A/n: It's shocking how long this is taking me to update. I have no reasons, apart from the start of College and the fact they're keeping me on my toes, and this story is starting to get incredibly hard to write. However, what with half term, and a kick up the bum from reviewers, lol, I've been thrust back into action. I apologise for the wait.

I do not own the magical world of Hp. If I did, I wouldn't need to go through College.

Chapter 18: Exams suck

The end of their fifth year at Hogwarts, or in Robyn's case second, crept up on them all too suddenly. And with it, the oncoming threat of OWL's hovered gloomily overhead. All in all, it was a lovely summer.

Exams were definitely more of a threat to the recently enrolled Miss Young than to the rest of her friends. She'd been panicking constantly for the past month, and could often be found in the common room late at night drooling over an open textbook that had lulled her to sleep. Then, at breakfast, her textbooks would have to withstand the onslaught of toast, juice, and other items the young teen deemed worthy to shovel into her mouth. Ergo, her textbooks were not in the best condition, and looked as though a dragon had chewed them, swallowed them, then deemed them unworthy and spewed them up again.

The marauders found this extremely hilarious, and on more than one occasion had hidden her precious revision guides from her. They'd almost immediately regret it from the punishments that ensued. One of which had meant that both James and Sirius should have their clothes stripped from them and replaced with dominatrix outfits before being sent on rounds of the castle.

Robyn was definitely not the right person to get on the wrong side of over those months.

Yet, soon, the intimidating exams loomed like a dark shadow, and the first ones came and went with all the hustle and bustle expected. Tears, fears, screams, and fainting were all common courtesy's that examinations tended to bring with them, especially with the seventh years who were being put through the gruelling task of NEWT's. Once more, the marauders saw this as a chance to get some serious pranking completed, the teachers and students alike all of whom found this the least bit helpful.

Lily was now panicking along with Sue and Robyn over their OWL's. There seemed to be too few hours in the day to get all her work done and find time to de-stress, which was of course extremely important, especially as being friends with the marauders added that little extra bit of grey hair.

Robyn also found herself becoming sloppy in her animagus transformations as she had no spare time to practise. More than once she'd managed to only half transform herself, much to the amusement of her mischievous friends. It took a lot of effort to transfigure herself back to normal.

However, there was no time for the teens to dwell on such frivolities, as soon their Defence against the Dark Arts OWL written examination arrived. One of the last examinations the group of over zealous teenagers had to deal with.

The large group of friends met each other outside the great hall, chatting animatedly amongst other friends whilst cramming in some last minute revision. Well, at least most of them were. Sirius and James stood there, completely at ease with the whole situation. Robyn envied them.

"I can't believe how calm you two are! You even managed to eat a whole two breakfasts!" She exclaimed, flailing her arms around widely in an attempt to express her point.

"Someone was at the caffeine again, weren't they?" Sirius tutted with a small grin, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Robyn's eye twitched dangerously, "You're point being. I need something to get me through this exam."

"Come one Rob! What is there to worry about? You've basically been cramming stuff into your head all month. And we're all naturally talented at this subject. Be a piece of cake," James tried to reason with her, even though suddenly he found his stomach giving the slightest of uncomfortable squirms.

"Do you think we'll get cake after the exam?" Peter asked hungrily, rubbing his stomach with a frown. "I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Breakfast was only an hour ago!" Robyn squealed. "Your stomach amazes me Peter, it truly does."

"I can't believe your talking about cake with an exam in, what," Lily glanced to the watch her mother had sent her for Christmas. "Two minutes!"

"Dudes and dude-ettes!" Sirius announced loudly, wrapping his arms over the shoulders of James and Robyn. "It's us? What can possibly go wrong?"

Robyn paused, groaning loudly and rubbing the crook of her nose before shaking the male off of her shoulder, "Why did you say that? That is the worst possible thing to say! You've pretty much just damned us all for eternity!"

"Over exaggeration much," Georgie commented, raising an amused eyebrow as she joined her group of friends. "You take these way too seriously…"

"Seriously! These are only our OWL's here. Yeah, you know, no pressure or anything, they just basically determine the rest of your life!" Robyn's voice screeched, her eyes wide and her breathing heavy.

There was a long pause as each one of the group turned to the muggle born who stared wildly at them all before her posture slumped and she rubbed her eyes with a groan, leaving her hands covering her face.

"I've gone crazy haven't I?" She asked meekly from beneath her hands, peeking out between her fingers.

"You were never sane to begin with Rob," Sirius smirked, earning a soft glare off his friend as she lowered her hands.

"Is she having another fit?" Remus asked as he joined them all, raising a mousy brown eyebrow at the forlorn looking female teen.

"Oh yeah, this one just trumps the others," James replied, nodding wisely. "Bet you're sad you missed it!"

