When We Fell In Love

Chapter 24: Summer

May slipped through their fingers too quickly. The hours spent in the library, surrounded by the study group, stretched on longer and longer, well past sunset and closer and closer to curfew. At some point mid-May, somehow, Remus had managed to get McGonagall's permission to stay in the library with that group even beyond curfew, all in preparation for the O.W.L.s.

The group grew larger and larger, taking up most of the available space between the shelves and the scattered tables. Collaboration among students was at an all-time high, especially between the fifth-year and seventh-year students — the N.E.W.T.s seemed too to loom over the heads of those poor students.

Despite the little free time they had, Mary and Lily's relationship was going splendidly. Both were determined to pass as many O.W.L.s as possible, and so they poured all their energy into books and scrolls.

In the evenings, though, when their dorm mates were snoring blissfully, Lily would always sneak into Mary's bed, and they would fall asleep to the sound of each other's breathing. Mary's bed had become their little love nest.

June arrived all too quickly, and with it came the two weeks of exams that had haunted their nightmares for months. They took turns nearing a nervous breakdown, but they supported each other with encouraging words and sweet stolen good-luck kisses.

Mary felt rather satisfied at the end of that exam marathon. She knew she would not excel in every subject, but she was confident she would pass at least some exams with high marks. Lily, on the other hand, brilliant witch that she was, had proven her immense knowledge and skills in every exam they took, and Mary could not help but feel immensely proud of her girlfriend. When they walked out of the final exam, they both sighed in relief.

"We're free!" exclaimed Mary.

"At least for a few months, anyway," replied Lily, laughing lightly.

Mary had been waiting for the end of exams to make her proposal. "Lily," she began.

"Yes, my love?" Mary felt herself melt, but quickly pulled herself together.

"I was thinking..." Mary did not understand why she felt so nervous. "Would you like to come to my place again this summer, and spend it with me and my family?"

Lily's face broke into a huge smile. "I'd love that, Mary. I could go home for a few days and then join you in London. God spare me from spending more time than necessary with that harpy of a sister of mine."

Mary hugged Lily tightly and then whispered in her ear, "It'll be the best summer of my life if you're there."

"I'll be there, one way or another, you can count on it," replied Lily before pulling her behind a tapestry and kissing her deeply.

It was going to be a perfect summer.

𑇐𑇐𑇐𑇐

How could Louis think about exams when he already had everything that made him feel good right in his hands: a wonderful boyfriend, old friends and new ones who filled his days with laughter, a magic wand that allowed him to do more or less whatever he wanted.

Nonetheless, Louis tried to focus at least during those long weeks so he could pass at least a few exams and aim for a future in the magical world. It was then that he truly realised how lucky he was to have the study group: there were countless people ready to help him, he could spend time with his friends — especially Dorcas, who was always by his side — and, more often than not, Harry joined their group, allowing them to spend more time together than Louis had ever thought possible.

This did not mean that their escapades to the Room of Requirement had ended; they were just reduced significantly, but they always tried to make the most of every minute they could spend together. Harry was becoming increasingly bold in their intimacy, seducing and teasing him until Louis was seeing stars. Louis was falling more in love every day, and he kept telling Harry so, constantly reminding him that he was not going to get rid of him that easily.