Chapter 31: O.W.Ls

The next day, it was the first day of the O.W.L exams in which was on a Wednesday. Every fifth year felt under pressure as their schooling years so far had lead up to this. If they got below 'acceptable' they'd be in trouble. Especially Lucy. 

She'd been making sure she'd got as much studying in as she could. Despite the fact Shona had teased her, she had made a revision timetable and highlighted the areas she needed to work on. She wasn't just trying to pass her O.W.L's for herself but for Snape as well, she wanted to do him proud. 

Lucy was sat on her bed that very day with a charms book in her lap, skimming the book and then looking at her notes to confirm what she had read. She had two Charms tests today, first off she had a practical exam in the morning and in the afternoon a written one. 

She had officially two weeks of exams to endure and she was completely stressed. She had to pour over every text book until she knew it all...

When she thought she had finally re-capped enough, she closed the text book and Jessica walked into her room. She closed the door behind her awkwardly and then looked at Lucy who forced a smile. 

Be nice. She told herself. Dad said if you need to talk to anyone, Jessica was a good option. 

"Good morning," Lucy said. Jessica smiled back and stood there and Lucy gave her a look. "Can I help you?" 

"Oh!" Jessica was suddenly aware of what was going on. "I just came in here because...I..."

"Yes?" Lucy encouraged, feeling like her father when he was singling out an unfortunate student in class who didn't know the answer to his question. 

"I just came to wish you good luck in the O.W.L, I hope you get good grades. You're such a good student and I really hope you get what you want." Jessica tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and was about to leave when Lucy stopped her. 

"Wait." 

"Huh?" Jessica turned around to face her and Lucy stood up. She thought it was time she thanked Jessica for being so kind to her, from rescuing her at Christmas when she fainted in the snow, to when she let Lucy stay in Snape's quarters when he had been fired. Jessica didn't have to do that, yet she had. It was time Lucy stopped ignoring Jessica's kindness and begin to accept it and start talking to her. 

"Thank you," Lucy whispered as she got up. "Thank you." She hugged Jessica and she was taken aback. 

"Y-You're welcome." Jessica stuttered. Lucy let go of her and then walked to her door but she paused. 

"You know I meant what I said back in Spinners end. You know, you being like my mother." 

And with that, Lucy left her room and went down to the great hall where she would do her first exam. 

*       *       *

When Lucy arrived outside the great hall, she saw Shona standing there with her hands in her pockets and her sleeves were rolled up — as usual — and looking rather glum. Lucy walked over to her and smiled, Shona looked up from the floor and saw her friend. Luckily for her, she didn't have to lift her head up too much because unfortunately Lucy wasn't exactly someone you could call 'tall.'

"Hey, Lucky," Shona said as Lucy straightened a pleat that had got out of hand on her skirt. "How did work experience go?" 

"Quite well," Lucy nodded in approval and she went on to explain how Fudge had showed her the two secret rooms in the Ministry and how one of them consisted of weaponry. Shona gasped and whistled at all the right places, like a good audience would (if it wwas made of many Shona's that is.)

"That sounds so cool," Shona whispered in shock when Lucy had finished her short speech. "Do you reckon all of the gifted will get to test the weaponry? Not just Fudge's favourite girl?"

"Shut up," Lucy snorted. "But, yes, probably. Unless he's saved it all for me."

"Which he probably has."

"So, did your work experience go well?" 

"If you call a bunch of in-experienced first years nearly killing themselves with brooms and me being responsible for taking them to the hospital wing, then yes my work experience went very well."

"You didn't enjoy it, did you?"

"Not really, especially when they started making rude comments about how I'm a Worthing."

"You shouldn't let that get to you — " 

"I didn't, when Madam Hooch went to get something from her office up in the castle; I set the bludgers free."

"You didn't!"

"Oh I did." Shona grinned. "That's how McGuire's get payback, ladies and gentlemen."

Suddenly, McGonagall stepped out of the great hall with Umbridge. McGonagall looked rather rushed whereas Umbridge seemed rather relaxed, amused even, about all the worried students who were about to begin their O.W.L exams. 

"Students, if you would all get in line — " McGonagall was about to finish when the crowd of students began to form a messy line outside of the great hall. "In an orderly fashion!" McGonagall yelled. 

