𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 [ 𝐭.𝐫 ]

24: CHARMS AND CHARMING

Not in her wildest dreams would she be doing this.

But now, she was frantically ripping doors open to look for any familiar face. She needs to know where Tom is so she can warn him. Warn him about what the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam required. She knew Tom performed well in the theory, written exam but she was not sure about the practical part of it.

Where was everyone?

This past week, every student of Hogwarts had tucked their noses into massive books with broken spines. Angelina in particular, had ink stains over her hands and uniform, she was always a messy writer. But she was free from the torturous finals, knowing well enough she did good and her mind was only on one person.

"Nott!" She was glad to see someone in the common room. "Where is Tom?"

He looked up from his book and stared blankly at her.

She was tapping her feet impatiently on the marble floors. She needed him to hurry up and stop gawking. The common room looked the most beautiful when it was empty. As much as she wanted to sit by the fire and read muggle fiction, she can't.

"Well?" she prodded. "Where is he?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I think he's in his room. If not there, probably at the library."

"I checked and he's not in the library. Thanks."

She did not give him a moment to reply with a kind 'you are welcome' and sprinted to the boy's dormitory. She knocked on the door thrice. He would know it's her.

To her great relief, Tom opened the door.

"Angelina?" Tom asked, his eyes raking down her body from her face. She noticed him doing such but decided to not remark about it.

"Is Zeus here?" she asked.

Tom's jaw clenched. "Is he why you're here?"

Angelina's eyebrows furrowed.

"He's not here. Examination hall." He could not sound colder.

Angelina urged her tongue to talk. "I'm not here for Malfoy. I'm here for you."

Tom's head inclined. His arms folded. He stood in a questioning manner that said 'Really? For what in the hell for?'

"The practical exam, Tom. I need to tell you on some demonstrations."

Tom inched away slightly then he stood firm. "Do you really think I need your assistance, angel?"

Angelina shook her head. "Tom, would you listen for once?" She scowled. "Let me in."

It wasn't a request.

"Fine," Tom stepped to the side and opened the door wide for her. Like expected, his room was tidy, only a single spell book was on his desk along with his journal.

Tom shut the door behind him and locked it. A shiver went down Angelina's spine when she heard the lock click close. She sat down on his chair.

"Well?" He prodded, standing by the door with his arms folded.

She opened page 779 of the spell book and looked down at it.
"How good are you with the patronus charm?" she asked.

Tom's pale skin went white but he didn't move from his spot. On receiving no answer, she raised an eyebrow.

He stalked towards her. "They're asking students to cast a patronus?"
His arm rested on the chair's back.

"Yes," she nodded. "It's making half of our percentile."