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 morning sun filtered through the high windows of the Great Hall as the Fifth Years all settled into their seats, the weight of their History of Magic study and knowledge compacted and crammed into their brains as much as possible. Nearly the entire cohort dressed the History of Magic exam, including Emerson. She enjoyed history, but it was difficult to retain any information whatsoever over the years with Professor Binns as a teacher.
Nonetheless, Emerson and Olivia's joint efforts over five five years paid off. The two girls spent countless hours together over the years splitting the classes in half, their notes filled with scribbles and reminders of study sessions that always ended in laughter. Now, on the last day of exams, they were more grateful than ever for each other's company.
As the hall filled, Emerson's gaze wandered as Ron took a seat beside her. She spotted Harry across the room, his face pale and green eyes shadowed with a kind of weariness that tugged at her heart. Her worry for him bubbled up and she wondered if his evident exhaustion had anything to do with Hagrid being forced out of Hogwarts the other evening. Emerson knew that the trio were close to Hagrid, with Harry in particular being the closest but it looked like something more than exhaustion. There seemed to be something on his mind, capturing his attention because he looked like he wasn't actually mentally in the Great Hall. She made a mental reminder to actually approach him and ask him whether he was okay. They hadn't properly spoken in weeks, not since he warned her about Mattheo but he was still her friend. She owed it to him.
Her eyes wandered slightly to Harry's right and landed on Mattheo sitting a few seats over. He was staring at her in his chair, turned ever so slightly so he could watch her with that usual intensity. Their eyes met, and she gave him an encouraging smile, feeling the familiar warmth his presence stirred in her.
Just then, a few rows ahead, she saw Enzo catch sight of her as well. He was entirely turned in his chair, facing behind him as he pulled faces at Theo. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he puckered his lips and blew a dramatic, exaggerated kiss in Emerson's direction when she glanced at him. Emerson quickly covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laugh, while Mattheo's expression instantly darkened as he whipped around and glared at his friend. Enzo, undeterred and wholly unbothered by the seething stare, turned his smirk toward Mattheo.
Just as Enzo leaned back, grinning mischievously, one of the examiners noticed and snapped at him. "Eyes up front, Mr Berkshire!"
"Oh, but of course, Professor," Enzo replied smoothly, flashing an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one. "I was just offering my condolences to Mr Crabbe. I pass wind when I'm nervous, you know!"
His excuse was audacious and ludicrous, leaving Crabbe entirely dumbfounded with his mouth wide open.
Emerson chuckled lightly, a small escape before the reality of the exam sank back in. She glanced over at Olivia, who was shaking her head in amusement, trying to hide her own laughter. Theo was rolling his eyes, ignoring the adoring looks from Padma Patil.
