30th April cont'd…

It took me a second to process that they were gone. Umbridge turned on the spot, her eyes searching for me. I sprinted. Not a chance was she going to have me in detention this evening. I didn't have time for emotion. I set out to do what Fred and George left me here to do: study in peace.

I sat in the Common Room doing homework, catching up on work that I will undoubtedly not have time to do when Umbridge gives me a detention tomorrow. Hermione joined me and both Ron and Harry did too, after a while. It was just over three hours after the twins had left Hogwarts that George wrote to me.

G: Hey Katy! I hope you're alright. Fred and I have arrived in London. I think we'll stay here tonight and get started on work in the morning.
K: Hey Georgie! So good to hear from you! I wondered if you'd brought your litteras occultas with you. As soon as you left, I ran out of Umbridge's sight. I doubt I can avoid her forever, though. I'll smother her with happiness whenever the time comes! I'm just getting ready for bed. Are you two too afraid to see your mother at this late hour?
G: You know it. That woman is terrifying!
K: She's your mother and the least you can do is inform her that you have left Hogwarts, rather than her receiving a nasty owl from Umbridge in the morning.
G: We'll think about it… Fred says hi!
K: Hey Freddie! I'll let you two get sorted, I'll talk to you tomorrow! Bed is calling me!
G: Thanks Katy, I'll send you a message when I wake up.
K: I look forward to it! Night night! Stay safe x

1st May

"Ah, Miss Pink," Umbridge strode up beside me this morning at breakfast. I knew it was her, based on her walk, the annoying click of her kitten heels as she marched along.

I turned to her with a wide smile, "Good morning Professor, isn't it just beautiful outside?" I pointed up to the ceiling.

"I am issuing you with two days of detention," she smirked, "My office, six o'clock."

"Have a lovely day, Professor." I said as cheerily as I could muster.

"Looks like your plan went down well." Ron said, "I'll get you a bowl of murtlap for later?"

I nodded, "Thanks."

"You know, Fred and George didn't really think about what leaving would do to you," Ron pondered, "I mean, they didn't exactly leave on good terms. The swamp is still blocking the corridor and-"

Hermione smiled, "You're learning to be a human being, Ronald, thinking about someone's feelings."

"Leave him alone, 'Mione," I warned.

"Ron and Harry went up to bed ages ago," Hermione said, closing a book, yawning, "Ron had practice and Harry had far too much fun earlier laughing at the Niffler that got into Umbridge's office. It tore the place apart looking for shiny objects! I sent him up to bed for being annoying."

I smirked, placing my aching blood-stained hand into the bowl of essence of Murtlap, "Hermione," I rubbed my heavy eyes, "I just wish that woman -"

"I know…" she said sympathetically, "What did she make you write this time?"

"I must be respectful." I said, "I told her to kindly keep her opinions to herself earlier yesterday, then I promptly turned my back on her and ignored her, naturally she didn't appreciate it."

Hermione picked up her books, ready to go upstairs, "You're braver than me. Or do you actually have a death wish?" when I simply smiled at her she said, "Look, a load of Gryffindors were asking where you were, they wanted to ask you if you had any order forms for Fred and George's new shop?"

I shook my head, lifting the bowl of liquid, "They never thought to leave me anything like that behind."

2nd May

Detention with Umbridge was as eventful as always. I entered her office having managed to eat a large helping of dinner and two servings of dessert, as ordered by Ron. The four of us demolished our food with fervour after a long, strenuous day of revision-based classes, finding no reason to chat.

"Good evening, Professor." I said, "May I?" I gestured to take a seat at the dreaded table.

Umbridge looked up at me with a hint of confusion before nodding.

"What shall I be writing this evening?" I clasped my hands together, leaning forwards as though deeply interested in what she was about to say.

"I must do no harm." She said with a wry smile on her face.

"Excellent!" I clapped my hands together, "Non-maleficence!" I smiled, "Another phrase to obliterate my hand with that will serve as a constant reminder of all the things I have done wrong in my sad, pathetic life."

Umbridge handed me the quill and I began writing.

I watched her as she marked work, I smiled at her when glanced up at me. I pretended to be delighted to have the privilege of being in the same room as her. She probably thought I was delirious. Fact is, I've just had enough of her.

"You know, Professor, you should really take a leaf out of your own book," I said with a degree of forced sweetness, when it had turned midnight, "You're telling me to do no harm, when actually it wasn't me at all, in fact, you are the one who is causing harm. May you always have my blood on your hands. Good evening."

"I really do hate children." Said under her breath.

I snorted, "And I really hate people who blame you for things they haven't done."

I arrived back in the common room minutes later to see that everyone had gone up to bed, other than Ron, Harry and Hermione who were talking to Dobby.

"Hi, Dobby!" I said.

"Dobby is coming to see you, Miss," Dobby approached me as I put my hand in the murtlap, "Dobby has a message for Miss from Mr and Mr Weasley."

I nearly knocked the bowl off the table, "You do?"

"Mr and Mr Weasley asked Dobby to give Miss this message, before they left Hogwarts, Miss. They told Dobby to give it to Miss when you was sad or hurt." Dobby sat at my feet.

I nodded.

"Dobby has seen how Miss has been treated by the Headmistress and Dobby is sad too," Dobby's eyes became watery, "Dobby has a present for Miss, and Dobby thinks Miss will be liking it very much." Dobby snapped his fingers and in his hands appeared a cup of hot chocolate, a bar of chocolate and a present.

I accepted the present from Dobby and ripped open the paper to see a top-of-the-range comfort quill which allows the individual to write for hours with fewer aches and pains. Along with the quill was a bag of dungbombs.

"Thank you, Dobby." I smiled, taking a sip of the hot chocolate, "Mmmm… this is delicious!"

"Dobby will make Miss hot chocolate any time Miss likes." Dobby's ears perked up and he gave a small bow, the many hats wobbling precariously on his head, "Dobby must now return to his duties, Miss, I hope you is now feeling better." A click of his fingers and he disappeared.

I sat extremely still for a minute I found my attention focused on the window seat, expecting to see Fred and George. Hoping to see Fred and George. I felt my chin wobble. I had to take a deep breath to steady to myself before turning my attention back to my three friends.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked me.

Then for the first time from the twins leaving I broke down in tears. I missed them more than I could bear.

"Come here," Ron said, standing in front of me, holding out both arms, "this is a one-time-offer of a hug. Take it or leave it."

