Disclaimer:

I am not J.K. Rowling and I do not own Harry Potter. I sure wish I did.

CHAPTER 2

A breezy summer morning hazed over Hogwarts. The fifth years of this wizarding school were all cramming for a final examination in their Ordinary Wizarding Level exams - Defense Against the Dark Arts. The lake was full of students all either practicing wand movements, muttering to themselves, or, in the case of Albus and Giles, toying with their books.

Albus and Giles were the brightest students ever to grace Hogwarts. Albus was tall, with clear blue eyes and a smile that never failed to captivate a girl. Giles, however, was the best-looking boy in the entirety of the school; a heartthrob, if you will, and he manages to be excellent at everything he tries. Albus, of course, was the best at everything.

"I still think the sword form is the best idea, Giles," argued Albus as Giles waved his wand. A circular silver shield covered his arm, and Giles smiled.

"Hit me with an Unforgivable, this thing can block it, I'm so sure of it. We should try it at the practical exam, Albus. What do you think? Should we tell Ellyn and Jorel?"

Albus' eyes swept the edges of the other side of the lake. Ellyn and Jorel have been his friends ever since their first arrival at Hogwarts, and their pranks were never forgotten. During their first year, they did a charm that dried up half the lake that he was looking over now. Though they received quite a reprimand for what they did from the Headmaster, they were relieved to be praised because, as the Headmaster put it, "Magic like this can only be from gifted students."

"There they are," said Albus as he pointed at them. Ellyn was the daughter of the Minister of Magic, stunningly beautiful yet simple. Jorel was from a respected family of wizards, the McKinnon family, and he was also one of the more popular people of the school.

Albus shot a beam of light from his wand. It took the form of an enormous silver phoenix, which glided across the lake towards Ellyn. It disappeared just before it reached the bank, at which everyone surrounding the lake started to applaud.

"When you're done showing off," shouted Giles in tones of mock annoyance, "You can see that the spell is almost perfect. If only we can test it on something." he looked around the lake, "Fancy annoying Nott, Albus? Maybe he'll curse us," but Albus gave him a sharp look.

"No, not today." said Giles quickly. Ellyn and Jorel came hurrying to them, Ellyn's silver hair rippling in the light.

"Albus, if you could only teach me how you do that," raved Jorel, "Then the teachers wouldn't tell me off as often,"

"Only if Ellyn asks me to, to which I am glad to say she still hasn't," said Albus as he bowed to them.

Ellyn gave him a rare smile.

"Now if only I can do a spell that reproduces that smile of yours."

A bell rang across the grounds, and everyone jumped. The fifth years all lined up reluctantly to the Great Hall and began to frantically recall everything they reviewed.

"Do you think I can make a good grade," asked Giles as they squeezed amongst the numerous other younger students.

"Only if Albus has blue eyes," snapped Jorel. "Honestly, Giles, you're pretty good at magic for a Muggle-born." He looked away and his eyes fell onto a gorgeous girl next to Ellyn. Ellyn looked faintly annoyed at this.

"So," whispered Giles, so that only Albus could hear, "you think we should try out the spell then?"

Albus looked back at Ellyn and Jorel. Ellyn was looking at them questioningly.

"Only if we need it," he said, "And I sure hope we don't. What if it doesn't work?"

"It will. We've been trying for years. It will," said Giles.

They lined up at the door. A dumpy witch was calling out names of the first people to take the exam. It seemed like a small moment had passed when the witch called out, "Denver, Collin; Durst, Frederick; Dumbledore, Albus,"

"Use it, alright?" called Giles.

"Maybe," said Albus. His eyes twinkled at Ellyn's encouraging smile.

Chapter 3 will be up soon.