It was four days until the end of term, and Harry Potter was still at Hogwarts. His fifth year still had a few days remaining but it was fair to say that it had ended in disaster.

Although the fact that his exams were finished would normally be cause for celebration, his two best friends were still in the Hospital Wing as the result of a trap that had ended in the death of his Godfather. And so, rather than enjoy the beautiful weather on the castle grounds, Harry found himself lost in thought in an obscure corner of the Gryffindor Common Room. He idly glanced up as the portrait hole opened and Professor McGonagall entered. Her eyes scanned the room, and Harry tensed, already knowing that she was searching for him.

"Potter," called Professor McGonagall, "A word, if you please."

Harry rose from his position on the couch in the far corner of the Common Room and approached the portrait of the Fat Lady where his Transfiguration Professor stood.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Follow me, Mr. Potter."

A bit confused by the abruptness of his Professor, Harry nonetheless began to follow as she turned on her heel and exited the portrait hole into the corridor. She continued to walk silently until Harry was unable to contain his curiosity. As they approached the Charms Corridor he cleared his throat quietly. When Professor McGonagall failed to react to the subtle hint, he gathered his courage and asked, "Excuse me, Professor, but where are we going?"

The Professor's steps never faltered as she said, "You'll see in a moment, Mr. Potter." As she spoke, the pair came to a stop outside of Professor Flitwick's office. As they stepped inside, Harry noted idly that the closest he had come to entering this office had been two years earlier when he had rescued his Godfather, Sirius Black, by flying a Hippogriff up to the window. At the sudden reminder of his loss, Harry felt his breath catch in his throat.

Forcing the unpleasant reminder away, Harry focused on the two occupants of the room. Professor Flitwick sat in an unusually small chair that was propped up on a stack of books that Harry was certain must be held in place by magic. He was reviewing a file of some sort and looking uncharacteristically grim. As Harry took this in, McGonagall ushered him into a chair.

As McGonagall settled herself comfortably in the chair beside him, Flitwick squeaked, "Please be seated, Mr. Potter." Feeling exceptionally nervous, Harry did as requested. As soon as he sat, his Transfiguration Professor began to speak.

"Now, Mr. Potter. Before we begin I would like to inform you that this is not usually done. However, at your career counseling session I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it."

Harry still found himself confused. "Excuse me Professor, but I'm afraid I still don't understand."

Flitwick took that moment to interrupt. "This might help you understand, Mr. Potter," he chirped as he passed Harry a piece of parchment from the file in front of him. "I think you will find the results on this page to be quite clear."

Harry glanced down and realized to his shock and horror that he was holding a copy of his OWL scores. "Professors," he began, "I thought that these scores weren't released until sometime in July."

"They aren't released to students until July, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, placing emphasis on the word student. "Teachers are given the results as early as possible in order to help them prepare the expected schedule for sixth year students. Now, please take a look at your results."

With some trepidation, Harry glanced down at the results. He sighed as he realized that, while they weren't as poor as he had initially feared, they were still nowhere near Auror standard.

Harry Potter's OWL Results

Astronomy - P

Divination - D

Care of Magical Creatures - E

Charms - E

Defense Against the Dark Arts - O

History of Magic - D

Herbology - E

Potions - A

Transfiguration – E

After giving Harry a moment to peruse the results, McGonagall continued. "While you performed at a sufficiently high standard for entry into my class, as well as into Defense, Charms, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures, your Potions score is well below the accepted standard. Additionally, the fact that you failed three of your subject would be a serious mark against you if you truly wished to pursue becoming an Auror."

Harry's throat became dry. He realized that, now that he knew of the prophecy, he couldn't give serious consideration to any career path other than Auror. For his own survival, and that of the entire Wizarding World, he needed to train to be able to defeat one of the most powerful Dark Wizards of the century. His heart sank into his stomach as he realized that this may now be impossible.

"However," McGonagall continued, "I did promise you that I would go to extraordinary measures in order to help you achieve your career goals, and I am not in the habit of breaking my word."

Harry's thoughts drifted back to the day of his career counseling session. McGonagall had gotten into a shouting match with Umbridge and had ultimately yelled, "Potter, I will assist you to become an Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you nightly, I will make sure you achieve the required results!"