9th May

K: Hello you!
G: Hi! So we've got an opening date, finally – 20th May! The place is really coming together, mum and dad came around to have a look and they approve!
K: Excellent news! Well, Umbridge hasn't had me in detention all week. But I suppose half the reason is because there is an ongoing competition among students to see who can be the next mischief maker. Yes, you read it right. We've had Dungbombs and stick pellets dropped in the corridors, Umbridge had a Niffler put into her office which wrecked the place, members of the inquisitorial squad keep having strange things happening to them…! You two are LEGENDS!
G: Well, we do our best. Ps. Sent you those order forms via owl, they should arrive with you in the morning. I have them disguised as the Daily Prophet.
K: Oh! I almost forgot! Every time Umbridge has a class, everyone seems to faint, have a nose bleed, a dangerous fever or starts vomiting… We're calling it 'Umbridge-itis'
G: Fred wants to know about Peeves?
K: He and I are great friends, I am now 'The Misses' which happens to gain nothing but complete and utter respect. He's been smashing lanterns, extinguishing candles, causing parchment to fall into the fire, flooded the second floor and best of all… whenever he fancies a break, he floats along after Umbridge and blows loud raspberries any time she speaks.
G: Excellent. I doubt you've had time for anything else!
K: Revision up-to-date and full steam ahead – exams in one month!
G: You almost sound excited.
K: I wouldn't use that terminology, perhaps I'm just aware that once they're all over, I can come see you again! And that is something to get excited about.
G: I suppose it is. One of the suppliers has just arrived… I'll talk to you later xxx

"You are trying to block your mind, aren't you, Harry?" was the conversation I walked into as I entered the Common Room. Ron's ears were red and Hermione was looking beadily at Harry, "You are keeping up with your Occlumency?"

"Of course I am!" Harry sounded insulted, but didn't quite meet Hermione's eye.

"Do I need to have a word with Snape?" I asked fleetingly, "I'll talk to him if you need more lessons? Are you dreaming about that corridor still?"

The look in Harry's eye told me that he was.

Harry shook his head angrily, "I told you, I don't need any more lessons!"

20th May

Between me revising almost every waking hour and George working himself to the bone, we haven't really had much time to talk, but the day has finally come for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to open!

K: Good morning, sweetheart! All the very best for today! I know it'll be a massive success!
G: Hey! There should be a piece in the prophet this morning. I'm just so excited. Fred and I have been up from dawn just getting everything perfect. Verity has just arrived and is getting the queue in order! There are so many people outside already!
K: Oh George, I'm so proud of you!
G: Couldn't have done it without you, Katy! I'll tell you all about it later.

I got butterflies in my tummy as I saw Fred and George's picture in the paper, looking rather dapper may I add, with them showing off the exterior of number ninety-three. It had undergone a massive transformation from whenever I had last laid my eyes on it. I read the article which was very professional, inviting everyone along to the opening of 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' and putting in the odd catchy description of their main products.

I hated that I had to be stuck at Hogwarts at a time like this. I wished I could be by their sides, showcasing the real, Fred and George, the driven, forward-thinking, fun-loving guys I fell in love with. But it's not meant to be…

27th May

Last weekend, Hufflepuff narrowly beat Slytherin and today brought the last Quidditch match of the season: Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw. As we sat down to breakfast, Harry, Hermione and I didn't hold out much hope for Gryffindor winning, never mind taking the Quidditch Cup from Slytherin. Ron, however, had found a new optimism.

"I mean, I can't get any worse, can I?" he told us as he and Ginny went down to the pitch to get changed, "Nothing to lose now, is there?"

"Good luck, you two!" I said cheerily.

Around fifteen minutes later, Harry, Hermione and I made our way down to the pitch, "You know," Hermione said, "I think Ron might do better without Fred and George around. They never exactly gave him a lot of confidence."

"Oi." I said, "they hadn't been mocking him!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Not when they felt bad for him, no, but-"

"Hey, Kathryn!" Lee Jordan caught up with us.

I smiled, "Oh hey there!"

He looked a bit lost, "I was wondering…" he began. He and I had been longing for the same people for 27 whole days and it sucked. He got really shy and shook his head, "Never mind…"

"What is it?" I persisted.

"It's just not the same, is it?" he said quietly before sighing, "Sure, I'll see you after the match?"

"I didn't think it was possible until just now, but I think Lee is missing Fred and George more than me, and I think that's saying something!" I told Harry and Hermione, "His little bubble of happy is gone…" I said conversationally, "I mean, Paula broke things off with him and Fred and George have left, I think he feels a bit abandoned. Do guys get like that, Harry?"

Harry, who clearly had his mind elsewhere replied, "Huh? Oh… yeah."

Hermione and I rolled our eyes, "I don't know if you've noticed but -"

"He's been sitting with you in the library? Yeah, I noticed." Hermione said, "It is strictly platonic, right?"

"Of course it is!" I said immediately, "Ew! 'Mione! That's their best friend! No! I would never!" I was affronted as we climbed up to the second topmost row and took our seats.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "Come on! You're a good looking girl! Surely you've noticed?"

"Are you off your rocker?"

Hermione was unable to respond as the crowd erupted in cheers as the teams emerged onto the pitch, yet gave me the strangest of looks as Lee commentated, "…Bradley… Davies… Chang…" he sounded as gloomy has he had been talking to me minutes ago…

"And they're off!" said Lee, "And Davies takes the Quaffle immediately, Ravenclaw Captain Davis with the Quaffle, he dodges, he's going straight for goal! He's going to shoot – and – and –" Lee swore very loudly, "And he's scored…"

The three of us groaned with the rest of the Gryffindors. Predictably, the Slytherins on the other side of the stands began to sing,

'Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring…'

Next thing I noticed, Hagrid had climbed along the back row of Gryffindor supporters and had grabbed the attention of both Harry and Hermione. The poor first and second years in the back row had an odd squished look about them. Hagrid was speaking in hushed tones as I watched the match. Katie had the Quaffle and was taken out by a particularly nasty Bludger by Samuels and Chambers swooped in and intercepted.

"Er… can't it wait, Hagrid?" I overhead Harry ask, "'Till the match is over?"

"No," was all I managed to hear in Hagrid's response as his nose gently dripped blood and he appeared completely woebegone.

"You'll cover for us, right?" Harry turned to me.

Hagrid's eyes wouldn't meet with mine.

