For those of you in our facebook group - Bubbleybear & Pienuniek's Story Nook - this news will come as no surprise. But I recently lost a very dear friend to cancer who was also an unofficial Pre-Reader for the Under Her Spell Series. Leonie Price, I miss you, so very much but I hope that you are free from pain, wherever you are.

In her honour, I am dedicating this entire book to her. Her enthusiasm helped me continue to write on many days where I felt ... lost. In fact, one of the last emails she sent me was that she wished that these books had been on the big screen; that they were better than the originals. I know it will never happen, but the thought was enough to encourage me. Please keep her in your thoughts as we continue with this story. Cheers.

I'm so glad that I can finally give you the next in the series. Just know I've already read Book Six and have taken my notes. Now ... I can say that I've started to write!

Thanks must go out to my team. My pre-reader Pienuniek and my Beta Alice's White Rabbit. I would be lost without the pair of you, truly.

I don't own Twilight, or Harry Potter, I'd be a richer person if I did. But I do so love to create my own places for them out in the world. No copyright infringement is intended.

See you at the bottom ...

Chapter Twenty-Nine ~ Preparing for the Future

The whole weekend had been about celebrating our quidditch cup win. We'd had parties until late at night, and thanks to Dobby and Kreacher, the common room had been kept full of enough food and drinks to continue to party for much longer.

It was our last chance to be stress free before our exams began on Monday morning.

That was until I received a letter from Alice. Bella was still sleeping on Sunday morning, but I had gotten restless and climbed up out of my trunk to do some last-minute reading for my exams when Jasper and Alice's owl flew through the open window and landed on my desk. It was obvious that she didn't expect a reply because once the owl had given me the letter, he flew back out through the window. I frowned but unfolded the letter anyway and caught a vial as it fell from the envelope.

Hey, Edward,

I hope this letter finds you, and all our family at Hogwarts, safe and sound. We're all safe at home, as well.

I know things have been quiet when it comes to my visions, and I can't tell you how happy that's made me. But I've seen something that isn't good. Something I know we aren't going to be able to prevent. Although, I am hoping we can prevent some of it.

I asked Remus to give me a hand retrieving this vision because I thought it would be easier to see it rather than to explain it. I warn you though, it isn't pleasant to see.

We need to prepare.

Alice.

That was … ominous. I was sitting and staring at the innocuous vial containing Alice's vision when warm hands slid up over my back and shoulders, and a warm body came from behind me. Hey, baby, what's got you thinking so hard?

I leaned my head back onto her shoulder and kissed her neck. "I got a letter from Alice this morning. But the better question is … why didn't I hear you?"

I called you, but you didn't hear me. So, I thought I'd sneak up on you. I could feel the cheeky little smile curl up against my neck. Considering that, what's the word from Alice that has you so contemplative?

I held up the letter for her to read and showed her the vial when she was done. Then I guess we should go see it. Shall we bring the others?

"We did promise not to keep secrets. But if this is what I think it is, do we want to give them nightmares?" I asked as I stood and pulled Bella into a hug. "What if we see one of them die?"

Bella tipped on her toes to kiss my chin. "Then it's a future they deserve to know. It might make them fight harder to change it."

"Then let's do it. Go and wake some of the others, and I'll send letters to Fleur, Luna, Gabrielle, and Draco. We'll meet in the Room of Requirement in half an hour."

Bella kissed me properly—it was deep, controlled, but oh so passionate—before she darted off up the stairs to the dormitories. I sat down and wrote out some quick notes for the others. Saffy and Athan came through the window as I finished the last one.

"Saffy, can you take these to Fleur and Gabrielle? And, Athan, I need these delivered to Draco and Luna. It's important."

Saffy bobbed her head a little before flying out the window with a "Tell Mummy I love her" while Athan nipped my fingers and flapped his wing in my face. He was a little miffed because we hadn't spent much time with them this year.

"Sorry, Athan, come to the Room of Requirement after you deliver the messages!" I called out the window.

Hmph. Maybe.

"What was that about?" Bella asked as she stepped off the staircase and came over to me.

"Saffy says she loves you, but Athan seems to think he's been neglected this year. So, I told him to come up to the meeting, too. He said maybe." I shook my head. "I'm sure he'll be there. Saffy will probably be there, too."

"Aww, poor babies." Bella snickered. "The others are awake and will meet us there. Kreacher?"

There was an audible pop as Kreacher came to Bella's call. "Yes, Miss Bella?"

Bella reached down to hug our house elf. "Thanks to you and Dobby for all you did last night, but I have another favor to ask." Bella bobbed down. "We're having a meeting with the misfits in the Room of Requirement and not a one of us has had breakfast."

"Consider it done, Miss Bella." Kreacher raised his hand, but Bella reached out for it so he couldn't pop out just yet.

"We're also hoping Athan and Saffy will be there so some owl snacks wouldn't go astray. And, Kreacher, you're welcome to stay. I think we may need your input."

"Again, consider it done. Kreacher will see you there." With that, he clicked his fingers and was gone.

Bella stood and turned to me as the others barreled down the stairs.

"We gonna have time for breakfast?" Fred asked as he came to a stop near me.

I shook my head. "We've arranged for it in the Room of Requirement. Time to go." I reached out for Bella. "Got your memovisum?"

"Yup, let's go."

Fred and George led the way with Hermione, Harry, Neville, and Ginny following. Harry had been taking pages out of my book as he held out a hand to help Hermione over the knee knocker; I couldn't be prouder.

Bella snickered. Smug looks good on you, baby.

