Wallflower
Chapter Seventeen: Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Exams
If there was one day that made the fifth and seventh years become sweating messes, it was June 13, otherwise known a the beginning of N.E.W.T.s and O.W.L.s. Even the students who really didn't care about their grades were feeling the pressure and actually making an attempt at passing. So, it was a living hell for those who actually cared about what they got.
"I'm going to fail," Adelaide said suddenly, breathing heavily, "There is no way I'm passing this thing."
"Oh, you'll do fine," Lily encouraged as they made there was downstairs where their Transfiguration Exams were taking place, "You're one of the smartest students in the school."
"You're a filthy liar," Adelaide accused, "don't lie to me like that; it isn't very ladylike." Lily snorted, and shook her head.
"Look, you've been getting hundreds on almost all of your quizzes and tests; you have an abnormally large brain capacity!"
"Stop trying to make me feel better," Adelaide murmured dejectedly. They entered the Great Hall, and all signs of conversation stopped as they took their seats, Adelaide gnawing on her lip the whole time. She listened closely to the instructor, before she was given her test. With shaking hands, she flipped it over.
'What are the five principle exceptions from Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration?'
She let out a sigh of relief and quickly scribbled down her answer with a smile; why had she been worried again?
It was a grueling two hours later that they finished their exam, and then they had a break, where Adelaide and Sirius took the chance to go down into the Kitchens. Lobby was more than willing to supply them with an excess amount of food, and Adelaide sighed in ecstasy as she took a bite of a chocolate filled pastry.
"This is so good," she moaned, causing Sirius to laugh.
"I thought you didn't have a sweet tooth?" he said with a grin. She shrugged.
"Only when I get a craving for chocolate do I have a sweet tooth," she corrected, "and that is some damn good chocolate." Sirius laughed and pushed his food around on his plate.
"What N.E.W.T. do we have next?" he asked before taking a bite of food. Adelaide swallowed, and thought for a second.
"I think Charms," she said.
It seemed their break was over much too soon, and they had to make their way back to the Great Hall, this time for the Charms N.E.W.T.s. Adelaide was considerably calmer then before, and finished the test relatively quickly with a satisfied smile.
'If all N.E.W.T.s are like this then I'm going to pass with flying colors,' Adelaide mused as she toyed with the ends of her quill.
And then, after another two hours of listening to the scratching of quills across parchment, they were released. Adelaide practically jumped with joy as she skipped out of the Hall, before waiting outside for her friends.
The next day passed almost exactly the same with their Potions N.E.W.T.s in the morning and their Herbology N.E.W.T.s in the afternoon, and the next day was the same, for the most part. They completed their Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T.s in the morning and had the whole afternoon off.
"I don't think we should tell them," Peter protested to James and Sirius as they sat in the common room, Lily and Adelaide currently resting in the girls dormitory.
"Why not?" James pushed, "They won't tell anyone and they have our full trust." Peter shrugged.
"This is just our thing," he explained, "if we go and tell them about our little escapades then they'll want to come too, and you know how dangerous that can be! We'll loose one of the only things that only the Marauders have to themselves."
"They aren't stupid, Wormtail," James said, "they know how dangerous werewolves are, and they won't be stupid enough to want to join in. Besides, they know that this is our thing and they wouldn't intrude like that. You're just over thinking things." Peter sighed, before standing.
"You three can go ahead and tell them," he retorted, "but I won't be there."
He left without a backward glance and headed upstairs. Remus, who had remained silent for the most part of the conversation, sighed and massaged his temples, "This thing between Peter and Adelaide has really blown up out of proportions," he murmured, "I feel like I'm their father sometimes, trying to get them to play nice." James and Sirius laughed.
"Yeah; but it's mostly Peter making a big fuss about it," Sirius said, "Adelaide just sits by patiently and waits everything out." James shrugged.
"I'm going to refrain from commenting," he responded, "but how about we all get together in the R.O.R. and we tell them there, while we're surrounded by all sorts of chocolates to take their minds off of it if they get mad?" Remus laughed dryly, and Sirius shook his head.
"I don't think that'll work with Adelaide unless she has a sudden chocolate craving," he commented with a grin. Then, Adelaide and Lily came down the stairs, grinning, and took their seats in front of the guys.
"Do you know about the Room of Requirement?" James asked, getting straight to the point. While Adelaide shook her head, Lily nodded. Sirius grinned.
"Goody Two Shoes," he joked, and she blushed.