Once everyone had lined up they walked into the hall individually into their designated seats which McGonagall gave them. Lucy was two rows from the back and Shona was five rows from the front. When everyone had taken their places Umbridge stood at the front and began to read out the instructions, Lucy thought she was going to be sick: 

"Students, you have an hour and forty-five minuets to complete this test."

"There is already a quill and ink on your desk, following the Ministries procedures so that there will be no cheating."

"Wands shall not be taken out as this is a written test — " 

These were the only three rules that Lucy could single out as she became more and more nervous, what if she failed the test? What would Snape think of her then? Would he ground her for life? Would he — 

"You may begin." Umbridge announced finally and everyone opened their test paper, Lucy on the other hand did not process these instructions until ten seconds later and was left to fumble with her paper nervously. She self-consciously dipped her quill in ink and almost immediately began writing the answer to the first question. 

*       *       * 

"How did you do?" Shona asked miserably. It had been two hours since the exam and all students were now sat in a small chamber by the great hall waiting to be called in for their Charms theory examination. The two hadn't seen each other as Lucy had to run to the toilets and stay there for two hours because she thought she was going to be sick. 

"OK," Lucy replied simply. That was a lie; she thought she had done terrible. She swore she had mixed up the wand movement for the levitating spell with another spell. The thought filled her up with regret all afternoon. "What about you?"

"Same." 

They were called out in groups judged on their last name. Shona went into the hall before Lucy with Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy and a selection of other students and Lucy was left alone until she and Zacharias Smith and a few other students were called in. Her stomach was doing back flips. 

They made their way into the entrance hall and stood outside the great hall doors. Lucy literally shook as she was so nervous, causing Zacharias Smith to laugh at her. 

"Why so scared, Snape?" Zachrias taunted, causing Lucy to glare at him. "Now that daddy's gone there's no one to look after you, is there?"

"Shut up!" Lucy bellowed just as the great hall doors opened and Flitwick urged them forward. Unfortunately, Lucy was first in the queue and Flitwick pointed to a rather old witch sitting behind a desk. 

"Professor Marchbanks is free, Miss Snape," Flitwick squeaked and Lucy nodded. She followed his direction and walked over towards the lady. 

When Lucy approached the lady was jotting some notes down on a piece of parchment. Lucy stood there patiently until she was finished. 

"Name," the woman ordered in a stern voice, she did not look up from her writing. 

"Full name?" Lucy asked, just to be sure, she wouldn't want to be shouted at by this woman. 

"Yes." 

"Lucy Eileen Snape." Lucy trembled, she was certain the woman was going to have a go at her just because of her name. 

The examiner slowly looked up from her notes, Lucy was half expecting the woman to grab her by the throat and hiss into her face. But she did not. Instead, her sour face turned into a happy one. 

"Merlin's descendant, what a pleasure it is to be speaking to you." Professor Marchbanks marveled at the girl. "I did secretly hope that I would be the one who'd be examining you." 

"It appears you got your wish," Lucy grinned. It looked as though the examiner wanted to talk to her all day but she was here for an exam and not a chat. 

"Could you make this egg cup do some cartwheels for me please, dear?" The examiner asked sweetly and placed the egg cup on the table gently. "Take all the time you need."

Lucy took out her wand and aimed at the cup, she thought about the incantation and then said it out loud. She was then asked to practice a few more charms before the examiner was happy. She swore some incantations were not part of the test but purely for the examiners enjoyment but she did not argue. 

"Thank you, Miss Snape." Professor Marchbanks beamed as she placed the egg cup under her desk. "Once again, it was such a pleasure." The examiner shook her warmly by the hand before she was allowed to leave.

Lucy met Shona outside of the hall and both of them went to the common room to study Transfiguration. When they arrived, however, they found they were the only ones there apart from Fred and George who were sitting in front of the fire while they played a game of wizards chess.

"Fred!" Lucy squealed and sat next to him, she hugged his arm. "My first two tests are over!"

"That's good," Fred replied and patted her on the head as George took his move. "Was it hard?"

"It wasn't too bad, I guess..." Lucy replied but then Fred stood up without warning. "What is it?" 

