What If? Year 1

Chapter 49

My exams are rapidly approaching. All of my time was used to study and to do homework. Thankfully, all of my teachers were being very kind to me and not giving me a terrible amount of it. Ara occasionally complains about me sitting inside on nice days, but she understands how important this is to me. Cedric offers to help me as much as he can, explaining the formats of the test for each subject and doing flashcards with me.
"Thank you, Ced," I tell him the night before my first exams, "You're such a lifesaver. I don't think I could be this prepared without you." Cedric smiles and looks at his shoes.
"It's absolutely no problem," he says, shuffling his feet, "I'll see you tomorrow before your exams, right?"
"I've gotta eat some breakfast," I say, "and I promise not to worry to much and stay up all night studying."
"Well, I don't think you need to study anymore. You can recite your notecards, no one else in the history of Hogwarts has ever been this prepared." I smile and shake my head softly.
"Well, thank you again," I say, "I don't think I can thank you enough." Cedric smiles and kisses my forehead.
"This is enough," he says, squeezing my hand. We separate and I go to the Gryffindor common room. As soon as I make it to the coffee table in the common room, I drop my books onto it. I immediately open my Potion's book and stare at all of my note that I was studying. I begin to rewrite them for the twelve time. I could write them all by memory now, but I needed to ace this test.

My mind was up before I was. I am laying in my bed, staring at the red canopy. I hear all of the girls starting to get up, so I open my drapes.
"So, what are you all doing today?" I ask, grabbing my notes.
"We're going to hang out outside."
"Cool.. I'll come find you once I'm done." I go down to the Great Hall and search for the coffee. I make up a large mug and sit down with my notes.
"Good morning," Cedric says, sitting down besides me, "What finals do you have?"
"Potion, Transfiguration, History, and Herbology. Then Charms, Astronomy, and Defense tomorrow. There isn't a Flying Final, except that we can fly."
"That'll be easy. I believe in you."
"Thanks, Cedric." He kisses my check.
"I'll probably be at the quidditch pitch when you finish."
"Okay, I'll see you at dinner." He smile and goes off. I take a deep breath before walking down the dungeons. Snape is waiting for me at his desk.
"You're early," he says, not looking up.
"Sorry," I mumble, "I can wait.. I just presumed-.."
"No, you're fine," he cuts me off, "Thank you for being early, maybe you'll finish early then." I nod. Snape hands me some instructions for the Forgetfulness Potion.
"All you have to do, is make this and tell me all of its uses from memory." I nod and rush over to grab my cauldron.

With Potions finished, rather spectacularly I'd like to add, I head off to Transfiguration. I go through all of my notes while I walk up the stairs. I reach the Transfiguration classroom and knock on the door.
"Come in," McGonagall's voice calls out. I walk in cautiously, my notes clutched tightly in my hands. She looks up from her grading and smiles at me.
"I didn't think you'd been done so quickly," she says, "Did Potion's go alright?"
"I'd like to think so," I tell her, "Snape actually smiled when I gave it to him! That has to mean something good, right?" She chuckles and nods.
"Yes, of course," she says, "are you ready for this?" I nod, shyly handing her my notes.
"To make sure I don't cheat," I mumble as she hands me a large piece of parchment.
"Thank you." I go and sit down in a desk.
"Once you're done with that, I'm going to ask you to cast some simple spells, alright?"
"Yes, ma'am."

"Hurry off to History of Magic," McGonagall says, "I'll grade this, your spell work was amazing."
"Thank you, Professor," I say, blush creeping up to my nose, "I hope to make you proud." She nods and I start to make my way to History of Magic classroom. I walk straight in and see Professor Binns floating around his room.
"Professor?"
"Your test is on the front desk, Miss Potter." I nod and sit down and begin my test.

I am thankful that I read ahead after taking my History exam. Some of the questions were not talked about during our lessons, but I studied the entire book. I begin my walk to the green houses, using my extra fifteen minutes to go over my study notes. I can see other students hanging out outside.
"Miss Potter!" Sprout shouts, appearing from behind a green house, "I'm so happy you're early." She is caring a large pot with large vine trying to move out of the pot.
"Can you tell me what this plant is?"
"It's a Devil Snare.. oh Merlin, it's got one of your pots!" Sprout smiles and chuckles.
"Yes, yes. It will be fine. Come with me."

After helping Sprout with multiple plants and answering questions, I am excused.
"Very good job, Potter. I hope you will and have done this well in all of your exams." I nod.
"Thank you, Professor." I run off to the common room. I grab my notes for tomorrow's test before running back outside.
"Ara, Ara!" I shout, running up to her, "I'm done! I think they all when well." Ara smiles and pats my shoulder.
"I knew you'd do well! We should go to the informal quidditch match." I look at her, confused, but with a smile.
"All the quidditch teams are mixing together to play a match. Each Captain has a team."
"Nice, I'll join you." We find seats with Ginny, Heather, Rachel, and Luna. The four new teams are finally picked and Cedric and Harry's teams go firsts.
"First 150 wins!" Cedric shouts, "With or without the snitch."
"I can't wait till we can play," Ara says, "Goldie and I are going to be the best beaters."
"Oh dear, Fred and George are split," Ginny mumbles, "Chaos will reign." She is correct and soon they are just passing a bludger back and forth from across the field.
"They're going to end up hitting their own teammates."
"I think that's the goal," We watch as a bludger nails Fred's team beater.
"There it is," Ginny says, "oh Merlin." Everyone flies over to him, and I take out my notes.
"Oh put those away," Ara complains, "We're having fun." The beater gets up and sits down on the bench.
"Are they going to play beater less?"
"I have no idea," Heather replies, "Maybe they'll have someone have someone from the stands play." Harry flies over to us.
"We need a beater, Golds," he says, "I've got you a broom down at the bench."
"No way," I say, "Harry..."
"Please," he complains, "You're the best one right now."
"Goldie!" Fred shouts, "Please play!" I sigh and hand Ara my notes.
"Fine," I tell Harry.
"Hop on." I hop on his broom and hang onto his shoulders.
"I didn't think they'd convince you," Cedric calls out, "I'm excited to see what you can do." George hands me a broom.
"Remember not to hit it to hard, we don't want to kill them." Harry whispers and Fred gives me a bat.
"Cool." I tie up my hair and grip the broom tightly. We start the game back up. I see a bludger flying to Cedric, who is on my team. I fly at it, and smash it towards Randolph Burrow. He ducks and it hits Oliver Wood instead. He presses his hand to his shoulder.
"Bloody hell," he swears. I see Harry dive for something and I rush to find a bludger.
"Follow Harry," I tell Cedric. I swing my bat and send a bludger towards Harry. He grabs the snitch, but cannot get away from my bludger.
"Bloody hell, Goldie!" he complains, messaging his back, "That hurt."
"I thought it was supposed to," I shoot back, making him smile. Fred rushes over and gives me a high five.
"Those things fly fast," he says, "You've got talent."
"Thanks," I whisper. Cedric gives my a high five.
"That was really good. Gryffindor is lucky to have you."
"Thanks, I've gotta go study now."
"How did they do today?"
"Very well, but I need to keep it up."
"Thank you for playing.. hopefully Jack is ready to play again."

a/n: I am currently on Spring Break and am hoping to publish more this week.