"Well, we were planning on going there today," Remus stepped in, "To relax from N.E.W.T.s."
"Sure," Adelaide agreed with a shrug, "Is Peter coming too?" It was honest curiosity. Sirius shook his head.
"He doesn't wanna go, we already asked," James answered, before grinning, "We'll leave in an hour.
The hour passed with a surprising amount of speed as they sat in the common room joking about some of the N.E.W.T. questions, or on more then one occasion joking about each other and how they looked during the exams.
Soon, they were sitting in the middle of the Room of Requirement, surrounded by chocolates (as James proposed) and reclining in the giant bean bag chairs that were arranged in a circle in the middle of the room. Time flew by quickly and suddenly, it was nine o' clock. Remus glanced over at Sirius and James, who were surrounded in candy wrappers, before speaking.
"We have something to tell you," he said bluntly, catching everyone's attention. Adelaide tilted her head in curiosity. Sirius sighed and straightened up, while James remained lounging in his chair, but he was watching the girls, waiting for a reaction.
"What is it?" Lily asked.
"Well," Remus said slowly, "…how would you react if I told you I was a werewolf?"
"I'd ask how it happened," Adelaide said immediately, while Lily looked slightly confused.
"Wait…are you saying you're a werewolf?" she asked in confusion. Remus nodded. Lily's jaw dropped open, and she tried to wrap her head around it. "But…but you're so nice…you don't seem like you would be a werewolf!" Remus grinned wryly.
"When I was little, my dad insulted Fenrir Greyback, and for revenge he infected me with Lycanthropy," Remus explained. Adelaide nodded slowly, before picking up another piece of candy and popping it into her mouth.
"You're rather calm about this," Sirius commented. Adelaide smiled wryly.
"Well, first off in St. Mungo's Maddie was friends with a little girl that was a werewolf, and she kept talking about her for weeks until the little girl passed away. So I know that being a werewolf doesn't mean you're a bad person; just different. Plus, I'm still in shock," she laughed before glancing at the others, "I get the feeling that that's not the only thing you want to tell us." She raised an eyebrow, and James stepped in.
"Well, after we – meaning Sirius, Peter, and I – found out that Remus was a werewolf, we decided that we didn't want him to be all by himself during the full moon, so…" James shrugged, "We became Animagi."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Lily intervened, "You're all animagi? Do you know how difficult that is? When did this happen?" James shrugged.
"Well, we found out about Remus in second year, and came up with the idea a bit later on. We successfully became Animagi in fourth year," he explained. Lily looked as if she had a sudden epiphany while Adelaide kept munching on her chocolates.
"You're being oddly quiet," Sirius observed. She shrugged again.
"Well, it's not to terribly surprising," she said with a shrug, "You're all remarkable at Transfiguration, so really it all makes sense." Lily looked between everyone, before sighing and falling back.
"I need chocolate," she demanded, and Adelaide laughed before giving in to her needs and dumping a handful of chocolate onto her face. Lily popped up, before glaring and tossing a piece at her head. Adelaide ducked with a laugh. Lily grabbed another handful of chocolate and tossed it at Adelaide, who screamed and guarded her face with her arms.
"What!? I gave you chocolate!" Adelaide said, giggling. Lily play glared at her, before standing and picking up more chocolate. Adelaide's eyes widened and she leapt up, before she was being chased around the room and ducking as Lily pelted chocolates at her back. Remus sighed.
"I have no idea how they took that so easily," he said, laughing dryly, "You guys really do go well together." Sirius grinned, before picking up a piece of chocolate.
"You know, I think we should take a page from their book," he mused, before twisting and tossing a chocolate at Lily's head. She yelped, and glared at Sirius, and soon chocolate was flying all across the room.
"This means war!" Lily yelled, and she tossed more chocolate towards Sirius, while James began to pelt Adelaide with sweets.
After an hour, they were all lying in the middle of the room, bean bag chairs forgotten, and breathing heavily; even Remus had joined in on the fun, though he helped the girls out seeing as how they had James and Sirius against them and they happened to have very good aim; but what could you expect from Quidditch players?
"You know, you were supposed to be in the common room thirty minutes ago," Lily said, looking at the ceiling, "And James and I should be doing our rounds." Sirius sighed.
"Party Poopers," he murmured, before pushing himself up with a sigh, "You guys could always escort us to the common room." He looked over at James, who snorted.
"Why should we do that?" he asked.
"Because we're your friends?" Remus offered. James sighed dramatically.
