[@Morte Angelis]

" [color=00a99d]Falling is the easy part, because those staircases can be tricky little buggers. I'm not sure if we really ' get ' anything for being Prefect's, but I do know that we get a badge and have the chance to become Head Boy.[/color] " 

Elijah chuckled when she said that the Ravenclaw deserved what he got. 

" [color=00a99d]He definitely did deserve it. That sod needed a lesson or two taught to him that wasn't by a teacher.[/color] " 

Her next question he actually had to think about, because he wasn't sure he could really explain it properly. After all, he might be a Prefect; but there were some things that were better explained by someone else. 

" [color=00a99d]Give me a second, I'm going to go and grab someone who could explain this better than I can. [/color] " 

Leaving the compartment and having Joseph give up playing with Gizmo in order to follow, he found himself in the company of a rather large owl and hissed at it before fluffing himself up into even more of a puffball. 

" [color=00a99d]Olivia, can you come and explain something to a first year? I would do it, but I'm afraid I'm rubbish at explaining anything pertaining to exams.[/color] " 

Olivia turned her attention to Eli after pausing her conversation with Ben. 

" [color=00aeef]Sure, lead the way.[/color] "

Leaving Ben in the compartment with Rolf, she followed Eli to the compartment and after asking who she'd be talking to, Eli gestured to Raven. 

" [color=00aeef]Hello! I'm Olivia Collins, 6th year Slytherin and apparent expert on explaining things according to Eli.[/color] " 

Olivia and Eli weren't exactly what one would call ' friends ' but they tolerated each other and had studied together at one point to prepare for their O.W.L.S.

" [color=00aeef]The exams at Hogwarts are fairly straightforward and depend on the professor, but if you study and ask the professor what to focus on, it's usually a total breeze. Ben is total rubbish at exam taking though, and it was quite amusing when he told me he forgot what he'd written his History of Magic assignment on; when he'd written in less than two weeks prior.[/color] " 

Giggling to herself a little and then clearing her throat, she began. 

" [color=00aeef]Anyway, in your 5th year you'll take your O.W.L. exams. Those are your Ordinary Wizarding Level exams and you'll be asked by your head of house before the exams what you plan on being after you graduate. Your choice will help them assist you in figuring out what you need to get on your tests in order to take the N.E.W.T level classes and be able to get the job you want after graduation. Each O.W.L is class specific, and I remember struggling a little in my Theory of Charms O.W.L because I'd put most of my effort into my Potions O.W.L the previous day. If you fail an O.W.L; you will not be able to continue taking that class in your 6th and 7th year. So; if you fail an O.W.L in an elective, you'll have to pick something else for the next year. 

Each O.W.L is graded based on how well you did, and professors of the N.E.W.T level classes will only let you take their class if you achieve a specific score. There are 6 possible scores that you can get; three passing and three failing. The passing ones are Outstanding, Exceeds Expectations, and Acceptable, in order from highest to lowest. Failing grades are Poor, Dreadful, and Troll. Any one of the passing grades could get you into a N.E.W.T level class, but you are almost guaranteed a spot in one of those classes if you receive an Outstanding. I'm going to be taking N.E.W.T level potions this year after getting an Outstanding on my O.W.L last year. [/color] " 

Pausing to take a breath, she continued.

" [color=00aeef]The N.E.W.T.S, or Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test, are incredibly difficult and you either pass them, or you don't. If I had failed my Charms O.W.L and hadn't barely received an Exceeds Expectations, I wouldn't be able to become a Healer. I'm taking 5 N.E.W.T level classes this year and I am going to spending most of my free time studying this year, as will my friend Ben. He wants to become an Auror and he also is taking 5 N.E.W.T classes. [/color] " 

Bending down to pet Joseph who was staring up at her, she listened to him purr for a moment before straightening up and moving some of her red/brown hair behind her ear. 

" [color=00aeef]Is that all you needed me for Elijah?[/color] " 

" [color=00a99d]Uh, yeah, thanks.[/color] "

The poor guy looked like she'd just put him through the wringer and she didn't blame him. Exams were difficult and she knew that he was in the same boat as she was. He had also just barely received an Exceeds Expectations on his Charms O.W.L, but he needed the class for an entirely different reason.