Chapter 10

Amy curled up into Cedric's side. He had made a fort in the room of requirements and they were sitting in there, with snacks while watching a movie. It was so cozy and romantic.

"We used to do this all the time when I was a kid. Dad and I would make the fort with blankets; mum will bring the snacks and then watch movies till I fell asleep. It was awesome." said Cedric.

"You must have had fun." said Amy picturing a young Cedric.

"It was so much fun." he said and he began telling her about his escapades and what they used to do.

"Please don't tell anyone about this…" said Cedric as Amy was shaking in laughter.

"I can't believe you did that! Gosh you were so naughty…" (Insert a funny scene in your mind)

"Hey! I was 5!" said Cedric and watched amused as Amy giggled. He loved to see her laugh. "So tell me about you. What were you like growing up?" asked Cedric.

Amy sobered up and looked down at her lap. "There is nothing really exciting to say." she said softly.

"Come on. I want to know what you were like. There has to be something." said Cedric and Amy seeing the anticipation on his face, felt the pang of sadness and loss and she didn't even know she had started crying till he took her in his arms… "Hey, it's ok… I didn't mean to push ok… I am sorry…" said Cedric feeling bad he made her cry.

"It's ok. I was going to tell you anyway but I guess now is as good a time." she said. "My childhood wasn't so good." said Amy.

Cedric held her close.

"My aunt and uncle didn't like me." said Amy her eyes far away and then she told him everything. How she would cook for them from the time she was 5, how she would do all the chores, get starved, not get presents, not allowed to be out at Christmas, the cupboard everything.

By the time she was done, Cedric was shaking with anger. "Hey, I swear I am not going to let anyone hurt you ever again. I love you and I am going to do my best to give you the best life."

"I love you too." said Amy and they kissed softly but passionately. Amy was falling deeper for this guy.

xxx

Amy spent the holidays at Hogwarts since Sirius was busy with order quests. They did their loads of homework and they also had fun.

Then in the papers, came, Madam Bones had been attacked but she survived. Amy was stunned when she got a letter from Madam Bones thanking her. Apparently Susan had been there and with her DA knowledge, she managed to hold out some death eaters and dementors with her patronus.

Amy was happy that day. The DA had done exactly what she wanted it to. To help the members to stand up for themselves.

Fay's parents were also attacked and it was said she wouldn't return to Hogwarts. ginny confirmed it. She and her family were moving to Australia and she would continue her schooling there. Ginny was really sad and spent most time crying. She and Fay had been really close.

CAREERS

A batch of pamphlets, leaflets, and notices concerning various Wizarding careers appeared on the tables in Gryffindor Tower along with yet another notice on the board, which read:

CAREER ADVICE

All fifth years will be required to attend a short meeting with their Head of House during the first week of the Summer term, in which they will be given the opportunity to discuss their future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below.

Amy looked down the list and found that she was expected in Professor McGonagall's office at half-past two on the first Monday after holidays, which would mean missing most of Rune Magic.

She and the other fifth years spent a considerable part of the week reading all the career information that had been left there for their perusal. Some were the same as muggle occupations like accountant, cleck, secretary etc.

"Well, I don't fancy Healing," said Jen looking at a leaflet that carried the crossed bone and- wand emblem of St. Mungo's on its front. "It says here you need at least an E at N.E.W.T. level in Potions, Biology and Arithmancy. They want too much!"

"No actually. They are just 3 subjects Jen. It's a very responsible job, isn't it?" said Amy. "That's what I want to be." she said. She had been more interested in healing after seeing Neville's parents and Remus. She wanted to be a researcher to come up with new ways to cure and treat high level patients.

"It suits you." said Hermione.

Hermione was poring over a bright pink-and-orange leaflet that was headed 'so you think you'd like to work in muggle relations? "You don't seem to need many qualifications to liaise with Muggles. . . . All they want is an O.W.L. in Muggle Studies. . . . 'Much more important is your enthusiasm, patience, and a good sense of fun!' "

"What do you guys want to be Hermione?" asked Amy.

"Lawyer! It has been my dream since forever…" said Hermione.

"I want to be an Auror but I don't know if I will cut it." murmured Jen with a blush.

"You will Jen if you apply yourself."

Easter holidays soon came to an end on the 27th of March.

CAREER ADVICE 4 MAY 2006

Amy knocked and she walked in for her appointment with Professor McGonagall. "Afternoon Professor."

"Afternoon Miss Potter." Amy then she saw her. Professor Umbridge was sitting there, a clipboard on her knee, a fussy little pie-frill around her neck, and a small, horribly smug smile on her face. Amy glared but said nothing.

"Sit down, Miss Potter," said Professor McGonagall tersely. Her hands shook slightly as she shuffled the many pamphlets littering her desk. Amy sat down with her back to Umbridge and did her best to pretend she could not hear the scratching of her pen on her clipboard.

"Well, Miss Potter, this meeting is to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into sixth and seventh years," said Professor McGonagall.

"Have you had any thoughts about what you would like to do after you leave Hogwarts?"

"Yes Actually. I would like to be a healer."

