I don't own these characters except for just a few of them... the story's mine.
The Ordinary Wizarding Levels were approaching. They were held in the mid of June. The climate was amazing as the sun shone jubilantly over the castle of Hogwarts. All the students simply wanted to lie on their backs in the sun and enjoy the fresh summer's air. But all they could do was wish to be out in the sun, sitting inside their common rooms. All the heads of the houses were asked to strictly prohibit their students to waste their time. Hogwarts always produced good results and it seemed that Dippit didn't want this year to be an exception. The famous group of four of Gryffindor too seemed to be taking the O.W.Ls seriously and was studying really hard. James and Sirius were found putting their History of Magic Notes together. Remus was always bent over a book or two, or was around asking anybody who would, to test him on one subject or the other. Peter, too, had a lot to catch up. He was mostly found in the library, poring over book after book, probably gathering information to make his notes. There was no time for mischief, not even for Sirius, who usually found time for it no matter what. This, however, proved to be a good thing for Severus Snape, who was no longer distracted by pranks from the famous four and was always known to be locked up in the Slytherin boys dormitory in his usual solitude, studying. The girls of fifth year in Gryffindor Tower were studying so hard they were found in frenzy most of the time. Lily Evans, Amanda Bones, Jennifer Fanning, and Stephanie Reeve of fifth year were always huddled in a corner together, combine studying. Stephanie fainted twice and was rushed to the hospital wing. Jennifer had diarrhea and had turned as pale and peaky as Remus in a matter of only two days. Lily and Amanda seemed to be the only ones who were in perfect condition to continue studying in their feverish manner. The usually crowded and noisy Gryffindor common room was now suddenly quite with an air of panic in it. The Fat Lady in her pink satin dress was quite happy as she was not frequently disturbed unless a student or two went out to check something in the library. The rest of the Gryffindors were warned not to disturb the fifth, sixth and seventh years. As these were the most important years in magical studies.
They were also given career advice by the head of their house: Professor Minerva McGonagall. James had been quite tempted by the career of a Gringotts dealer but had finally chosen a career as an Auror. Sirius had been scolded by Professor McGonagall when he asked whether there was a career in dating girls and was sent back and given another time and date for career advice, so that he could 'refine his thoughts in career taking'. Remus had clearly said that he wanted to be an Auror and Peter had been in a severe dilemma between being a Healer or a Muggle Accidents officer and had been rushed off to the hospital wing.
Amanda had said that she wanted to do Magical Law and Jennifer, everyone knew, was going to choose to be a Healer. Stephanie on the other hand wanted to go in Muggle Artifacts. Lily, however, wouldn't say what she had chosen.
As the O.W.Ls came nearer, the panic increased rapidly. More and more of the students had to be taken to the hospital wing to get Calming potion. Soon their date sheet came out and to the Gryffindor's horror their first O.W.L was Potions. Peter, who was never good at potions had shrieked at this and was close to tears saying that he didn't know a thing about brewing a strengthening potion even though he had studied all the time. James was also not very good at Potions, but he was quite sure he would get good grades in it if he put his mind to it. Sirius had always been astonishingly good in all subjects, keeping up with his mischief all the time. The second exam, to James and Sirius's triumph, was Transfiguration. They were so good at it that it didn't matter whether they studied or practiced before the test, they were going to get an Outstanding in it anyhow, and they were quite sure of that. The third had been Herbology, fourth was Divination, Arithmancy for those who took it instead of Divination. Then was Muggle Studies. Since most of Gryffindor didn't take Muggle Studies, they were to have the day as a break. Defense against the Dark Arts came next. Charms was last, which was also a 'piece o' cake' according to Sirius.
All of the students got pretty well through their O.W.Ls. Only few of them had gone panic-stricken in the middle of the tests. James had managed to keep playing Quidditch in between his exams, no matter how many times McGonagall warned him not to do so. Amanda boasted that she was pretty sure she'd get an O in most of her subjects. The others were getting ready for the next Hogsmeade weekend, which was right the next day.
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