ALCH-OWL Lessons

You head down the third floor corridor straight into the Gunhilda of Gorsemoor corridor where the Alchemy Laboratory is located. You’re quite thankful that it’s a little out of the way compared to the rest of your courses as the halls are clear with the exception of other students also going to the same place. You walk into the classroom expecting to see Professor Rosenquist somewhere nearby, only to notice that Professor Thorpe is already at the front, staring into everyone’s soul with quite the unfriendly look. Gulping, you practically run to your seat. It takes a few minutes for the rest of the students to settle in their seats.

Professor Thorpe’s eyes scan over the classroom with a frown. Moving a lock of lilac-colored hair behind her ear, she reaches behind the desk and takes out a wooden box. The professor drops the box on the table with a loud thud, the seven locks attached the box clink against each other. The students nervously look at the box, afraid to say anything due to the tense atmosphere. Thankfully before anyone could cut in with a question, Professor Thorpe speaks up.

“For the practical portion of your O.W.L. exam, you are to search the first through third floors of the castle for the keys to this box. Each key is made from a different metal corresponding to the symbol on the lock,” Professor Thorpe explains as she pulls out her wand. “The symbols are quite small, but here is a bigger picture of them for reference starting from the first lock on the left.” She gives the board behind her a tap and the following symbols appear on the board:

“Starting from the left, these symbols are inscribed on the locks numbered one through seven. It is your job to figure out which metal corresponds with which lock. These locks are enchanted so that they must be opened with the key. An Unlocking Charm will not help you here,” she explains, adding the last bit with a glare at a student who began raising their hand. The student puts down their hand immediately. With a smirk of satisfaction, Professor Thorpe continues, “Every time you unlock a lock, a keyword will appear on the top of the box. You must submit the keywords in order to get points for your exam. There are seven keywords in total to get full marks for this portion of your O.W.L.s, each keyword specific to each lock. I will say that you may stop this portion at any time before completing it and take the grade for the amount of keywords you collected. However, you need to collect five keys to pass, only barely, and even then, would you like to risk a less than satisfactory grade to average with a possible worse grade on the theoretical portion? I hope not, so I highly encourage you to complete this portion fully.”

“Before I let you begin, you are allowed to have your wand with you for the exam. As I mentioned before, your boundaries are the first, second, and third floors. You are not to go to the ground floor or any floors higher than the third. Some keys are in plain sight, and some keys require critical thinking based on the curriculum from this course. There are items around the castle that may aid you in your endeavors. If you need me, I will be in the Alchemy Laboratory until your O.W.L. exams for this course are concluded,” Professor Thorpe said before making herself comfortable in seat at the professor’s desk. She looks at the students who haven’t budged at all and scowls.

“Go on, I don’t have all day,” she shoos the students with a glare and the wave of her hand. The students immediately rush out of the classroom in search of the keys.

 For your practical exam, you will need to click the link below. You will then be taken to another webpage and begin the playthrough. Your exam is an extreme scavenger hunt between the first through third floors of Hogwarts castle. You can either click your actions via the menus on the right side of the page or simply type them in (i.e. either click the right arrow or type “go east” to go east). Some actions, such as talking to a person about a subject or using an object on another object, have to be typed out rather than clicking through options. There is a map at the top of the page that shows you going through the rooms as you walk through the castle. You will be graded on the amount of keywords you obtain through finding the keys and unlocking the locks. Whenever you unlock one of the locks on the box, it will show the keyword, the lock is gone and your key will be removed from your inventory. Be sure to write these keywords down in a separate format as they will not appear again. If you obtain all seven keys, look at the locked box in the Alchemy Laboratory to finish the exam. At the end of the examination, gather all of the keywords you have obtained and submit them into the submission box attached to the assignment. You are able to give up at any time, submit the keywords you have so far, and take that grade. The practical exam may time out while you are taking it, so I absolutely recommend saving it if you don’t want to lose your progress. If you have any questions regarding this, please send me an owl.

(enter your practical exam)