*Getting Warmer*
Ashley entered her room and threw her bag on the foor when she noticed her two friends sitting on Saeko's bed, waiting on her. The short brunette arched her eyebrow and sat on her bed "Oookey, what's this about?"
Saeko smirked, evidently amused by the situation while Helena said in a dead serious voice "This is an intervention."
At this the ninja burst into laughter - Ashleys's face was just too precious. "What?"
The blonde glared at her ninja friend but soon turned at Ashley "I should've known Saeko was up to something when she phrased it like that. Anyways, tomorrow is the first of April."
The short brunette lit up "Yeah! It's April Fools, one of my favourite days!"
The Uchiha prodigy whiped her eyes "That's precisely the point. We want you to leave us in peace tomorrow."
Ashley let out a short laugh "Who do you take me for?"
"Please my dear, you and Peter are definitely plotting something" Saeko smiled, "My friend slash rival is known as the biggest pranker of Konoha. I got my fair share and that look you had today at dinner with young mister Hill is unmistekable. The entirety of the village dread that look and pity the target."
Both british girls looked at each other, it was so rare to get some details of their firend's life outside school. "Really, what kind of stuff does he do? Assuming he is a he" Helena tried to coax more information out of the brunette.
The chuunin leaned against her pillow "Yep, he is a short blond terror called Uzumaki Naruto. He really is a master of pranks. One of my favourites was when he dyed all the Hyuuga clan's underware pink and hung it outside. That was epic! Nobody actually know how he did it since the Hyuuga compound is one of the best guarded areas in the village."
The girls chuckled. Ashley then asked "Sounds cool. How did he prank you?"
"Sooo not telling. But he got me alright but just once. He was tad bit pissed I won a spar against him, I might have humiliated him a little. He declared me his rival ever since, especially when he found out I'm going for Hokage" Saeko reminisced.
"He's the one you told us about? The one that has a shot for the top spot?" Ashley asked.
"That's him. But I am already a rank ahead of him and it's going to stay that way" Saeko said with determination, internally hoping for that jounin promotion soon.
Sensing that the sharing was over Helena stood up "Well, I'm going to my room, mum sent me a fantastic book. Good night."
"Goodnight" said the roommates in unison. The blonde waved at them and opened the door when she was stopped by Ashley's voice "And don't worry, mine and Peter's work is always tasteful."
Helena glared at her friend for a second and finally rolledher eyes and closed the door.
Astronomy Tower
The ninja was toying with her telescope absentmindedly, ocasionally looking up at the clear night sky. Sighing she turned to Helena "I don't really get it."
"What are you not getting" the blonde asked while still completing her assignement.
"This subject, astronomy. What's it good for? It's used in rituals which I read are considered dark by the ministry ergo forbidden" Saeko elaborated.
Helena angled her telescope "And Arithmancy."
"Yeah, a subject that is optional at Hogwarts" Saeko said disgruntedly.
"It's not bad. The nights are getting warmer, nice clean air, we get to sleep in tomorrow" the blonde shrugged and bent down to her parchment to scribble something down.
The raven haired chuunin wanted to say more but couldn't since professor Sinistra stalked behind their row. Saeko had to concede that the professor would've made a fine ninja, blending perfectly into the night.
When the dark-skinned teacher moved on Saeko continued "We could be sleeping or doing something actually productive."
"Stop whining. I like Astronomy just fine. And besides, on our last quiz you knew all the asnwers so it ca't be hat bad" Helena sighed.
"Of course I got the perfect score, I am Uchiha afterall" the girl snorted, "That doesn't mean I enjoyed studying for it. Or that I like staring upwards for an hour and half."
The blonde shrugged and continued her work without a word. Saeko sighed and imitated her. When the class was almost over both Ravenclaws were finished. The ninja decided to bother her friend one more time "Hey, how old do you think Sinistra is? She must be the youngest of the staff right?"
The pure-blood hummed "I think I won't hazard a guess, wizarding age is really hard to tell. Nor do I care for that matter."
"You're no fun" Saeko sighed, looking for her second friend. She spotted Ashley doodling on the margin of her parchment few tables away. Since Caitlin was still working on her chart she let her mind wonder.
When the class was finally over tha Ravens begun their journey to their tower through the silent castle. Most of the students decided to go straight to bed but some circled the fireplaces, trying to chase out the lingering chill.
