The Enemy of my Enemy

The Promise

The rest of the school year passed by like it did every year. Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup, despite Harry being removed from the team. Ron did exceptionally well against Ravenclaw, although Teddie would never tell him that. They're relationship was a weird one. They didn't like each other, but merely tolerated the other because of Harry and Hermione (although Teddie was sure that Ron would've preferred it if she didn't exist).

"Why is this year more anxiety spiking than any other?" Teddie grumbled, her eyes passing from one word to the next in her Potions textbook. She had no idea what Snape was about to set next week and was trying her hardest to remember every ingredient that she could for the five possible potions he had said could come up.

"Because this year sets our future," said Blaise.

Daphne nodded as she scribbled down several stars and planets for her Astronomy exam. "Malfoy's not exactly helping," she said, glancing over at the blonde ferret in the far corner of the room. He had taken to scaring people by stating that it wasn't a case of what they knew, but rather who they knew.

"He'll be surprised when he fails, again, because he didn't study," said Teddie. "And if he does manage to pass then we know there is a corrupt examiner on the board."

"Umbridge won't do anything about it if there is," said Daphne, "and we have no proof. It's our word against Malfoy's and he's Umbridge's pet."

Teddie huffed and looked back at her Potion book.

A little after ten, the four friends went to bed, neither one looking forward to the next morning.

~X~

The Charms written exam took place the following morning at 10:00am. Teddie, despite her nerves, was ready to whatever question they threw at her. She was exceptionally good at Charms, and was able to remember incantations, wand movements, spells and theories without a single issue. She had done her best, also to prepare her friends, but she wasn't 100% sure how effective she had been.

The practical portion of the Charms exam came after lunch, and Teddie was called into the Great Hall along with Gregory Goyle, Hermione Granger, and Daphne Greengrass. She stood before her examiner and removed her wand from the inside of her sleeve.

"Miss Green?" the woman said.

Teddie nodded.

"I'm Mrs. Marchbanks," said the woman. "I'll be your examiner this afternoon. Can you show me the charm that makes objects fly, please?"

Teddie nodded and pointed her wand at the feather on the desk. "Wingardium Leviosa," she said, clearly, rolling her wand to the left and down before tilting it back up into the air, the feather following her path.

Mrs. Marchbanks smiled. "Well done. Now, I have a few more Charms for you to show me. How about we do the Cheering Charm next?" she asked.

"Who am I performing it on?" Teddie asked.

Mrs. Marchbanks set down her clipboard and folded her hands in front of her, her fingertips brushing the tabletop. "Myself, if you will," she said.

Teddie took a hesitant step back. "Oh, uh, okay," she said, suddenly feeling under pressure. She knew that she could do it, but if she pushed too hard, she could send her examiner into a fit of giggles, which would result in a fail, and if she didn't push enough, she could make Mrs. Marchbanks severely depressed.

Taking a deep breath, Teddie squeaked her wand slightly and then pointed it at Mrs. Marchbanks. "Cheriolas!" she muttered. Mrs. Marchbanks face split into a grin and a flicker of euphoria appeared in her eyes.