniffed it, then allowed him to stroke its beak.
The examiner nodded. "Acceptable."
**Challenge Two: *Bowtruckle Handling* – Nest Defense**
A Bowtruckle sat in a small tree, its twig-like fingers grasping a branch. The examiner handed him a box of wood lice. "Feed this Bowtruckle and convince it to leave its tree without violence."
Edmund approached slowly, holding out a wood louse. The Bowtruckle snatched it and ate. He offered another. The creature relaxed. He gently lifted it from the branch and placed it on a nearby tree. The Bowtruckle settled into the new bark.
"Sufficient."
**Challenge Three: *Niffler Retrieval* – Distraction**
A Niffler had escaped its enclosure and was digging in the dirt, its pouch already bulging with shiny objects. The examiner pointed. "Retrieve the Niffler without harming it."
Edmund knew that Nifflers were obsessed with shiny objects. He pulled a silver coin from his pocket and tossed it away from the Niffler. The creature turned, saw the coin, and scrambled after it. Edmund scooped it up gently and returned it to its enclosure.
"Correct."
**Challenge Four: *Griffin Observation* – Behavior Analysis**
The examiner led him to an enclosure containing a Griffin—a majestic creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. "Observe this Griffin for five minutes. Describe its behavior and identify any signs of stress or illness."
Edmund watched. The Griffin paced the enclosure, its wings half-open, its head turning constantly. "The Griffin is stressed," he said. "The pacing indicates agitation. The half-open wings suggest it wants to fly but cannot. The constant head-turning suggests it is looking for an escape route. The enclosure is too small. It needs more space and perhaps a perch to roost."
The examiner made a note. "Acceptable."
**Challenge Five: *Thestral Encounter* – Approach**
The examiner led him to a shaded area where a Thestral stood alone, its skeletal form visible only to Edmund (the examiners could not see it, but they knew it was there). "Approach this Thestral and offer it food. Do not startle it."
Edmund had seen death. He could see the Thestral clearly—its leathery wings, its bony frame, its pale, luminous eyes. He approached slowly, holding out a piece of raw meat. The Thestral sniffed the air, then stepped forward. It took the meat from his hand and ate.
The examiner nodded. "You have the Sight. Good."
**Challenge Six: *Dragon Handling* – Simulated**
The final challenge. The lead examiner gestured to a large enclosure where a Hungarian Horntail was chained to the ground—not a real dragon, but a highly realistic enchanted construct. "This is a simulation. You must approach the dragon, retrieve the golden egg from its nest, and retreat without being burned. The dragon will attack. You may use magic, but you may not harm the creature."
Edmund's heart pounded. He had faced dragons before, in the Gauntlet. He knew the technique.
He approached slowly, his wand raised. The dragon roared, flames licking from its jaws. Edmund cast a Shield Charm, deflecting the first blast. He moved sideways, keeping his shield between himself and the dragon. The dragon lunged, its claws scraping the shield. Edmund held.
He reached the nest. The golden egg lay among the rocks. He grabbed it and retreated, keeping his shield up. The dragon roared again, but the chains held. Edmund backed out of the enclosure, the egg in his hand.
The examiner nodded. "Impressive. You have demonstrated the courage and skill required for dragon handling."
**Challenge Seven: *Unique Creature* – Student's Choice**
The lead examiner set down her notes.
"For the final challenge, demonstrate a unique interaction with a magical creature of your choice. Show us something that reflects your personal approach to the subject."
Edmund thought for a moment. He had developed a bond with the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. He could not bring the basilisk here, but he could demonstrate the principles of Parseltongue communication with a smaller serpent.
He raised his wand and summoned a grass snake from the forest edge. It slithered toward him, wary. The examiners watched, curious but not alarmed. Then Edmund opened his mouth and spoke.
*Be calm. I mean you no harm.*
The hissing, sibilant language that emerged from his lips was not English. It was not any language the examiners recognized. The snake stopped, its head raised, its tongue flickering. It responded—a soft, hissing sound that seemed almost like speech.
*You are safe. I only wish to speak.*
The snake coiled contentedly at his feet. Edmund turned to the examiners, ready to explain.
