Chapter 9: Another Year Ends

After sitting for their O.W.L. exams, the fifth-year students were glad to take a rest. "Harry, I'm so glad this is over." Ron commented. "If I have to take another test within the week, I'll scream."

"Be quiet, Ron." Harry ordered in reply. "Snape might be hearing."

"What's the matter?" Ron dismissively asked. "He'll probably give one anyway to pick on us."

"What?" Hermione asked in shock. "We'd better start studying!"

"Don't worry, Hermione." Harry dismissively replied. "Even if Snape prepares another test, the grade won't affect us since it's O.W.L. year and that result is all that matters to decide if we'll be allowed to take N.E.W.T.-level potions lessons or not."

Of course, it didn't stop Hermione from studying and neither Harry nor Ron expected otherwise.

Meanwhile, the Defense Professor decided it was time to taunt the Potions Master. "Look at that, Professor Sniv." Sirius maliciously said. "The term is almost over and I'm still here. So much for your Lord's curse."

"You were just lucky, Black." Snape replied. "The Dark Lord must have some other way to curse the job. Being held by you is a curse for any job in the world."

"I'd be a better Potions Master than you, Snivellus, except that I need to teach Defense for at least two terms to show everyone that the curse is no longer a threat." Sirius argued.

"We can switch afterwards." Snape mockingly suggested.

"Taking your post has no meaning if you won't leave." Sirius replied. It wasn't clear if he was joking or not.

"Sirius, Severus, it's time to let old rivalries go." The Headmaster decided to intervene. "You both are teachers here and must act with decorum."

"Black doesn't know what 'decorum' means." Snape said.

"Snivellus can't even spell 'decorum'." Sirius replied.

Curse or no curse, Headmaster Dumbledore was honestly thinking about sacking Sirius.

When the O.W.L. results arrived, Harry and his friends at Gryffindor were content with their results. "Cool!" Ron exclaimed. "I'll still be able to take N.E.W.T.-level potions. Sure, that means enduring Snape for two more years but I won't let him be in my way between now and becoming an Auror."

"Professor Snape, Ron." Hermione corrected him but was ignored as usual.

"I'll study Potions in private if that's what it takes to become an Auror." Neville stated. "We don't need to take classes to take the N.E.W.T.-level potion tests anyway."

"Studying for something we don't take classes?" Ron asked in disgust. "No normal person would do that."

"I would." Hermione protested.

"That's what I meant." Ron replied.

"You prat." Hermione didn't like the insult.

Meanwhile, at the Slytherin Common Room, Draco Malfoy was also happy with his results. "I've got an O in Potions. I bet Potter didn't get it and his Godfather expected it. That's why they pulled strings to force Professor Snape to lower the standards." Crabbe and Goyle laughed at that remark. "My father said this lower standard was in use back when Professor Slughorn was Hogwarts' Potions Master and probably the reason Black could take the N.E.W.T.-level Potions lessons."

Most Slytherins wouldn't say anything. They wouldn't be able to take N.E.W.T.-level potions lessons.

End chapter. Sorry it's short. I just wanted to keep the story going and end fifth year. Please wait for the sixth one.