"So, the S.A.T.s-" Ron coughed, then continued, "I mean, the O.W.L.s are today."

Harry nodded. "I'll probably ace them."

"Probably ace them?" exclaimed a very pale Hermione, "Neither one of you even knew about them until last night!"

"Well," said Ron, aiming his spoon at Hermione, "That's partly your fault. Because all this time, we thought you were referring to a literal flock of owls."

"That would be a parliament of owls, Ronald," said Harry, he looked at Hermione, "See, I did study."

"Did you study owls?" Hermione asked incredulously.

Harry nodded slowly.

Hermione stared at the two of them blankly.

"We thought it was pretty strange at first, that such a big exam would just be on owls," said Ron.

"But that was before we found out just how important owls are to the circle of life, and the Wizarding world," said Harry.

Hermione slowly lowered her forehead to the table.

xxx

Harry scanned over his History of Magic O.W.L.

Wow, he thought, There is a shockingly low amount of owl related questions on this test.

Next to him, he could see Hermione scribbling away furiously. Harry's vision stared to blur and swim, and the room spun around him. He raised his hand.

"Hey, Mr. Binns... could I go to the-" Harry closed his eyes. When he opened them, he had returned to the mysterious room that he visited nightly in his dreams. The cold stone walls felt as familiar as the Hogwarts corridors. He flew through the different rooms, finally emerging in a great hall full of rows and rows of wooden shelves.

Harry heard a terrible scream.

After he had thoroughly massaged his stubbed toe, Harry heard an even more terrible scream- one that was not his own.

"CRUCIO!"

Harry ran down a ways, until he saw Voldemort looming over a man who was sprawled on the floor.

"So, you won't tell me where it is?" Voldemort asked.

"N-never!" It was the voice of Sirius.

What's 'it'? thought Harry.

Voldemort turned to him. "Maybe you should just come down here and find out."

"Maybe I will!" said Harry.

"CRUCIO!"

Sirius writhed on the floor.

"Hold on Sirius," Harry put his fist in the air, "To the real world!"

Harry awoke at his desk.