Chapter 12

The O.W.L.s

I wrote Sirius back the following Monday, thanking him for his advice and telling him which courses I planned on focusing on. I told him about my upcoming Quidditch match against Hufflepuff, and even though we had to replace Montague, I felt optimistic about our chances of winning. I did mention that Montague's injuries were directly caused by Fred and George, but we were still unsure if they were permanent or not.

I didn't hear from Sirius again for nearly a month, during which Slytherin lost our match against Hufflepuff. In his letter, Sirius wrote that he agreed with courses I planned on taking. Saying that they would give me a good variety of careers to choose from. As for Fred and George, he said that when he and my father were young they also made stupid decisions that put others in danger. My curiosity was peaked, but unfortunately he didn't go into specifics.

In my reply letter, I asked him to tell me more about my father. I didn't know much about my father, and I wondered if I shared any similarities to him. I was looking forward to hearing more about him.

The time flew by and before I knew it there were only a couple of weeks before our O.W.L exams. Professors had stopped handing out homework and instead focused their lessons on reviewing subjects they thought would be on the exams. Much of my time was spent studying with my friends and helping Professor Umbridge with enforcing her rules.

I found Professor Umbridge's new attitude in being Headmistress to be quite annoying. She was bearable before, but now she looked for any reason to punish students. She allowed for no mistakes, and insisted that the Inquisitorial Squad increase the amount of detentions we gave out. It was one thing to hand out detentions to students who deserved it, but for tiny infractions that could be ignored? That was tyrannical.

I seemed to be the only one in the Inquisitorial Squad that thought that way. Everyone else, including Draco, found their new power quite enjoyable. They were handing out detentions left and right so often that my lack of giving them out was not noticed. I had suffered at the hands of the Dursleys for many years, being punished for every little thing, that I refused to do the same to other people. I missed the days of simply pranking, or teasing other students to torment them. Umbridge inflicted physical and certainly long lasting pain to anyone who received detention. It seemed to me that she would make an excellent Death Eater.

Fortunately for me, I was never on the receiving end of a detention. My life carried on as normally as it could.

Soon enough the O. arrived, Charms being the first up on Monday. The day leading up to Monday was spent reviewing all of our Charms notes. After I went through mine five times, I decided I needed to be done.

"If the information isn't there by now, it never will be," I said to Pansy when she asked why I packed my things. "I'm going on a walk."

"I'll join you," Draco said, and he quickly packed his belongings. Pansy rolled her eyes at us, saying that we should continue to study. We left the common room anyway.

Draco and I meandered around the school grounds, enjoying the fresh air. Most students that were out avoided us like the plague, so we had a decent amount of privacy. As we walked our hands brushed lightly against each other, sending a fuzzy feeling through my body. I regretted not spending more one-on-one time with Draco. We were just so busy with school that there wasn't any time to spare for each other.

"Feel ready for the exams?" Draco asked as we walked along the bank of the Black Lake.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said. "I'm looking forward to not having to study anymore."

"Me too," he agreed. "I'm also looking forward to spending more time with you." I smiled up at him.

"Me too."

The sun was beginning to set, making the sky glow with pink and orange light. Draco intertwined his fingers in mine gently, like he was a bit nervous. I gave his hand a small squeeze to reassure him I was okay with holding hands.

"Is it safe to assume you'll be spending the summer at my house?" he asked.

"Of course," I chuckled. "I refuse to go back to the Dursley's house. The only other place I'd even consider would be with Sirius. But I don't know exactly where he lives, and he could be staying with people who are loyal to Dumbledore."

"And you can't be around them." Draco said.

"No, I threw my lot in with the Dark Lord." I agreed.

"Do you regret it?" Draco asked quietly.

I hesitated before answering. "No."

"Really?" He sounded skeptical of my answer.

"It's complicated." I confessed. He gave me a questioning look. "A lot of the reason why I did was because of Harry. I couldn't be around him, and I felt like he was a large part of the reason why Cedric died. The Dark Lord gave me an avenue to take my grief and anger out on one of the people involved in his murder. However, I don't agree with his views on muggleborns."

