Inferno | Draco Malfoy

066 | Pranksters

The scar had hardly faded from my hand. I have to say, I can not wait for it to disappear. It's disgusting, and I just want to have my skin back.

I've tried to send a letter to my parents, telling them about what had happened, I've also tried the Ministry. I haven't heard back from either, I'm convinced Umbridge got her little workers to tear my letters apart. My parents usually reply within a day to me.

These past two weeks haven't been much better. Exams on exams on exams. Practicals, theories, more and more. On the bright side, I haven't been stressing out because I haven't struggled.

Through toil, I think I've secured an Exceeds Expectations in my Transfiguration practical. I know I excelled in Potions, and that was done beautifully. It was burning in the greenhouses, nonetheless, I still focused on achieving the highest marks in Herbology. Ancient Runes was all right. Although I think I mistook two of my runes for each other.

Care of Magical Creatures, effortlessly Outstanding. Defence Against the Dark Arts was slightly trickier but I still managed since it was straightforward. Astronomy was a test of memory, I'm not kidding when I said me and the girls drew constellations on the dormitory floor just so we could remember and recognise each one that we've covered.

Divination was interesting, maybe because Trelawney stared deep into my soul during my practical. Seriously, it was bizarre. I still managed to concentrate; hopefully she paid more attention to my work rather than my face.

I have my final two O.W.L.s today. History of Magic, which is only one written exam, and then Theory of Charms. I did my Charms practical yesterday, and it was my all-time favourite exam as the charms given were the ones we've learnt in the past years and this year's curriculum. Ah, Charms, so underrated.

We fifth-years line up by the order of our last names in the entrance hall as we each wait for our names to be called. As soon as everyone is settled down in the Great Hall with their quill, pot of Azul Marino ink and History of Magic exam, the test commences.

Etain Haine, whom I have the utmost pleasure of sitting behind, turns around and scrutinises me - looking up and down at me with an air of superiority. I roll my eyes at her lack of immaturity. Better to not waste my time on people who will fail academically, I don't want to lose my wits with them.

I turn to the first page. Since this is solely a memory-based exam, I'm quite lucky. Unlucky for me that Umbridge is the invigilator for all these written exams.

The first page of the exam was multiple-choice, general knowledge questions that I answered with no worries. The other questions were debate-styled. 'To what extent were the Goblin Rebellions of the 18th century effective? You must show greater understanding by considering more than one point of view.'

With five minutes left before the exam finishes, I proofread my work. I make sure every date and piece of information is accurate. All my arguments are backed up with mounds of clear, eloquent evidence. Needless to say, I'm confident with my History of Magic O.W.L., like the rest of my exams.

In an ordinarily sensible fashion, we are dismissed. Daphne lets out a cry and shakes my shoulder the moment we make it out of the Great Hall.

"If only Binns made his lessons more interactive and less chore-like."

I pat her back. "Come on Daphne, you're smart."

"Not in History of Magic." She scoffs, "Darling, I played a game of intuition for the multiple-choice questions."

Blaise puts his arm around her. "Now why would you do that?"

I notice that Theo walks beside Malfoy behind us. I haven't spoken to Malfoy in such a long time. Our last talk still infuriates me. No apology, expression of regret, nothing, nothing from him. I barely even thought of him these past weeks, our exams have kept us apart and perhaps that's a good thing.