Her Single Rose (Remus Lupin)

Ninety-Two

"I don't think I can handle one more test." Marlene whined as the girls walked down another corridor to get to their next exam.

It was the last day and those who didn't cram every subject possible into their schedules had already finished.

And it was getting to Marlene.

"Relax, Marls, it's the last exam we have to take before break and then BAM we'll be on the train back home quicker than you know." Alice spoke animately, making the rest giggle.

"Just one more, just one more, and then we're done!" Lily said, as if trying to make herself believe in what she was saying. "Oh forget it, I'm brain dead and I don't even know which exam I'm taking next." She groaned, walking aimlessly in front.

"My oh my, do my ears deceive me. Lily Evans giving up at the end of the race! No can do, Red." Aries shook her head and sped up slightly to nudge Lily to take a turn, "your last exam is potions with me, and we're going to pass with a glowing O." Aries took Lily's hand and stopped in front of the potions classroom before Lily could get sidetracked any further.

"Good luck, Marls, Alice." The girls waved each other off while Lily gave Aries a grateful smile.

"I don't know how I'd stay sane without you." Aries giggled at that before they both took a breath and headed in for their last exam of the year.

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Once the exams were all completed the Marauders found the girls down in the kitchens. All were hungry after studying so hard, well Aries, Lily and Remus did anyway.

"Ok ok, enough talk about the exams! There over and we can finally forget about them. Let's eat already!" Marlene announced, Peter nodded at that.

The elves around the kitchens had been so busy cleaning up dinner that Aries and Alice had been the ones to bake cookies and cook up a mini buffet. Mash potatoes, extra green beans, pudding, turkey, and a bit more.

James and Sirius had attempted to help with the cookies, but when Alice realized they kept eating the batter behind their backs, they were sent to the other side of the kitchen where the others had been messing around.

When everyone gathered around the table of food, James raised his glass for a toast. Aries raised her brow towards Lily while she rolled her eyes knowing something will come of this.

"Here ye here ye!" James tapped his glass loudly with his fork, Sirius grinned while Remus sighed and Peter shook his head in amusement. "We thank mighty Merlin that we managed to pass our OWLS" the girls were not impressed to say the least, though suddenly James became slightly more serious,"but truthfully, I don't think we would've passed without Moony and Evans and Mere." The group smiled warmly while James gave Lily a look that made her blush.

"THANK MERLIN FOR THE END OF THE YEAR AMMIRIGHT!" The muggle slang with Sirius' accent made the words sound slightly jumbled but it was agreeable nonetheless and funny enough to make the group laugh and cheers.

"These are amazing, Mere, Al." Marlene moaned in satisfaction, "if I had known you were such great bakers, I would've asked for these more often." Her compliments brought a blush to Alice's cheeks while Aries did a little courtesy.

They all devoured the food faster than it took to make it, though with a quick replenishing spell, everyone got seconds and even thirds.

Aries sat there for a moment, taking in the memory of all her friends together, eating and just being happy together. No arguments, or drama, just everyone together.

Everything seemed to have just fallen into place. With Remus and her finally getting together, Lily, Alice and Marlene still in one piece after the exams, the Marauders were thriving with their practical pranks.