Chapter 307 - C.S.A.E. Office (2/2)
Sitting in chairs against the wall are three older figures, a witch and two wizards. ”This is Master Linnaeus,” Madam Marchbanks pointed to a solemn wizard. ”Master Linnaeus will be administrating the Potions and Herbology portions of the exam.”
Pointing to the next seated occupant, a curly silver-haired witch, Madam Marchbanks says, ”This is Madam Berk and she will be administrating the Astronomy, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Divination portion of the exam.”
Pointing to a rather tanned man with a scholarly air, she says, ”Master Strauss, will be administrating the Care of Magical Creatures exam portion and that of the History of Magic written exam.”
”I myself will be administrating the exam portion for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfiguration,” Madam Marchbanks firmly declared. ”Are there any questions up to this moment?”
”Excellent,” Madam Marchbanks said at seeing that neither of them had raised their hands. ”The written portion of the exams will solely consist of questions rather than any essay questions. And since this is a comprehensive exam to see what knowledge has been acquired and what is lacking. As for the practical exams, they will all be administrated by the assigned proctor with one of us serving as a witness to be certain there has been no tampering nor cheating during any of the exams.”
Madam Marchbanks had paused in a emphasis of her last statement, before adding, ”The entire exam process should take no more than a week. I trust both of you have been duly informed?”
Rowan and Severus both nod as Madam Marchbanks says, ”Now if we may a take a look at your bags?” Madam Marchbanks casts a spell but nothing happens to reveal that there is no contraband nor anything that was forbidden on the list of instructions.
”Good, now if you would hand over your wands to Madam Berk to be checked,” Madam Marchbanks instructed. ”Then we can be on our way to the first written exam.”
Severus hands his wand over first to Madam Berk, the curly silver-haired witch checks the wand in her hand. Peering at the wand, she finally says, ”Blackthorn with a silver dragon's heartstring. 13 1/2 inches. Firm, but flexible.”
Satisfied she hands the wand back as Rowan hands her wand over. Madam Berk's eyes narrow into points as she slowly says, ”Elder with a Thestral core. 13 Inches. Powerful.”
The adults are rather stunned as Master Linnaeus mutters the wand lore phrase known to all wizarding children, ”Wand of elder, never prosper.”
Madam Marchbanks flashes Master Linnaeus a warning glance as Madam Berk quickly hands the wand back as if she'd been scalded. There had been an unnatural presence to that wand. As though there was a snake coiling around in her hand ready to strike back.
”Now that has been taken care of, we shall start with the first of the written exams followed by the astronomy exam to be held later at midnight,” Madam Marchbanks said, before leading them out of the office and down the corridor. A nearby room had been specially prepared for those applying for the C.S.A.E examination.