"Grantaire needs to pass his O.W.L's." Announced Courfeyrac a few weeks before the test was scheduled.
"No I don't. My grades are poor enough that it hardly matters at this point." The fifth year was sulking in the corner.
"Yes it does." Combeferre said, walking in with a stack of books. "Besides, we'll help you." He took the top book of the stack. "I marked the important paragraphs. Read them through by tomorrow."
Grantaire looked at the first year in shock. "No one has ever cared enough to help me study before." He said softly. "But it still doesn't matter. No amount of studying can make up for five years of slacking off." He tossed the book back to Combeferre, who tossed it right back.
"We can try." He said firmly. Grantaire rolled his eyes.
The next day Courfeyrac brought a friend. "This is Jehan. One of the smartest kids in Hufflepuff. And I think his mind works like yours, Grantaire."
"Courfeyrac, I am not a miracle worker." Jehan protested.
"No, none of us are." The first year agreed "But maybe, if we work together…"
The days flew by. Jehan taught Grantaire a lot along with Combeferre, Enjolras, Bahorel and Courfeyrac. Grantaire complained a lot, but once they took his stash of Fire Whiskey he became downright unbearable.
"There is no way I am taking that test sober." He announced three days before the two week testing began.
"Yes you are. You know a lot of things, and your common sense is… lacking, but still." Jehan closed the book he had been using. "You must pass, Grantaire, or you cannot move on."
"Jehan, the only class I have any desire to take is Care of Magical Creatures. And you said so yourself, I know many things about it and am likely to do well." Grantaire crossed his arms and made a face.
"Grantaire…" Enjolras began, but Courfeyrac cut in,
"Why don't you care about anything!? We are trying our hardest to make sure you pass that stupid test, and all you want to do is get drunk!"
Grantaire's face darkened. "You don't know anything about me, Courfeyrac." And then he left. It was not dramatic, but at the same time, it was.
Bahorel dragged Grantaire back the next day. "You will pass your O.W.L's if it is the last thing you do." He said firmly. Grantaire sulked but obediently began reading the book Combeferre handed him.
The first day of the test came. Grantaire was dragged out of bed by Enjolras and Bahorel (how they had gotten into his room he would never know). Courfeyrac dumped a bucket of cold water on his head and Combeferre handed him toast spread with strawberry preserves. A dressed and at least semi-awake Grantaire was taken to the testing area, where his friends wished him luck and departed.
The rest of the two weeks went much the same. They woke him up, got him ready and dropped him off. Grantaire pretended to be annoyed, but was secretly grateful; he would have slept through the first couple hours if not for them.
The two weeks went fast. Grantaire and Jehan both took an obscene amount of tests. Now all they had to do was wait for their scores.
Grantaire looked pleased when he got his scores. When he told his friends they all congratulated him. He had done better than anyone expected.
Charms: A
Transfiguration: P
Herbology: A
Defense against the Dark Arts: E
Potions: A
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Astronomy: D
Muggle Studies: E
History of Magic: D
Combeferre told Grantaire he'd help him study if he retook Transfiguration. Grantaire agreed. The head of his house had took him aside and scolded him, but Grantaire hardly cared. He had achieved, against all odds, mostly passing grades. And he had an E in his favorite class.
The group gathered for Butter Beer, and Grantaire was not even the least bit drunk when he showed up.
The summer had come; finally, everyone had survived the year. The group made plans to talk over the summer. Combeferre had an actual pet owl, and so did Jehan. Enjolras's cat could take messages, although not very far. It had been a satisfying year for everyone, and they all had made some new friends.