Disrupted NEWTs and OWLs (Was: MM as leader, Harry at Hogwarts)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 148972

Lupinlore wrote:
<snip> I agree that DD's death has knocked the main prop out 
> from under both Hogwarts and the Order.  This is about the only line
of argument I can see leading to Harry returning to Hogwarts for his 
seventh year.  That is, the governors can only be persuaded to keep
the school open if the Chosen One lends his PR support by agreeing to
attend.  This is also the only scenario under which I could see Harry
agreeing to be Head Boy (it's what DD wanted, keeping the school open,
promoting house unity in the face of danger, etc.).
> 
> Of course, if Harry were to return for a seventh year, what about
NEWTS?  I can't see him wasting the time.  Of course NEWTS may be 
cancelled for the duration -- such academic adjustments to wartime
have ample precedent.  
> 
> Altogether, it really does seem more plausible that Harry would
convince Ron and Hermione to return as Head Boy and Head Girl.  But
how, as they have sworn to support him in his quest? <snip>

Carol responds:
I like the idea of Harry returning to Hogwarts, but I'm not sure that
he's ready to promote House unity, especially regarding Slytherin. I
rather expect Ernie Macmillan to become Head Boy because he's more the
type and because Harry already has (more than) "enough to be going on
with." (I can't see Ron as Head Boy, either; Quidditch Captain,
maybe?) But Hermione will, of course, be Head Girl if they return.

Regarding NEWTs--and OWLs: I know this seems like a minor concern, but
the students who were in their fifth or seventh year in HBP, including
Ginny and Luna, were unable to take their exams because DD's death
disrupted everything. Many stayed in school long enough to attend his
funeral, but the exams weren't held. Any ideas as to what will happen
to these students? The fifth years could take their OWLs at the
beginning of their sixth year if Hogwarts remains open, but they will
have lost about three months of study time (DD is killed near the
beginning of June--incidentally, very close to Draco's seventeenth
birthday on June 5), so they'll be at a disadvantage, and the seventh
years won't be returning at all, so special arrangements would have to
be made for them.

Carol, worrying about imaginary students as if they were real kids