How I Met The Marauders

OWLs

The end of January was absolutely lovely. The whole Quidditch team (except the Seeker, Dominique McLaggen) were pleased with Ari who turned out to be a great Quidditch player and the best flier. A natural, like Madame Hooch had once said.

But as January turned into February, the 5th years were totally stressed out. Every one was busy, studying for the OWLs.

And before they knew it, it was March.

Obviously, the Marauders weren't studying. Except Remus (and Ari, if you count her one.)

Ari cornered James after Potions class and gave him a sweet threat.
"James, start studying or I'll make sure Lily never even looks at you. And make Sirius study. Tell him that Peter will get better marks than him if he doesn't. "

So, naturally, the boys studied hard. And so did the girls.

Sirius helped Ari by giving her Astronomy classes. Every night, they would sneak out to the Astronomy Tower and he'd tell her which star was which. So two weeks before the exam, Ari was perfect at Astronomy.

Soon, it was times for the OWLs.

First came Charms.
"I'm sure I'm getting an O!"

Then, Astronomy.
"Thanks to Sirius, I knew everything... except where the star, Sirius is. So I wrote 'behind me'. Maybe I'll still get an E."

Then, Herbology.
"That bloody paper was so bloody difficult. I hope I at least get a bloody A!"

Then, Potions.
"Lovely. I'm sure it's an O!"

Then, History.
"I fell asleep and no one tried to wake me up! I missed half my paper. Surely, I'll fail... but do I care? NO."

Then, Divination.
"I actually saw something! A house elf and a blade. The blade struck the elf before my very eyes! Obviously, not a sweet thing to predict... but I'm sure it's an O.

Then, Muggle Studies and Transfiguration in which Ari declared that she'd get an O.

The last was DADA. They all finished the paper 10 to 20 minutes early. The Hufflepuff girl sitting behind Sirius looked at him, dreamily but he was too busy mouthing to Ari and James.

After the exam, Ari left as she had detention. Sirius had hexed the suits of armour but Ari, who had enough practice, said she had done it so Sirius could study.

When, she came back that afternoon, she met an anxious Remus in the corridor who told her what had happened by the Lake. (Read Order of the Phoenix. Snape's worst memory.)

Ari was furious and annoyed. She went to the boy's dormitory and scolded them.

"Listen, James. What I'm saying is that there's no need to throw invitations onto Lily whenever possible and nor is their any need to hex Snivellus when Lily's there. If you want to attack him, do it when she's not near!"

After a long argument, it was decided that James wouldn't ask Lily out at every opportunity and nor would he hex other students without reason.

Then, Ari went to Lily and comforted her.

Soon, it was time to go.
"You three gave me such a lovely time. I'm going to miss you like Hell!" Ari groaned while they boarded the train.
"I don't want to leave Hogwarts."

But before they knew it, they were at King's Cross. The orphanage van would come an hour late.

Soon, all of Ari's friends left except for James.

"Will you write?" She asked.

"Of course, I will. And I suppose, I'll have to do it at night because I don't think the Muggles would like owls in the area during the day."

But soon, he had to go too.
"Hello, Mum! Dad! ... This is my friend, Ari." He introduced.

The Potters were lovely people.

"Hello! You must be Arianna. James told us about you. We're so sorry about your parents. Anyway, I'm Charles Lucas Potter. You can call me Charlie or Charles or Luke or Lucas or Potter or whatever you like because I'm okay with everything." Said Luke.

("Luke! Talk a little lesser, will you?" Scolded Mrs Potter.)

Ari laughed. "I think I'll go with Luke. I had a friend named Luke."

Then, they left. But first, they asked her if she'd be okay, staying alone for a while. She assured them, "Yes, the orphanage van will be here soon. The hour's almost up."

And, the van came few minutes after the Potters' departure.

Ari was worried and nervous. But she had to go and she did.