"All right, we'll head back now," he said, "…when I feel like getting up." They laughed loudly, and Adelaide was (At this point) clutching her stomach in pain.
"I ate too much chocolate," she complained, "I'm going to have a chocolate hangover in the morning."
They all managed to make their way into the common room without being spotted, and while James and Lily made their way to their rounds, the other three went to sleep after sharing tired 'good nights'. When they woke up, they groaned as they remembered that they had another N.E.W.T. today, and were relieved when they remembered that it was the last test they had to take, and that soon they would be able to sleep in all they want.
Adelaide once again zoomed through her exam, though she wasn't as sure about this exam as the others; she wasn't really a plant person, unfortunately, but she hoped she at least made an E. Like the previous day they went to the kitchens and Lobby began crying when he realized that Adelaide was going to leave this year. It was awkward, but she managed to sooth him with a promise that she wouldn't forget him.
Sirius couldn't stop laughing when they left the kitchens.
To their surprise, though, when they reached the common room there was a party in full swing. The seventh years had taken over, kicking everyone else out, invited the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs over, and were throwing a party.
"Wow," Adelaide said breathlessly, "I don't think this happened last year." Sirius just nodded in agreement. He grinned, and glanced over at her.
"You wanna join in or take advantage of the empty dormitory?" he asked.
"Empty dormitory, definitely," she agreed, "I'm not a big party person."
So, they quickly made their way threw the crowds and managed to get up the stairs and into the dormitory without a scratch. As predicted, the dormitory was empty, and you couldn't hear the loud noise from downstairs; obviously they'd put a sound barrier up as to not draw the Professors attention. Adelaide was smiling as she bounded over to the bed and took a seat on the edge, and fell backwards with her arm stretched above her head.
"It's so quiet," she said with a sigh, kicking off her shoes, "much better then downstairs." Sirius hummed in response and stood at her head, looking down at her in amusement.
"You're like a cat," he commented, and she smiled.
"I'm more of a dog person," she said with a shrug. Sirius smiled, and she sighed in bliss, her eyes drifting closed. He watched her as she relaxed against his bed with a small smile on her face. Slowly, he leaned down and gently kissed her, causing her to jerk in surprise, and her eyes to snap open, only to flutter close again. He tugged on her bottom lip, and her hands gently cupped the sides of his face and she arched upwards. She giggled.
"This is so weird," she murmured, before she turned, somehow keeping their lips attached, and rose onto her knees. She pressed against him and threaded her fingers through his hair as tingles went down her spine. He wrapped an arm around her waist while his other hand cupped the back of her head. They pulled away and she watched him with burning eyes, before slowly pulling away from his arms and falling back onto his bed, this time laying like you were supposed to. Sirius followed her lead and lay down beside her, crossing his arms over his chest. She pressed close to his side and sighed as she closed her eyes.
"How long have we known each other?" she asked softly, and Sirius quickly counted in his head.
"Ten months," he answered. She hummed in acknowledgement, and pressed closer.
"Is it too soon for me to tell you that I love you?" she whispered. He glanced over at her, and shook his head.
"Nah, I think it's the perfect time." She smiled and moved away from him slightly.
"I love you," He looked over at her, and uncrossed his arms and pushed himself up, before he turned and planted his hands on either side of her face and his lips brushed against hers.
"I love you," he murmured, before kissing her lightly, "I love you," he pressed his lips against her and fire seemed to erupt between them wherever they touched. She pressed her hands against his chest and their lips moved together. Adelaide gasped as his hand trailed down her chest and to the hem of her skirt, and his fingers gently toyed with her skin causing goose pimples to rush over her arms.
"S-Sirius," she whispered and his kisses slowed, and moved down to her neck, before he pulled away and watched her as she breathed through her mouth and kept her eyes closed.
"You're tired," he murmured, and she shook her head as she watched him through hooded eyes.
"No," she responded, "I want to keep kissing you." He laughed when she yawned, and she pouted as he rolled off of her, only to squeak as he pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear, and she smiled.
"I love you too," she sighed, snuggling closer to him before she fell into a peaceful sleep. He watched her for a moment, before he followed her example and buried his nose into her neck and dozed off.
-
"I'm nervous," Adelaide said as she twisted her hands in front of her, dressed in a long black robe. Lily gently placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled in a reassuring manner.
"Don't be," she responded, "You got all O's on your N.E.W.T.s; you just need to go up there, grab your diploma, and walk off."
