Cannan Grey's Exams (10/10 NEWTs) Graded!

[Graydon Ironshield]

Canaan Grey's OWLs

Core Classes

Astronomy: Astronomy was an interesting class for Canaan, however there was the issue of it being held so late at night, and he had difficulties staying awake during class. He'd always managed to keep up good grades during his time at Hogwarts, but when it came time to start preparing for OWLs, it just wasn't a priority for him, not given his career aspirations, and certainly not when he was planning to drop the class after Fifth Year. Still and all, though he managed to pass his OWL, his performance wasn't one might consider to be 'stellar'. Acceptable.

Charms: Charms was the basis for much of the magic at Hogwarts, and so Canaan studied hard for this OWL. Thankfully, he had a Willow wood wand which gave him better control of his spells, with its flexibility allowing for a variety of subtle effects. While he wasn't a natural in this class, he was able to put up a top grade for his efforts. Outstanding.

Defense Against the Dark Arts: This was a class which Canaan didn't particularly care for. It wasn't because he didn't like his teacher, on the contrary, he liked Madam Cohen. If anything he didn't particular care for throwing around hexes and other offensive magic. However, when it came to the defensive magic, he understood just how important this was, and applied himself accordingly. The dragon heartstrings making up the core of his wand helped him channel considerable power through his wand, which helped him out on this exam. He only really faltered on the practical exam when his boggart took on the form of a snake-like dragon which he only barely managed to send packing, causing what might have been a high grade to slip down a step. Exceeds Expectation.

Herbology: Being the grandson of a well-respected Herbologist and Potioneer meant there was little excuse for Canaan not to perform well in this class, especially since he enjoyed gardening, and he genuinely liked and respected Professor Hill. He studied for this OWL starting in the summer, and he helped out in Mother Grey's garden, giving him invaluable practical experience which carried forward when he took his OWL. Outstanding.

History of Magic: History was always a fascinating subject for Canaan, whether this was the history of music or the history of Quidditch, and the history of magic was the same as well for him. It was the how of things which was the key for him, the facts and significance of events, and he made a point of pouring considerable effort into studying for the History OWL. Outstanding.

Potions: Canaan found he had inherited a rather deft hand with Potions, and his rather studious approach with magic made the subtle science of Potions not such a difficult class. As he was under the tutelage of Mother Grey over the summer, he was able to get additional studies and practical use of his training, which gave him an advantage in the practical portion of the exam. Outstanding.

Transfigurations: Transfigurations was a more scientific area of magic than most of the others, and it was an application of theorems and will to achieve the desired effects. The same mindset which Canaan used for Potions he brought to this class as well, along with a wand whose core ensured he had the power to spare to make things happen. Studying hard for this exam, he put up a solid grade reflecting his efforts. Exceeds Expectations.

Elective Classes

Alchemy: This was a difficult class for Canaan, being it was an advanced Charms, Potions and Transfigurations class with Philosophy thrown into the mix, and he found it took an inordinate chunk of his time to prepare for this OWL, but he felt for his future plans he had to see it through. Despite all his efforts, he was a little disappointed when he couldn't put up a top grade in the class, though it still wasn't anything to be ashamed of. Exceeds Expectation.

Care of Magical Creatures: Canaan's parents raise prize-winning Irish Wolfhounds, and have extensive experience handling magical creatures, and so he was very much looking forward to taking this class. It is his intention to take it all the way through NEWTs, as he plans to take over the business when his parents decide to retire. Over the summer before Fifth Year, he worked with his father as part of his OWL preparations, giving him insights textbooks simply can't provide. This carried over into giving him a solid grade in this OWL. Outstanding.

Music: Anyone whom knows Canaan knows music is very much a part of the weft and weave of his very soul. Rock, Jazz, Blues and traditional Celtic folk music are his preferred forms, he has several guitars in his personal collection, and he has performed with his cousin's band several times over the last couple of summers. He's also become a credible singer as his voice matured. At one point, he penned a lengthily parchment on the subject of 1960s British Invasion bands, as he found the subject to be quite interesting. Study for this OWL was almost too easy for him. Outstanding.

Wandless Magic Practice Class: Canaan only decided to take this particular class because he was advised to do so by one of his cousins, whom pointed out to him how easy it was to deprive a wizard of their magic by simply taking away their wand. There was also the thought that should he become an Animagus, he might still be able to have access to his magic even if shifted into another form, at least that was his thought on the subject. Of course, he found out it was much harder to do than he thought, and he stuck with the class, as he didn't mind the challenge. However, because of the difficulty, his performance on his OWL, while he was competent with it, he wasn't what one might call spectacular at it. Acceptable.  

