Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
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The days leading up to the O.W.L.s swept through the castle like a storm, pulling every fifth-year student into its anxious wake. The usual bustling chatter of hallways was replaced by whispered revisions and muttered spells, as students either poured over textbooks or frantically recited definitions and incantations to themselves. Emerson, like every Ravenclaw, was focused, her head buried in notes, but every now and then, she felt her gaze drift over to Mattheo.
Despite his usual indifferent demeanor, she noticed he was putting in serious hours for the exams. But between their packed schedules and constant revision sessions, there wasn't a single spare moment for them to be alone.
As the day of their Charms exam finally dawned, Emerson woke early, her stomach fluttering with nervous energy. The theory portion was first, and as she settled into her seat, parchment and quills ready, she cast a quick glance around, spotting Mattheo just across the aisle. He looked up as if sensing her gaze, a small smirk on his lips, and he gave her a wink. Her heart skipped a beat, but before she could smile back, Professor Flitwick called for silence, and she focused on the parchment in front of her.
The theory exam was filled with questions she prepared for: the intricacies of Summoning Charms, the difference between Levitation and Hover Charms, and the theory behind the Fidelius Charm. Hours later, as the final questions were scribbled down, she sighed with relief, stretching her fingers. Glancing up again, she caught Mattheo's eye just as he stretched his arms lazily, clearly unfazed. She felt her cheeks warm and quickly turned away.
The afternoon brought the practical Charms exam. Small groups were brought in by surname in alphabetical order. Emerson was part of one of the last few with Ron, who she smiled at comfortingly when she saw his pale face.
The truth was Emerson hadn't actually spoken with the Gryffindors since the D.A. was disbanded by Umbridge. Harry was avoiding her entirely, and Hermione and Ron weren't speaking to her either out of respect for their best friend's obvious distaste of her choice in friends. The most that they could manage was a grimace in her direction when she wasn't with Mattheo, Theo or Enzo.
Emerson took a deep breath before stepping up to demonstrate her spells in front of an examiner. She flicked her wand with precision, causing a feather to hover gently, then summoned objects from across the room. She performed well, but her mind drifted every so often to the feeling of Mattheo's hands on her waist, his words from the lake still echoing faintly in her mind. Nonetheless, with a steady hand and a calm focus, she moved from one spell to the next, leaving her examiners nodding in satisfaction.
Cedric would've been proud of her if he was there to see.
As she finished, she caught Mattheo watching her from the doorway with an approving look that made her heart pound in a way she couldn't quite hide. He had clearly finished his practical exam, but evidently waited to watch Emerson as she finished hers. She followed him into the Entrance Hall, where Olivia, Theo, and Enzo were waiting, laughing and joking around. Mattheo leant against the wall next to Theo.
