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Chapter 87: Is Audrey Going to Repeat a Year?
Regardless of how the Malfoy family dealt with Cornelius Fudge, or how he failed to find Hydra Lestrange no matter what he tried—
the OWL examinations arrived right on schedule.
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The first exam, held on the morning of the first day, was Charms.
Audrey passed it with ease.
In her estimation, that skinny Professor Mordeai probably had barely over one "ruth" of combat strength. If she actually fought him, he likely wouldn't last even two rounds.
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The afternoon brought History of Magic.
Some of the questions were obscure, but Audrey had spent eleven years reading it like a fantasy novel while pretending to be a Squib. Combined with insider knowledge from Nicolas Flamel, getting an E would be effortless.
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The second morning was Transfiguration.
This was the only subject she had properly studied all year.
Under the strict supervision of that "old cat"—Minerva McGonagall—if she didn't get an O, she might as well dig her own grave.
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…
…
Everything was going so smoothly that Audrey could already picture her life two years from now—
free to soar through the skies, dive into the seas, and live without a care.
She was retiring.
She would enjoy life.
She would go to Ukraine and live like a retired emperor!
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Until the final subject—
Muggle Studies.
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The moment Audrey saw the exam paper—
she froze.
Every question was absurd.
Utterly absurd.
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Excerpt from the 1992 Britain General Wizarding Rank Test:
What powers a Muggle car?
A. One hundred hamsters
B. Water
C. Horse
D. Magic Nexus
Audrey: ...
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Why did Hitler fall from power?
A. He did not observe the stars
B. He ignored Wizard prophecies
C. He destroyed a Wizard village in Denmark
D. His moustache was unpleasant
Audrey: This…
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What is the most popular sport in the Muggle world?
A. Parades
B. Beheading kings
C. Childbirth
D. Hunting Wizards
Audrey: I think it's… shoplifting for free.
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…
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When she walked out of the exam hall, Audrey looked completely dazed.
Her worldview had collapsed.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
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Isolde Windsor noticed something was wrong and walked over.
"Audrey, what's wrong?"
Audrey turned her head stiffly, like a lagging machine.
"What powers a Muggle car?"
"Horsepower," Isolde answered immediately. "So… horses."
Audrey: …
"How did Hitler lose?"
"He didn't observe the stars," Isolde replied matter-of-factly. "When he attacked the Soviet Union, it was cloudy—no stars visible."
Audrey: …
"What's the most popular sport in the Muggle world?"
"Having children," Isolde said. "Otherwise how could Muggles outnumber Wizards so much?"
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Audrey's vision went dark.
"Isolde Windsor… aren't you supposed to be from a Muggle royal family? Listen to yourself!"
Isolde suddenly covered her mouth.
"Audrey… you didn't read the Muggle Studies textbook, did you?"
She lowered her voice.
"Yes, it's full of nonsense and bias. But that's the course. That's what they test. Even if it's ridiculous, you have to memorise it. Just treat it as a joke."
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Audrey stopped listening.
With a wave of her hand—
whoosh!
She appeared directly in the Headmaster's Office Hogwarts.
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"Oh? Finished your exams already, our little banker?"
Without looking up, Albus Dumbledore continued writing. A piece of candy floated toward Audrey.
"Give me a moment. This letter is very important."
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Audrey sat down, completely uninterested in sweets.
She was definitely failing Muggle Studies.
And according to her agreement with the Ministry—
she would have to repeat the year.
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That alone wasn't the problem.
Even Newt Scamander had dropped out.
But being the first student in Hogwarts history to repeat a year?
That would be recorded forever.
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Dumbledore finished writing.
"Fawkes, please deliver this."
The phoenix took the letter and vanished in flames.
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"Now then, Audrey—wake up."
Dumbledore looked amused.
Audrey stared blankly ahead.
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Snap.
A stray hair tickled her nose.
"Achoo!"
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"There we go," Dumbledore smiled. "What's wrong?"
Audrey spoke with absolute determination:
"I want to drop out."
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Dumbledore chuckled.
"Because of Muggle Studies? You think you'll have to repeat a year?"
Audrey exploded.
"You call that a subject?! It's a collection of jokes!"
"And this is an official exam?!"
"Who tests students like this?! A car runs on horses because of horsepower?! Who told them that—Merlin?!"
"Cars run on gasoline! GASOLINE!"
"One Spark Charm and the whole thing ignites!"
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Dumbledore waited calmly until she finished.
Then said:
"The misunderstanding between the Wizarding world and the Muggle world has existed for centuries."
"It has only deepened since separation."
"We are trying to bridge that gap—including you."
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Audrey blinked.
Me?
Then she realised—
Ukraine.
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"But what does that have to do with me right now?" she snapped.
"I'm about to repeat a year!"
"I refuse. I'm dropping out."
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Dumbledore's expression became serious.
"We had an agreement."
"I cleared Hydra Lestrange's name."
"And you would study at Hogwarts."
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Audrey fell silent.
He was right.
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"…Is there any way to avoid repeating a year?" she asked.
Then—
she activated her ultimate weapon.
Big watery eyes. Pitiful expression. Maximum cuteness.
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Dumbledore remained unmoved.
"This is a Ministry requirement. I cannot change it."
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If Audrey had used Legilimency—
she would have discovered the truth.
There was no such requirement.
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The Ministry had only required her to enrol—not to pass all subjects.
But Dumbledore lied.
Because of a prophecy.
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A prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney.
A true prophecy.
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"The Lady of Destiny has appeared…"
She will inherit ancient knowledge…
She comes from a Parseltongue lineage yet is betrayed…
She was ignored until of age…
She will experience the fifth year twice…
She will unite hearts, break barriers…
Walk between light and darkness…
And lead her followers when shadows return…
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Dumbledore believed it.
So he ensured it would happen.
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Rejected, Audrey felt crushed.
But she didn't give up.
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If the problem is the Ministry…
Then just remove the Ministry.
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Her thoughts sharpened.
If she applied pressure—
the already weakened pure-blood families would become her spear.
Toppling Fudge would be easy.
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And then—
support someone else.
Like Barty Crouch Sr..
He owed her.
He wouldn't refuse such a small request.
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The more she thought—
the more reasonable it seemed.
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Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.
Who is she targeting now?
"Audrey… what are you thinking about?"
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Audrey smiled brightly.
"Nothing at all."
She tilted her head.
"Professor—if the Ministry changes its decision…"
"I won't have to repeat the year, right?"
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