The sun shone brightly in the cobalt sky as students strolled about the grounds and paddled their feet in the shallows of the lake. I loosened the catch on my robes in order to cool down. With a sigh I flopped on the grass beside Kevin. Despite the looming exams, there was a definite feeling of summer in the air. Across the sloping lawn, I could see Hagrid tending to his vegetable patch, while Fang the boarhound leapt joyfully through the plants. I reached for my bag, but Kevin slapped my hand away.

'Don't even think about taking out a book!' he said warningly. 'We agreed to take the afternoon off studying.'

'I know, but I can't help it … exams make me nervous. I won't be happy until they're behind us,' I said, pushing his hand out of the way.

Kevin gave me a stern look and pulled my bag over to his side.

'I don't care. No studying, and that's final.'

I pretended to sulk, and he grinned.

'Where're the two lovebirds?' I asked, stretching my arms above my head and lying back on the grass.

'Walking very slowly towards us,' replied Kevin.

I squinted through the sunlight upside down and saw Stephen and Lavender Brown meandering in our direction. Lavender had only split up with Ron Weasley a few weeks earlier, so I had my doubts about this particular pairing. But Stephen was not to be reasoned with when it came to matters of the heart – Kevin and I had long since learned that lesson.

'She's really starting to bug me,' said Kevin idly, leaning on his elbow as he observed them pausing to exchange a kiss.

'Yeah, she's very … um … chatty,' I agreed hesitantly.

I looked away from them and cast my gaze out across the sparkling lake. The surface was as smooth as glass and glistened in the sun like a field of diamonds. The countless towers and turrets of the castle were reflected perfectly in the water. I quickly noticed another familiar pair strolling around the lake's edge not too far away.

'Hey, Kev, look –' I said, sitting up and nodding in their direction. 'It's Hogwarts' newest celebrity couple.'

'Who?' said Kevin, squinting in the direction I had indicated.

'Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley,' I said, watching their backs as they walked, hand in hand. 'The whole school's talking about them since Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup.'

'Ahh, why is everyone in a relationship?' groaned Kevin, casting his head back in mock anguish. 'I couldn't get a girlfriend even if I beat a troll in a bare knuckle fight!'

I laughed at his disgruntled expression.

'Come on – you know that's not true. I saw you with Daphne Greengrass at Christmas.'

'That was ages ago,' he grumbled. 'And we were all hyped-up on Butterbeer.'

'Still counts,' I insisted.

'What about you and Gary Thomas?' said Kevin slyly, shooting me a sideways glance.

I felt the colour rise in my cheeks.

'What do you mean?' I said quickly, fidgeting with my wand.

'Parvati and Padma Patil told me they saw you with Gary a few days ago in the Trophy Room. Now why on earth would the two of you be visiting the Trophy Room in the run-up to exams?' he pressed, watching me with a grin.

'Um … no particular reason …' I stammered, failing pathetically to appear unfazed.

'Riiight …'

Flustered, I glanced away and my wand emitted a small stream of purple sparks. I glared at it furiously while Kevin's eyes danced with mischief.