"I'm going to trip, I know it," Adelaide groaned, burying her face into her palms, "Kill me now, please." Lily smiled apologetically and patted her shoulder again. Adelaide continued, "It doesn't help that I'm in the very last round; I hate my last name."
"It is quite odd, isn't it?"
Adelaide turned with a frown as she faced Sirius, who smirked before hugging her, "Come on, I'm just kidding." She glared at him, and he smiled sheepishly.
"What do you expect? Adelaide Vicknair doesn't really flow."
"And Sirius Black does?" she retorted with a raised eyebrow. He grinned.
"Actually, yes it does." Lily frowned apologetically,
"He's right, it really does," she said, and Adelaide frowned, crossing her arms over her chest, but couldn't keep a smile down for long. McGonagall then quickly walked by and ordered people into the line (Adelaide really wishing her last name started with B) and then she mounted the stage, with Parents looking on, and younger siblings attempting to entertain there selves for what they knew would be a very long ordeal.
The first person called was a boy named Evan Abercrombie, and there weren't many people who had a last name starting with 'A'. Adelaide was only half interested as Annalisa Bertucci was called, and she clapped when Sirius was called up moments later. She tuned out the rest of the 'B', 'C' and 'D's and Lily was the last 'E' to be called up, with James whistling with a wink. Caryn (to no one's surprise) got her diploma, but looked as if she had had a rough night. When Remus went up he was smiling politely, and Adelaide whistled for him, sending him a playful wink. James made a big show about getting his diploma and actually bowed off stage, to several Slytherin's annoyance. Adelaide clapped politely for Peter, but inside she was starting to get nervous.
"Vicknair, Adelaide,"
She let out a breath of air and quickly made her way across the stage, blushing as she received more then one cat-call. She smiled at McGonagall, before quickly rushing off stage and standing beside Sirius.
"That was a nightmare," she whispered, and Sirius laughed but quickly grabbed her hand, running his thumb over the back soothingly.
Then came the part that they were waiting for: James and Lily's speech as Head Boy and Head Girl.
"Well, this is the last year for the Marauders," James said with a grin, "And We've all matured a lot, whether you'd like to believe it or not; but we aren't the only things to have changed. A lot of people realized who they are and who they can trust, found people they would give their lives for, and have already begun planning their future with someone else.
"These past seven years have been wonderful; the best experiences of my life. I've learned so many things, not just about school but about people, and I've met people I consider my family in every way but blood. I've changed a lot in just a year, and for the better," He surreptitiously glanced at his friend, "But one thing you all know is how I like to go out with a bang." People stiffened and expected a prank, but instead, James suddenly kneeled in front of a wide eyed Lily and held out a small velvet box.
"One of the reasons Seventh Year was the best was because you gave me a chance, and made me the happiest person in the world. I've had eyes only for you the longest time, and you finally looked back. That's why I'm taking this chance to let all of Hogwarts know that I love you; Lily Evans, will you marry me?"
In a flurry of tears, Lily flung herself into his arms and kissed him passionately, causing catcalls to reverberate from the crowd. She pulled away and nodded happily, and James smiled before slipping a pretty, white-gold band onto her finger. Adelaide smiled.
"They're good together," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder, "They deserve to be happy." He gently kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"They're not the only ones," he responded softly as he continued to watch the spectacle on stage as Lily tried to gather herself enough to make her own speech, but it seemed as if she was smiling to hard to do anything other then snog James. Sirius' lips turned up in a smile and he gave his friend a thumbs up, which was returned with a wink. He returned his attention back to Adelaide.
"One day," he whispered softly, causing her to blush, "I'll make you as happy as Lily. I promise."
-
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all things concerning belong to J.K. Rowling. I own Adelaide Vicknair, Vanessa Wolfe, Caryn Gree, Elise Barnes, Madeline Vicknair, Annalisa Bertucci, Professor Sicily and Jean Vicknair.
A/N:YAY!!!! THEY SAIT IT THEY SAID IT THEY SAID IT!!!!!!!! THEY SAID IIIIIIIIIIT!!!! I'm so proud of them. ::smile:: Originally the Graduation would have its own chapter, but I had serious writers block. Really badly. Don't fret, I'm still writing as much as I can, but it's getting more difficult now that they're out of Hogwarts. But be prepared for fluffyness. MUAHAHA! And I think I got all of my 'setting' and 'sitting' errors this time.
Yours truly,
B.E.N.