[Yukina101]

Astronomy ~ A
Charms ~ O
Defense Against the Dark Arts ~ EE
Herbology ~ O
History of Magic ~ O
Potions ~ O
Transfiguration ~ EE
Alchemy ~ EE
Care of Magical Creatures ~ O
Music ~ O
Wandless Magic ~ A  

[Graydon Ironshield]

Canaan Grey's NEWTs

Core Classes

Charms: This was a 'meat and potatoes' class for Canaan, in that most of the spellwork learned at Hogwarts was some sort of Charm. Also, if one couldn't be proficient at them, could one really call themselves a wizard? It was here the qualities of his wand, his wandwork, and insights gained from his intensive studies of Alchemy, came into their own, and he was able to post a top score in his NEWT. -- Outstanding.

Defense Against the Dark Arts: Canaan had a love/hate relationship with this class; loved the defensive aspects of the class, shooting off hexes and the like, not so much. In the NEWT he had few problems dealing with protective charms, and while he could perform the required hexes well, he wasn't particularly spectacular doing it. While he did better facing his boggart this time than he did for his OWL, his performance overall netted him the same grade. -- Exceeds Expectation.

Herbology: Herbology was one of those classes which Canaan placed a great deal of his efforts in doing well in. He spent the summer working with Mother Grey, which gave him additional hands-on experience which would serve him well as the NEWT was a practical exam. In addition, he served as a Mentor in the newly formed Herbology Club. With all this practical experience, it was only natural he put up a good performance on his NEWT. --Outstanding.

History of Magic: Canaan has always been a bit of a history buff, although his main interests would lie in the subject of Music History, as opposed to the History of Magic. Still, he did make sure to place a goodly amount of effort in preparation for this NEWT. During his exam he managed to get some details mixed up between one or two of the Goblin Revolts, and he did get a might annoyed with the focus on past Gryffindors, whom seemingly did everything during the Wizarding Wars. Despite some missteps, he put up a respectable score. -- Exceeds Expectations.

Potions: Canaan spent much time and effort in his preparations for this exam. Again, he worked with his grandmother, a noted herbologist and potioneer, over the summer, whom would quiz him over his knowledge on a regular basis. He studied his formularies until he felt comfortable preparing potions without consulting them. When it came time for his exam, he was able to put up a solid grade for his efforts. -- Outstanding.

Transfigurations: This NEWT required the same approach he used for his OWL, a level of studiousness which put a serious amount of hurt on the time he might have spent on other classes. This was especially the case as Self-Transfiguration was a focus in this exam. While transfiguring himself was interesting and fun, he actually transfigured his lower body into that of a Krup with little issue, the rest of the exam proved to be a bit more troublesome. As a result, he lost a few points in the grading, causing the final score to drop below Outstanding. -- Exceeds Expectation.

Elective Classes

Alchemy: This was a NEWT Canaan put a good bit of effort into, owing to the fact he saw it as being an essential grade required for his future plans of being a Potioneer. He studied hard for this NEWT, and asked one of his older cousins for pointers. Studying for Alchemy actually gave him some useful insights, aiding him with his other classes. In the end, he was able to put up a respectable grade for his efforts. -- Exceeds Expectations.

Care of Magical Creatures: This was a NEWT Canaan placed a significant bit of his efforts into preparations, owing that this was part and parcel of the family business, and meant he had no excuse not to put an exemplary performance. Working with his dad gave him the hands-on experience which would hold him in good stead for this NEWT, that, and the fact he really had a genuine affinity for the work. -- Outstanding.

Music: Music is in Canaan's blood and soul, figuratively, if not literally. He enjoyed performing on stage, and had a facility for Music History which was almost as good as his encyclopedic knowledge of Quidditch. Canaan also had a solid grasp of Music Theory. Rather like the OWL two years' previously, he barely needed to actually study for this one, and he found the NEWT ridiculously easy. -- Outstanding.

Wandless Magic Practice Class: Canaan found this to be a difficult class, and a skill set which was hard to master. He still had yet to be able to cast a spell when shifted into dog form, so he still wasn't sold on the idea that it was even feasible to do. Still, he worked hard to do well in this class, even though it seemed to have an over-emphasis on wandless dueling. While his performance was solid, it wasn't spectacular. -- Acceptable.  

[addaellis]

Charms ~ O
Defense Against the Dark Arts ~ E
Herbology ~ O
History of Magic ~ E
Potions ~ O
Transfiguration ~ E

Alchemy ~ E
Care of Magical Creatures ~ O
Music ~ O
Wandless Magic ~ A