Draco let out a little scoff. "How do you expect to stay on his good side if you don't believe in his views?"

"Why does it matter if I don't agree with his views? I'm 'on his side'," I made finger quotes with my free hand, "simply to keep myself safe and away from my brother. And he thinks I'll be useful to him, so I don't think that my not agreeing with his views are going to matter."

"He thinks you'll be useful to him?" Draco's curiosity peaked.

"Yeah, he said as much when I used the Cruciatus Curse on Pettigrew. Then he left without a word."

"You never told me that," he pouted.

"What difference does it make? As long as I'm useful to him, I get to live."

"It makes a huge difference." Draco said. "I wonder what he has in store for you."

"I have a feeling it'll have to do with my brother. What else could I be used for?"

"Are you okay being used?" Draco glanced at me.

"No, but what other choice do I have? It's either be on the Dark Lord's side and live because I'm not a threat, or be not on his side and be a target. Besides, everyone already thinks I'm evil. You've heard the rumors, you've seen how people here have treated me. I'm just doing what everyone expects me to do."

"Everyone except your brother," Draco pointed out, "and your Godfather."

"I know I've disappointed them," I felt a twinge of guilt in my chest. "Maybe I've held Harry at too high a standard. After all, he didn't really kill Cedric. He just didn't protect him either."

"Are you going to forgive him?"

"I-I don't know," I whispered. We stopped walking and sat under a birch tree, our hands still intertwined. The heat of the day began to dissipate as the sun lowered behind the horizon. A cool breeze blew, making the leaves rustle. "I feel like maybe it's time to move on and let my grudge go."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," I leaned my head against his shoulder. "I'm finally ready."

The next day after breakfast, fifth and seventh year students hung around the entrance hall as the rest of the school headed off to classes. At half-past nine we were called in class by class to the Great Hall. The Hall was rearranged into single sitting desks all facing the front of the Hall. Professor McGonagall stood at the front and waited for all of us to be seated. Once we were seated she said, "You may begin."

The Hall filled with the sound of quills on parchment. The exam went on for two hours, and I honestly think it went pretty well. It mostly comprised of multiple choice questions, with a few written questions at the end.

After the test was over, it was lunch time. The Great Hall was put back to its usual arrangement, and the rest of the school joined us for lunch. Afterwards we waited in the small chamber next to the Great Hall for our practical exam. Students were called forward alphabetically in small groups. I watched as the group around me slowly disappeared.

Crabbe and Goyle had already gone, and Draco was soon called to leave too. Pansy, Zabini, and I waited in a corner to be called. We were practicing wand movements while we killed time.

"Parkinson, Pansy - Patil, Padma - Patil, Parvati - Potter, Chloe - Potter, Harry." Professor Flitwick called.

Pansy and I stood up and headed to the Great Hall, behind the rest of the group. Harry stood not too far from me. I almost called out to him, but before I could he was sent to Professor Tofty.

Soon I was sent to Professor Marchbanks, who had just finished testing Draco. He mouthed good-luck at me as he walked away.

I was tested on a variety of spells including the Levitation, Color-Change, and the Growth Charms, I felt like I did a good job, having only a little trouble with making my egg cup doing cartwheels.

Our O. continued through the next two weeks. Each night was spent studying for the next day's exam, and practicing spells. The only test I was a bit nervous for was the Defense Against the Dark Arts because we didn't have any formal teaching. We were all self-taught, and even though I could do all the spells, I wasn't sure if I was doing them well enough.

During the Astronomy practical, we were distracted by a surprising event. It was near the end of the examination time when a loud roar came from the distance. I peered over the tower wall towards the sound.

"Ahem - twenty minutes to go," Professor Toft said, disrupting my curiosity. I turned back towards my star chart.

Only moments later did a loud BANG echo across the grounds. The noise came from Hagrid's cabin, where he had just swung open the door. Light flooded out of the cabin revealing Hagrids large form. He came running out, fists waving towards a group of six wizards. Umbridge stood behind the group and pointed towards Hagrid, saying something I couldn't hear. The wizards all fired spells at Hagrid, but they seemed to be bouncing off of him.