"Way to support a girl guys," Robyn retorted, folding her arms as she let a smile surface to her lips.

"Oh my good golly gosh! Is that… Is that a smile?" Sirius clapped a hand to his cheek in mock shock.

"I do believe it is! It's a miracle! Praise the Lord!" James exclaimed with a broad grin.

"Halleluiah!" The two boys chorused, waving their arms triumphantly in the air.

"Memo to self, maim you after this exam," Robyn growled light heartedly, rolling her eyes at the two immature best friends. In some weird way, they'd actually made the stress lessen. How, she had no idea.

"Students! Please, calm down! If you would all file into the hall and take your allocated seats. The exam will begin shortly," a stout Professor Flitwick announced from the great hall doors.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god," Robyn panicked, turning to Sirius and shaking his shoulders. "What if I forget everything? What if my quill doesn't work? What if I've revised the wrong thing? What if I…"

"Rob!" Sirius shouted, grabbing a hold of her shoulders. "Stop it! Breath!"

"I am breathing," Robyn snapped, letting her arms fall limply to her sides.

"So calm down then!" Sirius smirked, turning the brown haired teen around and nudging her towards the now open great hall doors.

"That's the second fit in ten minutes," Remus stated, following Robyn with a smirk as he spoke with James.

"Yeah, and the fourth one today," James grinned in reply.

"Maybe you should try being a bit more supportive?" Sue suggested, raising an eyebrow towards the messy haired male teen.

"We are!" Remus exclaimed, nudging James for some support.

"What? Oh, yeah, definitely," James nodded, his eyes searching the room for a certain red haired female with astounding green eyes.

Remus rolled his eyes exasperatedly as Sue giggled, shooting the young werewolf a look that said 'told you so', which he returned with a soft glare and a playful smirk.

"Please, students, take your seats quickly! Sooner we start, the sooner we can finish," Professor MacGonagall announced over the hustle and bustle of the student body as they filed into the great hall.

"Good luck," Lily whispered to Robyn as she passed her, taking her own seat a few rows behind her.

Robyn smiled nervously as she sat down in the seat with her name placard on the front, removing her quill from her bag which she placed by the side of her desk. All of a sudden, she felt rather ill. Exams never did like her.

From her vantage point, the teen girl couldn't actually see much, and would have to turn around should she want to see any of her friends. Chancing a quick glance over her shoulder, she noticed them all sitting in their seats. Typically, the boys, minus a rather nervous looking Peter, all looked rather calm. Though, with the full moon in only a week and a half, Remus did have a slightly pale and peaky façade.

The girls looked a lot calmer than she felt too. Lily was shuffling in her seat, and Sue was fiddling with all her equipment, whilst Georgie lounged in her seat and Michaela was making goo-goo eyes at a handsome male Ravenclaw a couple of seats to her right.

Sometimes Michaela amazed her.

"Please remain silent while the papers are being handed out," Professor Flitwick squeaked, waving his wand delicately making the papers fly out to each individual desk.

"Good luck students. You have an hour and forty five minutes. Quick quotes quills, and any other such quill is forbidden. Cheating will have you immediately banned from the exam, and your paper will be disqualified," Professor MacGonagalls shrill voice echoed around the now silent hall. "Turn your papers over, and, you may begin. Good luck."

Good luck, she says, Robyn thought bitterly as she flipped over her paper and read through the questions.

Didn't seem too bad…

o0o

James chanced a quick glance behind him at his best friend after re-reading through his answers. Flashing a small smile at the thumbs up from Sirius, he turned back around and started to trace 'L.E.' next to a doodled snitch onto the bit of scrap parchment that sat on his desk.

"Quills down, please," Professor Flitwick squeaked. "That means you too, Stebbins! Please remain seated while I collect your papers. Accio!"

James snickered as he glanced towards the aforementioned boy that sat three columns to his right, who now sunk into his seat with a rose tint to his cheeks. His snicker turned to a stifled laugh as he watched the short Professor be bowled over by the onslaught of rolls of flying parchment, only to be lifted up by a pair of kind students who sat at the front.

"Thank you… Thank you," the Professor panted, peeking over the parchment. "Very well, everybody, you may go!"

James quickly scribbled out the L.E. he'd been doodling on his parchment before shoving everything into his school bag and slinging it over his shoulder. He stood from his seat and waited for Sirius to join him, along with his two other marauder companions.

"Did you like question ten, Moony?" Sirius grinned as they emerged into the entrance hall with the throng of the other students.

"Loves it," Remus replied briskly. "Give five signs that identify the werewolf. Excellent question."

"D'ya think you managed to get them all?" James asked in tones of mock concern as a small smile crept onto his face.

