DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

On February 1st 1969, Abhimanyu turned 18. He was woken up by Ginger, Molly, and some other friends of his tickling him.

He shouted, "Hey stop it! Ginger! Molly! Stop it!"

They stopped and he woke up saying, "I was sleeping! Why did you do that?"

They yelled in response, "Happy Birthday Abhimanyu!"

Abhimanyu, surprised upon hearing that, realized what was happening and said, "Thanks guys."

After he had bathed, he found some presents from his parents and opened them. He was quite happy to find some nice books, snacks, and some nice clothes which included a black suit with a red tie.

As the day was Saturday, there were no classes for the day.

When Abhimanyu stepped out of the Gryffindor tower, he was met by Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa and Ted who all wished him Happy Birthday before they all went down for breakfast.

The Black Sisters had their own present for him, which was a book on dueling.

Afterwards, Abhimanyu and his friends studied for a little while and then Bellatrix took him out for lunch at Hogsmeade. Upon reaching the Three Broomsticks, Abhimanyu was greeted by shouts and yells of joy and a banner which said, "Happy Birthday Abhimanyu!"

He walked over to the corner where Arthur, Molly, Amelia, Andromeda, Narcissa, Ted, Ginger and some other friends were gathered and asked, "You guys did this?"

Ginger replied, "Yeah mate. Come take your seat. We've saved up enough lunch for everyone."

Abhimanyu and Bellatrix walked over to the table and sat in front of a large snitch birthday cake.

After the happy birthday song was sung, they all had their lunch, with the birthday cake, a black forest cake for dessert.

An hour later, Abhimanyu had to train his team for an upcoming match against Hufflepuff, and practice went on until the evening.

When he alighted from his broom and walked over to the lake in his quidditch gear, flopping down under a beech tree, he was surprised to find Bellatrix in front of him.

She asked, "How did practice go?"

He replied, "Went well. I'm tired though."

Bellatrix smiled evilly at him and sitting down next to him, she whispered, "Not so much for me, are you?"

With that, she pulled him towards her and they shared a kiss.

After the kiss, Bellatrix said, "Apparently, the dark lord is gathering more followers, and some students in my year are planning to join him."

Abhimanyu said, "When you first told me about Voldemort, I went and told Dumbledore. He said that he could strike at any time and that when he does, we may have a war to fight. It's thanks to your dueling lessons that I've gotten better. In fact, you helped me to become more serious about my responsibilities. Thanks for everything Bella."

Bellatrix said, "Anything could happen. Rodolphus and Avril keep trying to get me to join him. They say that he'll appreciate my skills and that I'll become even more powerful by his side, but now, now that you and I are friends, not just friends, now that you love me and I love you, I don't feel like I want to join him. I won't go with Avril and Rodolphus to see the Dark Lord. That's for sure."

Abhimanyu said, "And I won't leave you for anyone, no matter what."

Bellatrix clasped Abhimanyu's hands and said, "You'd better not."

Abhimanyu replied, "I won't."

And then he continued, "Bell, do you remember the day Andi got attacked?"

Bellatrix replied, "When she was nearly raped? Yes I do."

Abhimanyu explained, "Well, I've overheard Rodolphus and Avril claiming that I set it all up so that I, a lowly Mudblood could get you to fall for me, that I'm playing with your feelings. I never ever did some such thing, and I would never ever do something like that. I don't know who that rapist was, but I would never set up anyone. It is immoral and I will not do that."

Bellatrix held him and said, "I believe you wouldn't. I have faith in you that you never would do a thing like that. That's one reason why I love you."

Abhimanyu smilingly replied, "I love you for who you are, beautiful, powerful, intelligent, delightful, fierce…"

"And my evil laughs," Bellatrix finished for him, sporting an evil grin on her face. She then laughed evilly and whispered, "You love it when I act scary with you, don't you? Abhimanyu Pandey, someday, I will eat you."

Abhimanyu laughed and said, "I do."

Bellatrix pulled him in for a hug.

With their NEWTs approaching, things got tighter and tighter. Several students would get stressed out on and off and some naughty students opened up a black market with fake products, several of which were confiscated by Abhimanyu and Bellatrix.

Bellatrix and Abhimanyu studied together whenever they could, while Rodolphus, Rabastan and Avril looked at them with contempt.

However, their bullying reduced. After all, exams, NEWTs for that matter were more important than taunts born from enmity.

Eventually, June arrived and so did their NEWTs.

The exams went mostly well. Abhimanyu was quite nervous when he had to prepare a potion and during his practicals. However, they went well.

Finally, after the last exam, Defense against the Dark Arts, Abhimanyu and his friends walked out of the Great Hall, the exam having gone well.

With this, NEWTs were over.

Soon, Abhimanyu, Bellatrix and Ginger would be getting their auror apprenticeships.

But first, a game of cricket was in order.