Sanctuary

Chapter 39

Monday 5th June

For at least a month Remus had been feeling as though a kaleidoscope of butterflies had taken up residence inside his stomach, and the closer they got to the end-of-year exams, the more energetic the butterflies became. His entire future rested on the results. Without passes in at least four subjects he wouldn't be able to continue at school, and it was hard enough for a werewolf to find work, never mind an uneducated one. So, when they received the exam timetable at breakfast on Monday morning, he let out a groan at the sight of Monday, 8:30 am, Potions, Practical and Written combined. He'd been hoping to make up for his poor practical grade with the written part of the test, but that would be impossible now. There was no way he could concentrate with all the fumes in the air.

The exam went as badly as he'd predicted. He got the potion started okay, but his head was swimming within five minutes and while trying to focus on answering the questions, he'd forgotten to keep a watch on his timer. His cauldron let out an ear-splitting shriek before the contents combusted. Within seconds, all that was left of his swelling solution was ash.

Things vastly improved from there, however. He was fairly sure he would get top marks on his Charms paper, and on Tuesday morning he completed his Transfiguration practical without a hitch, performing all five of Professor McGonagall's requests perfectly. Tuesday afternoon was spent in Greenhouse one, drawing and annotating each of the plants they'd studied that year and writing a paragraph for each summarising their care and usage. It was unbearably hot, and they were all glad to leave when it was over, but he felt he'd done well.

The Charms practical on Wednesday morning was the best exam by far. Professor Flitwick had set up an obstacle course which required all the spells they'd learned to complete it. The course was timed and their final grade depended on how quickly they reached the end.

So they were all in good moods when they grabbed some food from the Hall and retreated to their cave to complete the last step of the Spectral Essence. Even Peter had completed the Charms course in a decent time, earning himself an E.

Remus watched from the entrance to the tent as Sirius added the thestral hairs to the brew, before Peter took over to stir.

'We'll be done in time for the Astronomy exam, right?' Remus asked when Sirius joined him on his long-distance vigil.

'Yeah, this part will only take about an hour,' Sirius said, keeping his voice quiet so he wouldn't interrupt Peter's counting. 'Do you want to go inside? It's James' turn to stir next.'

Remus nodded, and they entered the tent, climbing onto one of the beds. Remus settled himself into the crook of Sirius' arm and laid his head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

'Only two more weeks. Do you think you're ready?' Sirius asked him.

Remus tilted his head to look up at him and smiled. 'Thanks to you.'

'You did all the work. I just sat there and let you feel me up.'

Remus snorted and smacked him on his stomach. 'Behave.'

'Never,' Sirius said, winking at him.

'What about you?' Remus asked. 'Are you ready?'

He heard Sirius' heart speed up at the question. 'No.'

Remus squeezed his hand. 'It's just a few weeks and then you'll be back here with us.'

Sirius held him tighter, as if he never wanted to let go. 'I know,' he whispered. 'That's the only thing keeping me together.'

'Is it going to be that bad?' Remus' heart clenched at the fear in Sirius' voice.

Sirius glanced at him, and his face cleared, breaking into his trademark grin. 'What? No. It'll be fine. She'll probably send me to my room for the summer. It's going to be boring as hell without you guys.'