I. social casualty | blaise zabini ✔️

OWLS

CHAPTER 34

OWLS

The euphoria from winning the Quidditch match didn't last as long as Lyra would have wanted. As OWLs timetables were given out Lyra found herself putting more effort into her studies. With Quidditch no longer a priority and DA being stopped by Umbridge, Lyra finds herself with a book in front of her almost at all times.

She'd be lying if she said that her career meeting with McGonagall didn't freak her out a little. Really, Curse Breakers and Healers were the only jobs that seemed appealing to her. Before third year she had never considered anything other than Auror, which seemed to be the expected career for her as a Gryffindor.

But after the hospital experience with Mr. Weasley and the Longbottoms, being a healer seemed so right for her. And after a few summers at the Weasleys and meeting Bill, he had easily become a role model both career and style wise.

Which meant she would have to work harder because both careers would only accept top grades from her to even give her a chance.

So, she let herself be dragged into the library by Zara everyday. Her runs were cut short to give her time in the morning, her breakfasts, lunches, and dinners usually had a book involved.

Finally the week of OWLs seemed to arrive, and Lyra felt both extremely prepared and unprepared at the same time. Her brain was all filled with far too much information from far too many subjects. 

Her first exam was Monday morning, Theory of Charms. She had spent all night studying for it, casting small charms to make sure she could do them, she succeeded at most.

Fay, Zara, and her took turns quizzing each other as they walked towards the Great Hall the morning of. She barely ate breakfast, struggling to eat much and settling for Zara's disgusting oatmeal with fruit when the egg scent was too much for her.

The 5th and 7th years moved into the Entrance Hall after breakfast as the other students began to head to their classes. Lyra pulled her eyes away from the book long enough to look at Blaise. She found it extremely unfair that he had no bags under his eyes or exhaustion written on his face. Beautiful people were lucky like that. But she smiled at him and mouthed a 'good luck,' which he mouthed back.

At half past nine, the 5th years were called back into the Great Hall. In replacement of the four house tables were individual desks facing the staff table where McGonagall stood.

"You may begin," She said and tipped the large hourglass over, starting the exam.

Lyra looked down at the exam sheet and took her quill after inhaling deeply. The exam was shorter than she expected, about 30 questions, still it took all of her concentration and brain power to remember everything.

Making objects fly: 'Wingardium Leviosa,' swish and flick. The Bat Bogey Curse, the Shield Charm, and on and on the questions went. Lyra usually was quick at answering questions in tests and finished faster than most students, giving her time to go over it again and wait.

The practical exam was a few hours later, after lunch. Lyra was called back into the Great Hall with Parkinson, Padma, Parvati, and Harry.

Flitwick pointed towards a dark skinned woman in deep blue robes, she looked very professional as she stood tall while writing on a clipboard. "Professor Marchbanks will be you examiner, Ms. Knight."

Lyra nodded but felt her arm shake slightly as she realized that her examiner was the leader of the OWLs examinations. Still she held her head high as she walked towards the woman, smiling politely and greeted her, "Professor Marchbanks."