With the location of the Horcruxes confirmed, the final lingering concern in Jon's mind was finally put to rest.
...
After the Easter holiday, the mandrakes had fully matured. With the combined efforts of Professor Sprout and Professor Snape, the antidote to the Petrification was successfully brewed and administered to the students who had been attacked by the Basilisk.
They all made a full recovery.
When Justin Finch-Fletchley woke up and learned the "truth," he immediately sought out Harry Potter in Gryffindor and apologized profusely, admitting he had wronged him.
Colin Creevey, on the other hand, became Harry Potter's devoted follower, constantly watching him with adoring eyes.
Percy Weasley admitted that before being petrified, he had engaged in a fierce battle with the monster from Slytherin. "I think I did my best, Professor McGonagall, but that creature was just too strong…"
But right after celebrating their recovery, they were hit with some unfortunate news:
Final exams would be held on June 1st.
That left them with only about seven weeks to prepare.
...
In the final two months of their first year, all the professors stopped introducing new material and instead gave the students ample time to review everything they had learned over the past year.
Jon spent most of that time with Astoria under a willow tree near the greenhouses behind the castle. They studied in the sun, reciting the twelve uses of dragon blood or practicing the wand movements for various spells.
Sometimes, when he was tired, Jon would rest beneath the tree with his eyes closed while mentally reviewing Occlumency… He had grown increasingly skilled at using it!
As the weather turned hot and humid, June 1st finally arrived—and with it, the start of final exams.
...
The first round was the written exams. They all used the latest version of Anti-Cheating Quills.
These quills were far more difficult to write with than fountain pens or ballpoint pens, and the handwriting they produced was much messier… Jon couldn't help but silently criticize the wizarding world for its outdated and rigid ways.
Fortunately, the written exams went smoothly. Thanks to his excellent focus and thorough preparation, he encountered no major issues.
Astoria, however, seemed a little anxious after the Potions exam. "I couldn't remember the difference between Aconite and Wolfsbane. I left that whole question blank…"
"They're actually the same plant—collectively known as aconite!" Jon reassured her. "You did really well in Potions class. I'm sure Professor Snape won't mark you down!"
Of course, the written tests were only the beginning—practical exams followed.
In Charms, Professor Flitwick had them enter the classroom one at a time and attempt to make a pineapple perform a tap dance across a desk.
Jon did fairly well, though at the final moment, the pineapple tripped and fell… Professor Flitwick gave him a regretful look, jotted down a score, and sent him on his way.
For Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall asked them to transform a mouse into a snuffbox.
Jon's snuffbox wasn't as ornate as Ginny Weasley's, but at least it didn't have any lingering whiskers.
In Potions, Professor Snape instructed them to brew a Forgetfulness Potion.
Jon completed the process in just fifteen minutes. When he added the final ingredient—licorice extract—Snape came over and examined it for several minutes, unable to find a single flaw.
In Herbology, Jon also spent about fifteen minutes naming all thirty herbs that Professor Sprout had shown them.
"Full marks!" Sprout whispered with a smile as he left the greenhouse.
...
The Quidditch exam that afternoon was easily the worst moment of the entire year.
Jon had barely been on his broom for ten seconds before tumbling out of the sky. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and cast a Levitation Charm on himself, avoiding serious injury.
Under Madam Hooch's furious glare, Jon slunk away… There was no doubt he had failed that exam.
Since Astronomy and History of Magic had no practical components, only one final test remained for the first-years: the Defense Against the Dark Arts practical exam.
...
The Defense Against the Dark Arts practical exam was held in the same classroom as before.
As Dumbledore called each student's name, they would enter the classroom with him and emerge a few minutes later.
"Sean Avery!"
The order followed the same sequence as the Sorting Hat.
"Teresa Baker!"
"Colin Creevey!"
...
Each student came out with a different expression. Teresa Baker from Ravenclaw exited beaming with joy, while Colin Creevey from Gryffindor left with his head hung low, looking ashamed.
One student after another, until finally...
"Astoria Greengrass!"
Astoria returned not long after, smiling as well.
As she passed Jon, she whispered, "Good luck!"
"Thanks," Jon replied quietly—just as Professor Dumbledore called his name:
"Jon Hart!"
"Good morning, Jon!" Dumbledore greeted warmly. Unlike the other professors, he wasn't overly strict during exams. After several months of teaching, he had memorized the names of every first-year student.
"Good morning, Professor!" Jon greeted politely.
"Then let's begin the exam!" Dumbledore said with a smile, giving his wand a wave.
A lifelike mannequin with shifting expressions appeared in front of Jon.
"Try the Full Body-Bind Curse!" Dumbledore prompted.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Jon raised his green bamboo wand and spoke calmly.
A faint red light flashed, and the mannequin's expression froze. It stopped moving entirely.
"Very nice!" Dumbledore waved his wand again, and the mannequin vanished—replaced by another holding a wooden stick.
"Now try the Disarming Charm!" Dumbledore instructed again.
He had taught this spell during a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson in early April.
"Expelliarmus!"
Another red light shot out, and the stick flew several yards away from the dummy's hand.
"Well done, Jon!" Dumbledore nodded. "Now you only need to complete the final step of the exam—and then you can enjoy your summer holiday!"
As he spoke, the second dummy vanished.
In its place, three wooden boxes appeared in front of Jon.