"Aah what an honorable choice. You realize it is a very complicated field that needs the top grades." said Professor McGonagall, extracting a small, dark leaflet from under the mass on her desk and opening it. "They ask for a minimum of four N.E.W.T.s, and nothing under 'Exceeds Expectations' grade, I see. You'll want to know which subjects you ought to take, I suppose?"

"Yes," said Amy. "Arithmancy, Biology and Herbology are ones I saw most noted?"

"Naturally," said Professor McGonagall crisply. "Have you ever thought of a career in teaching?"

"Teaching?" asked Amy in surprise.

"Yes. You are very bright and have leadership skills. People tend to listen to you and had I not eyed you on captainship you would have got the prefect badge."

"You think I can be a professor?"

"Of course."

"I would like that. I will have to decide with my scores though."

Of course Umbridge decided to be a jerk and claim she wouldn't be able to do the jobs…as if… McGonagall soon set her in her place.

"If you are interested you will need to register to be a student tutor. It helps to get experience."

Amy nodded and thanked the professor and left. She made her way to the tower and she found commotion. Fred and Gorge had set a swamp in the corridors that none of the teachers could remove (well they could but they wanted Umbridge to) and they had hightailed off.

"I cant believe they actually did this!" said Hermione frowning.

"It was long coming." said Amy.

"Beside, their shop is underway." said Jen.

"But still their NEWTs are close by. Couldn't they have waited?"

"They wouldn't have passed anyway." said Jen and Hermione just shook her head. She couldn't understand how someone could just leave school like that.

Xxx

Amy sighed setting her pen down and massaging her temples. She was so tired. There was a lot to read and she could feel the pressure now. She was one of the top students of course but that didn't mean she didn't have any pressure but she knew she couldn't complain since Hermione had 2 extra.

Hermione was taking 12 and one of them doing it on her own as an extra. Amy could see Hermione was under so much pressure. She was prone to lose her temper quickly or to cry. It was bad.

It wasn't easier of Amy and the other day she had snapped on Cedric. She had immediately felt guilty soon after but it was a tough time for both of them. Cedric was taking his NEWTS too and he wanted to do the best. But despite the pressure they tried to find time for each other.

The DA had transformed into a study group and the large group could often be seen in empty classrooms or on the grounds helping each other out and doing assignments.

Malfoy was still the jerk walking around as if he owned the school, claiming he had as good as passed since his father was a very good friend of the markers. Amy rolled her eyes. How that boy had made Slytherin was a surprise. He was as subtle as Hagrid.

Speaking of Hagrid, he had taken them to the forest and showed them a ginat! A real giant. Remember when he was absent for months? He had gone to try and recruit the giants without much success. While there he had met his half brother. Apparently when his mother left them, she had remarried and had another son Grawp. Hagrid had brought him to the forbidden forest because he had been bullied since he was small for a giant.

Grawp was like a little boy couldn't speak well and was very playful. The best of all, he had fallen for Hermy… Both she and Jen had so much fun teasing Hermione.

To unwind from studying, Amy planned a girls night with snacks, movies, make up etc. there was Hermione, Jen, Ginny, Luna, Parvati and Lavender in their dorm room.

They had so much fun discussing boys, make up, watching movies and just forgetting the impending exams.

"This was really fun Amy. I didn't realize how much I needed this." Parvati said and all the girls agreed.

"Feel better?" asked Amy to Hermione and Hermione smiled and said, "Yah. I feel so much better."

SWEETNESS SWEET CEDRIC

Amy was so busy reading. She hadn't slept well again.

Voldemort was constantly angry and experiencing high emotions combined with her dreaming about that ministry door, she was constantly tired but she knew she had to read. There was no way she would want to repeat her OWLs. That was a no, no.

As Amy read, someone came and sat next to her. She looked up annoyed and sighed when she saw it was Cedric.

"Hey."

"Hey baby. How is the reading going" asked Cedric.

"I am ok. I am worried. I don't want to fail this."

"Hey, you are worrying too much. You are really intelligent and next to Hermione in Gryffindor!" said Cedric and Amy smiled blushing lightly.

"Thanks."

"I brought you lunch." said Cedric taking out a wrapped package.

"Its lunch time already?"

"You missed it so I took some for you but I have a condition. You come and eat it with me by the lake."

"Cedric…"

"Please? You need to relax. You will kill yourself. Come on." said Cedric taking her books and packing them.

Amy sighed knowing there was no way she could argue with him. They went and sat on their favorite spot just talking about general stuff.

"Feel better?"

"Yeah." It amazed her how he could read her and know her that well. "Thanks Cedric"

"Anything for you." he said looking into her green eyes intently and then he kissed her forehead and held her close. Amy sighed snuggling into him relaxing and soon she was asleep.

GINNY AND MICHAEL CORNER BREAK UP 2 JUNE

"Ginny and Michael broke up." said Jen.

"What? Why?" Amy asked surprised.

"Gin says Michael was being too possessive whatever that means…" Jen said with amusement and they laughed.

"That's Ginny for you." said Amy. "Is she ok though?"

"Yeah. She seemed ok. Knowing Ginny, she will have a boyfriend soon."

"Well she is pretty and popular…" said Amy.

"Yeah. I hope she gets someone better. I never liked that Michael."

Thank you for reading