"I can't help it. I'm glad he's learning. And he's being a gentleman at the same time."

You're a good role model for all the young men here. They all need to learn how to be gentlemen again. Some of the behavior I've seen from the young men is disheartening, Bella thought as she curled around my arm, holding onto my hand.

I thought about the behavior I'd seen over the course of our last few school years. "That may be true here, Bella, but in the muggle world, some of them are much worse."

That's very sad.

I nodded. "It really is."

It didn't take us long to reach the seventh floor and find Kreacher holding the door open for us, as well as Saffy and Athan on a perch. Bella bounced over to them and gave them some love and attention.

I reached out to pat Athan as I walked past to the table. "Sorry, Athan. I haven't meant to ignore you. Come and sit with me." I held my hand out, and Athan climbed up my arm to perch on my shoulder, giving my ear a nip.

Bella picked Saffy up and perched her in the crook of her neck while she set up the memovisum as we waited for Fleur, Gabrielle, Luna, and Draco.

"What are we doing here, Edward?" Harry asked through a yawn as he sat down on a loveseat. "And are we waiting on the others?"

"Yeah"—I sighed patting Athan—"we're waiting on the others. I can hear them coming up the staircase now. But the reason we're here is because Alice had a vision that we need to talk about."

Hermione looked at me. "Is she coming?"

"She sent me a letter telling me she had one but not what was in it."

"Then how can we discuss the vision if we don't now?" George piped up from another seat.

Bella smiled. "That's what this is for. Alice didn't tell us the vision because she thought it was better to show us." She held up the vial with the vision before pouring it in. "We just gotta wait a sec."

The others poured in through the doors as Kreacher clicked his fingers so that breakfast appeared on the coffee table in front of us, and after the same questions as before, we all piled food onto our plates. Before she sat, Bella tapped the side of the memovisum and set the vision playing.

We sat in silence as the vision began to play. We were all at Hogwarts, but something seemed to be going down. We watched in awe as Professor McGonagall confronted Snape, who seemed to be standing on the side of the death eaters, in the Great Hall. She fought him and won when he and the death eaters fled through the window at the head of the hall. McGonagall then turned around and told the students to leave through the underground entrance we came in during our first year. The one that led to the boats.

What I noticed was that everyone in the DA were standing with Professor McGonagall. We were ready to fight, ready to wage war. It seemed that the fight for our lives in the wizarding world was going to come down to Hogwarts.

The misfits were all on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how the war would turn out, but we were all surprised when a seventh-year Hufflepuff student named Oscar Moore stepped forward. "Can we stay to help? Hogwarts is our home!"

Professor McGonagall looked toward me. I could see she was confused. But I was watching the students, gauging their thoughts before I spoke. "Anyone in first to fourth years need to leave." I held up my hand when some began to protest. "You don't know enough defensive spells to protect yourselves. Anyone not willing to help needs to guide the younger ones down to the boats."

"What about the Slytherins?" Another student piped up from the back.

Draco stepped forward from the back and stood with the rest of us. "Not all of us want this war to happen. And I'll be fighting for Hogwarts, fighting for freedom from oppression by Voldemort, and fighting for us." Here Draco looked at the other Slytherins. "Where will you stand?"

After that question, time leaped forward through fits and starts as we prepared for war. The vision ended with Professor McGonagall calling some stone guardians to action and waiting for the fight to begin.

"Well, shit," Draco swore as he leaned back against the lounge he was on. "There's nothing more? No outcome of the war?"

I shook my head. "This was all Alice sent along with her letter."

"It does not tell us much," Fleur stated.

Hermione nodded. "But it tells us enough. It shows us that we need to prepare, and we need to learn every defensive and offensive spell we can between now and then. Does Alice say when the war is going to happen?"

"No. But that's something we can work out over the summer. I doubt it's gonna happen in the next few weeks. She would have said so."

"Besides," Bella stated, standing up to rewind the vision to where we were all standing in the Great Hall. "Look at us. Gabrielle, Luna, Draco, Ginny, and Neville are all in uniform."

"But you, Edward, Hermione, and Harry aren't. Why aren't you guys in uniform? Aren't you finishing school?" Fleur frowned at the 3D vision in front of us. "Fred and George aren't either but considering this is their last year."

Bella looked over at me. I shrugged one shoulder. We would need to tell our friends, and now might be the perfect time.

"What are you not telling us?" Harry asked, looking between the two of us.

"I'm not sure about Harry and Hermione," Bella began, "but Edward and I will be finishing our last two years next year."

There was nothing but dead silence. Our friends were stunned silent.

"But … but … why?" Gabrielle gasped. "I thought I would get another two years with you."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, and clasping my hands together. "We don't really have a choice. You know that Bella's and my relationship is different." There were nods from most of our friends, but Fleur and Gabrielle shook their heads. They knew we were mates, but it looked like we had neglected to tell them everything else. I looked toward them specifically. "Because Bella's a Veela and I'm a vampire, our relationship is different. Especially because we met when she was still so young. Because of that, we couldn't be the mates that you see today. Our relationship was innocent when she was eleven. I've been what she's needed me to be."

Bella continued where I left off. "But over time, my scent has changed. In fact, it changes twice for Edward. The first time, it marked the change from innocent and sweet, to more, to what we are today."

"And the second scent change?" Fleur asked, although I could see that she was putting it together.

"Will happen when Bella turns seventeen and stops maturing to be the same age as me. It's at this time that we'll be unable—and I stress this—unable to stop ourselves. We will need to be away from everyone for a while," I finished.

