Approximately four hours later, the exams began. The first subject was Charms, in which Professor Flitwick asked them to make a pineapple tap-dance across the desk. Marisa bit back a sarcastic remark regarding whether tap-dancing pineapples were really useful or important.

She managed reasonably well with it, although the pineapple fell off the other side of the desk. The group met in the common room afterwards to discuss how it had gone: Daphne had done perfectly, Leo had made it waltz, Theo had only made it spin around, and Tracey, who was rather inept at Charms to put it mildly, had done nothing at all.

Next up was Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall asked the students to turn a mouse into a snuffbox. Leo's snuffbox was perfectly formed but not very aesthetically pleasing. Marisa's was beautiful but still had whiskers, as did Tracey's. Theo's had a tail as well as whiskers and Daphne's still had fur.

In Potions Marisa was easily the best of the group. Her Forgetfulness Potion was almost perfect. She'd even managed to slip a vial into her pocket: who knew when it could come in handy?

Leo's potion was at least a vague impression of the right colour. Daphne had forgotten the instructions and as such floundered abysmally. Theo's was slightly the wrong shade and Tracey's was a congealed mess.

The final exam was History of Magic. Once that was done the group had a mini-party to celebrate and discussed how they'd done. Marisa was pretty sure she'd failed, as was Daphne. Theo thought he might just have scraped a pass and Tracey wasn't sure. Leo was confident that he was one of the best in the class.

"Anyone for Exploding Snap?" asked Theo.

"Sure," said Leo. "Why not."

Theo began to deal the cards. Marisa couldn't resist aiming to make the pack explode in Leo's face, but she failed in that. Instead Leo beat her at her own game.

Marisa laughed. "Fine," she said. "You win. I'll get you next time, though!"

"Not if I have anything to do with it!" Leo replied, grinning.