Lost in spells and shadows

Chapter 64: The Truth About Him

The exam season was officially upon them as everyone was frantically preparing and reviewing their studies. It was now a usual sight, seeing students walking around in the common room with a book or paper in hand as they studied the material. But the exam season also meant that everyone was short-tempered and stressed. Marlene was cranky and could lash out at random people, Sarah was in tears, Alice was cursing under her breath after each sentence she finished, Mary was always stressed, Dorcas was too much into herself and barely talked, Lily was always pale and Adelaide herself was too drained and tired, even though she slept better than most in her exams, studying hours without taking a break could easily tire you.

While Adelaide would usually study alone, if she needed to study with anyone, it would be with Dorcas and Lily as they talked less but she also found herself studying with Stephan who was also a very good choice. He managed to lift her spirits up somehow and whenever she thought she couldn't continue, he urged her to get through with it. Something that was noted by everyone but never commented on. The only people who would make sly comments were the marauders who after being glared at by Stephan, stopped talking about it. Adelaide was clueless and never understood anything and for that Stephan was very thankful, but it also frustrated his friends deeply.

Thankfully Adelaide had finished most of her exams quite well and had a huge grin on her face after her transfiguration exam.

"Good exam, Adelaide?" Stephan asked with a smile.

"Very. And how about you?"

"The same. If everything goes well, i might as well as finish with top scores. The highest."

"Hmm, you're forgetting something; me. So you need to do better than me which is going yo be impossible, as i had already done the best it was possible."

"Yeah, yeah. We'll see."

"Right, we'll see."

The next exam, which was also their last one, was defence against the dark arts and it was a very warm day. Adelaide felt like melting from the heat. Due to the weather, there was an exception and the physical demonstration was going to be done before their written exam. So they were randomly calling on the students to show their skills to the officials. All of the students were gathered in the hall, so the stress was more as they were being watched on by others. Adelaide finished her demonstration with ease and the old lady who oversaw her was clapping for her.

"Can you also do something else with your wand? You were quite exceptional, i believe you know some high-level things to show. It could be a great footnote in your resumé." The kind overseer told her.

"Well.... I can do a corporal patronus."

"Oh, really? Show it then."

Adelaide drew in a deep breath and with a smooth wave of her hand, silver exited the tip of her wand and a familiar lioness jumped out of her wand. Everyone awed and stared at the patronus, which walked around with elegance. Then there was more murmurs as another lion appeared from her left. Adelaide turned left and saw Stephan, who had been taking his exam the same time as her, staring at his own patronus with a proud smile. The two silver figures circled one another as Adelaide and Stephan stared at one another. Adelaide felt a weird feeling, making her slightly frown. Everyone cheered and clapped loudly as they looked around shyly, making their patronus disappear.

"I have never seen two students like you in one generation. Bravo!" The overseer said as they thanked the officials and stood aside for the next students to take their exams.

"That was bloody brilliant, mate." James exclaimed happily at them as their friends came to them.

"Now you had mostly certainly bagged an O for your OWLs' DADA exam." Marlene stated.