The Girl Who Never Lived¹ | h. potter

💎Chapter 17💎

Despite the fact that Voldemort seemed to be after the Sorcerer's Stone, exams were still coming over the horizon.

Most days went by where Ciara was half expecting Voldemort to run through the doors, the stone in one hand and his wand in the other. But days went by, and Fluffy was still alive and well behind the locked door.

And, sooner than Ciara had hoped, it was time for the exams. And, as luck would have it, all of Ciara's studying had paid off. She was able to make the pineapple tap-dance across the desk for Professor Flitwick (to both of their amusement and delight)

For Professor McGonagall, she was able to transfigure her mouse into a snuffbox, no whiskers in sight and she was given extra points for decorating it with jewels (Gryffindor colored jewels, obviously). The one test she wasn't as confident in was Snape's, who kept staring over her shoulder while he tried to make her forgetfulness potion.

While most students were enjoying the weather outside (it was extremely hot inside) Ciara couldn't enjoy it as much as everyone else. Partly because she was worried about Voldemort, and partly because her scar was burning with pain.

The four first years had taken refuge near the black lake, the water hitting the shore a few feet away from their shoes. After Ron convinced Hermione to relaxed for the rest of the day ("We just finished our test Hermione!") this is where they decided to relax until supper came that night.

At least, Ron and Hermione were relaxing. Harry and Ciara could hardly think past the pounding of their scars. Harry's head rested in her lap once again, her cool hands placed over his scar as she did her best not to wince every time she swallowed.

"No more studying," Ron exclaimed with a happy sigh before sending Harry and Ciara a meaningful look. "You could look more cheerful, Harry, we've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet!"

Another round of throbbing pain made Harry wince and Ciara turned her hand over, her cool knuckles slightly soothing the pain in Harry's head. He sighed in relief before peering over at Ron.

"I can't but be tense," he said, his voice small due to his throbbing head, "Our scars are burning! It happened before, but never this often."

"Go to Madam Pomfrey," Hermione suggested, glancing up from her book.

"I'm not ill," Harry said, quick to dismiss at trip to the hospital wing. "It's like a warning . . . danger's coming. . . ."

But Ron was just as quick to dismiss Harry's worries.

"Harry, relax," Ron said with a wave, "Hermione's right, the Stone's safe as long as Dumbledore's around. Anyway, we've never had any proof Snape found out how to get past

Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he's not going to try it again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down."

Harry flopped back onto Ciara's lap, staring at her with a look of affectionate disbelief, 'They're never going to take us seriously, are they?'

Mirth danced in her eyes when she smiled, a breathy laugh escaping her lips as she shook her head, 'Probably not.'

Harry smiled before his eyes drifted close. Ciara lifted her head to look out towards the black lake, seemingly keen on watching the Weasley twin and Lee Jordan tickle the tentacles of a giant squid, which was basking in the warm shallows

Ciara found herself oddly enjoying the peace and-

Harry shot upwards.

Oh. Peace gone.