"Come back in one piece, please." I said, glancing momentarily at my two friends as Ange took the Quaffle from Davies. I, for one, was not going with them, not when Hagrid can't even meet my eyes. The three of them disappeared. Neville, Dean and Seamus all moved up along the row to fill the space.

A few minutes later, Bradley intercepted a poorly executed pass between Katie and Alicia and out of nowhere it was Bradley vs Weasley.

Neville covered his eyes as Bradley got closer and closer, "Oh Merlin, I can't watch…" he mumbled.

The Quaffle was thrown and Ron moved to guard the hoop, "AHHHHHHHHHH!" I squealed, "OH MY GOODNESSSS!" I jumped up off my seat and celebrated with the rest of Gryffindor, "RON SAVED THE GOAL!"

"AND WEASLEY SAVES THE QUAFFLE AND PASSES TO JOHNSON!" Lee spoke with pure joy and excitement, "Johnson to Bell, Bell avoids Bludger by Samuels – well done Katie! Then it's Bell going for goal, AND SHE SCORES!"

"I can't believe it!" Lavender celebrated on the other side of me.

My eyes followed Ginny for a while as she glided through the air with ease, but perhaps not as much grace as Harry. I watched her as she searched high and low for a little glint of the Snitch. Cho, who was mirroring Ginny's movements on the other side of the pitch was watching Ginny more than conducting an active search for the Snitch herself.

"It's Spinnet with the Quaffle and she passes to Johnson, Johnson takes the Quaffle, dodges Davis, dodges the Bludger and she aims – she shoots – and – SHE SCORES!" Lee's voice was charismatic, "That's 20-10 to Gryffindor!"

I grabbed onto Neville's arm as out of nowhere, Bradley flew, Quaffle in hand, straight at Ron, "Please! Please! Please! Ron, you can do this!" I hoped and prayed and "YESSSSSSSSSS! WEASLEY IS OUR KING!"

Many people around must have heard me yell, because Gryffindors all started to sing their own rendition…

Weasley is our King,
Weasley is our King,
He didn't let the Quaffle in,
Weasley is our King!

Then minutes later as the singing died down, Ron made another spectacular save as Chambers had a go!

"Ron is on FIRE!" I yelled, "WHOOOOOOOO!"

Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing:
Weasley is our King!

I cannot explain the excitement amongst Gryffindors as Ange managed to score another two times! The score was 40-10 to Gryffindor! Many eyes were on Ginny as she searched and searched for the Snitch.

"Look!" Seamus yelled, grabbing my attention just in time to see Ron save a goal against Davis which was quickly followed by another shot in goal in retaliation by Chambers. Ron saved both. Giving him another well-deserved chorus of Weasley is our King!

"Harry and Hermione are going to be so annoyed to have missed this!" Neville shouted so that I could hear over the cheering.

"They will be ragin'!" I responded.

Alicia took a shot at goal but missed. Cho and Ginny were flying in opposite circles of the pitch and had been for a while now. I had everything crossed for Ginny.

She dived.

I pointed frantically.

She was headed straight in the direction of Cho.

She reached out her hand.

"OH-MY-GOODNESS-OH-MY-GOODNESS!" my hands were in my hair as Ginny clasped her fingers around the golden Snitch.

Lee's voice was now electric as he screamed, "GINNY WEASLEY HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS! 190-10!"

There were a number of squeals of excitement as Ginny took a lap of glory, followed closely by her team.

"GRYFFINDOR WINS THE HOUSE CUP!" Lee announced, "Will the Gryffindor team please line up to accept their trophy!"

Ange accepted the trophy from Professor McGonagall, and held it up for all to see, then handed the enormous silver cup over to Ron, who was lifted onto the shoulders of the two Gryffindor Beaters, Kirke and Sloper and the crowds rushed towards them in celebration. We paraded out of the Quidditch pitches singing, 'Weasley is our King' with such pride.

"HARRY! HERMIONE!" Ron yelled, waving the Quidditch Cup to them as we all entered the main door of the castle, "WE DID IT! WE WON!"

They looked at me, "Where have you two been?"

Their eyes were both wide in wonder, "Long story." Harry said.

K: Oh George! You will never guess what?!
G: Sorry only finished work now… what happened?
K: WE WON THE QUIDDITCH CUP!
G: WE WON?
K: Ron saved FOUR goals. FOUR!
G: You're pulling my leg.
K: I kid you not! It was incredible! And Ginny caught the snitch right under Cho's nose. Oh. My. Goodness. It was phenomenal! We're all in the Common Room at the minute, having a bit of a celebration because Weasley is OUR King!
G: He really did it?
K: He sure did, Georgie! 190-10 to Gryffindor!
G: I'll send him something in the Owl Post to congratulate him! I've got to go tell Fred! Have a good party! Don't drink too much!
K: Have a good evening yourself, love ya! x

28th May

It took until today for Harry and Hermione to divulge to Ron and me about what was so important that they missed the majority of the Quidditch match. We were sitting under a beech tree out the front of Hogwarts castle, books spread out around us. Ron was midway through animatedly telling Harry, Hermione and me about one of the goals he saved. Not that they saw it in the first place. Not that Ron knew they weren't there. Until now.

Harry and Hermione took it in turns to tell the tale of their journey into the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. In the forest, Hagrid brought Harry and Hermione to see Grawp, Hagrid's half-brother who is a sixteen-foot giant, who is considered small for his kind. Hagrid had come across Grawp on his journey to befriend the giants with Madam Maxime and saw that the other giants were 'picking' on Grawp. Naturally, Hagrid thought it was a good idea to bring Grawp out of his home and travel with him by night, across Europe, to let the giant stay in the Forbidden Forrest. Hagrid has meanwhile been trying to teach Grawp manners and a bit of English in the hope that he might be integrated into society. The bruising and constant bloody noses on Hagrid tells us otherwise. Apparently, Hagrid reckons he's going to get sacked any day now and all he wants us to do is keep Grawp company when he's away.

"He brought one back and hid it in the Forest?" was Ron's response.

"Sure," I said, "if I don't fancy doing my exams this year, I'll just go into the forest and get myself murdered or badly beaten up by a bloody giant!" I scowled, "Has he completely lost it? Bringing a giant here?"

"Well, he has," Hermione said, "And Grawp enjoys ripping up twenty-foot pine trees, and knows me as Hermy."

Ron laughed nervously, "He's lost his mind."

