Alex checked in on the fifth years one by one, gauging their progress, offering guidance, and making sure their study schedules were properly balanced.
As the school year drew to a close, Hogwarts entered the final exam period. On the morning of the first day, Alex stood in the Slytherin common room, addressing a sea of students who were dressed neatly and standing at attention. He stood on the familiar stone platform, his sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered students. "Today, we put our efforts to the test. Exams may not define a person's true abilities, but they are the most straightforward way to measure your progress, the result of a year's hard work."
He let his words settle before continuing. "This is also the moment Slytherin House has worked toward together all year. Now is the time to prove ourselves. From today, your achievements will speak for you. Show them what Slytherin is made of. Victory comes first!"
His final words rang out with strength, and every student in the hall responded in unison, their voices booming off the stone walls. "Victory first! Glory to Slytherin!"
The sound echoed endlessly, filling the dungeon with an almost tangible energy. The students, however, didn't look particularly excited. Instead, their expressions were calm, determined. They didn't chant the slogan as a hopeful declaration but as if they were merely stating a fact. Alex gave a final nod. "Let's go."
With practiced discipline, the students formed a neat procession, led by the older years, and left the common room in orderly rows. The dark green wave of Slytherin robes moved through the castle corridors, merging into the larger crowd of students heading toward the examination halls. By now, the sight of Slytherin moving in perfect formation wasn't strange to the other houses. Over time, the other students had even unconsciously started forming lines of their own. But today, there was something different, something imposing about the way Slytherin carried themselves. The quiet confidence in their movements sent a chill through those who watched them pass.
The final exams unfolded in this heavy atmosphere. With multiple subjects to cover, one exam in the morning and two in the afternoon, the process stretched over four days. As a fifth-year, Alex was taking his O.W.L.s as well, though he had only signed up for four subjects: Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and Care of Magical Creatures. He wasn't particularly concerned with collecting O.W.L. certificates. Taking too many exams would only lead to an overload of coursework in the sixth year, and he wanted to keep his schedule manageable for the next two years.
As the exams progressed, the Slytherins quickly realized just how effective their preparation had been. Nearly every question they encountered had been predicted by the study committee. The review guides compiled by the house representatives contained nearly all the necessary information, making the exams feel almost too easy, easier, even, than their monthly tests.
The fifth years, in particular, benefitted from Alex's special guidance. Thanks to the targeted study plan, they entered the exams with confidence, finding that nearly all the material had been covered in their revision sessions.
Meanwhile, as the written and practical exams wrapped up, the professors wasted no time marking the results. While the fifth and seventh-year exams were handled by the Wizarding Examinations Authority, the rest of the tests were graded by Hogwarts staff, meaning results were available almost immediately. And those results sent shockwaves through the faculty lounge.
Professor Sinistra, who taught Astronomy, stared at the parchment in her hands, her brows furrowed in disbelief. "E, E, O, E, O, O… Merlin's beard! What happened to Slytherin this year? Not only did no one fail, but I haven't even seen a single 'P' for 'Passing', everyone is above Exceeds Expectations!"
Professor McGonagall, though a staunch Gryffindor, couldn't hide her approval. "Yes, it is remarkable. I was surprised enough when they started behaving themselves this year, but this level of academic performance is beyond what I expected."
Sinistra turned to her with wide eyes. "Even in your subject, Minerva? Slytherin students did well in Transfiguration too?"
McGonagall nodded. "Indeed. Every single one of them scored at least an 'E,' and a considerable number achieved 'O' grades. I noticed their improvement throughout the year, but even I didn't expect such impressive results." She smiled, clearly pleased despite the house rivalry.
Sinistra exhaled sharply. "Has Snape been feeding them intelligence enhancers? How else do you explain this complete transformation?" she joked.
A sudden coughing fit from Professor Flitwick interrupted them. He gave Sinistra a meaningful glance before subtly shifting his gaze toward the doorway. Following his gaze, Sinistra turned, and there, standing at the entrance to the staff lounge, was none other than Professor Snape himself, his dark eyes fixed on her with an unreadable expression. Caught red-handed, Sinistra forced an awkward smile, while Flitwick quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Well, Severus, congratulations," the Charms professor said cheerfully. "Your students have performed exceptionally well. In my subject, nearly every student executed their spells perfectly. I've also heard that several subjects have reported an average score of 'E' or higher. Even among my Ravenclaws, I haven't seen such an achievement in years." He looked at Snape with curiosity. "I must admit, I'm quite impressed. Do you have a special secret?"
Snape, as always, remained unreadable. He strode into the room with an air of practiced indifference and lowered himself into a chair. He gave Flitwick a slow, measured glance before replying coolly, "There is no secret. They merely performed at their expected level."Then, turning to Sinistra, his voice took on a sharp edge. "And no, Professor, it is not the result of any 'messy potion.' No concoction in existence could grant a student the ability to cast spells effectively for days on end."
Snape's remark was met with an awkward chorus of laughter from the gathered professors. Their expressions, however, looked as though they had collectively swallowed something bitter. Professor Sinistra, still reeling from being caught off guard, rolled her eyes dramatically.
Meanwhile, Flitwick, who had been watching the exchange with barely concealed amusement, fought the urge to smirk. 'Oh, come on, Severus. A few years ago, your House was barely scraping by, and now you're pretending to be indifferent about their sudden academic dominance? At least try to be subtle. The corners of your mouth are practically reaching your eyebrows.'
Truthfully, every professor in the room knew exactly why Slytherin had transformed so drastically this year. It wasn't some miraculous change of heart within the student body, nor was it Snape suddenly discovering an untapped well of inspirational leadership. It was Alex. Had it not been for him, Slytherin would still be struggling for academic relevance instead of leaving the other Houses in the dust.
And despite Snape's attempt at feigned nonchalance, the evidence of his rare glee was written all over his face. His eyes practically gleamed with satisfaction, and though he was trying to maintain his usual brooding scowl, the tension in his face was betraying him. The corners of his mouth twitched, fighting an uphill battle against a triumphant smile. For perhaps the first time in his teaching career, Severus Snape was visibly pleased.