■ Unfortunate Soul ■ Fred Weasley ■

How to plan your future

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Gwen took in a deep breath before flipping open her booklet. Professor Sprout decided to set a test for the class as mock of the O.W.L.s. That week Gwen had the theoretical part while the practical took place the week after.

Before starting, she took a quick look around the room and in doing so, meeting the eyes of Lee who gave her an encouraging smile.

Question 1- Why is Dittany used and what are its effects?

She knew that she knew the answer but with the panic and stress she was feeling the answer couldn't come out. She panicked more when she heard the continuous scratching of quills on parchment.

Gwen knew that she had to pull herself together quickly. She skipped the question and went on to the next one which was about the Fanged Geranium which she knew instantly much to her relief.

She didn't leave early as she kept going to the last minute. Because of the time limit, she left a few things out which in turn made her feel anxious. When she left the classroom, as opposed to the greenhouses were the lessons usually where, and found Lee waiting for her.

"How'd you do?" Lee asked immediately as he stopped leaning against the wall. Gwen was still trying to shove her pocket and ink well into her bag. "Not as bad as I thought," Gwen admitted, a smile creeping onto her face.

Lee gave out a sigh of relief. "Good for you, I thought you were going to have a panic attack for a second." Gwen laughed. "Don't worry, I almost did. I didn't finish all of it but I think I at least got an Acceptable."

"Cedric helped you that much?" Lee asked with amusement. "Yep, he turned a complete mess into a mild one. I told you that we were actually studying."

Lee snickered. The boy was adamant that studying was a code word for snogging.

"Speaking of him, give me a second?" Gwen asked to which Lee motioned her to go on. She walked up to Cedric who stopped his conversation with his friend Parker. "How did you do?" He asked. "Good, actually, and I got you to thank," Gwen stated.

"I'm glad. I also want to make it clear that I'll take payment in forms of affection." Cedric replied. "Oh really? And do I pay upfront or can I take a loan?" Gwen asked, watching Cedric's smile turn cheekier by the second. "It's a win-win situation, truth be told."

"Don't start snogging right in front of me. PDA isn't allowed in the corridors and its simply disgusting." Parker quipped from the side. The poor boy was unfortunate to have witnessed all the bad flirting. Cedric fought the urge to groan while Gwen chuckled. "Loan it is then. I better go, I don't want to keep Lee waiting. See you around, Parker. Cedric." Gwen added as she leaned in to kiss his cheek.

After trading their goodbyes, Gwen joined Lee who immediately started making his way towards the Great Hall. "All that Herbology made me hungry. No offence but the only plant that I'm interested in right now is the garlic on the garlic bread." Lee explained. He offered his arm to Gwen which she linked through his and then he hurried the pace. It's a habit that both of them got accustomed to whenever Lee is in a rush to go somewhere which in turn reassured that Gwen wouldn't suddenly fall.

Lee and Gwen were the last from their group to arrive at the Gryffindor table. Gwen quickly collapsed in the free seat and leaned her head onto Fred's shoulder. "What's wrong? Did you do badly?" Angelina asked almost immediately. "I hope not, not with all the 'studying' she and Cedric have been doing." Alicia continued with a snicker.

Gwen shot them a glare. "Contrary to popular belief, the two of us did study... Most of the time... Anyways, I did quite good actually. I'm just tired. I have my Arithmancy test after lunch and then we got the potions one. I need sugar in my system since I got less sleep than usual and I'm on the brink of dying." Fred handed her a bowl of soup first then handed her a slice of cherry pie.