There were nods from everyone except Gabrielle. "I think I understand, but I'm not sure."

Bella smiled. "Don't worry. Mum and Molly will pull you aside soon to explain more about our bodies and what happens as we get older." She also needs to understand this process in case she meets her vampire sooner than later.

I leaned over to kiss Bella as she sat down next to me only to whisper in her ear. "Very true, my girl."

Harry nodded, sitting forward as well. "Okay, so we understand why Bella and Edward are dressed in casual clothes, but why are Hermione and I? We should still be at Hogwarts."

"The only thing I can think of is that something happens next year that forces you to make the decision to leave. It may happen. As much as Alice sees the future, we can't rely on her visions. It may be a snap decision," I explained. "We'll just have to take it one day at a time. And"—here I pointed at them—"you have to keep in contact no matter what happens."

"We promise," Hermione and Harry said together.

I sighed and leaned back. "For now, we continue as we have been. We prepare for finals, and we talk with the family about the vision over the summer. We can't make rash decisions, or any decisions, without the family. We all need to know what we're doing."

"What about our family?" Ginny asked.

I smiled. "They'll be included. As will Narcissa, the Marauders, and the Order. They all need to know."

George stood. "That's a good thing. The more who know what's coming, the better. And Mum can't argue against us seeing this vision because we've already seen it. Now, we better get to studying."

We all followed suit, standing and exiting the Room of Requirement when it was clear to do so. It seemed the next couple of years were going to be very interesting.

~*~UHS~*~

Monday morning rolled around sooner than anyone would have liked. Regardless, we were all up and out of bed before any alarms could go off. Fred and George were the first down from the dormitories, closely followed by Hermione, Harry, Neville, and Ginny. Bella and I had been ready for a good hour or so, so we led the way out the portrait and down the moving staircase.

As we began the last descent, we came across Umbridge standing in the foyer, arguing with another woman. One who was dressed all magical but had a muggle business flair to it. In fact, she reminded me a little of Neville's grandmother, and despite the fact she was arguing with Umbridge, her thoughts and demeanor were a lot kinder than Neville's gran.

"No, Deloris, I will not," the new witch, with a contingent of other witches and wizards standing behind her, argued. "It will not happen."

"They are creatures. They shouldn't be receiving a magical education, and they haven't been attending any of the classes, so they should be excluded from the exam portion as well!" Umbridge argued, throwing her hands around in the air.

Bella frowned up at me. Is she arguing about us? Trying to make sure that we can't sit the exams.

"Seems that way. But don't worry," I soothed as we all stood there and watched the argument. And we weren't the only ones. The foyer was filling with all manner of students. Draco had joined us on the stairs as well as Gabrielle, Fleur, and Luna.

"I know that you had them removed from classes as soon as you were made headmistress, Deloris, but I have sources as well. It seems that they have still been receiving an education, as well as studying on their own. The attendance book accepted Fleur, Bella, and Edward into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry granting them access to a magical education and that includes access to the exams."

"But, Griselda, Cornelius said …"

The witch we now knew as Griselda scoffed. "I don't care what Cornelius said to you. I am the Governor of the Wizarding Examinations Authority, and we follow the rules set forth by Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin a thousand years ago. All children accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are entitled to a magical education. You don't want to reintroduce obscurials into society because you wouldn't allow them to learn to control their magic, would you?"

If it was one argument that could shut Umbridge up it was that one. She didn't want to be the reason for obscurials making a comeback. Not that she would know I'd had one removed in our third year. But Umbridge snapped her mouth closed and turned, only to stop dead when she saw us all on the staircase. She abruptly turned once more and stormed into the Great Hall where breakfast was beginning.

We were brought out of our silence by Griselda. She had directed her fellow examiners to start setting up their things in the Great Hall, but she had walked over to where we all stood. She reached out to shake my hand. "Griselda Marchbanks. I've heard good things about you two." She indicated to Bella and me. "Amelia Bones seems to have a very vested interest in the two of you. As well as this young man. Harry Potter, so nice to meet you."

"You as well," Bella replied. "We want to thank you, for well, that. What you just did."

Miss Marchbanks waved her hand. "To be honest, I've never liked Deloris Umbridge. Her thoughts and morals around magical beings and muggles. Her attitude. She believes she's more powerful than she is. And she's completely stuck up." Her last comment caused us to chuckle. "But the worst part is that she's power hungry, and that is never a good thing for a public servant."

I nodded. "Too true. Politicians in the muggle world are a prime example of that."

"That is the truth. Unfortunately, it's also true for the wizarding world. But the main reason I won't let her push you out is that I have heard great things and not just from Amelia. Albus, Minerva, Newt, and Opi have all felt it was their duty to let me know, too. So, it was only fair I let you three"—here she pointed at Bella, Fleur, and me—"complete your exams. You have more people rooting for you than I can tell you."

"Thank you. You have no idea what it means to know that people are behind us." I shook her hand once more. "We'll see you in there."

Miss Marchbanks nodded. "You will. In fact, I think I'll look after your testing personally. Good luck. To all of you."

"Thank you," we all chimed together making her chuckle, but we stepped off the last steps and followed her into the Great Hall.

Thanks to Umbridge's foul mood at not being able to expel us from the exams the entire hall ate breakfast in silence. Once she deemed us done, Umbridge clapped her hands twice, making the food disappear. At least, she couldn't take what was in our mouths. Umbridge stood and made her way to the front of the stage the teachers' table sat on and stood at the podium.