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

Fang was attempting to defend Hagrid and was hit by a Stunning Spell. Hagrid yelled in fury and threw the wizard responsible for what looked like ten feet. He did not get back up.

"Look!" squealed Parvati, who was leaning over the parapet and pointing to the foot of the castle where the front doors seemed to have opened again; more light had spilled out onto the dark lawn and a single long black shadow was now rippling across the lawn.

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

But nobody paid him the slightest attention: They were watching the person now sprinting toward the battle beside Hagrid's cabin.

"How dare you!" the figure shouted as she ran. "How dare you!"

"It's McGonagall!" whispered Draco.

"Leave him alone! Alone, I say!" said Professor McGonagall's voice through the darkness. "On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such -"

Several students let out a scream as four Stunning Spells hurdled towards her and hit her at the same time. For a moment she looked luminous, illuminated by an eerie red glow, then was lifted right off her feet, landed hard on her back, and moved no more.

"Galloping gargoyles!" shouted Professor Tofty, who seemed to have forgotten the exam completely. "Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behavior!"

"COWARDS!" bellowed Hagrid, his voice carrying clearly to the top of the tower, and several lights flickered back on inside the castle. "RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O' THAT - AN' THAT -"

Hagrid took two massive swipes at his closest attackers; judging by their immediate collapse, they had been knocked cold. I saw him double over and thought for a moment that he had finally been overcome by a spell, but the next moment Hagrid was standing again with what appeared to be a sack on his back - then I realized that Fang's limp body was draped around his shoulders.

"Get him, get him!" screamed Umbridge, but her remaining helper seemed highly reluctant to go within reach of Hagrid's fists. He was backing away so fast he tripped over one of his unconscious colleagues and fell over. Hagrid had turned and begun to run with Fang still hung around his neck; Umbridge sent one last Stunning Spell after him but it missed, and Hagrid, running full-pelt toward the distant gates, disappeared into the darkness.

There was a long minute's quivering silence, everybody gazing open mouthed into the grounds. Then Professor Tofty's voice said feebly, "Um… five minutes to go, everybody…"

The events of the night was all anyone could talk about. Professor McGonagall was carried back to the castle on a stretcher. Hopefully Madame Pomphrey would be able to take care of her. Being hit with four Stunning Spells certainly couldn't have been good for her.

"Why do you suppose Umbridge waited until the end of the school year to get him?" Pansy asked. "She could have kicked him out any time. What's the point in waiting until the end?"

"She's got something against half-breeds," I answered. "I doubt she had any real reason to kick him out during the school year, so she waited until the end to 'fire' him." I used my fingers to make air quotes. "It's honestly so stupid. He wasn't hurting anyone, even if he wasn't a good teacher. And there was no need to attack him. She could have just sacked him and been done with it."

"And you think Hagrid wouldn't retaliate?" Pansy scoffed.

"No, I don't think he would. You forget that I know Hagrid."

"Sure, you did. But you haven't spoken to him all year. Besides the few questions asked in class anyway. How do you know he hasn't changed?" She argued. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Hagrid isn't stupid enough to take on the Umbridge, and therefore the Ministry, by himself."

"Whatever," Pansy huffed.

We went to bed, and the next morning after breakfast we spent some time studying for our last exam, History of Magic.

We entered the Great Hall at two in the afternoon and sat at our desks where the last exam paper was. Professor Marchbanks waited until everyone was seated to tell us we could begin.

Quill scratched against parchment as students around me began answering questions. Harry sat only a couple rows ahead of me. I thought about how I wanted to talk to him, and decided that after the exam would be the best time. Since this was our last O.W.L., I figured there could be nothing that would prevent us from speaking to each other.

I turned back towards my exam and began to write my answers down as best as I could.

It was near the end of the examination time when it happened. Harry collapsed on the ground and then let out a yell. Everyone in the Great Hall paused and looked towards him as Professor Tofty hurried down from the staff table to assist him. I watched as he helped Harry out of the Great Hall. When Harry passed me, he was drenched in sweat, his face white like he had seen something terrible.