But the examiners were not looking at the snake. They were staring at him. Their faces had gone pale. The lead examiner's hand had moved to her wand.
"What was that?" she whispered.
"Parseltongue," Edmund said. "The language of serpents."
The silence that followed was absolute. Even the birds in the forest had stopped singing.
The lead examiner stood slowly, her chair scraping against the ground. "Mr. Prince," she said, her voice carefully controlled, "do you understand what you have just demonstrated?"
Edmund nodded. "I am aware of the historical significance."
"The historical significance," the examiner repeated. "Parseltongue is not merely rare. It is a gift associated almost exclusively with the bloodline of Salazar Slytherin. The last known Parselmouths in Britain belong to the Gaunt family—and they are a reclusive, troubled line. To encounter a Parselmouth outside that family, especially a student at Hogwarts, is... unprecedented."
Another examiner spoke, a wizard with a grey beard. "This requires verification. We must inform the Headmaster."
The lead examiner nodded. She turned to one of her colleagues. "Fetch Headmaster Black. And Professor Merrythought. And Professor Dumbledore, if he is available."
The examiner hurried away. Edmund stood in the clearing, the grass snake still coiled at his feet, the examiners watching him with expressions that mixed awe, fear, and disbelief.
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Ten minutes passed. The other examiners returned, accompanied by Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black, whose aristocratic face was twisted in a scowl, and Professor Merrythought, whose sharp eyes missed nothing. Professor Dumbledore came as well, his half-moon spectacles glinting, his expression unreadable.
Headmaster Black stepped forward, his wand in his hand. "Mr. Prince. I am told that you spoke Parseltongue in the presence of Ministry examiners. Is this true?"
"Yes, Headmaster."
"Demonstrate."
Edmund looked at the grass snake. *Rise up. Show them you are not afraid.*
The snake rose, its head level with Edmund's knee, its tongue flickering. It hissed softly, then coiled back down.
The Headmaster's face grew even grimmer. "This is a matter of grave importance. Parseltongue is not a skill that can be learned. It is inherited. It means—"
"It means I am a descendant of Salazar Slytherin," Edmund said quietly. "I am aware."
The silence stretched. Professor Merrythought stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Edmund's face. "How long have you known?"
"Since the beginning of this school year," Edmund said. "I underwent a bloodline verification ritual at the Ministry. I have a certificate of heritage."
Professor Dumbledore spoke for the first time. "May we see it?"
Edmund reached into his robes and pulled out the parchment, the one he had received from the Department of Mysteries. He handed it to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore read it slowly, his expression unchanged. He passed it to Headmaster Black. Black read it, his scowl deepening. He passed it to the examiners.
"This document appears authentic," the lead examiner said reluctantly. "But the implications—"
"Are significant," Dumbledore finished. He turned to Edmund. "You have kept this secret well, Mr. Prince. May I ask why you chose to reveal it now, in this examination?"
Edmund met his eyes. "Because the final challenge asked for a unique interaction with a magical creature. Parseltongue is unique. And I have nothing to hide."
Dumbledore smiled—a small, warm smile that seemed out of place in the tense clearing. "No. I suppose you do not."
Headmaster Black cleared his throat. "This matter will need to be discussed by the Board of Governors. The Ministry will need to be informed. A descendant of Slytherin, in Hogwarts, without prior notification—"
"With all due respect, Headmaster," Dumbledore interrupted, "the Ministry was informed. The certificate was issued by the Department of Mysteries. The matter has been properly documented."
Black's face flushed, but he said nothing.
The lead examiner stepped forward. "Mr. Prince, your demonstration was... unprecedented. The examination panel will need to deliberate. Please wait in the castle. We will inform you of your result."
Edmund bowed. "Thank you."
He turned and walked away from the forest, the grass snake slithering back into the undergrowth. His friends were waiting at the edge of the grounds, their faces anxious.
"What happened?" Cassius asked. "We saw the professors running."
Edmund smiled tiredly. "I'll explain later. Let's go inside."
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They walked back to the common room. The sun was high, the grounds bright. Edmund had done it. Fifteen subjects. Two weeks of examinations. And one revelation that would change how the world saw him.
He sat down beside his friends, and for a moment, he let himself rest.
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