Chapter Eighteen

The first batch of exams were over for the first-years as they left herbology happy. Lucy however felt slightly nervous as the 'Professor of Herbology' Herbert Beery had told her that as the only first-year Hufflepuff of 1938, she should get the highest mark. Making her gulp as she finished her final question. Leaving the room feeling quite tense. Though the exams were over for them for now, the astronomy exam was going to be on at midnight. Defence against the dark arts and transfiguration was on tomorrow. They quietly made their way outside as some of the older students remained in exams. Sixth-year and seventh-year students mostly however some fifth-year students were as well. Outside was filled with students from first to fourth year. Oakleigh Burton, Argus Filch and Ogg were seen monitoring them and making sure they weren't making any noises near windows or below the astronomy tower. Archibald Filch were among these students, he had just finished his charms exam and was gloating about how easy it was to his friends. Some of the students were seen paddling in the 'Great Lake' with their skirts or trousers rolled up. Most of them were just laying in the sun. The odd few sitting down with books wide open for the exams they had left. Tom Riddle meanwhile was seen talking to Walburga Black and Druella Rosier as the girls had finally had the nerve to speak to him instead of asking Eileen Prince what he had been saying.

"Oh. I bet you found it so easy, Tom" Walburga was heard saying in a forced sickly girlish tone of voice.

It was the first time Lucy had heard her speak in a non-shouting tone of voice. She and Myrtle looked at each other. Lucy saying..."She's so phoney" to her friend. Myrtle quietly agreed. They walked away as they didn't wish to hear anymore of Walburga bootlicking Tom Riddle. As the girls sat down near the river and began talking about the exams.

"I don't know about potions...It's difficult to focus in that class. Slughorn doesn't like me since I shouted at him" Myrtle insisted.

"He's a grown-up. He wouldn't be that petty towards you"

"Oh yes he would. Grown-ups can be petty you know. Take my mother for example, she's still petty over our next door neighbour because he knocked down our hedge in our front garden"

"I...That's not even remotely the same-"

"Yes it is...did you not learn logic in muggle school? I did"

"Look, Slughorn doesn't dislike you. I'm sure. He just got his favourites...Which is unfair but he seems really nice"

Myrtle just rolled her eyes in response. The students had to remain outside for quite a while. As more students began to paddle in the great lake for something to do as the older pupils finished their exams. Tom Ridde was seen pacing around with Walburga and Druella still following him around and talking away. Eileen Prince seemed relieved he was busy as she laid on her back, looking up at the sky; drifting away into sleep.

...

The following day felt such as long as the sleepy students woke up early. Passing each other like ships in the night as the second and last day of exams began. The first-years entered 'Defence Against the Dark Arts' as muggle-borns sat on the opposite side from pure-bloods and half-bloods as always. They had to remember the cure for werewolf bites among many things. Galatea Merrythought standing at the front as she watched them sit down quietly. The pure-bloods and half-bloods told to begin the written exam first. Sounds of scratching on parchment could be heard as she pointed towards the muggle-borns and and quietly gestured them to follow her. They nervously followed her as they knew what was coming, they were doing the practical exam first. As they followed her into her office (first time they had seen it). She put her hand out to gesture them to stop...

"One at a time please...Stand back now. Lucy Norris, you're up first"

Lucy felt like she could have fainted almost. As her classmates stepped back, leaving her alone at the front. Merrythought had several large boxes with black covers over them. She simply told Lucy to remember the knockback jinx. Making her gulp as she took out her wand. Merrythought removed the cover and unlocked the cage as an imp came running out. It began to run around the room as it knocked into the desk and just as it ran towards Lucy, she shouted in panic...

"Flipendo!"

Making the imp fall backwards and flop downwards. Giving her the chance to put it back in his cage and lock the cage. Merrythought writing something down on her parchment. The other students had to do the same thing, some were quicker then others. The whole point of cause was seeing if they could do the spell and how well they could. Green and red sparks were the next things as the students pointed their wands out the window. They returned a few spells later back to the main room as she told them to sit back down. The pure-bloods and half-bloods had completed their written exams by this point. The muggle-borns watched as they were led into the office before doing their own written exam.

...

"Yes. Finally!" a first-year Gryffindor boy shouted as they left transfiguration.

Their final exam was over for the year. The happy students once again were led outside so the sixth-years and seventh-years could finish in quiet inside. Though some students looked nervous as they wanted to know if they passed or not. Something they would find out during the summer break by owl. They all began walking around outside like yesterday. Though the mood felt even better as no exams would be awaiting them in the morning this time. Lucy opted for the great lake this time as she removed her robe and held up her skirt, feeling the water on her feet. As the sun shone brightly over Hogwarts. Olive Hornby and her group of friends were seen not far from her as they were paddling on the other side.

"Hello Saint Lucy...how are things today in your perfect world?" Olive asked with sarcasm.

"Oh, is it my turn now? Have you got bored picking on Eileen and Myrtle?" Lucy questioned, barely looking up.

She heard Olive say something in a hushed tone to her friends. Euphemia giving a small laugh at whatever it was. Lucy could hear splashing as the girls made their way over. With a bit of quick thinking on her behalf, Lucy stayed motionless for as long as she could. Moving at the very moment Olive went to push her, making the girl fall down into the water herself as Lucy rushed out.

"Oh no!" Olive shouted as the soaked girl forced herself back up from the shallow water.

Laughter was heard from some of the Slytherin girls. As Olive got out of the great lake in a huff. She was giving Lucy daggers, her little plan had backfired. Though she couldn't exactly tell on her without making herself look bad. Lucy made her way over to Argus Filch after this with a smug grin on her face. He was standing near one of the windows.

"I'm so glad exams are over" Lucy told him as she stood besides him.

"Yes. My brother is too. I like them quiet frankly as I got less of your lot to deal with at night"

"My lot?"

"Wizards and witches running amok. Apart from you of cause...never you. I'm going to miss you over the summer. It's going to be very lonely"

"You have your brother"

"Well yes but he's not there all the time. As he's meeting friends on the moors with his broomstick or hanging out in London with a bit of the old floo powder. I got my local high street to go to I suppose"

"I wish I could visit...Would your parents let me come and visit? That would be really good. Your brother could collect me as I only live half an hour from London...Don't you think?" Lucy asked with enthusiasm.

Argus was lost in thought. He doesn't know if his parents would allow that, his father is a bit more lenient towards him so he knows he would have to ask him to have any chance.

"I'll try...my father might say yes. As long as I make sure to ask him politely. He might even be pleased I befriended a witch" Argus said.

"Good luck. If only I was a pure-blood Ravenclaw. Then I would really get in your parents good books"

"They don't care about your blood status. As long as you can do magic"

...

TBC