Crescent Moons ; J.S. Potter

13. bane of my existence.

Daisy was stressed. But it wasn't the exhilarating, motivating, kind of stress that kept her going during Quidditch season. It was the O.W.Ls season.

She had been preparing for months, years, ever since she knew what O.W.Ls were. Now, however, with a few weeks left, she was in a mode of grinding that had her eating once a day with meals that her friends would secretly sneak into the library or ones that she would sprint the Great Hall for on Professor McGonagall's orders.

Her parents had sent her daily letter for the past week telling her to write back and that she shouldn't be pushing herself past her breaking point. However, Daisy had barely skimmed through any of them. In her mind, this test was one that could determine her future and she refused to make any stupid mistakes that could have been prevented with a bit of studying.

She had gone a full month without playing Quidditch, which broke her old record by two weeks. She spent most of her time in the common room with a quill and a roll of parchment or in the library with a tower of books by her side.

"The stupid O.W.Ls are the bane of my freaking existence," she muttered for the third time that day.

Due to this, she hadn't had much time to be social, and neither did her friends. Marlee and Gwen accompanied her to the library to study a few times a week and went to bed a few hours later than they normally did.

"I've slept past midnight three days in a row and I'm somehow still behind on schoolwork," sighed Gwen. "Uncle George was right ... fifth year is the worst."

Benjamin was studying at least an hour per day which in contrast to Daisy didn't seem like much but compared to the norm, it was incredible.

"I can't believe I finished a book on Potions," he sighed. "I don't remember the last time I finished a book by choice."

Thomas was rarely seen. Daisy knew that he preferred studying alone so he would often borrow a dozen books from the library and spend all day in his dormitory until it was either time for class or time to return the books and check out new ones.

James was committed to studying and Daisy knew all too well that once he committed to something, he wouldn't stop until he had succeeded. He had somehow read five books in five days and had written two full rolls of parchment on Transfiguration. She knew that he was used to staying up late so now, he spent parts of his day bringing food to his friends, playing some Quidditch, visiting the library, and spending his nights doing most of his studying.

"Alright, Wood? I brought you some muffins and a chocolate milkshake," whispered James, shielding the tray from the watchful eye of the librarian, Madam Pince. "Eat something, Daisy, c'mon!"

"I'll have the milkshake if it has a straw so I can continue reading," said Daisy, not looking up from her book. "How do you have this much time? Don't you have studying to do?"

"I study at night," he said, placing a straw into the milkshake and putting it down next to her notes. "And during some classes that I don't care much about."

"How many hours of sleep did you get last night?"

"Like two," he shrugged. Daisy finally looked up, her eyes widening. "Oh! You looked up! Here, have this muffin."

He shoved the muffin into her hand and she shot him a glare before reluctantly taking a bite.

"Dammit that's good," she sighed, taking another bite. "So what are you in the library for, anyway?"

"To bring you food."

Daisy stared at him, then said, "You came here just to bring me food? I didn't even ask for any!'