Harry's stomach clenched at the thought of nightly tutoring sessions over the summer from his Head of House. He knew that the Dursleys wouldn't tolerate magic in their home, even if the request came from a witch as formidable as Minerva McGonagall. Her next words, however, stopped Harry cold.

"Mr. Potter, are you aware that students are permitted to retake their OWLs if certain conditions are met?"

Harry started. He certainly hadn't been expecting Professor McGonagall to say that!

"No, Professor. I've never heard of a student being permitted to retake their exams."

McGonagall nodded. "It is exceedingly rare, Mr. Potter. A series of requirements have to be met. Firstly, two of the student's exams must be interrupted by circumstances beyond the control of the student. Secondly, at least two teachers have to attest that they do not believe that the student performed up to his potential in their subject. A memory that demonstrates that extraordinary potential of the student must be submitted by each of those teachers. And finally, the student has to be willing to retake all of the exams, not just the ones that were interrupted."

Harry paused for a moment to take that in. "I'm sorry Professor, but I still don't understand. I don't think that those conditions apply to me."

McGonagall looked as though her patience was waning. "Potter, the circumstances surrounding the Astronomy exam are well documented. Every student taking that OWL will be considered to have experienced an exam interruption. And, I would certainly think that having your mind invaded by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would qualify as interrupting your History examination."

Harry sighed. That clearly wasn't the issue. "Yes Professor, but I haven't demonstrated any extraordinary magical ability in my classes."

Before Professor McGonagall could answer, Professor Flitwick jumped in. "That would be incorrect, Mr. Potter," he squeaked. "Two of your Professors noticed outstanding ability in their subject, despite the fact that you only received an Exceeds Expectations in their class."

"What outstanding ability?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well, Potter, the first Professor to notice your outstanding performance was Hagrid. He observed that you had an uncommon affinity for Hippogriffs, and were even able to ride one during class in your third year. He has submitted that memory to me."

Almost before McGonagall had finished, Flitwick excitedly interjected, "And the second professor to notice outstanding ability was myself, Mr. Potter. Last year, during the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, you performed a Summoning Charm that brought your broomstick all the way from your dormitory to the arena outside the castle. Summoning an object that distance is unheard of, unless you are a Charms Master."

"So, as you can see, Mr. Potter, you quite easily meet the first two conditions to retake you OWL. All that is required is that you be willing to retake all twelve examinations." McGonagall continued briskly.

"Twelve examinations?" Harry exclaimed. "But I only sat for nine OWLs Professor."

"While that is true, it is the policy of the Ministry that a student who petitions to retake their exams must retake all of them. Otherwise, the only alternative is to repeat your fifth year of study in those classes."

Harry found himself repulsed by the very thought. He still had several questions though. "When would I retake the exams Professor?"

"You will sit the examinations the week before classes resume. It will be an intense exam schedule, you will have two exams a day for six days. You will learn the results the day before your classmates return to Hogwarts."

Something about the way that McGonagall said that least sentence resonated with Harry. Hope briefly flared within him. "Before my classmates return, Professor?"

McGonagall sighed. "In these troubled times, Potter, the Headmaster feels as though you won't be safe anywhere but at your relatives' home or behind the walls of Hogwarts. Should you choose to accept this offer, you will spend the summer here."

Harry's mind was immediately made up. The workload sounded daunting, but he was confident that anything would be better than staying at the Dursleys for an entire summer.

"I'll retake my OWLs, Professor."

"Very good then, Mr. Potter. However, that means that there isn't even a day to waste. I will expect you to report to my office tomorrow morning at 8am to receive your summer schedule and begin your tutoring."

"Thank you, Professor."

"You are certainly welcome, Mr. Potter." McGonagall smiled tightly, but her eyes showed quite a bit of affection. "I'm certain that you will meet your full potential this time."

As Harry turned to leave, Professor Flitwick called out once more. "Mr. Potter. I suggest you keep this opportunity to yourself. While your achievement's certainly warrant this opportunity, if news were to spread too widely it may lead to claims of favoritism. Of course you may tell your closest friends, but I would impress upon them the need for discretion."

Harry nodded, feeling uncommonly grateful towards his Head of House, Professor Flitwick, and Hagrid. "Thank you again, Professors," he said as he exited the office.