Finally the first week of the O.W.L.s arrived. It was finally time for the fifth years to test the knowledge and skills they had acquired over the past five years at Hogwarts. For some this was a cause of great anxiety and pressure, others remained calm, and still some took it upon themselves to not give a care in the world. Peter Pettigrew experienced anxiety; Lily, Severus and Remus remained calm and collected; Sirius and James did not have a care in the world and because of this they often interrupted Lily and Remus in their studies at night in the Common Room after curfew was called.
They had already made it through their Charms, Ancient Runes, and Herbology exams. Lily knew that she had done well on the Charms and Ancient Runes exams but was not one hundred percent sure hadn't missed a few questions on the Herbology exam as it was one of her weaker subjects. She wasn't going to dwell on it though. Tomorrow was the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam and there was no way she was going to let someone like James Potter beat her at that exam. Severus and her had spent all day after their Herbology exam studying for the next day. It was now late at night and Lily was curled up in her favorite arm chair in the Gryffindor Common Room, studying away.
Lily's green eyes glance up as a loud group of people walk through the door. She rolls her eyes when she sees it's only James and his band of merry female adorers. She returns to her book as James and Sirius sit down on the couch, spreading out like they own the Common Room. James pulls out his stolen snitch, letting it fly a little away from him before grabbing it and letting it go. It was one of his more annoying habits. Sirius sits back and twirls his wand, an arrogant aura surrounding him. Remus settles in the other arm chair by the couch and fireplace, pulling out his book and studying. Peter nervously follows behind and settles on the floor, staring adoringly up at James and his snitch, clapping whenever he caught it at just the right time.
Lily slams her book shut and walks away from the group. "Leaving so soon Evans? But we just got here!" James calls after her, grinning smugly.
"That's the problem. How anyone can study with you around I'll never understand." Lily glares at him before walking to her dormitory. She settles in on her bed, pulling the curtains closed around her to get some privacy. Lily spends the rest of the night reading, using her wand as a light to read by. Eventually, she lays down with her books by her side and goes to sleep.
The fifth year students shuffle into the Great Hall slowly, most of their nerves peaked. They sit in their assigned seats and wait, nervous silence hanging over the group. The first thing they had to do was take a written exam then, later in the day, they had a practical. None of them knew what to expect from the practical.
Lily sits down, keeping calm and making sure that she doesn't over react to anything her mind was telling her. She smiles weakly at Severus from her seat and looked front as Professor Flitwick steps to the front of the anxious fifth years. He goes over the rules then passes out the tests and quills with a flick of his wand. As soon as he says begin and the time starts, Lily picks up her quill and opens her test. She reads the first question and quickly answers it, moving on.
All around the Great Hall for the next two hours, students try to recall what they have been taught. Some remember it easily like James, Sirius, Severus and Lily. Some have a slightly harder time like Remus. Others seem hopeless like Peter. Regardless, the students all try their hardest to recall the information. As the sand trickles into the bottom of the hour glass, Severus picks up the pace. He had so much information to put down. James finishes early and draws a heart with LE + JP in it, grinning across to his best friend. Sirius leans back in his chair, giving his friend a thumbs up and a grin. Remus is pale and concentrated, putting down all the information he has in his brain on to the paper. Lily works at a good pace, not going too fast that they can't read but not going too slow to where there isn't much to read.
"Quills down! That means you too Stebbins!" Professor Flitwick announces, watching all the students carefully. "Please remain seated while I collect your parchment. Accio!" The parchments zoom toward him, knocking him down. A few of the students hurry to help their professor while other snicker at the short man. Flitwick thanks them and then dismisses the class. The students all hurry out, grateful to be able to stretch their legs and not worry about the written part anymore. Most head outside to relax for a while by the lake.
"So, what did you think of question ten Moony? 'Give five signs that identify a werewolf'." Sirius asks as they walk, grinning.
"I loved it." Moony replies, walking with purpose. Peter nervously chews on his finger nails, not sure how he did.
"Did you get all of the signs though? I know you were a little shaky on them last night." James asks with faux concern, laughing with his friends.
"I think I did. Let's see. One: he's sitting on my chair. Two: he's wearing my clothes. Three: his name's Remus Lupin." Three of the friends dissolve into laughter while Peter frets that he missed some.
