Exams were approaching. Esther wished Frances luck, as she headed for her Potions final exam. Even her brother had gripped her shoulder and nodded, the young professor feeling for his sister. She would complete the paper exam now and two hours later, go for her practical component. Two days later, she would sit her Transfiguration. Esther herself had some work to do for Charms, so once Frances strode into the hall, she returned to the common room. She saw Malachy curled up in an armchair, staring at the fire. She gingerly sat down in the opposite armchair.

"Mally. I-"

"Don't." He said, knowing where she was going with this.

"We'll be home in a few weeks, and you'll have a great summer. Then when September rolls around again, me, Luke and David will be with you on the Hogwarts Express. I don't see this thing between them lasting the summer. If it does, keep a safe distance and be happy for them."

"But you're a prefect. You'll be up that end and Luke'll be seventh year and David fifth I'll only be in third. You won't want to be anywhere near me."

"No matter what my duties, I'll check in with you on my rounds. But stay with your friends. Hold onto your friendships." She thought of her dwindled friendship with fellow prefect Aisling. They'd barely spoken this year, unless on official duty, and they did none of the same classes. She'd try and catch up. "Right, Great Hall, lunch time.

The two Ravenclaw siblings made their way to the Great Hall, nodding to Luke as he walked by them carrying his broom. The Gryffindor grinned back and swaggered off to the grounds. The Gryffindor captain, Rex Henshaw ordered his team to do drills during lunch times every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. They were given fifteen minutes to eat and get out to the grounds. Luke always made it out first, getting time to race around the pitch before official practice. Despite the Quidditch season being over, Luke still liked to go for his lunch time flys. Esther and Malachy sat at their respective places at the Ravenclaw table. Esther glanced at the Slytherin table, and saw Frances with her head bent over her notes, only moving her head to eat. Esther finished what little food she felt like and got up from the table she casually strode over and sat opposite Frances.

"If you don't know it now, you never will. Relax."

"It's just method notes. Making sure I know how to do things. Don't want to read the instructions and it all looks like Goblin or something."

"You didn't comment on my being here at the Slytherin table."

"You're family, by extension. Family members are allowed to do so without comment. Plus I'm not the most popular Slytherin at the moment. I'll only really be OK once I leave."

"Don't say that-"

"I'm a teen mum, they don't want to be seen with someone so irresponsible."

"It's 2005, for Merlin's sake. Not like it's the 1800s."

"The wizarding world is quite old fashioned and set in its ways. The muggle world still sees it as something to frown on."

"In the muggle world, my brother would have been arrested." Esther said, clasping her hands on the table "They probably would have taken Casper away from you as well."

"It's a good thing we ain't muggles then." Frances said and got up, lifting her notes Esther followed suit and the two left the Hall. They reached the Grand Staircase and parted ways. Frances to the dungeons, for her practical exam, Esther to Charms, to hand in her essay.

~~HP~~

It was the Friday following exams. The Great Hall filled and sleepy individuals tucked into breakfast. Not too long after, a familiar whooshing was heard as the morning post came. Parcels, newspapers, letters and an assortment of goods were distributed to the students. Esther was surprised when Xerxes, her mother's eagle owl landed in front of her, bearing a letter. What did her mother have to say that could not be a casual note taped to a fridge? She looked down and saw Malachy untying a letter from their nanna's owl, Demeter. She turned her head to her own letter, seeing that it was a short letter.

'Esther,
Samuel and I are expecting a child, so we will be marrying two days after your return from Hogwarts. This will be enough time to organise dress robes for all who need. I have already sent a note to Malachy and I floo called Abram. There is a second envelope within this one DO NOT OPEN AT THE TABLE it is a measuring pack and would be easier in your dormitory. Could you have your measurements done and send it back today. Send it along with Malachy's to save time.'

No signature, but that was normal. She looked to Malachy, who was angrily shoving food into him. Esther kneww she'd have to calm him down AGAIN. They were going home on Sunday, on the 26th. Third and fourth years were in Hogsmeade today, while fifth and sixth years were tomorrow. Seventh years were given the choice of either day, the last visit was split into two days so the streets were not as crowded. Esther passed the group and went upstairs to her dormitory.

The common room was empty, as expected while everyone was at breakfast. Esther opened the small envelope in her hand and set it on the table in front of her. As she did so, a measuring tape sprung out and began to take measurements of her. The envelope unfolded and a small lilac quill spilled out, and wrote her measurements down. After a few minutes, the quill lay flat in the parchment envelope and it refolded, the measuring tape returned to the envelope and it sealed itself. She picked it up and went up to her dormitory to put it in an envelope to send back home. When she returnd to the common room, she saw Malachy come in with his own envelope. She waved the one in her hand and sat on one of the armchairs by the fire. He went upstairs and returned a few moments later, the resealed envelope in his hand. Esther accepted it and put it in along with her own. Malachy returned upstairs to finish packing. It had been instilled in them to pack at least two days in advance. By their family's standards, he had left it to the last minute. Esther had finished last night, so bar a few sets of clothes, some money and whatever she would buy in Hogsmeade, she was fully packed.

~~HP~~

Esther sat down to lunch, only to have someone tap her shoulder. She turned and saw Aisling, her Hufflepuff friend. "Hey. I've been meaning to catch up. It's just been so busy what with exams and prefect duties and stuff."

"It's not only that, Essie. I know what you've been doing with that seventh year Hufflepuff, Adam."

"We're not seeing each other-"

"I know." With those two words, and the look in Aisling's eye, Esther knew that she had to stop. She knew that the potions could not continue.