Saeko made her best puppy-eyes impression to get Helena to make them a cup of her famous tea. As the blonde obliged Saeko and Ashley discussed the boredom that was and is astronomy.
Ravenclaw Tower
Saeko locked her dorm room securely. In theory neither Ashley nor Helena should bother her since they were busy elswhere. But one should be always careful.
The kunoichi unsealed the scroll on advanced raiton manipulation, noticing she was almost done with all the exercices. The brunette, as most ninja do, found thoose pseudo-meditational exercices boring but they needed to be done if she wished to excel.
Her fire manipulation was hands down master level – it was trained ruthlessly by her father since she activated her sharingan at a young age, thus becoming a true Uchiha. Soon afterwards she was able to do the Gōkakyū, her clan's right of passage.
Fūton was her secondary element. As soon as she found out in the clan library that the great Uchiha Madara was the same she trained it relentlessly. Being it a rare element in the village she was certain she was the best in it, maybe tied with Sarutobi Asuma, despite using wind primarily to enhance her fire techniques. Saeko did use wind techniques when precision was required but fire was so pretty…
"Fuck it" the chuunin murmured and contentrating her raiton converted chakra into her right hand. A loud chirping noise erupted as the exercise mimicked Kakashi's fabled Chidori.
Lightening and water were her weakest elements but being Uchiha and a certified genius she managed to maintain the technique for quite a while. She grinned and went to looke what was the last exercise in the scroll. She groaned since it could not be preformed indoors nor in the summoner's realm. Seako looked out of the window and thought that she would have to wait till Konoha. Attracting lightening during a storm was too visible to do on Scottish soil.
The scarred chuunin decided to repeat the last exercise until her roommate came back, deciding to skip dinner. When the loud noise of the technique began anew she praised herself for the foresight of installiong silencing seals aroun the room.
It was late when she heard steps outside, singnalising most of the ravens were in the tower. She sighed and packed up her things.
Just in time as Ashley came knocking "Hey. You weren't hungry or you didn't even notice it was time for supper?"
"Not hungry. But I was reading and couldn't bother to come down" Saeko smiled.
Ashley rolled her eyes "Naturally. Well, I was planning to do the herbology homework. Did you do it already?"
"I did it in History" the older brunette replied.
The half-blood hummed "Did you do it from the textbook only or other books in the library?"
"Library. I let Caitlin borrow it, she said she will be doing the work with Paddy and Daniel right about now" Saeko directed her friend.
"Cool. I'm going to join them then. You have plans?" Ashley asked.
Saeko shrugged "Not any more. I think I'll go for a jog, I have to maintain this awesome body afterall."
The smaller girl rolled her eyes and went to find her Ravenclaw classmates.
Library
The ninja was sitting in the library by herself, reading. She chose a table that concealed her the most from the watchful eye of the librarian.
"My, my miss Uchiha, what would Madam Pince say?" a teasing voice said behind the kunoichi.
"Holy fuck!" Saeko exclaimed and hastily sat properly – ergo without her legs perched on the table, silently cursing herself for not paying attention to her surroundings other than Pince.
Lauren smirked "And what colourful language!"
"Well, I try" the brunette smiled and motioned to her herbology partner to sit.
The redhead obliged and peered at the title of the book Saeko was reading "House elves?"
"Very intresting reading. We don't have them back home so I was doing a little research" the chuunin explained.
Lauren frowned a bit "Well, most of the wealthy families have them. Very useful creatures. It's puzzling they actually like to serve."
"You have one?" Saeko asked, quite curious.
The redhead brushed a strand of hair from her face "Well, yes of course. Several actually. Took care of me while I was a kid."
„That doesn't sound right" the scarred brunette frowned, "You pureblood? I know it's not really polite to ask but Slytherins tend to flaunt it…"
"Yes, I am. The noble House of Lewis, or what's left of it" Lauren waved her hand dismissivly. The ninja did not relent and continued to stare at her companion. The Snake sighed "Parents died when I was small, raised by aunt and uncle."
"That sucks. I'm the same if it helps. Raised by my brother though and I know I'm far better off that way. Hey, can you tell me about your House Elves? I'm sure it would be more insightful that a book" Saeko redirected, the conversation getting uncomfortable since they wern't friends per se.
