Double Double Toil and Trouble // One //

Chapter Fifteen

Weeks went by of non stop studying for the upcoming final exams. We started getting even more homework from each class. Harry and I had to owl Mum and Dad to tell them we couldn't come home for Easter holidays because so much of our work had piled up while we were busy with Quidditch. Even copying off of Nat and Hermione couldn't help us.

Harry and I were having second thoughts about not doing anything about Snape and the stone. After our chat with Firenze in the forest, it became obvious that our potions master wasn't trying to get the stone for himself, but for Voldemort instead. The Elixir of Life produced by the stone would allow him to rise to power again. The unicorn blood wasn't going to sustain him forever.

It became hard deciding what our next move was going to be. Nothing seemed to change with Snape, Quirrell, or the stone. All we could do was focus on exams and Quidditch and hope every morning that Snape hadn't gotten past Fluffy while everyone was asleep.

Regarding Quidditch, Gryffindor was gaining on Slytherin for first place, but we still had the lead by the end of May. Harry constantly complained about how Wood pushed the Gryffindors to their limits. Gryffindor hadn't won the Quidditch Cup since Charlie Weasley graduated from Hogwarts in 1990, then Ravenclaw took over in 1991. I would get expelled from Hogwarts before I let Gryffindor pass up Slytherin for first place.

Fred, George, and I started planning so many pranks to loosen people up before exams, that I started keeping track of them in a notebook for future references.

On March 24, we unleashed loads of cockroaches in the food at the Ravenclaw dinner table.

On March 31, we planned something big because it was the twins' birthday the day after. Nat and I gathered as many books as we could from the library, and we all worked together to put charms on them.

The next day, the Library was filled with the Hogwarts song playing loudly at all different times. Pranks like these went on for a few weeks, and I had used up almost half of my notebook.

~

I took a deep breath as I exited the History of Magic classroom. We had just taken our last set of final exams, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. "Bloody hell! That took so much out of me!" I gasped, dramatically collapsing against the wall. Nat pulled me up by my sweater vest. "Yes, you can play Quidditch until your broom snaps in half, but writing on a few pieces of parchment is exhausting."

I rolled my eyes. "First of all, I would never let my broom snap in half. Second of all, Quidditch doesn't give me hand cramps!" I not only got louder in my explanation to better prove my point, but I also held my right hand in fake pain for effect.

Nat looked to her left at Draco. "Is there any helping this one?" He shook his head with his signature smirk growing. "No, I can't say there is." I walked behind them and wrapped my arms around both their shoulders. "Sod off you guys."

We walked out the entrance hall and into the courtyard where there was a warm breeze blowing. It was a good change from a musty classroom. We all sat down on the edge of the fountain.

"So Draco, I recently heard from Blaise Zabini that your birthday is tomorrow." Nat said. I looked at him with a frown. "Oh, yeah it is. June fifth." I elbowed him roughly in the ribs. "Ow! What was that for?" "You're telling us this now?" I asked. "It never came up!" I looked over at Nat. "We have to start planning a party right away!" She nodded.

Harry, Ron and Hermione suddenly came running towards us. "We need you two. Now!" Harry said in a serious tone. Nat and I picked up our bags and stood up. "Sorry mate. We'll see you in the common room tonight!" I got louder as we ran farther from Draco. We sent one last wave before entering the castle.