Glory |A. Potter|

Thirty

The tables in the library were occupied, students in their fifth and seventh year taking up every surface as they attempted to study for the upcoming exams that were roughly about four months away. February was almost over, March set to come in only a few short days, and with the change of the seasons from winter to spring and the subtle change in weather, came the realisation that the exams weren't all that far away. In the afternoon, after classes, the library was almost always full, but there were a couple of students that were regular visitors. As a result, there were seats in the library they had unofficially claimed as their own, and everyone moved to their own seats. It was for that and only reason alone Jane had found a spare seat a few hours earlier when she had first gotten in the library, at a time when there weren't that many people around due to classes. 

It had been a rather relaxing day compared to most, as Care for Magical Creatures had been cancelled due to the magical creature Professor Hagrid had been meaning to show them apparently getting sick and being in no condition to be shown around. Jane had used the little spare time she had to her advantage. For once, she hadn't attempted to catch up to her studies prematurely. Instead, she had followed Albus to the Slytherin common room, where he would stay for a nap, as he had informed her, and as their ways parted, she headed to the girls' dormitories to take a new set of clothes and a couple of books she would be needing later on, and she headed to the fifth floor, where the Prefects' bathroom was located. She had entered after announcing the password and the moment she had gotten in, she had started filling up the tub for her bath. She had only used the Prefects' bathroom once more, a year ago, when she had first been appointed Prefect, as she celebrated her new prestigious position on her own. The next half an hour Jane passed in the bathtub was one of the most relaxing she had had in the last few months. Afterwards, though, there was no slacking. Jane soon found her way back to the library.

It had been a few hours she had been there already. The light entering the library had gotten less and less as the time passed until candles were lit around the bookshelves and the sun was starting to set. Still, Jane didn't badge from her seat, located in the edge of a table close to the windows, away from the entrance of the library, deep where the sound of the door opening and closing along with the occassional murmur of the librarian couldn't distract her. On her left, on the same table, sat a company of seventh-year boys, the occassional whispering leading to silent laughter, rolling eyes, the occassional glare or groan of agreement. Still, Jane didn't mind them as she kept studying, the Transfiguration textbook wide open in front of her. Transfiguration had been the third subject she had looked through in the last few hours, the other two being Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Soon, she would be leaving, she knew, as dinner was coming near, and as it was accustomed, she would be spending it with her friends in an attempt to catch up with them.

Most students had the same idea as she did, it seemed, as gradually, the students started leaving the library. The commotion in her corner of the library was minimal, though. Jane had looked through the library a couple of times before she had made her choice about her seat and her table. After years of being a loyal visitor, she had practically earned this position. 

At the place it was located, the only way someone would reach her would be if they were looking for her – which hardly ever happened but was still a possible scenario. Despite knowing of the possibility that someone could have been looking for her, though, Jane still was surprised when she heard a soft call of her name and then felt a pat on her shoulder. She looked up, dark eyes inquisitive and it took her a moment to focus and realise Antonio was standing in front of her, a bright smile on his lips, and Jane couldn't help but think he looked endearing, cheeks squished with the way his lips were stretched. She couldn't help but smile back.

"Hi," he whispered, stole a glance at the boys behind her before he returned his gaze to her, his smile this time more subdued.

"Hey," she said back in the same tone, "how are you?"