"Think I did," Lupin replied with a mock frown, a twinkle in his eyes that said he was laughing inside. "One: he's sitting in my chair. Two: he's wearing my clothes. Three: his names Remus Lupin."

James and Sirius burst into laughter whilst Wormtail stood there looking rather worried as they made their way eagerly onto the sunlit grounds.

"I got the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes and the tufted tail," Peter ticked them off mentally. "but I couldn't think what else…"

"How thick are you Wormtail," James stated impatiently. "You run around with a werewolf once a month…"

"Keep your voice down," Remus blanched, prodding his friend lightly in the arm.

"Sorry moony," the bespectacled boy replied sheepishly, flashing an apologetic grin.

"Well, I thought that paper was a piece of cake," Sirius stated egotistically. "I'll be surprised if I don't get an Outstanding on it at least."

"Me too," James agreed, fishing in his pocket and dragging out a golden snitch.

"Where'd you get that?"

"Nicked it," the male teen replied nonchalantly as he began to play with the snitch; letting it fly out so far just so he could snatch out and grab it back. His reflexes were almost perfect, and Wormtail watched with awe.

The four settled down under a small tree that sat by the edge of the lake, taking their time to relax after the strenuous exam. Remus pulled out a transfiguration book while Sirius propped himself against the tree, starring about him at the other students that milled about the lake. James continued to toy with the snitch, and after every particular difficult catch, Wormtail would whoop and applaud.

After one more difficult retrieval, Sirius finally snapped, "Put that away will you. Before Wormtail wets himself with excitement."

Wormtail turned a deep shade of pink, but James grinned.

"If it bothers you so much my darling," he pushed the struggling snitch back into his pocket, taking a fleeting glance at a group of girls that sat at the very edge of the lake, basking in the sun.

"I'm bored," Sirius moaned. "I wish it was a full moon."

"You might," Lupin replied darkly, his eyes lifting from his book. "We've still got transfiguration left. If you're so bored, why don't you test me on it. Here…" He held out the book to his friend.

Sirius snorted, "I don't need to look at that rubbish. I know it all."

"This'll liven you up, Padfoot," James grinned, his eyes glinting evilly. "Look who it is…"

Sirius raised an inquisitive eyebrow at his best friend before his head turned to look in the specified direction. He became suddenly very still, as if a predator has just sensed his prey, and a slow grin formed on his face.

"Excellent," his voice was layered with mischief. "Snivellus."

The two best friends stood from there seats, just as Snape had just done, and wandered after the dark haired slytherin with a certain ominous air.

Remus and Wormtail stayed where they were, but a small frown line had appeared on the young werewolf's forehead whilst Peter sat there with an avid look of excited anticipation.

"All right, Snivellus?" James called out loudly.

Snape didn't bother to speak, but dropped his bag and whipped out his wand so fast, James barely had time to react.

"Expelliarmus!" James shouted, watching Snape's wand fly twelve feet into the air before landing several feet behind him. He grinned as Sirius let out a jovial bark of laughter.

"Impedimenta!" Sirius barked, sending the slytherin flying backwards as he tried to leap towards his fallen wand.

The two friends advanced on Severus as he lay panting on the floor, wands raised and a menacing glint in their eyes. James took a fleeting glance towards the girls at the lake.

"How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" James drawled.

"I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," said Sirius viciously. "There'll be great grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word."

A large group of students had now gathered curiously around the small group of brawling students; several of them laughed cruelly at this comment. You could even hear Wormtails shrill laugh as he moved around Lupin to gain a better view. Snape was clearly unpopular with a large amount of the student body.

Snape was struggling on the ground, trying to break free of the invisible bonds that kept him so restricted, his breath coming in short pants. "You wait," He glared at James with the purest loathing. "You- wait!"

"Wait for what?" Sirius replied nonchalantly, twirling his wand expertly in his hands. "What're you going to do, Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?"

The black haired boy struggling on the floor let loose a string of mixed swear words and curses, all directed to his two torturers who stood before him.

"Wash your mouth out," James snapped coldly. "Scourgify!"

Pink bubbles began to stream from the young teens mouth, covering his lips and the floor around him, making him gag- choking him. Snape was longing for his wand so he could get his own back…

"Leave him alone!" Lily snapped, as she advanced on the two boys, her deep green eyes flashing dangerously. The rest of the group of girls who had been sitting by the lake stood behind her.

"All right Evans?" James smiled coolly, his voice loosing the rough edges that he'd had for Snape.

"Leave him alone," Lily repeated, glaring at James with a strong hint of dislike. "What's he ever done to you?"

"Well," James began, taking a glance at the struggling victim. "It's more of the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean…"

Most of the surrounding students laughed cruelly, even some of Snapes fellow Slytherins. Though, there were no hints of laughter on Lily's lips, or on Remus' who was still apparently intent on reading his book.

