The slight scratching of quill on parchment was driving Beth insane. She glanced around her furtively. Her classmates were scattered around the Great Hall, heads bent, parchments filled with black inky writing. 'Select two magical creatures and assess the similarities and differences between them.' She stared down at her own parchment, covered in tiny letters.

…the Hippogriff, also known as Simoorgh, Simurgh or Senmurv, can fly at heights unknown to mankind. They are rarely seen, as they fly too high for the human eye to perceive. They are distantly related to the sphinx, having similar body features. They differ, however in a number of ways…

Beth glared down at the words. Five seconds ago she had been writing madly, like the others. Now, she couldn't think. She tapped the end of her quill against her cheek. Across the room Marcus glanced up at her. Their eyes met and he winked, then bent his head again. Beth sighed.

The sphinx and hippogriff are multi-animalistic. While the hippogriff has a melding of eagle and horse, the sphinx is a mix of lion, eagle and human, ram, or hawk. The smooth transition from one creature to another is always considered romantic in tales and legends. Hippogriffs are more animally dominated, while the sphinx has human tendencies. In Greek legend…

She smiled. She had somehow relaxed and began to write more fluently. She zoomed through the rest of the question. Suddenly she stopped and stared. The next question Beth had to read a number of times before she could put her quill to the parchment.

'Choose one of the worst curses known to wizardkind and examine its properties.'

She thought a silent thanks to Tom. Beth smiled and began to write.

The Cruciatus Curse…

"Well? How'd you go?"

Beth just shook her head, groaned, and leaned her head on Marcus' shoulder. He grinned. "I knew you'd do well."

"Did you not notice the groan?"

Marc winked. "Depends. Come on, Beth, you did an amazing job, I know it."

"Hope so."

"Know so." He pulled her into and empty classroom, shut the door and sat her firmly on a table. Putting one hand either side of her, he leant forwards, his head just lower then hers, forcing her to look at him. "Now, listen. You really are very intelligent. Stop doubting yourself."

"What if I don't get in?"

"You will." He smiled gently, stood up straight and curled a lock of hair around his finger. The look on his face shocked her, it was so tender. Marcus tucked her hair behind her ear then ran his fingers softly over her cheek to her nose, tweaked the tip of her nose and grinned. "Believe me, you will."

Beth's lip trembled. She reached out, caught his chin in her hand, and kissed him hard. Marcus sighed and picked her up, then kissed her cheek softly. "Love you…"

"Ditto," she whispered. Marcus frowned playfully.

"Say it."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because it's driving you insane that I won't say it." Beth smiled brilliantly up at him. Even if she wouldn't say it, the glow coming from her spoke loud enough.

"Say it!"

"Fine!" She stood up and stretched, flexing her fingers, not looking at him. Creating suspense. Marc's eyes were glued on her every move. She knew he was watching the way her hair brushed across her back, the way her eyes moved smoothly around the room then peeped up at him from under her lashes, the slow smile which always seemed to creep up on her face, in her eyes, until it seemed safe to smile and her face would burst into happiness. The way her eyes would reflect the sun, giving a glitter of golden light in her dark blue eyes.

But he didn't realise she was watching him. She couldn't help it. She knew how he could sit so still sometimes and just watch. He was so tall, about six foot, maybe taller. She knew what it meant when he glanced around the room, anywhere but at whom he was talking to. And what he felt when he rubbed the back of his neck. She felt like she'd known him all her life. Beth wanted to say it. So she did. She laughed, stood up close to him, leaning back, his arms tight around her waist. Looking up at him, she smiled brighter than ever.

"I love you."

"You'd better."

"I do."

They both blinked as they realised what she'd said. Then they laughed. Marcus grabbed her hand.

"Come on," he said softly. "We're wasting valuable study time."

"I wouldn't call this wasting time."

"Maybe. But we should be studying… schoolwork, that is!" he finished quickly.