Lauren smiled, appredciating the gesture and obliged. The chuunin listened avidly, a plan for getting better food already being formulated.
"Ok, I have nothing more" said the Brit when she finished her mini-lecture. Saeko nodded and smiled gratefully. Luren nodded in aknowledgement. "Hey, Uchiha why do you keep wearing gloves?" She asked when the thought came to her suddenly.
The kunoichi let out a short laugh "Yeah, people keep asking me that here. Well at home it's far from unusual. I'm a swordsman, gloves give me a better grip and protection from callouses". The 'so I don't damage my hands during fire and lightening jutsus' went unsaid. Thinking for a sec "And I'm just used to them. And I love them and they are cool, thank you very much."
"Well if you think so" Lauren said teasingly, "So swordsman, huh. Like for real? Why swords when you have magic?"
Saeko leaned back in her chair "And I am awesome in both disciplines. Most of my family wields a sword."
The Slytherin eyed her sceptically, really not understanding a, in her mind, superflous skill. But tradition was tradition, she could understand that "Suit yourself. But I did read that Japan is quite famous for their blades."
"Yup" the ninja smiled, it was close enough afterall.
Ravenclaw Tower
Saeko rubbed her eyes tiredly. She sat on the floor of her and Ashley's room with a multitude of books opened around her with random pieces of parchment covered in notes strewn all over her bed.
The chuunin was frowning in concentration when her roommate entered, Helena tagging along with a book under her arm "Beginning to study for the exams? I was thinking to start on the weekend."
"I don't think it will be hard for us but I wish to excel so this weekend sounds good" the blonde mused.
Saeko nodded "Not really. But weekend sounds good, we could make an overview together," she was prompt with closing her reading materials, not really wanting to be confronted about them. She was studying various fire charms and curses and looking to create new jutsu with the knowledge.
The british girls eyed her suspiciously but learned early that such questions were rarely replied to. Ashley sat down on her bed "What do you think will be tested?"
Helena took the chair "Well, the wand subjects are usually both written and practical. I have no doubt that the history test will be on Goblin rebellions. No idea about the others."
"We could ask Geoffrey or some other older-year, just to have an idea" Saeko proposed.
"Hm. I would bet that Flitwick will ask the animation charm we learned in march. I just have that feeling" Ashley said in a pseudo-mysterious voice.
The chuunin tapped her book absent-mindedly "Well, it was one of the harder things we did so it's plausible."
Helena rolled her eyes "Whatever. We need to review all the work. How about we camp here in your room and start with transfiguration?"
"Really, here? Wouldn't it be better to do it in a bigger group, with Peter and the others?" Ashley frowned.
The blonde shrugged "It would be faster with just us, but I don't really cere as long as I'm not hindered."
"We could do a Ravenclaw study session, it would boost our reputation as the most intelligent and studious House. We do need to take over the ten top students spots" the kunoichi let her competitive side show.
"I'll ask them" Ashley voluteered being the most social and friendly among them.
Hogwarts Grounds
About half of the Ravenclaw first-years were sat by the lake, chilling after their first two exams – them being charms and astronomy.
"So no one has anything to say? I told ya weeks ago we would have to do the animation charm!" Ashley said with a huge smug grin.
Everybody stayed silent, not wanting to boost the brunette's ego. Finally Peter broke "Yes, you were right. Any predictions for transfiguration or better yet potions?"
"No, enlightment has not come. I'm certain about the Goblin rebellions for history though" Ashley smiled at her joke.
"No shit Sherlock" Caitlin rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I think tomorrow's test will be no surprise" Graham laughed, "Well the morning anyway. No idea about herbology though."
The group sat there speculating as well as soaking up the sunshine, it was a very nice day afterall. The idyl was broked by Patrick "So Herbology?" he asked and held up his book.
"Herbology" the group chorused a bit morosely and opened their books and notebooks.
The Ravens continued with their study with relative calm, a huge difference from some other students, mainly the Gryffs and also the other half of their house classmates – Michelle and her friends had been freaking out for a month before the exams even started. It got to the point that Helena yelled at her roommate and once she actually slept in Saeko and Ashley's room.
It was getting quite late when Peter shut his book and stopped the dabate on Devil's Snare "I think we are prepared! I'm tired and hungry, let's stop."