"Yes," Hermione said, opening her transfiguration textbook, "Yes, I'm starting to think he has. But, unfortunately he made Harry and me promise."

"Well, you're just going to have to break his promise is all." Ron said, "Come on, we're already about this close," He held up his hand to show his thumb and forefinger almost touching, "to getting chucked out as it us! Remember Norbert? Remember Aragog? Have we ever come off better for mixing with Hagrid's monster mates?"

"Here, here!" I said in agreement, picking up my own textbook, "Let's just hope Hagrid doesn't get sacked and we don't have to go near Grawp at all."

1st June

Teachers were no longer setting us homework, instead dedicating lessons to questions they think might come up in our O.W.L.s. We got our exam timetables at the end of last week which made things become very real all too soon. The feverish atmosphere around Hogwarts at the minute made sure that anything other than our O.W.L.s was out of sight and out of mind. Ernie had started quizzing people on how many hours of revision we did each day, Draco informed that for our exams it isn't what you know, rather who you know and Hannah went to Madam Pomfery again today, for what appeared to be her third Calming Draught with what seemed like half of fifth year.

Hermione was becoming unbearable to be around. Yesterday she threw her Charms textbook at me and asked me to quiz her, but she ripped the book out of my hands if she didn't say it word for word. Today, I sat at a secluded table on my own in the library with my Herbology textbooks surrounding me. I even had a sneaky bag of jelly slugs hidden out of Madam Pince's sight.

"Mind if I join you?" Draco stood in front of me, pointing at the seat opposite.

"Of course not," I smiled getting back to work again. I had read and made notes on just about all I could find on Fanged Geraniums and how to successfully care for them, all whilst avoiding their bite. I was now reading about Bubotuber pus.

Draco sat down opposite me and got to work straight away, the two of us could sit together for hours and not talk and it wouldn't be awkward and I loved that about him. I even had the ability to block out his presence, and after a while, I was back into my own little secluded bubble again. It was quickly heading towards nine o'clock and Madam Pince had already told me to pack up for the night. My brain was so full of information, and I would be glad of the break of the walk between the library and the Gryffindor Common Room where I could continue working for another few hours.

I closed all my books on their Screechsnap section and levitated them to follow behind me.

"Hey!" Draco said at a bit of a run behind me, "now we're out of there and can talk, I wanted to see how you are? I mean, things must be difficult after -"

"Don't you worry about me, I'm just fine!"

"It's just I've noticed that you haven't had any mail…" he smiled, stepping closer to me, putting a hand on my arm, "so I just wanted to let you know that I am here if you need a laugh or a shoulder to cry on or some more time alone?"

I smiled, "Thanks, Draco. I'll see you tomorrow." I turned to go up the stairs, the corridor was deserted, so it must be past curfew.

"Kathryn?" he called me, taking me by the hand.

When I turned around Draco's face was extremely close to mine, his eyes were closed and his lips puckered. Before I had a chance to realise what was going on his lips were on mine. Draco Malfoy was kissing me.

"What are you doing?" I pushed him off.

"You didn't like it?" he asked.

"No!" I was shocked, I took a step back.

Draco leaned forwards again, "Maybe I could try again?" he said with a hint of uncertainty.

"No, Draco!" I said, placing a hand on his chest, "This isn't right, we're friends! Just friends!"

"But you and the Weasel, it's over, I saw how upset you are, he hasn't written to you and we've been spending more time together. We've been sitting in the library and studying together and in potions -" he stopped himself upon seeing the look of pure confusion on my face, "Surely you like me back?"

"Draco, I've always been clear about where you stand." I said slowly and clearly, "We're friends. Nothing more, nothing less. George and I are -"

Draco's chin dropped, he had gone very pink in the cheeks, "You and the Weasel are -"

"Still together? Yeah. Very much so."

"Oh." He couldn't look at me. He turned on his heels and ran.

I returned back to Gryffindor Tower to see Hermione with her head in a book and both Ron and Harry staring at notes determinedly.

"Hey Kit-Kat!" Ginny sprung up in front of me, "I was wondering if we could have a chat?" she asked me, she was looking a little pale.

"Of – of course! I said, directing her to the seats in the corner which had just been vacated by a bunch of sixth years, "What's up?"

"I've just broken up with Michael." She said quickly.

I felt my eyebrows raise without my permission, "Oh really? How come?"

"He just kept moaning about Gryffindor beating Ravenclaw and I just – I mean, you told me that if I felt I deserved better I should move on, so I dumped him."

I nodded, "Well, good for you?"

She smiled, "You know, I don't think it had been working for a while now… It actually feels good to have finally told him that he was a bit of a sore loser." Then she looked at me strangely, "Kit-Kat, what's wrong? You're not… you."

I shook my head, "It's nothing…"

"No, it's not nothing, because you would have been all over how I broke up with Michael and how he moaned and – please just tell me?" she moved closer to me.

"Draco just kissed me."

"WHAT?" she said just a little bit too loudly.

"Yeah…" I said, "I mean, I've told him plenty of times that we're just friends and we've always been good study buddies from whenever we did that project for Snape, but…" I sighed, "He thought that George and I broke up, he was searching the owl post for mail from George and saw that there was nothing and… took his chance."

Ginny stared at me for a second, "Merlin's beard! What are you going to do?"

I was taken aback, "Do? What do I have to do? I told him I wasn't interested, he ran off. Is that not enough?"

Ginny nodded, "I meant about George?"

"Shit."

I took out my diary and with that, the parchment, which already had a message on it from George.

G: Evening, beautiful! How're things?

I looked up at Ginny and gulped. "I've got to tell him."

Ginny nodded and egged me on.

K: Hey George! Things are okay! I think about 10 fifth years had to be excused from class today to get Calming potions. Hermione has confiscated all 'remedies' to bring luck and concentration from students. She's also being a bit of a nightmare, so I sat on my own in the library this evening and then Draco joined me. When I left about ten minutes ago, he kissed me and I pushed him off and told him that we were just friends and he thought that you and I had broken up and he ran away all embarrassed and I came back to the common room to hear that Ginny has broken up with Michael and I think Parvati is crying in the corner over there…

"Kit-Kat!" Ginny said as I read back to her what I wrote, "You -" she frowned just like her mother does when she's angry, "Talk about beating about the bush."

"Oh Merlin," I said, "He's replied."

