Nightmare (Harry Potter OC Fic)

18. Bad Vibes

Exams had snuck up on everyone with the excitement of the Final Task. People walked around with their noses in books, but Kei was all studied-out and, instead, tutoring her friends for their exams. Silas had been in and out of the Great Hall doing his OWLs, using his free time to help his older friends study.

"If you manage to get anything lower than an E," Kei warned Vic, who seemed to want to twirl his wand rather than studying, "I will personally shove—"

"All right, Sunflower," Gina butted in, pushing Kei back into her seat, "I think you've helped us enough. How about we go get some snacks?"

Kei looked up at the Slytherin and gave her a sad smile, "I've love to, Gingee, but Tib still—"

"No," he cut them off, "I'm—" Kei quickly looked at him and silently pleaded with him. "I actually need a lot of help with Astrology. Can't stand it. Exam's tonight. Gotta- Gotta study!"

Gina frowned and nodded, "I'll just bring back some cookies."

Not waiting for a response, Gina turned and left the common room. Kei watched her leave and frowned at her absence. Although Kei wanted to spend time with Gina, she was terrified. The more and more time they spent with her, Kei could feel herself begin to like her. It terrified Kei. Gina was her best friend. She didn't want to do anything to ruin their friendship, more or less be the cause of their friendship ending over something as silly as a crush.

"So do you want to ta—?"

"No," Kei deadpanned.

"Are you going to help—?"

"No."

"Alrighty then. . ."

Waking up the next day for the last task was horrible. The Astronomy exam lasted well after one in the morning. Some Hufflepuffs had decided to throw a party for Cedric in light of the last task and those who weren't taking midnight exams attended but they didn't stop until nearly four.

Groggy as ever, Kei made her way to Slytherin just afternoon. Just her luck, Vic had come out of the passageway.

"Kei?" he asked.

"Is Tib in there?"

Vic raised a brow at her, "good afternoon to you, too. But no, he said something about the library."

"Thanks, Tater Tot," Kei saluted him and went on their way to find their best friend.

That was more of a problem than intended. She had spent the entire afternoon searching for Tiberius, only to give up just before dinner. Tiberius was seated in his usual spot at the Slytherin table, pushing around the food on his plate. Kei stalked over to him and flicked his ear in annoyance.

"Ouch– Kei?"

"I've searched for you all day, Resse's," Kei complained.

"Sorry, I was. . . busy."

Kei narrowed her eyes at him and pushed him aside, taking a seat next to him instead of sitting at her own table. Not caring about the looks from the surrounding Slytherins, Kei grabbed one of the empty plates and served herself a bit of dinner. Tiberius watched the entirety of the show and sighed,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just spent the entire day yesterday helping the lot of you study, was forced to stay up past exams because of a bloody pre-congratulatory party for Cedric, and then spent today feeling like an idiot as I checked every room but your dorm for you because Vic Lestrange said you weren't there. I'm just tired and I needed to ask you something but have evidently forgotten being I spent nearly five hours searching—"