"Today marks the beginning of your exams. For those taking your OWLs and NEWTs, your exams will be held in the Great Hall and will be conducted by Griselda Marchbanks, Governor of the Wizarding Examinations Authority, and her other examiners. The only exceptions will the practicums for Astronomy—which will be held in the astronomy tower—and for Care of Magical Creatures, which will be held out at the Groundskeeper's hut. Your timetables will show you when. For everyone else, you will have your exams held in your classrooms, as usual." Umbridge paused and looked around the hall, looking everyone in the eye, except for those she was trying to stop. "Anyone who does well on his or her exams will find a place at the ministry. You might even be working for me." Umbridge couldn't stop the small glare she sent in Bella's and my direction. "Those in fifth and seventh years will stay seated to receive their schedules for the next two weeks, the rest of you may leave now for class." With that, Umbridge left the Great Hall altogether. She wasn't going to stay and that left Professor McGonagall to hand out the timetables.

Professor McGonagall approached the podium as most students stood from the tables and began to make their way to their classes.

"She really wants us to fail, doesn't she?" Bella asked quietly while we waited.

"She does."

Bella looked up at me. I could see the tears in her eyes. "I don't understand. What did we do? Why?"

"Oh, baby." I reached over and pulled Bella into my lap, holding onto her tightly. "We didn't do anything wrong. We are who we are. She believes that wizards and witches are above everyone, are the most sentient beings, and that only they should be allowed to do magic. It's those thought processes that make her no different than Voldemort. Only she doesn't see it that way." I reached up to wipe Bella's tears away. "Please don't cry, baby. I hate it when you cry."

I'm sorry. I think it just got to be too much. All year, she's tried, and I've fought it … Bella curled up on my lap and just sobbed. I didn't care to look around and see what the others were thinking, Bella was my only priority, but I could feel our group, those who hadn't gone to their classes, close in around us. All of them.

"But one person can only take so much. I understand, Bella." I did, however, look up at Professor McGonagall, who was gazing down at us in sympathy.

"Fifth and seventh years, why don't you all head out to the grass in front of the school while we prepare the Great Hall for your exams. Here are your timetables." Professor McGonagall waved her wand, which placed our timetables in front of us, Bella's and mine together, before she turned to Miss Marchbanks.

"Hermione, do you mind?" I nodded toward ours as I picked Bella up.

"Not at all. We'll follow you out there."

I stood from the table and strode out of the Great Hall, garnering many looks along the way. I didn't care. My Bella was more important, and she had been strong for so long. People can only take so much, and it seemed Bella was nearing her breaking point. I had to help her get through the last of school and hope we could regroup over the summer before the big stuff came our way. I pulled Bella close as I sat down on the grass.

"Let it out, my girl; we have a little time."

Our friends gave us some time before they followed us out to the front lawn, and by then, Bella had largely calmed down. There was just the occasional sniffle.

"Are you all right, Bella?" Ginny asked as she sat down and reached for Bella's hand.

Bella nodded, then shrugged, before finally shaking her head. "She's just so nasty, and it's hard to fathom someone wanting someone else to fail so badly. I think the stress just got to me. Between preparing for a war over the last few years, Alice's vision of the war, and preparing for finals … as well as fighting her and Snape at every turn … it just got to be a little too much. I think I'll be okay now."

I kissed the top of her head. "And a big hug from Mum when we get home will make it all better."

Just being in your arms does that. "That will help." Bella kissed me softly, her lips still wet and salty from her tears. "But you're what calms me."

"As you are for me."

"Here, Edward, Bella, it seems our timetables are all the same." Hermione held out ours to us. "We've got one subject a day with theory in the morning and the practicums in the afternoon, except for next Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday night we have our astronomy practicum, and Thursday is all theory with Muggle Studies and History of Magic for those who take them."

Neville sighed. "It's going to be a full couple of weeks. What about you two?" he asked Fred and George.

"Ours isn't much better. Although, we have less subjects than you do," the twins said together as they held up their schedules. It seemed that their classes would be in the reverse order to ours.

We sat quietly for a few minutes just enjoying the silence before our exams began. It was so quiet that when Professor McGonagall's voice was spoken through the loudspeaker system Umbridge had installed, it made us jump. "All fifth and seventh-year students please report to the Great Hall. Your examinations will start momentarily."

I couldn't help but chuckle as there were a few audible groans from the students around me and a lot more mental ones. Students were the same around the world. It didn't matter that they knew their exams were coming, they all complained about them all the same. Maybe if they studied and prepared more, they wouldn't be so worried.

I stood, reaching out to help Bella off the ground, and then linked our hands together. "Ready?"

Bella looked up at me with a smile. "Ready."

Professor Flitwick met the fifth years while Jasper met the seventh years outside the doors to the Great Hall.

"Good morning, class," Professor Flitwick called, capturing our attention. "As you know, the next two weeks are going to be filled with exams. For just about all of your exams, there will be theory in the morning with your practicums in the afternoon. What you don't know … is that the results will be sent out to you by owl sometime in July." There were more audible groans at having to wait for the results. Again, I couldn't help but chuckle. "What you must remember is that these examinations may influence your futures for many years to come!"

I could almost feel several hearts stop at those words. I shook my head. I don't understand why teachers, professors, even parents expect children to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Even muggle ones put so much pressure on their children. These ones have it slightly better because their lives are longer, but still, why do they need to decide now?