G: HE WHAT?
G: MALFOY KISSED YOU?
G: HOW LONG?
G: DID YOU LIKE IT?
K: Merlin's beard, George! I most certainly did not! It's like you kissing Ginny – wrong on so many levels! It was over in a matter of a second.
G: You need to stop talking to him.
K: George, I'm not going to fall in love with him, don't be ridiculous!
G: I'm not being ridiculous! I saw this happening.
K: Don't you trust me that I'm telling you, rather than keeping it from you?
G: I trust you, but I DO NOT trust him.

I read the conversation out to Ginny. She didn't look surprised. I asked her what I should say next, but she shrugged her shoulders. George must have noticed my lack of swift reply.

G: Are you okay?

I felt myself getting tearful.

K: I think so, yeah…

Ginny put a comforting arm around me and said, "It was a shock, you're okay! You told Draco that you're not interested and the rest of the emotion is because you're exhausted." She let me rest my head on hers, "I have seen you get through so many reams of parchment I'm surprised the forest is still standing!"

G: Do you need me to sneak into Hogwarts tonight and give him a bit of a scare? Fred said that he'd put his hand into a bucket of warm water and make him wet the bed!
K: Make sure you don't get caught! X
G: I really wish I could cuddle you right now…
K: It's okay, Gin is here, she'll do.
G: You're lucky she can't see the parchment, or she'd be giving you the evil eyes.
K: She's surprisingly good at working out what I'm writing… She is now looking at me as though I'm the spawn of Hitler.
G: Hitler? You mean that guy who was in the muggle war?

I snorted to myself. He is so uncultured about muggle history.

K: Yeah, that guy.
K: It's been a long day; I think I'll go up to bed now with a nice swig of sleeping draught…
G: Are you sure? I can talk to you longer if you want? Do you think the nightmares would start if you didn't?
K: I don't know… my brain is just so full! And I really hate Herbology! Perhaps if I don't take the potion, I'll dream of Draco being eaten by a Venus flytrap.
G: Or getting kicked into the Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor?
K: Wait until his father hears about this.
G: Umbridge would get fired faster than she could give Luscious' dear son a detention.
K: I want tickets to see that show. I need to find a willing volunteer to get expelled a week before the exams…
G: I'm sure you'll find many.
K: I'll tell Pansy if she can get him in the cabinet, she can have seven minutes in heaven.
G: We need to play that game. Closed-in space, just you and me.
K: Honey, you can have a lot more than seven minutes.
G: Oh the things I could do to you.

"Will you two stop flirting, it's making me want to vomit." Ginny smirked.

"Just because you're single now, doesn't mean I have to be."

Ginny sniffed irreproachably.

K: Gin's getting jealous of my undivided attention to you. And it's getting really late! Don't worry about me, just remember that I can kick people's asses and will use spells only when absolutely necessary (when physical pain is not enough). Sweet dreams, love you! X
G: I'm imagining you in many different positions right now. You can whoop my ass any time. Night night! Love you more x

"What did he say to get that reaction?"

I snorted, "You don't want to know." I rubbed my eyes sleepily, "Goodnight, sis!"

7th June

Hermione was torturing Harry to question her this afternoon at lunch. She was a bit more brutal with him today than she was with me a few days back, hitting him hard on the nose with the sharp edge of Achievements in Charming when she lost her temper not having got the answer completely right.

"Why don't you just do it yourself?" he said firmly, handing the book back to her, eye watering.

Ron was sitting with two years' worth of Charms notes in front of him with his fingers in his ears, his lips moving soundlessly. Seamus was lying on the carpet in front of the fireplace, reciting definitions over and over again. Parvati and Lavender were practicing locomotor charms, making their pencil cases race along the table.

I decided to practice a few charms as well, using levitation charms on first and second years' belongings, using the colour changing spell on Crookshanks and the growth charm on Trevor. Then I practiced the colour-reversal spell and shrinking charm as both owners gave me dirty looks. I then decided to go back to first and second year, practicing summoning and banishing spells, and the cheering charm. I managed to get someone's banana to dance across the desk, and as it fell off the edge, performed Arresto Momentum before saving it from an untimely demise. I put a silencing charm on Hermione, who had started fretting loudly, then mended her quill before she had the chance to and then created a pair of good, strong legs on her teacup. Then she looked like she really wanted to murder me, so I sat down and learnt more theory.

That evening in the Great Hall for dinner, all fifth years ate with gusto after the long afternoon of studying. Hermione couldn't settle herself and kept setting down her cutlery to check a reference in a book or to see if she had memorised a quote perfectly. I was sitting with Ginny and she was much more interesting.

"You seem quite relaxed." She said.

"Do I?" I chuckled nervously.

Ginny smiled, "Well, if you want to practice a few charms with me later, I don't mind!"

"Really?"

She nodded, "Of course, all whilst reciting the definitions of each charm you use."

"Of course."

There was a bit of hustle and bustle in the Entrance Hall and Hermione dropped her fork on the floor with a clang, "Oh my goodness!" I could hear her say, "Is that them? Is that the examiners?"

Harry and Ron whipped around on the bench to see Umbridge looking rather nervous, guiding a number of older folk into the school. They got up to inspect, I didn't want to give Umbridge a reason to give me a detention the night before my first exam. I knew I'd be meeting the examiners soon enough.

When we had finished eating, Ginny offered to go directly to a disused classroom so I could practice charms with her. She said that it would be good revision for her, too.

"The fire-making spell, also known as the fire-making charm is both a charm and a form of conjuration. Using the incantation 'incendio' will conjure a jet of orange and red flame along with the wand movement which can be described as flame-shaped, thereby this spell can be used to set things alight. The extinguishing spell puts out fires -" I told Ginny many, many more charms and counter charms and performed them in front of her as I spoke.

"You are so ready for this." Was her response as we went up to bed that evening.

8th June

I woke up this morning with a nervousness in my stomach and a message from George.

G: Good luck today, Katy! You've got this! x
K: Thanks George! Talk later xxx

There wasn't a peep out of any of the fifth years this morning at breakfast as we focused on what we needed to do. For me, I sat in a world of my own where I could perform spells to my heart's content, imagining myself writing down the correct answers to questions.

At half past nine, we re-entered the Great Hall with the Seventh Years, class by class, where the hall had been rearranged with tables for one in long lines, all facing the staff table at the front. Professor McGonagall stood proud and tall, waiting for us all to be seated. I set down the Quill Fred and George bought me, laid out my spare quills and placed my bottle of ink in the slot. The paper was sitting in front of me, ready and waiting. Then I closed my eyes and said a short prayer.