"I could only remember the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes and the tufted tail." James laughs and rolls his eyes as they walk, calling him daft. The four friends settle beneath a birch tree.
"If I don't get at least an Outstanding, I'll be very surprised." Sirius points out as they all settle. James nods in agreement and pulls out a struggling snitch from his pocket. He let's it fly a little bit away from him before snatching it back into his hand. Peter watches, admiration clear on his face. Sirius settles beside his friend, leaning against the tree. Remus pulls out his Transfiguration book, studying for the following day. After five minutes, Padfoot says "put that away, will you, before Wormtail wets himself with excitement." James complies and sits back, now bored. "I'm bored."
"You could test me in Transfiguration." Remus offers his book to his friend but Sirius shakes his head.
"I don't need to look at that rubbish. I know it all."
"I've got something that will cheer you up." James offers with a grin, nudging Sirius. Severus had decided to walk back inside. The two stand up in tandem, both grinning. Peter and Remus don't move but Remus does put his book down and his brow furrows as he watches. Peter gets visibly excited again as he watches his heros. "All right, Snivellus?" James calls to their classmate.
Snape drops his bag and reaches for his wand but james pulls his wand out faster and disarms him, grinning. Sirius laughs and casts the Impediment Jinx which prevents Severus from getting his wand back. Some of the students watch with apprehension on their faces while others watch, entertained by it. Wormtail stands up to better view his heros. James glances at the girls by the Lake and winks before he and Sirius walk up to Snape. "How'd the exam go, Snivelly?"
"I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," Sirius sneers. "There'll be great grease marks al over it, they won't be able to read a word of it!" Several people laugh at this, watching with intrigue.
Snape struggles to stand up and pants out, "You-wait! You - wait". His face displays his open loathing for the two boys.
"Wait for what? What're you going to do, Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?" Sirius taunts, cooly. Severus spits out a mix of swear words and hexes.
James coldly orders, "Wash out your mouth. Scourgify!" Pink soapy bubbles appear in Snape's mouth, making him gag. Lily storms over from the lake and James ruffles his hair instinctively.
"Leave him ALONE!" Lily shouts, glaring at the two boys.
"Alright, Evans?" James' tone of voice changes to a more pleasant one.
"Leave him alone," she repeats, glaring at James. "What's he done to you?"
"Well, it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean.." The crowd around the scene laughs except for Remus and Lily.
"You think you're funny. But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone." Lily insists, trying to diffuse the situation.
"I will if you go out with me, Evans. Go on… go out with me and I'll neer lay a wand on old Snivelly again." James promises, grinning at her. The jinx on Snape is slowly starting to wear off, and he reaches for his wand.
"I woulnd't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid." Lily says, malic in her voice.
"Bad luck, Prongs," Sirius notes, and turns to Snape. "Oi!" It's too late, a flash of light causes a gash to appear on the side of James' face, blood splattering on his robes. Another flash of light has Snape hanging upside-down in the air, his robes falling over his head. Most of the crowd laughs and cheers. Lily almost smiles but catches herself in time.
"Let him down!" Lily yells again.
"Certainly." James jerks his wand which causes Snape to fall to the ground. Before he can do anything, Sirius uses the Body-Bind Curse on him. Lily pulls out her wand and points it at the two Maruaders.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you." James pleads with her, not really wanting to hex her.
"Take the curse off him, then."James obeys her wishes with a heavy sigh. He looks at Snape.
"You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus." Severus glares up at him, anger running through his body.
"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"
Lily's blood runs cold and she blinks. "Fine. I won't bother in the future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus." James, seemingly more affected by the insult than her and insists he apologize. "I don't want you to make him apologize! You're as bad as he is!" Lily shouts, glaring at the boy.
"What? I'd NEVER call you a - a - you-know-what!" James insists.
"Messing up your hair because you think it looked cool to look like you've just go off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can - I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK." Lily turns and leaves, hugging herself.
"Lily! Lily! Wait!" James calls after her before turning to his friends. "What is it with her?"
"Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate," Sirius offers helpfully. James is furious, trying to find someone to blame.
"Right. Right." James flicks his wand and in another flash of light, Snape is hanging upside-down once more. James grins at the helpless Slytherin. "Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?"