Chapter Three

"Tell me again" Vera urged her cousin to talk after the first exam but Ben still felt like his head was exploding. Like his cousin and the rest of their classmates of seventh grade they had answered questions on Modern Muggle Safety Law and Technology Class.

The seventh grade had to answer questions about cars, batteries, bathing ducks and stock market. The last topic had been the hardest and Ben and his best friend James knew they had both failed the class. "Vera, we know it's one of the most important subjects to get a certification to work among muggles but there are other jobs"

"Not for Ben – listen, you need to have at least pass the exam or you will be unemployed. A good mark in Divination won't help you" Vera shook her head and was frustrated about the boys' sense of responsibility. With a sighed she turned on her heels and walked over to Stacie and two other girls while Ben looked after his cousin and after a moment he sighed as well. "She's right. Hogwarts is supposed to help us and prepare us for the future and the muggle world -"

"Don't listen to your cousin. She'll soon see marks are not everything. A lot of wizards have jobs without being the best of their year" James tugged Ben closer and messed up his friend's hair with the other hand.

Ben looked like he had just left his bed and chuckled when James finally let go of his friend. "It's easier for you because you're a wizard James. You come from a good family and they don't stress about your results, but Vera and I are squibs. We have limited jobs to take and knowing Vera as I know she doesn't want to end up being someone's wife and stay at home all day. She's a feminist and if she ever marries it's her husband who has to stay at home and does the laundry"

"Oh yes, the laundry we had in second year – I remember that horror machine" James shook his body like he had goosebumps running with a cold shower beneath his skin.

"We should have a special end of the year this term. It's the first time we have squibs graduating from Hogwarts and -" Ron swallowed before he was able to speak the following words. He knew his words were final and once spoken they couldn't be taken back.

Twenty-six years after the war there was peace and freedom, tolerance and respect in all parts of the magical society but for one member of the Hogwarts staff it was the last year to stay at the school. "My mother will retire this summer. We talked long about this but she moves to have less responsibility apart from taking care of herself -"

"Ron, we all know how hard this must be to you. Mrs Weasley is a dear friend of all of us and to most of us she is a second mother. - Her health is more important than anything right now. She must take care of herself – after she always took care of your family and us" Dean spoke calm before Seamus moved back his chair and raised a cup. "A toast to Molly Weasley!"

A few hours later James and Ben couldn't sleep in the boys' dorm. Ben looked up to the ceiling and thought about the exam sheduled for the following day. He was sure to be prepared for Divination but wondered about James' words the other day.

The Squib didn't often wished to be a wizard but this night it was different. If only Ben was a real wizard and continue to be the best of his class he would have the opportunity of a job as a teacher in Hogwarts.

Like himself young students would come to Hogwarts and learn how to live in a safe future. Generation after generation listening to tales of the war as well as the stories of the muggle world and wizards frustations about mobile phones and washing machines.

Ben grinned while he imagined James struggling with a television and missing his weekly tv special. His best friend was surely going to live and apply for a job among other wizards while Ben had still no idea how he should imagine his own future.

Working among wizards was almost impossible and at the same time he didn't feel qualified to live among muggles. It could be the decision might taken from him since he didn't know his results by now, but his feeling never truly failed him.

He looked to the side and noticed James had finally fallen asleep while Ben's headache was coming back. He needed something to drink and sneaked out of the dorm. Surely fresh air and a glas of water could make him feel better again. Fully dressed in his school uniform he quietly walked downstairs to the kitchen and froze at the door.

"Ben? - Why are you still awake? Shouldn't you be in bed and get some sleep before tomorrow's exam?" The professor sat in front of an empty cup and looked tired. Ben noticed dark circles beneath Ron Weasley's eyes while he slowly stepped into a better light. "Professor Weasley, I didn't mean to – I mean -"

"It's fine, Ben. You don't have to worry and I understand you're nervous these days. Would it help if I tell you you have a remarkable gift with Divination?" Professor Weasley invited Ben to join him and both drank a new cup of hot chocolate.

"Professor, it's – Professor Weasley, I think I failed my exam today and this class is so important for my future. If I fail and get a Dreadful again I surely won't be qualified for a job in the muggle world" The squib spoke fast and sighed at the end of it. He looked at his Divination teacher and hoped for an advice and good blessings but instead the professor just nodded.

Ben took another sip of his hot chocolate and didn't ask his professor anymore questions until he was sent back to dorm. Something must be on Professor Weasley's mind which was much greater than Ben's own worries. While he thought about the professor and going back to his dorm his own troubles seemed gone until running into his cousin who tipped with one foot on hectic on the ground and had crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Where have you been?"

"How did you know that -"

"It doesn't matter, Ben. Tell me where you have been and why you sneaked out at night" Vera's eyes got smaller while she waited the exact time of one minute before exploding. "Ben, you know we're not allowed to leave our beds! You're supposed to be sleeping and so am I! You get both of us in troubles and you waited for this on the last days of school! Please tell me this was James' idea so I can blame him"

"I couldn't sleep and went to the kitchen; now I'm just going back and want to sleep before tomorrow's exam" Ben quickly headed for the dorm's door and sneaked inside before Vera couldn't say anything else.

He walked to his own bed as quiet as possible and pulled the blanket over his head.