"You may begin." McGonagall said.

I turned over the piece of parchment and saw the first question 'a) Give the incantation and b) describe the wand movement required to make objects fly.' BOOM. Two marks in the bag.

I had written about the summoning (accio) and banishing (depulso) charms as well as mending, engorging, substansive and Cheering charms all before McGonagall said that we had thirty minutes left. I hated to be that person, but I was the first to put my hand up to ask for more parchment. The looks on other student's faces were either panicked, puzzled or jealous.

When we walked out of the exam, I didn't even look at Hermione who was quizzing Harry and Ron about their answers. Instead, Ange caught up with me, "You had to be that person, didn't you?" she joked, "Sending the fear of God though us!"

"More parchment?" Alicia questioned, "Seriously?"

"Oh shut up!" I beamed.

"It was you?" Lee started poking fun at me, too, "Wait until Fred and George hear about this!"

Ange laughed, "Oh, they were terrible! Lucky thing they weren't sitting in that Hall with us, you'd have publicly humiliated them!"

"Good." I stuck out my tongue, "You've got to keep these men on their toes."

After lunch we went back into the Great Hall, except this time we were taken in small groups to be individually assessed on our charm work. Ron, Harry and I, having our names at the end of the alphabet found ourselves being the last to be called. I was called with Harry, Parvati and Padma and was directed to a plump little witch.

"Miss Kathryn Pink, is that correct?"

"Y-Yes." I said nervously.

She smiled at me, "Take a deep breath and then we'll begin." I nodded, "Now, if I could ask you to take this egg cup and make it do some cartwheels for me."

I remembered standing with Ginny the previous evening, doing the same with her pencil case. The witch smiled and nodded as I showed her forwards and backwards motion.

"Excellent! And could you please perform the levitation spell on this glass?"

"Wingardum Leviosa" I said and with such control and precision I lifted the glass up into the air and followed the examiners requests, then I set the glass down carefully.

"For an extra point, can you make sure this water is not spilled?" she poured a normal amount of water into the glass and I levitated the glass and gently lowered it into her hand for her to take a sip.

By this stage I had calmed down massively. I summoned and banished a cushion from the other end of our stall. I produced a flame small enough to light a candle and used the freezing charm as she literally let a cat out of a bag and I successfully locked the cage, with the cat safely returned, minutes later. I turned a rat orange and gave a dinner plate legs strong enough for it to run off the edge of the table, and I used the arresto momentum spell to prevent it from smashing. "Very well done, Miss Pink, that is the end of your assessment."

"Dare I say, I think that went okay?" I whispered to Harry who nodded in agreement.

9th June

Today we had our Transfiguration exam. The exam asked about switching spells, the theory behind the difference between Vanishing slugs and rabbits and the long essay at the end of the paper was on Animagi, including how to undergo the process of becoming an animagus.

That afternoon, I managed to Vanish an entire iguana, double one ferret to two, turn a dinner plate to a mushroom, turn an owl into opera glasses and finally, turn a tortoise into a teapot. I just pretended that my examiner was just any other person and I was showing off my skills.

10th June

Our third exam was the joyous Herbology. Having revised most for it of all subjects, I was able to rhyme off the information on the theory behind self-fertilising shrubs, gillyweed, puffapods, how to defeat slugs, the most suitable way to drain Bubotuber pus including its properties and all about mandrakes. The final question was on Screechsnap which made me feel a little bit ill as I remembered what happened after I revised it.

The practical assessment was what I was dreading the most. I relied so very heavily on Neville in class, and in fairness, he had helped teach me as much as Professor Sprout ever had but today I was on my own. To my complete joy I had to drain Bubotuber pus and I did so with a smile on my face, as it was one of the few things I enjoyed. It's like being one of those people who enjoys squeezing spots. I then had to deal with Chinese Chomping Cabbage, not get bitten by a Fanged Geranium and prune a Flutterby Bush.

I think I made it through with a pass. I flipping hope so, anyway, with the amount of effort I put in!

11th June

Thursday was DADA day. The day where we knew we had to try our best to do well, despite having taught ourselves all of this year's syllabus. The written questions were predominately about conflict theory, the droll we had learnt all year with the odd question on Dark Creatures, including one on werewolves. The defensive spell questions were all a piece of cake.

In the practical session, I could see Umbridge standing in the Entrance Hall, peering in to see how we were all getting on. This only gave me fuel to do even better, to show her just how good we had become, without her help.

Today I had Professor Marchbanks grading me as I demonstrated the stunning spell, reductor curse, tickling charm, Petrificus Totalus, Expelliarmus and protego. I was almost too quick for the old woman as I stood in a stance, ready to be attacked from any side or angle. Marchbanks admired my readiness.

"Finally Miss Pink, I will open this crate and you will deal with the creature inside as you see appropriate." She pointed her wand at the box.

Shit.

That is all I could think. I dreaded to think what the Boggart was going to be.

The Boggart searched for its victim and came across me. Each time I faced a Boggart, it had taken a different form, so I really didn't know what I was about to face. I took a deep breath and a step back as it transformed into my mother and father who ran at me with a start, both of them reaching out to grab me. Mum had a knife in one hand and my father was poised, ready to knock me out.

"RIDDIKULUS!" I yelled a little bit too loud and the Boggart changed into a pair of can-can dancers on a Broadway show.

"Are you okay, Miss?" Professor Marchbanks was on her feet, horrified.

I could feel my entire body shaking, "I'm fine."

"May I ask?"

"Did you hear about the massive muggle court case? The torturous twosome?" I asked.

Marchbanks nodded and covered her mouth, "That was you?"

I nodded, taking deep breaths, slowing down my heartrate.

"You are very brave," she said, clapping her hand on my shoulder, "Well done, your assessment has concluded, full marks for your Boggart Banishing Spell. Go get yourself a drink and regain some of that colour in your face."

I walked out of the Great Hall and was handed a bar of chocolate by Madam Pomfery. I sat on my own for a while where I reflected and calmed down. If anyone had talked to me any time between the end of the exam and dinner, I didn't know a thing about it…

12th June

I managed to hold it together last night as I took some time out to myself. Hermione was the only one of us four to have an exam today: The Study of Ancient Runes. Harry and Ron seemingly decided to take the day off and played a lot of wizard chess. I sat in the window seat all morning learning off a few potions by description, instruction, methodology and theory.