"You think you're funny," Lily said scathingly. "But you're just an arrogant, bullying toe rag, Potter. Leave him alone."

"I will if you go out with me, Evans," James asked quickly, a debonair smile on his face. "Go on, go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again."

Behind him, James' impedimenta jinx was wearing off, and Snape was beginning to move again. Slowly, inch by inch, he moved closer to his wand, spitting out stray soap suds as he went.

"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," Lily retorted.

"Bad luck, Prongs," said Sirius, rolling his eyes at his best friend before turning to check on Snape. "Oi!"

He was too late though, Snape had already grabbed his wand and directed it at James. There was a bright flash of light and a large gash appeared on James' cheek, splattering his robe with droplets of blood. A second later and there was another flash of light, this time coming from James' wand, and Snape found himself hanging upside down, trying desperately to cover up his skinny pallid legs and dingy grey boxers.

Many of the people in the small crowd cheered whilst Sirius, James and Peter all roared will uncontrollable laughter.

"Let him down!" Lily seethed.

"Certainly," James jerked his wand, and Snape fell from the sky, landing with a loud thud onto the hard earthen floor.

Disentangling himself, Snape stood, his breath coming sharply as he raised his wand. But Sirius got there first, waving his wand quickly at the humiliated Slytherin. "Petrificus Totalus!"

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted, her own wand being directed ominously at Sirius and James.

"Hey, don't make us hex you two," James said imploringly, gazing warily at the wand directed at him and his best friend.

"Take the curse off of him then!" Lily argued dangerously.

James sighed deeply, turning and flicking his wand, muttering the counter curse to let Snape free. "There you go," he said as Snap struggled to his feet. "You're lucky that Evans was here, Snivellus…"

"I don't need help from any filthy little mudblood!" Snape retorted vehemently.

The red head blinked in shook.

"Fine," Lily said coolly. "We won't bother in future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."

"Apologise to Evans," James roared, his wand pointing threateningly at the greasy haired Slytherin.

"I don't want you to make him apologise," Lily shouted, rounding on James. "You're as bad as he is!"

"What?" the bespectacled youth yelped. "I'd NEVER call you a… you-know-what!"

"Messing up your hair because you think it looks call to look as if you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can – I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK!" Lily turned on her heels and stormed away, her group of friends following with a last glare at the male teens.

"Evans!" James shouted after her. "Hey, EVANS!"

However much he called, she never looked back.

"What is it with her?" James said forlornly, trying and failing to look as if this question was of no importance to him.

"Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate," said Sirius.

"Right," said James, the fury building in his eyes. "right…"

He whirled on Snape, and with another flash of light, Snape was once again hanging upside down in the air.

"Who wants to see me take of Snivelly's pants?" James grinned maliciously.

Sirius barked with laughter, looking up at Severus with a look of foreboding amusement. "Let's see if he's a Snivella, not a Snivellus!"

"Expelliarmus!" Robyn roared, her wand pointing dangerously at the three boys. She caught all their wands expertly in her hand.

"Robyn! What are you doing?" James yelled, turning on his friend.

"Stopping you from being a jerk!" She snapped, still holding her wand against him.

"Snivelly deserves it! He doesn't even deserve to be breathing the same air as us!" Sirius yelled in support of his best friend, suddenly feeling naked without his wand. "He is pure, unadulterated…"

"I don't want to hear it! Get out of here before I hex you both to timbuck two!" Robyn hissed.

"You don't know what you're saying? You're actually sticking up for him?" James retorted in disbelief. "This… greasy haired slime ball!"

"Get over yourself, Potter! Now go," She yelled, glaring at them, and then adding another glare at Snape. "You too. Don't think I've forgotten about that… that insult!"

"I can't believe you're siding with him," Sirius fumed, walking passed Robyn and taking his wand back, James following him.

"I'm not siding with anyone. Unlike some people, I know when I've crossed the line!" She cried out loudly.

She watched the two boys retreat until they were back with Remus and Peter, her eyes lingering sadly on her friends before she turned to the crowd. They hesitated before they too dispersed in a hurry, not wanting to wait around for the muggle born to explode at them.

"Get out of here, before they come back," She sneered, not looking at Snape but chucking him his wand.

"I don't need your assistance, or your pity," He said, yet his voice had lost that hateful undertone as he grabbed his wand.

"You never had it, Snape," Robyn told him harshly, walking away and back to the castle.

o0o

A/n: Yay, an update! As most of you should know, this scene is actually part of the Order of the Phoenix, so I used a lot of the original dialogue written by the queen of magic herself, J.K.

Now, please feed the hungry authoress, it's what keeps me writing this thing!