"I've just realised I've got to be somewhere! I'm sorry, I'll catch you later!" Fred grabbed his bag and ran out of the common room leaving George with a chess piece in his hand, raised mid-air. 

"Want me to finish the game for you?" Lucy asked, not thinking too much of Fred running off. He probably had a detention to get to, but without George? That was strange. 

"Sure," George smiled as he gave her an apologetic look. 

The next day, the fifth years had their Transfiguration exam. It was the same drill as yesterday except this time it was a Transfiguration exam. She was asked by the examiner if she could turn into a doe and so she demonstrated for an extra point; this was the first time she had ever thanked Kingston in her life.

On Wednesday they had Herbology and on Thursday defense against the dark arts where they had to banish a boggart. 

"Now, Miss Snape," Professor Tofty, who was another examiner, droned. "You are going to banish a boggart for me today. Take your time." 

The examiner pointed to the wardrobe next to him and it shook as if on cue. Lucy stood a couple of metres of way from the wardrobe as it opened. Lucy didn't know what she was expecting but when she saw Zuc the examiner gasped. 

"Oh my goodness!" Professor Tofty practically screamed and everyone else in the hall turned to look. 

"Riddikulus!" Lucy barked at Zuc and laughed. Zuc was now wearing a pink frilly dress with matching heels. 

"Thank Merlin's that gone!" Professor Tofty inhaled deeply as he clutched his chest, it was as though he was going to have a heart attack. 

"I apologise, Professor," Lucy bowed her head in shame. 

"Never mind, never mind. Now, let us continue." 

Lucy was told to practice a few more spells before the examiner beckoned her over to his desk and peered over his glasses. 

"Can you do a patronus charm?" He whispered. "For a bonus point?" 

"Of course," Lucy nodded and took out her wand once more. "Expecto Patronum!" 

Her faithful phoenix shot out of her wand and flew around for a bit before it sat on her shoulder before disappearing. The examiner was very impressed and even clapped her. 

On Friday there was Study of Ancient Runes which Lucy thought she did pretty well in considering she had just taken the subject to work out what was written on the knife that Zuc had thrown at her. 

And before they knew it; it was the weekend. But they still had one more week of exams to endure...

"Finally, a two day break — " Shona sighed but was quickly interrupted by Lucy. 

"Which should be spent studying!" Lucy hissed as they walked along, a book was over her face and Shona had to steer her through the crowd. 

"Relax! It's potions on Monday! You'll ace that better that anyone will." 

"I will?" 

Shona stopped walking and so did Lucy after her. 

"Lucy? Hand me your book." 

"Of course, but why?" Lucy asked as she handed her book to Shona.

Shona laughed before her smile dropped. She closed the book and smacked Lucy over the head with it. 

"Ow!" Lucy complained and Shona thrust the book back in her hands. "What in name of my great ancestor was that for!?" 

"Because you're Snape's bloody daughter for crying out loud! Of course you're going to ace potions! And if you don't — which you won't — the examiners will give it to you anyway!" 

Lucy rubbed her head. "Whatever you say, just please don't do that again..." 

"I bet Merlin was a right thick arse but had Sebastian to keep him sane..."

"More like insane!" 

"Shut up."

On Monday they did indeed have potions (which Lucy did ace, like Shona said.) On Tuesday it was Care of Magical creatures, which Lucy had to admit was pretty easy. On Wednesday Lucy had a Astronomy, Divination and Arithmancy exam. Despite all the information she had to learn did pretty well. When she came back to the common room to tell Fred about her success, he still was not there. 

On Thursday, it was History of Magic and despite everything, practically half of the paper was on the Tale of the Knights which Lucy couldn't have been happier about; she knew all there was to know (except the ending.) She, again, returned to the common room after Thursday's exams and found Fred was once again not there. 

"Where's Fred?!" Lucy demanded, feeling quite upset. 

"Don't know," Shona shrugged. "Maybe he's got a detention." 

"He hasn't," George explained as he appeared behind the two girls. "He hasn't got a detention for a while." 

"Then where is he?" Lucy frowned and crossed her arms impatiently. 

"I don't know, he just wanders off every night now..."

Lucy and Shona looked at each other and without talking to each other through their minds could tell the other was thinking exactly the same thing: 

There was something very suspicious occurring.