"for those i love
i will sacrifice"

Callista dropped her book bag on the floor and pulled out a chair. She and Fallon were last to arrive at the library for their final study session. The others were lounging in their chairs, and none of the books opened. Quills discarded on the table. 

"No studying today?" Fallon asked, leaning back in her chair.

Lily shook her head. "I'd say there is still plenty of time to study before we write."

Fallon sighed in relief. "I didn't know if I could handle opening another book."

"It's almost over, wow." Amelia sat back in her chair, staring at the books in front of them.

Callista shrugged. "We still have to write."

Reece groans, sinking further into her chair. "Oh, don't remind me." Rubbing her hands over her face, she said, "Exams are the worst!"

"Shh!" Madame Pince came round the corner, glaring at the group. They stifled their giggles and watched as she left to go search for more misbehaving students.

When she was sure she was gone, Reece grinned at them. "At least there will be no more of that."

As the girls spoke among themselves, careful to keep their voices low. Callista sat back and thought about the events of the year. She got engaged. Her friendship with James went through so many challenges, but they had come out stronger. She made plenty of new friends, some she didn't expect. She wished she had spent more time with the girls at the table.

Amongst all the bad that turned into good was the bad that stayed bad. Her parent's relationship was strained, and she had no idea how long her father's infidelity had been going for. Her brother was going to be forced into joining The Dark Lord's ranks, and Callista was not sure she could protect him. She would do anything to keep Freya and Stellan out of the war. The thought of what that sacrifice might be scared her.

"Callista?" Lily whispered from across the table. "Are you okay?"

She shook the troubling thoughts from her head and smiled at her. "Yes, just thinking about all that's happened this year."

Lily returned the smile and reached out a hand to squeeze hers.

A high-pitched squeal shocked all the girls as they turned to see a pixie in front of their table. They looked at each other, confused as to why there was a pixie in the library.

It zipped away, but it was what followed that caused the girls to throw their things into their bags and make their way out of the library. An entire hoard of pixies flew through the bookcases, yanking out books or pulling on students' hair.

One grabbed Amelia's ponytail, but Lily thought fast and had her wand out. She froze the pixie and grabbed Amelia's hand, pulling her towards the door.

Callista was the last to leave the library and stopped behind the group that had formed outside.

Just in front of them, she spotted four boys failing to conceal their grins and laughter.

"Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew!" Madam Pince yelled from beside Callista, trying to push her way toward them. "You're lucky you can't get detention so close to exams, but I can take away points!"

The boys laughed harder and turned and ran.

It reminded her of the first study session of the year, where the boys pranked the library. That time, they dragged her away so she would not be a victim of the prank. This time, however, they left her inside to face the full force of the pixies.

She sprinted after them, catching up after rounding a corner. "You pricks!" She laughed. They turned around and slowed down, waiting for her. "You left me in there!"

James wrapped his arm around her, causing her to lose her balance and stumble. She righted herself and nudged her elbow into his side. He laughed. "I can't give you special treatment all the time."

She scoffed. "You absolutely can, I'm amazing."

Sirius laughed in disbelief, and she smacked him on the back of his head. "You? Amazing? You're the devil herself."

She wriggled herself free of James and walked backward ahead of them. "As I said, amazing." She chuckled and skipped ahead. Her laughs were increasing as she heard the screams of the four boys.

They did not notice the dungbomb she had slipped into James' coat pocket when she elbowed him in the side.

They wanted to play hard; she could play hard.

________________________________________

Wow, it's been a while. Let's hope I can regain some balance and control in my life through regular updates.

Are you excited to see where the story is headed?

- walkingmasterpiece xx