ℒℯ𝓈𝓈ℴ𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ

❀ 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒻ℴ𝓉𝓇𝓎 ❀

❤︎𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓭𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓭𝓪𝔂, 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓾𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓻𝓷 𝓽𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂❤︎

II anxiously nibble at my lower lip, my gaze fixated upon the window for the umpteenth time. Severus, instead of merely arching an amused brow, gracefully sets aside his cutlery and directs his penetrating gaze toward me.

„Seraphina." His mellifluous voice, tinged with an undertone of concern, jars me from my reverie. My cheeks, unbidden, flush a delicate shade of crimson; I had hoped to conceal my anxiousness from him.

"You cannot alter the course now, Seraphina. I am most certain that the results of your NEWT exams shall be commensurate with your unwavering diligence."

A weary sigh escapes my lips as I recline in my chair, heedlessly pushing aside the untouched breakfast that sits before me. As much as my appetite yearns to be sated, the looming arrival of my examination results has rendered me incapable of ingesting a morsel. This morning holds the announcement of my exam scores, and later in the day, Pansy, Draco, and his parents shall congregate at our residence for an evening repast. Subsequently, we shall journey to Hogwarts for the anticipated promenade, scheduled for seven in the evening. My contemplation is abruptly disrupted as a bird, rather insistently, pecks at the windowpane of our drawing-room.

Startled, I react with such alacrity that my tea-filled cup clatters to the floor. However, the spilled tea matters not; my primary focus lies on the unexpected messenger. I cross the room with a mixture of urgency and care, swinging the window open to reveal a brown owl perched upon my shoulder, its leg outstretched bearing a missive. Anxious but mindful of the creature's welfare, I gingerly retrieve the parchment. The owl promptly takes flight, disappearing into the boundless sky. My attention, however, remains steadfastly riveted upon the parchment cradled in my hand.

Suddenly, the desire to ascertain my academic fate dwindles. If I do not glimpse my grades, I shall not bear the burden of failure. My gaze seeks Severus, who regards me with a blend of sympathy and consternation.

"I cannot," I protest, my voice wavering with apprehension. "What if—"

Exhaling a resigned sigh, Severus shakes his head and rises from the elegant grey chaise longue. I extend the parchment toward him, beseeching him silently.

"You must be the one to unfurl it. And if, perchance, I have not attained the requisites for becoming a Healer, I implore you, refrain from disclosing the results."

"Sera—"

"Please."

He acquiesces with a nod, accepting the parchment from my trembling hand, breaking the seal, and perusing its contents. Every passing moment feels like an eternity until he finally lifts his gaze, a genuine smile adorning his lips.

"I have always known of your formidable intellect. You have surpassed even my loftiest expectations, Seraphina."

A sense of relief washes over me, and I take the parchment in hand, allowing my eyes to traverse its contents.

Alchemy: Outstanding

Ancient Runes: Outstanding

Arithmancy: Outstanding

Astronomy: Outstanding

History of Magic: Exceeds Expectations

Herbology: Outstanding

Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding

Defence against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Transfiguration: Outstanding