Harry Potter: The Forbidden Magic Legend Begins with Him

First-year students at Hogwarts had to take seven subjects.

Flying lessons were purely practical, while Astronomy, History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts only required a written exam. The remaining four—Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology—combined theory with hands-on assessments.

Hodge Blackthorn threw himself into every exam with full effort. Under Madam Hooch's direction, he zoomed across the lawn on a broom, diving and accelerating to catch every ball tossed by the Ravenclaw Quidditch team captain.

"Not bad at all. Madam Hooch will give you high marks for that," the captain said. "Interested in joining team tryouts next term?"

"Is the team short on players?" Hodge hadn't decided yet.

The captain shrugged. "We're about to have a major roster shake-up. Why else do you think I asked Madam Hooch to let me help with the assessment?"

"Any other prospects?" Hodge asked, curious.

"Cho Chang's pretty good," the captain replied without hesitation. "I'm thinking of having her try out for Seeker."

"What about Michael Corner? He's my roommate, and he's obsessed with Quidditch."

"Oh, the dark-haired kid?" The captain frowned, thinking. "He's enthusiastic, I'll give him that," he said, sounding less than impressed.

Hodge could only hope his roommate would luck out.

The Astronomy exam took place on a sweltering, sunny afternoon, which left everyone buzzing with excitement and confusion. Astronomy and daylight didn't exactly go hand in hand, since the class was usually held at midnight. During the exam, half the students kept glancing skyward, hoping to glimpse some hint of planetary orbits through the blazing orange sun. It was, predictably, a futile effort. As soon as he left the exam hall, Terry Boot grumbled that the sunlight had ruined his focus. "They should've held it in the Astronomy Tower."

"That's for second-years," Anthony Goldstein said. "Their exam includes charting real-time star maps."

"What?" Terry's jaw dropped.

By the time they sat down in the Great Hall for dinner, he'd calmed down. After all, that was next year's problem. For now, they had to face the History of Magic exam.

Before the exam, they ran into a group of third-years who'd just finished Divination. They looked utterly defeated, as if fate itself had trampled them. But it was hard to say whether Professor Binns or some invisible cosmic force was the greater torment. During the exam, the mere sight of Binns gliding through the room made some students drowsy. Even Anthony yawned reflexively.

At the critical moment, Hodge stepped up, saving their dorm from the grim fate of collective failure.

Feigning confusion over a possible typo on the exam paper, he drew Professor Binns over. The other three seized the moment. Terry "accidentally" knocked his quill to the floor, reaching through the ghostly professor's leg to retrieve it. The chill jolted him wide awake. Michael Corner stretched dramatically, while Anthony, wrestling with some guilt, hesitated before sticking out his leg just as Binns floated back. To Hodge, it looked like Anthony had deliberately tried to trip the professor.

Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff sitting two seats away, nearly fell out of his chair in shock.

Even during exam season, students had to cram in last-minute revisions between tests. Magical knowledge swirled in and out of their heads, leaving everyone frazzled. In such a tense atmosphere, anyone who seemed cheerful stood out like a sore thumb—and there was more than one.

"Hey, Hodge!" Fred and George Weasley called out, laughing as they passed him in the corridor. "Where's your dragon?"

"Free-range," Hodge deadpanned. "Too hot for it."

The twins were about to reply when they suddenly felt a cool breeze. They eyed Hodge suspiciously, their gazes locking onto the wizard hat perched on his head.

Exchanging a knowing glance, they flanked him, each slinging an arm around his shoulders.

After a quick chat, they bought the modification rights to his hat for seven Sickles. Two days later, they tracked him down again, tossing him half a Galleon. "Your cut," they said. They'd sold thirty-two "Cooling Hats" already. Hodge had to admire their business savvy. This unexpected windfall got him genuinely excited for the summer—he had big plans to discuss with two Hogsmeade printers.

Hodge's good mood carried him through the end of exams.

The Charms exam was on Thursday, and the task was to make a pineapple tap-dance. With a nudge from Professor Flitwick, Hodge not only got his pineapple tap-dancing but had it twirling in circles, performing a lively spinning step. By the time the two pineapples pranced to the other end of the table, the tiny professor was clapping enthusiastically.

"Undeniably perfect!"

Compared to Flitwick's exuberant warmth, Professor McGonagall was far more reserved. When Hodge transfigured a white mouse into a snuffbox embossed with a Hogwarts castle relief, she merely nodded. But the slight curve of her lips and the circled "Outstanding" on her parchment told him he'd done well.

Only Herbology, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts remained.

Hodge was surprised to find a connection between the Herbology and Potions exams—possibly the result of Professors Sprout and Snape collaborating. The Herbology exam tested them on plants studied that term and their material preparation. In the next classroom, those same materials appeared in the steps for brewing a Forgetfulness Potion.

Not everyone had the habit of reviewing after an exam, so many students left the Potions classroom groaning. They were convinced this fiendish trick was the work of Snape, the master of torment, and their resentment toward him hit an all-time high.

For the first time, Neville Longbottom looked hopeful.

"I—I spent half an hour trying to recall the Forgetfulness Potion steps," he said. "I think I missed one or two, but… Crabbe… Goyle…" He trailed off.

"You crushed them?" Hodge asked bluntly.

Neville gave a shy smile, which Hodge took as confirmation. It was good news, at least. So when Hodge faced a noticeably healthier-looking Quirrell, he didn't mentally accuse him of chugging Voldemort's energy drinks. Hodge filled every blank on the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, sincerely hoping Quirrell would stay well enough to grade it.

The day after exams ended, Hodge woke early and took a stroll near the Forbidden Forest.

The forest was lush, its leaves—varying shades of green—glistening with morning dew. As the sun rose, slivers of rainbow light refracted through the branches, only to fade as the dew evaporated.

Hodge emerged from the woods at a leisurely pace, just as noon approached.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione came running toward him.

Ron glanced behind Hodge, wide-eyed. "Mate, you came out of the Forbidden Forest?"

"I—"

"Forget that," Hermione cut in urgently. "We've got something important to tell you."

"What, McGonagall says I failed an exam?" Hodge teased.

"Impossible!" Hermione snapped, her eyebrows shooting up, ready to argue the point.

Harry quickly intervened. "We just came from Hagrid's. You won't believe what we heard."

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