"Now, the room has been sectioned off into four parts. Two will be for the seventh years while the other two will be for you. We will be splitting the group in two. The first half will be surnames A through M, and you will be at the front left side of the hall, facing the windows behind the teachers' table. The rest of you will be in the back half of the hall on the left side, facing the side of the hall. This way will minimize cheating."

Unless it's us, huh, baby? Bella thought with a smirk.

I snorted softly. "Not that we should need it."

True. Bella nodded. Thanks to Umbridge, we've probably had a better education than all our peers.

"No doubt."

Professor Flitwick continued his instructions. "For the theory portion, each of you will have your own individual desk, and you will be monitored throughout. When it comes to your practicums, you will be called in one at a time, in alphabetical order. That way, those who come after you have no idea what spells you are being tested on." Professor Flitwick smiled. Only this smile was one of "ha, no giving it away for others". "The practical testing will be done in your same groups, just one at a time. Now, one last thing before we see if you know the alphabet …" There were a few scattered laughs. "Good luck!"

Once Professor Flitwick waved his wand at the door we were to enter, the group of us started forward. Once we stepped through, we were met by one of our examiners who told us it was time to split into the separate groups. I leaned down to give Bella a kiss and a whispered "good luck" before making my way to the front of the Great Hall.

Good luck, baby, not that you need it, Bella thought to me as she walked to the front row of her section.

I took Bella's lead and sat down in the front row of my section and waited. Miss Marchbanks stepped up in front of our group and waved her wand, causing a leaflet of papers to land face down on our desks. "Welcome. We have a lot to go over during the next couple of hours. The focus of your theory work will be four specific charms. The levitation charm, or Wingardium Leviosa. The summoning charm, or Accio. The cheering charm and the countercharm for hiccoughs. I suggest you all get started."

With another wave of her wand, a large glass hourglass was placed in front of us, flipped over, and started to filter through, beginning our first exam.

I looked down and flipped the exam papers over. From first glance, it looked like our timetables from first year, spread out, but unlike our timetables, there was some chronological order to it.

Hey, Edward, I heard Jasper call. I looked up but at him out of the corner of my eye. Just know that I can hear you, and I will report you if you're cheating. Jasper smirked at me, so I did the mature thing and stuck my tongue out at him.

Bella and I had no need to cheat. "Jasper is keeping an eye on us, my girl. So, be careful what you ask me."

I couldn't help my smile when Bella giggled. It always made me smile. I figured that may be the case. Doesn't matter; we don't need to cheat.

I nodded my head but started to work through the written portion of my assignment. I kept my eye on Bella as I worked through the different parts. She was doing well and wasn't having any issues answering the questions.

Even with my fast-writing skills, it took me the better part of an hour and a half to work through those initial questions. The last one was less of a question and more of an essay on Wingardium Leviosa. Although I had answered specific questions regarding the use of the charm earlier in my theory, this essay question was asking about the creation of the charm and some of the times over the many years that it's been made famous.

It was as I was writing in a real-life scenario where I had seen the use of it in action that Bella's thoughts caught my attention. It seemed that she was of the same mind, and we were both writing about Ron using it to bash a troll over the head during our first year. I shook my head with a smile as I finished off the essay portion and took the time to read over all my answers to make sure they were not only correct but that they made sense.

Once I was satisfied, I raised my hand to capture Miss Marchbanks attention.

"Yes, Mr. Masen?"

"I've completed my exam; do I sit and wait or do I come and hand it to you?"

With a smirk and a wave of her wand, my exam papers lifted from my desk and landed on the corner of the desk where she was sitting. "As you finish, just raise your hand, and I'll collect them. Have a good day, Mr. Masen."

I nodded, and with a wave, I made my way out of the Great Hall. I looked at Bella as I walked past.

I'm almost done. I'll meet you on the grass out front, she thought as she watched me walk past. It was as I reached the door to the hall that her last thought nearly made me stumble. Hmmm, damn. I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.

I spun around so fast to see the look on her face only to miss the door frame by the skin of my teeth, causing Jasper to crack the fuck up, at least silently. But I wasn't looking at him. I was looking at my girl. She was trying to pull the innocent act off by looking at her papers, but I could see the twitch of her lips.

"You'll pay for that, Bella," I whispered as I turned back toward the door.

Mmm, promises, promises.

"Get back to your exam. Then we'll see about promises."

Bella's chuckle followed me out of the Great Hall. I couldn't help but smile. As we got closer, as our bond built, Bella's sexiness became more apparent. She was playful. She was teasing. And most days, she was so damn sexy I couldn't see straight.

I loved every minute of it.

~*~UHS~*~

The rest of the morning was spent waiting for Bella and the others to come out of their theory exams. One by one, they trickled out of the castle, starting with Bella, who wasn't apologetic at all for making me nearly take out the doors to the Great Hall.

"I'd say I'm sorry." She giggled as she plopped down in my lap. "But I'm not."

I snorted but tickled my girl into a giggling heap. "Nor would I want you to be," I said when she had calmed down. "I want you to be this happy, teasing, sexy thing, Bella. You'll keep me on my toes, but you'll love me without abandon."

Bella groaned and kissed my lips. "I do, Edward. I love you more and more each day."

"As I do you. And those are the best words to hear."

"Which ones?" Bella smiled.

I rested my nose in the hair at the top of her head, just breathing her in. "The first being 'I love you' with 'Yes' being a very close second. But the one I'm looking forward to the most, absolutely cannot wait to hear, is 'I do'. I think that will replace yes on the day I hear it. In fact, I think it will probably tie with 'I love you'."