I had a hard time concentrating on the rest of the exam because I was worried about my brother. Even when the examination ended, I couldn't find him to see what was wrong. I had checked the Hospital Wing, but he wasn't there. I figured he had gone to Gryffindor Tower, which I couldn't get into. I ended up going back to the Slytherin common room, disappointed.

"Hey, we're going out to do our rounds, wanna come?" Pansy asked after we lazed about the common room for about an hour. I had been stewing over the fact I was unable to find Harry.

"No," I answered shortly.

"What's the matter?" she asked, noticing the look on my face.

"Nothing," I replied back a little too quickly.

"Riiight," Pansy rolled her eyes at me. "Cause I know that look on your face, and something is definitely bothering you."

"Well, it's nothing I want to talk about right now." I said with a glare. She raised her hands defensively before replying.

"Alright, no need to get upset with me." She said before dragging Zabini out of the common room with her. Draco stayed behind, giving me a questioning look.

"Chloe," he said gently, "you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

I took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself. "Not here."

Draco told Crabbe and Goyle to go out and patrol the castle, part of our duties as members of the Inquisitorial Squad, and they left without arguing or asking me what the matter was. We then left the common room and headed to a deserted classroom.

I bit my lip anxiously as I paced around the room.

"Chloe?" Draco asked.

"I'm worried about Harry," I confessed. "He fainted during the exam."

"I saw."

"He wasn't in the Hospital Wing when I went to go check on him. I assumed he'd go there if he had a medical emergency." Draco nodded his head in agreement. "He looked like he had seen a ghost."

"Well, technically we have all seen ghosts." Draco seemed a little confused.

"It's a muggle saying, it's a way to say he saw something that scared him." I clarified. Draco lifted an eyebrow.

"The exam was a bit terrifying," he mused.

"No, I mean…" I hesitated. I had never discussed Harry's nightmares with Draco and I wasn't sure that I should. It's definitely something Harry wouldn't want me to talk to him about. Now that I was thinking about it, I was certain that Harry would have been having more nightmares now that Voldemort was back. His scar must have been hurting more than it did last year as well.

"You mean what?" Draco asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"I don't know," I whispered. "There was just something not right with him when he left the Great Hall."

"Just ask him about it tomorrow," Draco said. "Whatever it is, surely it'll be better by then."

"If he'll even want to talk to me," I sulked. "I've basically ignored him the whole year. He might not want to tell me if something is wrong."

"If you can forgive me for being a shitty friend, then surely he'll forgive you for ignoring him." Draco reassured me.

"He always was the more forgiving sibling," I said slowly. "You're right, it'll be okay."

At this point it had been a couple of hours since the last exam, and it was time for dinner. Draco and I left the empty classroom and meandered our way to the Great Hall. When we arrived at our usual spot on the Slytherin table I noticed that Crabbe and Goyle had bloody noses, and several other members of the Inquisitorial Squad were nursing bruises.

"What happened?" Draco and I asked at the same time.

"Your brother and his friends," Pansy said nastily. "They snuck into Umbridge's office and attempted to contact Dumbledore."

"They what?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah, and when she threatened them with the Cruciatus Curse Granger spilled the beans. Apparently there's a weapon hidden in the Forbidden Forest that they were working on for Dumbledore. Umbridge took your brother and Granger out to show her the weapon and left us in charge of guarding the others. The damn Weasley's were able to free themselves and attacked the rest of us."

"Where'd they go?" I asked after looking up and down the Gryffindor table. "They aren't here. And what weapon?"

"How should I know?" Pansy said viciously. "You two should have been there to help. What were you doing?"

"Nothing," Draco answered after we shared a glance. I wasn't ready to tell the others that I was ready to forgive my brother.

"Nothing? You skipped out of your responsibilities to do nothing?" Pansy glared at us.

"Sorry," I said. "There are so many people in the Inquisitorial Squad now, we didn't think we would be needed."

