Nastily Exhausting Wizard Tests

Astoria had almost finished packing for her final school year when an owl flew into her room. Tied around its leg was a copy of the Daily Prophet. With a sigh, Astoria slipped five knuts into the tiny pouch it carried and removed the newspaper. There, on the front page, was an article that gave her an immense feeling of relief.

ZABINI HEIR RECEIVES SENTENCE

The Wizengamot has finally reached a decision regarding the sentencing of convicted Death Eater, Blaise Zabini.

"Mr Zabini was sentenced to Life in Azkaban earlier today," said Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt.

In a case that sent shock waves through the wizarding community, Mr Zabini was accused of conspiring to murder his girlfriend of two years, Daphne Greengrass, as well as using the Cruciatus Curse on Daphne's younger sister, Astoria. Despite a report from St Mungo's recommending that Mr Zabini be declared insane, the Wizengamot ruled him sufficiently competent to stand trial for his actions.

Astoria put the paper down. She could have leapt for joy at the news. Blaise was gone, and he wasn't coming back. All she had to do was get through her last year of schooling and she could move on.

Nine months later, Astoria rode the Hogwarts Express to London for the last time. She almost felt a little sad, knowing that she would not be coming back the following term. In her hand was a folded piece of parchment; her N.E.W.T. results. With a tiny smile, she unfolded it and read it again.

Astoria Greengrass has achieved:

Defence against the Dark Arts: E

Transfiguration: A

Potions: O

Herbology: O

Care of Magical Creatures: E

Charms: O

Muggle Studies: E

Divination: P

Study of Ancient Runes: A

Astoria smiled again, knowing that her parents would be very proud of her. And then, for some inexplicable reason, her thoughts turned to Draco. She had not seen him since the beginning of the year, and couldn't help but wonder what he had been up to. He had written to her, of course, but his letters were usually more focused on asking how she was than they were about telling her any news. Astoria supposed it must have been a difficult year for him, what with his father being in prison again. And it can't have been easy to get over the fact that his 'best friend' had turned out to be a psychopath.

"Hi Astoria. We wondered where you'd got to," a dreamy voice issued from the compartment door. Astoria looked up and smiled.

"Hi Luna. Hi Rolf," she greeted cheerfully, gesturing for her two friends to come in and sit with her. Most of her classmates thought Luna and Rolf were a little odd, but they made an adorable couple, and Astoria knew she couldn't have asked for better friends, especially after the stress and pain of what had happened at the end of last year. Luna and Astoria had started hanging out together, and Rolf Scamander had joined them a few months after. It made Astoria giggle to think of how long it had taken Rolf to work up the courage to ask the quirky Ravenclaw out; Astoria had known about his little 'crush' on Luna almost as soon as the year had begun, and it wasn't until right before exams that he'd done anything about it

"Got any plans for summer, Luna?" Astoria asked eagerly. Luna gave her characteristic dreamy smile.

"Oh, Rolf has already invited me to stay at his house for a few days. After that, who knows?" she replied happily. Astoria giggled.

"Who indeed?" she asked mischievously. "Got plans for a little romance, have we Rolf?" Rolf was grinning from ear to ear as the train slowed to a halt. They had reached London at last.