Hermione stormed in through the portrait hole looking thoroughly bad-tempered, so much so that I put my notes down.

"How were the Runes?" Ron asked, yawning and stretching.

"I mistranslated ehwaz," Hermione said furiously, "It means partnership, not defence; I got it mixed up with eihwaz."

"Ah well," Ron said lazily, "that's only one mistake, isn't it, you'll still get -"

"Oh, shut up!" Hermione said angrily, I had to cover my face as I laughed, "It could be the one mistake that makes the difference between a pass and a fail. And what's more, someone's put another Niffler in Umbridge's office. I don't know how they got it though that new door, but I just walked past there and Umbridge is shrieking her head off – by the sounds of it, it tried to take a chunk out of her leg!"

I cheered, "Whooooo! Go Niffler!"

"Good!" said Harry and Ron together.

Hermione frowned, "No, not good! She thinks it's Hagrid doing it, remember? And we do not want Hagrid chucked out!"

Harry looked out the window, "He's teaching at the moment; she can't blame him."

"Oh, you're so naïve sometimes, Harry. You really think Umbridge will wait for proof?" she stormed past us and slammed the door up to the dormitories.

"Do you think you should go after her?" Ron asked.

"Definitely not." Was my frank response.

This afternoon I had a bit of a break which involved having a hot chocolate with Ginny, "It's more than just the Boggart, isn't it?" she asked, "I mean, of course it's upset you, but you're stressed about exams, George didn't reply to you until late last night and you're constantly seeing Draco prancing about the school. It can't be easy."

"Shouldn't you be revising for your exams?" I said dismissively.

"Shouldn't you?" Ginny replied, "It's just – you know I'm here for you, don't you?"

I nodded, "I'm alright, I promise! I'm just getting my head down and trying to make it through until summer."

Ginny sighed, "But you shouldn't have to do that, you should be able to put that brilliant mind of yours to rest, even if it is just for an hour, over some hot chocolate."

"My brain hardly ever switches off, Gin," I told her, "if it did, all the bad stuff would take over my mind again, so please just trust me when I tell you that I'm okay."

15th June

The weekend passed by me so fast and Monday morning hit us with a difficult potions exam paper. I had to write about the bleeding potion, which was challenging in itself, never mind writing the entire process of brewing the anecdote to anaphylaxis, the uses and contraindications of the Invigoration draught, the use of Flobberworm mucus in potions, difference between Monkshood and Wolfbane and effects of Polyjuice potion. I worked my fingers down to the bone and wrote constantly for the two hours.

Our practical was brewing the Girding potion. That was no bother as the instructions, although rather bare and lacking, certain details were provided. I couldn't have been happier that Professor Marchbanks had made the whole brewing experience rather relaxing, too. I was extremely pleased at the end when my potion was a beautiful golden colour and gave off the potent odour.

16th June

Today brought the Care of Magical Creatures Exam of which the theory was relatively easy – information on Unicorns and their abilities, Bowtruckles and how to prevent them from ruining trees, what to avoid with Nifflers and what was special about Thestrals.

I just prayed that no illegal creatures were going to jump out at us during the practical session as I walked down the lawn to just on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. We had to identify the Knarl among the hedgehogs, demonstrate the correct way to hold a Bowtruckle, feed and clean out a Fire Crab without getting burnt and choose from a selection of food what to feed a sick unicorn.

I think It went okay but I didn't have time to think about it as I had two exams to revise for the next day.

17th June

First off was Astronomy, naming all of Jupiter's moons, describing the properties of Mars, explaining why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. The usual stuff.

After lunch, Harry and Ron went to do Divination and I was the only Gryffindor to go sit on the other side of the Great Hall to take the Muggle Studies paper. WHICH I LOVED. The paper was just a blessing of muggle fashion, muggle electricity and the theory behind it, muggle telephone and it's uses, telling the different between three modes of muggle transport, explaining what the internet is, how to cook without magic and the difference between muggle Doctors and Healers. I couldn't have been happier walking out of that exam, having asked, yet again, for more parchment. At the end, I heard Hannah Abbott sniffling; the exams really were getting the better of her.

At eleven o'clock, after a particularly strong cup of coffee, all fifth years made their way up to the Astronomy Tower for the practical – marking on planets, stars, constellations accurately onto the diagram and identifying them correctly. That seems simple enough, but after an hour, and me having filled in three-quarters of the chart, things started happening down below in the grounds of Hogwarts.

The front doors of the castle opened and light spilled down the stone steps a little way across the lawn and six shadows moved over the grass down the crest directly in front of us. Having filled in and checked all the planets and their moons, I was now finishing off the constellations. I was mid drawing on the constellation Andromeda when Fang started barking many metres below, but I persisted with my work. In my peripheral view, I could see Hagrid's lights turn on in his cabin and the six figures went inside. I then moved onto the constellation of Pisces and it marked on.

"Try and concentrate now, boys and girls," said Professor Tofty, who realised that the attention of the majority of the students was on the commotion that was now brewing around Hagrid's cabin.

BANG!

"Ouch!" I cried along with many people as we all poked ourselves in the face with the ends of our telescopes. It was hard now not to strain to have a look at what was going on below as six figures seemed to be surrounding Hagrid, trying to Stun him.

"No!" Hermione cried.

"My dear!" Professor Tofty said in a scandalised voice, "This is an examination."

Very few people seemed to care about this fact. Jets of red light were still flying about Hagrid, most of them seemed to be bouncing off him, it must be his giant blood. Hagrid was now trying to fend off the attackers.

"Be reasonable, Hagrid!" a man yelled.

Hagrid roared, "Reasonable be damned, yeh won' take me like this, Dawlish!"

Fang then took a stunner and fell limp onto the ground. Hagrid gave a howl of fury, lifted his dog's body off the ground and slung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The culprit was flung ten feet into the distance and did not appear to move after he landed.

I quickly filled in the final constellation Perseus as Parvati yelled, "Look!"

"Now, really!" Professor Tofty said anxiously, "Only sixteen minutes left, you know!"

Safe to say none of us really cared as I watched Professor McGonagall move at speed towards Hagrid's cabin, "How dare you!" I could hear her scream as she ran, "How dare you! Leave him alone! Alone, I say!" McGonagall's voice boomed in the darkness, "On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such -"

I screamed.

