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This chapter is mostly exams so its lowkey boring(Also I wrote how they take the OWL exams differently because two weeks for a couple exams is too much for me to want to write😁(Can you tell I am exhausted from my own exams and want to die?) I could not write a longer exam chapter sorry😁)
Today marks the onset of their OWL exams—two for her, to be precise. Tomorrow demands three, followed by two more on the third day, and a final set of three on the last day. A plethora of exams lies ahead, a testament, perhaps, to her overloaded schedule, though she shrugs it off; at least they are thoughtfully spaced out across several days.
Josephine finds herself poring over her notes once more, with an hour to spare before the exams commence. Positioned at the Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall, she is engrossed until interrupted by Regulus "Take a break and eat"
"Fuck off," she responds, momentarily taken aback by her own abruptness. "Sorry," she quickly adds, offering a small smile as her eyes meet his, noticing he too is engrossed in his notes.
"You're one to talk," she teases, watching as Regulus smirks in response before turning his attention back to his table.
Closing her book with a sigh, she manages a few bites of food but feels she might be sick if she eats any more.
Pandora leans over, concerned. "You alright?"
"Yeah, just ready for these exams to end," Josephine replies.
"Same here. Studying makes me overthink," Pandora admits.
A light laugh escapes Josephine's lips.
Barty, on the other hand, seems unperturbed, likely due to his constant studying. He is undeniably smart.
As is she... in a way. Her intelligence often takes a backseat to her prioritization of others. Merely being smart doesn't hold much weight if she doesn't excel in other facets.
Focus.
Transfiguration is her first exam, a subject she excels in.
The exam draws nearer, and nerves begin to set in.
"Time for exams," Dorcas groans.
"You've got this. Good luck," Josephine encourages, earning a weak smile from Dorcas before she departs for her exam.
Regulus leans over. "Ready for the exam?"
"No"
~~~
The following day arrives, and Josephine harbors a sinking feeling that she might have gotten several questions in yesterday's exams wrong. Her standards are high; nothing less than Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations will suffice.
Regulus, visibly tense now, bears the weight of familial expectations. While Josephine used to grapple with that pressure, it is no longer a burden from her family.