Bella melted into my lap and my arms. "Yeah," she sighed. "But for you to hear that, there needs to be a question." She looked up at me, her eyes beautiful but begging. She wanted the question to be asked. "I want to be able to give you that answer."

I leaned forward to kiss Bella on the forehead before pulling back to look at her. I had the ring already. I never went anywhere without it. Although, it was in the trunk upstairs. I had just about made up my mind to ask, including sending Athan for the ring, when Hermione plopped down across from us, sighing so huge that she flopped back on the ground.

"I wonder if all of our exams are going to be that lengthy," she murmured. "I mean, the exams we've had before were difficult, but nothing like that. The answers we had to give were more thought out, more detailed. We had to even provide examples. Ugh." She groaned, sitting back up and catching sight of Bella and I. "Oh, damn. I interrupted something, didn't I? I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Hermione." I sighed as Bella shrugged and curled into me. I pulled her tighter but kissed the top of her head before whispering, "I will ask soon, Bella. But I want something more beautiful, more special, than here on the grass."

I get it, Edward. Bella sighed curling up tighter.

I could tell that she was more upset than she let on. She wanted to show the world she was mine. And having that ring on her finger would be a physical show of my love for her. I thought I had done the right thing when I held off asking her last summer—although, the promise ring had been enough then—but over time, I think the shift in her hormones and in our relationship had started to wear on her sensibilities. Bella didn't consider herself old fashioned, nor did she feel behind the times, but this was something she believed in—me as well, for that matter—and it had begun to irk her a little in recent weeks. I'd noticed but being as busy as we'd been, I had put it off. Hoping to wait for the summer.

Now, I didn't want to wait. I would make it up to her and soon.

We chatted with Hermione as each of our friends started making their way out of the castle. First Harry, then Fred and George, Draco, Fleur, and then Neville. It took a little bit longer for Ginny and Luna to finish up and join us on the grounds.

"How many were left?" Bella asked Ginny quietly as Ginny joined us on the grass. My girl was still feeling a little out of sorts.

Ginny shrugged but Luna spoke up from the other side. "There weren't many. Maybe ten or so. We should be able to have lunch soon."

I kissed the top of Bella's head, hugging her tighter, as she nodded her thanks to Luna. But Luna, ever perceptive in her own way, looked at Bella closely.

"Good things happen in their own time, Bella," Luna murmured. "They can't be rushed, or they will feel superfluous and not at all what you are looking for."

Bella froze in my arms. I could see her mind racing, thinking about what Luna had said. I could see when Bella came to the same conclusion. She didn't want a trite proposal. She wanted something beautiful, something that I had time to plan. Something that meant the most … to both of us. "You're right, Luna. So right. Thank you." Bella spun on my lap to encircle my neck in a hug, burying her head in my neck. I am so sorry, Edward. Luna's right. I know that whatever you're planning will be beautiful, and it will be the right time for us. Don't rush on my account. I love you.

"I love you, too, Bella," I replied, kissing her when she pulled back to look at me. "And I promise that it will happen."

When the time is right. I know. The kiss Bella gave me then was passionate, demanding, yet surrendering all at once. In the end, she let me guide the kiss, let me show her how much I love her, and how much she meant to me. She also told me the same.

"Guys!" Fred and George shouted, pulling us apart.

"What?" I asked as I nuzzled Bella's neck.

"We've been calling you for ten minutes!" Fred laughed.

I couldn't help but smile into Bella's neck. "Sorry."

George snorted while our friends broke out into laughter. "No, you're not, and that's okay. But we need to head in for lunch before our afternoon exams."

"Oh." Bella and I pulled back from each other with a smile. Bella stood. "Time to go then." She held out her hand for me even though I didn't need it. "Let's get this day over then."

~*~UHS~*~

I was sitting in the library, reading over my notes for our astronomy final that we were going to have after dinner. It had been a long week and a half, full of written exams and practicums. Our first day had been Charms, which had been extensive. Other exams since then had been just as full on.

Transfiguration had been another that had really tested the aptitude of the students in fifth year. One of the questions in the written portion had been the definition of the vanishing spell. Many of our classmates had complained about it, Harry and Ginny included. It seemed that they weren't sure if they had gotten it completely right. In the afternoon, we had to demonstrate our aptitude at performing the vanishing spell on an iguana. The stories that had floated around the school after that were interesting. Apparently, Hannah Abbot had somehow lost her head and transformed her iguana into a flock of birds. Not sure how she had managed that.

Last Wednesday, we'd had Herbology. So far, that was the only class Neville felt he'd excelled in. Our written portion was all about Fanged Geranium while the afternoon had been spent identifying all the different plants we'd learned about this year. Poor Harry though; he'd received a small bite from one of the Geranium plants.

Thursday would be one for the memory books. The Defense Against the Dark Arts final. It was the one where all the misfits had shown Umbridge what was what. Bella and I included. We'd been able to answer the tenth question about how to identify a werewolf with ease. But it was the practicum we had excelled at. Our counter-jinxes were perfect, the defensive spells spot on, and the Boggart-banishing spell—Riddikulus—had been some of the best according to the thoughts of Miss Marchbanks. But every single one of the misfits in fifth year had earned the bonus points when they had been asked to cast a Patronus, much to the consternation of Professor Umbridge.

Friday had been Ancient Runes but nothing of note happened. It was a straightforward exam for all who had been involved. Monday, Potions had been a breeze, mostly because we'd all felt much more relaxed without Snape there, glaring over our shoulders. Polyjuice potion had been the focus for most of the written portion of the exams.