Four of the six figures shot Stunners at McGonagall and the red beams collided with her; for a moment she looked luminous and glowed an eerie red, then she lifted right off her feet, landed hard on her back, and moved no more.

"NO!" I yelled.

"Galloping gargoyles!" Professor Tofty shouted, who had also seemed to forget the ongoing examination, "Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behaviour!"

"COWARDS!" Hagrid bellowed in retaliation, so much so that a number of lights switched on around the castle, "RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O' THAT – AN' THAT -"

"Oh my." I heard Hermione a few seats away as Hagrid bent over and his fists collided with two of the five remaining individuals.

Umbridge's voice was strong and terrifying, "GET HIM!"

Hagrid took out another man and the last of Umbridge's conscious henchmen stood down. Hagrid then ran full-pelt towards the distant gates, disappearing into the darkness. I could feel my chin drop was I watched everything unfold before my eyes.

The last five minutes of the exam saw me quickly check over some of my markings on the chart, but my mind was elsewhere indeed. As soon as the exam was over and we were dismissed, I ran straight to Madam Pomfery to check on McGonagall.

"Madam Pomfery?" I rolled up my sleeves, "How can I help?"

The school matron looked extremely happy to see me and directed me to come around the curtains. McGonagall was lying in the bed, pale as could be and in what appeared to be serious pain.

"Kathryn, grab the morphine from my cupboard," Madam Pomfery said assertively as she performed spells over McGonagall's body, looking at her heart rhythm and trying to rectify it.

I grabbed the bottle, measured out exactly what Madam Pomfery said and helped my teacher, who was in a critical condition to drink the liquid, "Come on, Professor, I know it hurts, but this isn't just the good stuff, it's the best stuff and you'll not feel the pain any more…" McGonagall lifted her head and drank the liquid before taking my hand and holding tight, her eyes boring into mine. I used my other hand to stroke her hair, which was no longer in its usual tight bun, but rather strewn around her shoulders. "Hagrid got away," I said, "took out four of the six, unfortunately he didn't murder Umbridge in the process, he really would have done the world a favour there -"

"KATHRYN!" Madam Pomfery scolded, but couldn't hold back a grin.

I saw a glint in McGonagall's eyes as she continually stared at me, focusing all her pain, worries and woes on me, "You're doing really well," I said, stroking her face, "this next bit is going to be a bit uncomfortable, but if it's any consolation, Madam Pomfery is the best and has had plenty of practice on me!" I talked away to my Professor as Madam Pomfery checked for broken ribs and I helped to roll her as we checked for bruising and injuries to the back.

When satisfied with her findings, I helped McGonagall get comfortable again as Madam Pomfery went into her store to grab a few potions. As I was talking to my Professor she grabbed onto my arm and her eyes widened, "What's wrong?" I asked.

I noticed that the veins in her neck were sticking out and her lips went blue. I felt her pulse with my fingers and it was raising. McGonagall let out a dry cough, as though struggling to get air into her lungs!

"MADAM POMFERY!" I yelled, grabbing a mask and placing it over McGonagall's nose, "Is this a pneumothorax?"

Madam Pomfery dropped everything and grabbed a trolley, "Take off her robes to expose her lung, NOW!"

I did as I was told, not even thinking about the fact that I was undressing my teacher. McGonagall was still grabbing onto my arm with some force that it was hurting.

"This is a tension haemothorax, Kathryn, put on a pair of gloves," she threw a pair at me and performed a spell over McGonagall's lung, "Massage her chest, like sea waves, plenty of pressure!" I followed the instructions and it appeared that I moved the lung so that Madam Pomfery could see the part of the lung affected and fixed it. I could feel the lung re-inflate under my hands.

When I pulled away, my hands were shaking. Madam Pomfery gave McGonagall a handful of potions which made her woozy and asked me to sit with her for a while as she contacted St Mungo's. After a while, Madam Pomfery returned, "You did so well! I couldn't have done it without you. St Mungo's will take Minerva as soon as they get the space cleared in a few hours' time. Off you go to bed, you've an exam tomorrow."

I looked to Madam Pomfery and nodded, knowing that was the best thing for me to do. As McGonagall lay there, I took her hand and gently squeezed it, I leaned down and whispered, "You can't go on holidays to St Mungo's for too long now," I said flippantly, "I don't know how long I'd be able to hold the fort without you." I said before turning, then I stopped and turned back, "And another thing, do not eat their fruit salad, it's rotten, it's not worth it." McGonagall opened her eyes and gave me the smallest of nods. I leaned down and left a small kiss on her forehead, "Get better soon!"

18th June

I took a sleeping potion last night as soon as I got back to my dormitory because the things that happened in front of me started to sink in. Professor McGonagall nearly died in front of me, twice. The look on her face was that of terror, sheer terror of what was happening, like she was afraid of death. She was trying to talk to me. She was just so weak.

I returned back to the Hospital Wing this morning and Madam Pomfery informed me that Professor McGonagall made some improvements overnight and is in St Mungo's for observation. She also chased me for not revising and advised me to get a good hearty breakfast first.

It was a bit of a sleepy start for many who had been discussing the events of last night into the early hours. But it was in the Great Hall that my peers worked out where I ran off to last night. I told them that McGonagall was not in a good way but had made improvements overnight. I didn't dare tell them what I had seen.

To distract myself, I picked up my History of Magic revision notes and started reading them, filling my brain with the International Statute of Secrecy, Goblin Wars, Giant Rebellions and Witch Hunts. It seemed like no time at all that I was back in the Great Hall again, for the final of my exams, sitting at the little desk with my quills, bottle of ink and a paper.

"Turn over your papers," Professor Marchbanks said. I was at the front desk and could see the little grains of sand move in the hourglass as she flicked it over, "You may begin."

The first question was on Elfric the Eager, the second on the establishment of the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards, third on Witch Hunts, the fourth was on Goblin Riots, the fifth on the International Statute of Secrecy, questions six to nine were all on Giant Wars and the last was 'Describe the circumstances that led to the formation of the International Confederation of Wizards and explain why the warlocks of Liechtenstein refused to join.'

It was as I was writing my introductory paragraph that I heard incoherent muttering going on further down the row behind me. Professor Marchbanks was craning her neck. This must have been going on for a while, but I had zoned out. There was twenty minutes of the exam left as someone let out a scream and it was unmistakably Harry who yelled and fell to the stone floor below him.