Saeko closed her notes "I agree, I'm quite fed up as well. I think we got it."
With a chorus of "'key" the group packed up their things. Rolling one of his parchment Daniel spoke up "Pity we don't get points for the exams too."
"Too true!" Caitlin agreed, "I still can't stomach that the Snakes will take the cup. I'm all for quidditch but this sucks!"
"Maybe next year" Ashley spoke up, "Everyone knows we would've won if we didn't end up in last place in quidditch. I hope the new captain will make things better."
Still muttering about their misfortune the Ravens made their way back into the Castle for supper. They all agreed not to study at the last minute and actually sleep as their Head of House raccomanded – every year there was at least one nervous breakdown, 5th years with their OWLs were the most frequent victims.
"Yum, shepard's pie, my favourite!" Graham exclaimed when they sat down at their table.
"Yeah, it figures they would give the heaviest dish I know just before another exam. It makes so much sense!" the Uchiha said, her voice laden with sarcasm. All the brits rolled their eyes. Saeko muttered mutiniously "No wonder some people puke before the test."
"Oh, sush you" Ashley elbowed her friend and picked up her fork.
„Finally finished" Ashley sighed heavily when they were done with the last and the most uncomfortable test that year – potions.
„Yeah. But Snape is definitely a dick, he was literally looking over my shoulder when I was powdering tha valerian sprigs, super wierd" Saeko shivered in discomfort.
„Indeed. Pity it's not him who is leaving the post instead of professor Littlefield" Helena agreed.
X
Ravenclaw Common Room
The room was absolutely packed for the first time since they got into the Castle. All the students were holding their score letters which arrived by mail earlier today. Saeko was proudly holding her letter which spotred straight Os and the number 1 in overall ranking.
After the exams each student's scores were tallied up and averaged out so the students could be ranked amongst their peers. It wasn't much of a surprise that most of the top ten consisted of Ravenclaw students with one lone Hufflepuff and two Slytherins.
The score-sheet was displayed not only outside the Great Hall but also in their common room for all to see.
The room hushed when Flitwick entered "Everyone has received their results, excellent!" he squeked with joy, "For 7th to 2nd years you know the drill, for those uninformed you should know that the number one student of each year recieves a special gift from me should they be in Ravenclaw."
Someone from the back said cockily "When aren't they." The room agreed with laughter.
Flitwick himself grinned "Quite true. Now I'm proud to say that all the years have a raven at the top. So come to collect your prize!"
Five students came into the center of the room – the 5th and 7th had OWLs and NEWTs and not the regular tests. Saeko stood tall among her upperclassmen and bowed slightly when her Head of House gave her a gift certificate for Flourish and Blotts with a kind smile. The room clapped politely.
"You've all earned some rest, so have fun for the rest of the evening until the feast tonight. Congratulations for passing. Have a nice feast and summer" Flitwick smiled.
When the professor left the room began buzzing anew. Saeko was congratulated by her fellow first-years and some of the prefects. Helena was mildly disappointed as she held the number 3 in the overall score, her great dislike in herbology was obvious in the grade. Ashley considered her 8th place a success, especially since she was placed first in the history test and heartily congratulated her friend. Saeko eyed the score-sheet once more and was pleased to note her Slytherin friend was number 12.
The rest of the evening they spent packing their stuff and talking, mainly about their plans for the summer. Ashley was exctatic about her family's plans for Peru as well as a muggle concert she was planning to attend.
Saeko was a bit melancholic when they discended to the Grat Hall for the feast. She was looking forward to return to Konoha but couldn't help thinking she will miss the calm of the Castle and her friends.
The feast was grandious, the ninja even enjoyed her food. Hearing that Slytherin won the House Cup was disappointing but not surprising. Ravenclaw placed second but stilll…
One borderline condescending speech from Headmaster Dumbledore the students retired to their dorms and soon enough they all stood at the station in Hogsmeade.
The train ride was somehow far shorter than the one of arrival. Saeko's Raven friends spent it playing various card games – not for money despite Helena's loud and frequent protests.
The ninja endured several hugs and said goodbye to her company. One more wave later she grasped the portkey that professor MacGonagall gave her prior to leaving the school and as the clock struck half past she poofed out.