Yesterday was for Care of Magical Creatures. It was during the practicum where our group grumbled the most. Especially Hermione. She would never be a fan of handling magical creatures, but she managed to complete the exam. During the practical portion, we had to identify a knarl in a group of hedgehogs, correctly handle a bowtruckle, and feed and clean a fire crab without sustaining serious burns—or in my case, any at all—that had been the scariest part for me. We also had to identify a large array of foods to give to a sick unicorn to help them get better.

I'd just been thinking that today had been our busiest with Astronomy, Divination, and Arithmancy written finals, both this morning and this afternoon when I was brought out of my thoughts as Bella flopped down next to me and laid her head on the table.

These two weeks can't be over soon enough. Although, I do love the look on Umbridge's face when we're called into the Great Hall to have our practical tests.

I chuckled quietly. "She does look rather constipated when we perform our spells or charms, more so when we do so silently."

Bella giggled loud enough to have Madam Pince shush her. Bella buried her head in her arms and continued to giggle. It really is wonderful to be able to show that woman up. How is it she made it to where she is now?

"By the two things she's really good at, Bella. Brownnosing and kissing ass. For the right people, sucking up goes a long way."

The mental image that Bella thought of with my words was hilarious. The huge butt and Umbridge on her knees with a pucker.

I snorted. "Enough, Bella, gross. It's not something I want to see."

Sorry. Bella snorted into another giggle. At least, I don't have to see it alone. She picked her head up and looked at me.

I stuck my tongue out at her. "Sometimes, there are things I don't want to see."

"Too bad." Bella put her bag on the table and started to pull out her own astronomy reading and got to work.

Normally, all of our friends found us when they were done with their classes or exams, but it seemed that today they were leaving us be. Or … they were just that done with studying that they'd decided to head outside and have some fun. But because of our plans, Bella and I were taking every moment to make sure we knew the material.

We were focused for some time, but eventually, Bella's attention began to wander. It had been doing that a lot as of late. Most of it was because of the material we were reading and remembering we knew.

But it was the subject of Bella's drifting thoughts that caught my attention. She was imagining what it was going to be like the first time we made love. It was something she had been imagining more and more. But as she looked up at me, not embarrassed in the least at what she had been picturing, her thoughts changed. They went from being the sweet, beautiful love we would make, to imagining the intense fucking we would be doing when her scent changed, and we could no longer hold back.

And while she had no context for how it would be, her thoughts were imaginative and so very, very erotic.

"Oh, God," I groaned, dropping my head into my hands and trying to stop my cock from standing at attention. A futile attempt given the sexy creature sitting next to me.

I'm sorry, Bella thought. I could hear the contriteness at imagining it. Not what she was thinking about but the timing of it.

"No, baby, don't be sorry," I whispered, looking back at her. But Bella was looking down at the table, a flush across her face. "Hey, sweet girl, look at me." Slowly, her eyes rose to meet mine, and I could see how sorry she was. "You don't know how many times I've imagined both of those things."

"Really?"

I smirked. "Oh yeah. The advantage is that nobody can see them, just the result." I indicated to my lap. "But to see it from your point of view is sexy as hell." I looked around at the library and noticed the number of students coming in for a study session. "How about we forgo study today and go spend some time together before our astronomy final?" Bella nodded and started packing up her things, her thoughts turning erotic once more. "Hey, baby?"

"Yeah?"

"Put a cork in those thoughts for a minute, or I'm never gonna be able to stand to get to my trunk, okay?"

Bella giggled again. "Okay." I could feel the minute Bella sealed off her thoughts, not only because they disappeared but because it was an actual physical sensation for me now. It had been since we'd become animagi, and we could hear each other. But it gave me the moment to calm my thoughts and pack my gear.

I reached out for Bella's hand as we walked around the table and made our way to the door of the library. Once we were through, I surprised Bella by picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder. I laughed at the surprised squeak she let out as she landed, only for her to laugh as I bolted for the staircase. I wasn't going to waste a minute walking slowly.

I was at the beginning of the last set of moving stairs when I called out the password to the Fat Lady portrait. She was surprised by the sound but opened when she saw my head appear on the staircase in front of her.

"Edward, maybe close the trunk lid," the Fat Lady called as we passed. "There are impressionable young children here after all!"

My bark of laughter couldn't be stopped. "You got it, Lady!" I said, only for her to laugh. But I took her words to heart as I leaped from the bookcases surrounding my nook into the top of my trunk, slamming the lid behind us.

Once I landed, I threw Bella onto the bed, causing her to giggle again. But that stopped when she watched as I undid the buttons of my shirt and pulled it off. I toed off my shoes and pulled off my socks before undoing my pants. By the time I had, Bella was practically panting on the bed as she watched. I felt feral at the dark eyes that were staring at me. Begging me to come and devour her. Bella moaned as I climbed onto the bed and crawled over her.

Stalking me … Bella's thoughts finally opened. God, that's just sexy.

"You think so, my Bella?" I purred, leaning down to nudge at the shirt she was wearing.

Taking the hint, Bella undid the buttons on her shirt and opened it. She arched her back to pull it off, but I placed my hand on her stomach and pushed her back down.

"No," I growled. "Just like that." She was framed by her shirt, and I couldn't help the smirk I released as I reached for the front clasp of her bra. "Oh, yeah." I groaned. "Just … like … that."

I was up on my hands and knees, looking down at Bella. She was a vision, wearing the short school skirt—which I'm sure she had shortened—that drove me crazy most days, knee high socks, and black Chucks. Those had been introduced to her by Hermione. With her shirt and bra open and framing her chest, her breasts were on display and heaving. The more I stared, the tighter her nipples became.