Pansy let out a huff before turning towards the food on the table. "Just make sure you don't skip out again."

"Alright," I said after sitting down and grabbing a plate of potatoes and roasted chicken.

I continued to keep an eye out for Harry and his friends, but didn't see them come in the Great Hall during dinner. I even hung around the entrance hall after dinner to try and see them coming in from the forest. Even Professor Umbridge hadn't come back after a couple of hours. I headed back to the common room, giving up hope I'd find Harry or his friends tonight.

The common room was filled with chatter and laughter. Fifth and seventh year students were celebrating the end of O.W.L's and N.E. , and other students were happy to be done with regular exams. I found Draco and the others sitting in a back corner of the room. I joined them, hoping for distraction from my feelings of disappointment and worry.

Some students were playing exploding snaps, others drinking butterbeer they had snuck in from Hogsmead. Many were talking about their plans for the summer, places they were going to visit, activities they had plans with friends or family.

Eventually the common room emptied, leaving Draco and me as the only one's left. My head was resting on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around my shoulders.

"Feeling better?" He asked softly.

"Yeah," I answered. "The celebratory mood earlier was infectious." I gave him a small smile.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," he said as his free hand traced the back of one of mine absentmindedly. The soft touch sent a shiver of warmth through my body.

I began to think about how I had grown more comfortable being near him since our talk after the events of Christmas Eve. Draco was true to his word about taking our time to develop our relationship. He always made sure I was comfortable with things like holding hands, or having his arm around my shoulders.

I was grateful to see the softer side of Draco; it was a side of him that he didn't show to anyone else. He guarded his feelings around the others, like he was afraid to let them see him for who he is. He truly cared for my well-being, and was always there to listen to me when I needed it.

As I was thinking about Draco and the relationship we had, I realized my feelings for him had grown. I thought back to Valentine's day, when he confessed his love for me. He hadn't expected me to give him a response back then, and I didn't really have one to give him either. But now…

"What's on your mind?" Draco asked, interrupting my thoughts. I lifted my head from his shoulder.

I blushed a little before answering, "Well, to be honest, you."

"Me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "What about me?"

My hands started fidgeting in my lap, and my eyes shifted downwards. Draco tilted his head curiously at me before removing his arm from my shoulders and placed his hand on top of mine, holding it softly. I looked up at him and when our eyes met, his gaze softened.

"I-I," I stumbled. His gray eyes shimmered lightly and I found it impossible to look away. "I was remembering the time we spent together on Valentine's Day."

"Oh?" Draco smiled slightly as he turned his body to face mine. My eyes flicked down to his lips and then back up to his eyes. He leaned forward, our foreheads almost touching, and whispered. "What part?"

I bit my lower lip as I felt my cheeks grow hot. His gaze lowered slowly and he stared at my lips for a moment before slowly looking back up, waiting for an answer.

"Our conversation in the Three Broomsticks," I whispered, barely able to get the words out.

My heart was racing as I tried to muster up the courage to tell him my feelings. I felt his breath as he let out a small sigh. I realized my answer made him nervous. He began to draw his head away, but I quickly cupped his cheek with my right hand to stop him. His eyes shone with surprise.

"I have an answer for you," I said softly.

Before he could say anything, and before I lost my nerve, I leaned forward and closed the distance between us. When my lips met his, a warmth ignited within me. His hand moved from my lap and pulled me closer to him. My hand shifted from his cheek to the back of his head, my fingers intertwined in his silver hair. He kissed me gently at first and slowly the kiss grew into something more passionate. It was like he realized I was finally his, and he was desperate to not let me go.

When we finally parted I felt breathless. His forehead rested against mine, our eyes met, and we both let out a small laugh. His face was filled with an indescribable happiness.

"I love you," I said softly, touching his nose with mine.

"I love you too," he whispered, his breath brushed against my lips.

We stayed, happily, in the common room for a little while longer before turning in to bed.

AN: Thank you for reading. There will only be one chapter left for this story. I will be writing a Potter Twins IV, following Chloe through her sixth year at Hogwarts. Please leave a review if you like the story :)