"Edward," Bella pleaded. "Do something, plea … ohhh." Her plea faded out into a moan as I lowered my head and circled one of her nipples with my tongue before sucking it into my mouth. When I released it, I scraped my teeth along it, causing another fantastic moan from Bella.

"You are the sexiest thing I have ever seen," I murmured as I lowered myself between her glorious legs, which she wrapped around me, and palmed both her tits. "And I can't wait for the day we can make sweet love to each other, as well as the day your scent changes and we can't hold back. I very much look forward to fucking you, Bella. You have no idea how much."

"Oh, God …" Keep talking.

"There are many times where I'm distracted by my thoughts of what I want to do to you," I told her as I kissed around her nipples before I sucked one back into my mouth.

Like what?

"I think about tasting you all over. From your neck where your scent is the strongest …" I leaned up, kissing her neck, nipping at it, and nuzzling her "… to worshipping your tits ..." I kissed and nipped at them, keeping her attention on what my mouth was doing as one hand slowly reached down to the zipper on the side of her skirt "… to tracing every inch of your stomach with my tongue …" I kept one hand on her breast while my mouth followed every line and dip on her stomach and dipping in her belly button, causing Bella to moan louder "… but do you know what I think about the most?" I asked as I slowly opened her skirt. I truly was lucky that Alice had adjusted them this year, making the zipper the length of the skirt itself.

"No," Bella whispered. Her eyes were locked on me, her mind following every erotic movement I made—according to her—and she still hadn't noticed what my other hand was doing. "What do you think about the most?"

"Hmmm." I groaned at the smell of her. She was so wet I could taste it on the air. "Apart from imagining what it will be like to fuck you …" Bella groaned at my words "… I just about spend all my time thinking about tasting you …"

This was the moment Bella realized that her skirt was undone and open. "Oh, God."

I reached for her underwear. "As beautiful as this is." I tugged on it gently. "It's gotta go because it's keeping me from just"—I ripped them off, causing the sweet snap of elastic against skin. I couldn't help the growl of want when the scent of her arousal doubled—"drinking you dry."

I didn't wait any longer. I lowered my mouth and did what I said. I drank from her. Bella was so very wet. I was in my own version of heaven. I wasn't sure how long I spent worshipping her, making her come, but I loved every minute of it.

"Edward, baby, please … sensitive …" Bella moaned after her latest orgasm, pulling me from where I loved to be. I was panting because I was so turned on. My eyes dragged from that sweet juncture between her thighs, up over her stomach, lingering at her tits, which were still heaving, up to her face. "Oh, God, you're just covered in me. That's so sexy." Bella's hands reached for my face, pulling me up to her. "Kiss me, then I'm going to take care of you before we have to go to astronomy."

I dove for her mouth without a word. I'm not even sure what she had said had registered because I also covered her body with my own. I wanted … I couldn't even tell you what I wanted. I just wanted her.

Bella thoroughly kissed me, controlling every aspect of it, which made me growl. I wanted to be the one in control. I needed it. But Bella took it and forced me to give it over to her. Once she had, she pushed on my chest, getting me to kneel over her once again. When I was up and staring down at her, she wriggled her way down the bed until she was face to face with my dick. Apparently, at some point, I had taken off my slacks.

"All for me, Edward?"

"Ohhh." I groaned, a frown on my face as I stared down the length of my body at her. "Always," I whined. "Please?"

"Hmm." Bella hummed as she nuzzled in at the base of my cock. But it was when she looked up at me, those brown eyes of hers nearly black with want, that I knew I wouldn't last as long as I wanted to. Her eyes like that always did me in. "My turn."

I watched as she kept her eyes on mine but poked her tongue out and licked up the side of my straining erection as she ran her hands up my legs so she could grasp my length. "Oh, God, Bella."

"God's not here." Bella smirked. "But I am." With that, Bella took my cock into her mouth, just about swallowing it whole.

She bobbed her head over and over. Slowly, she took more of me in her mouth, using her tongue and teeth to stimulate me further. I could only growl as Bella began to take me down her throat. I remembered back when Bella first started giving me head and how she was unable to take even half of me. Now … "Ohhhh," … now she could take me down her throat. "Don't swallow against … Bella …" I huffed as she swallowed around me. "I'm not gonna …"

Last. That's the point. Give in, Edward. Come for me, Bella thought, keeping her eyes on me. I want to taste you, too. You know how much I think about us.

"I do. Oh … Bella … Yes!" She continued to swallow around the tip until I came so hard I saw stars. It was a fight to keep myself in the position I was in and not collapse on top of my girl. Instead, I rolled and flopped down onto the bed next to her.

Bella crawled up next to me to kiss me. I let her lead, let her guide me. "We need to get dressed or we're going to be late for our astronomy exam."

"Brains gone. Body goo. Too good," I babbled.

"I'm glad you think so, Edward. But we do need to go."

I pulled her down for one last kiss. "We missed dinner."

Bella smirked. "I think we had dinner." She kissed me again when I went to argue. "But we'll have Kreacher bring us something after our exam if it makes you feel better."

"Yeah, it does. Love you," I said as I pulled myself from the bed after Bella.

"Love you, too," she replied, pulling on a clean uniform. "Let's go ace another exam."

~*~UHS~*~

Well ... that was a little ... um ... hot. Phew. I'll leave you to that.

See you in a fortnight!