The Siren's Call (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

106. A Hint of Charm

After weeks and weeks of relentless studying, the time was finally upon them all. As Dioleh and her friends stared at their schedules, they each wondered how brilliantly they were going to feel when they eventually got through the coming two weeks. "So what do we have lined up?" Blaise asked, attempting to organize his notes.

"Charms is tomorrow," Andre explained. Blaise laid that guide down first with the writing towards the table. "Then we have Transfiguration on Tuesday, Defense Against the Dark Arts Wednesday, Ancient Runes Thursday, Arithmancy Friday, Potions Monday, Care of Magical Creatures Tuesday, Astronomy Wednesday morning, Divination Wednesday afternoon, and Astronomy at midnight Wednesday night. Thursday is History of Magic."

"Andre, how do you remember that?" Imani asked as Blaise organized his notes by order of exam. Andre shrugged.

Scanning over their study guides, Draco said, "Wait, no one ever made an Astronomy one."

"Oh," Andre said, his eyes wide. "Sorry, I forgot you guys don't learn Astronomy from birth."

"You know it all already?" Blaise said in surprise.

"Pretty much," Imani replied. "Mostly we just have to translate the names and that's about it."

"I wish," Blaise said. "Regardless, it's not that big of a deal, Draco. We'll be fine."

"I say we just study for the one that's tomorrow every day," Dioleh said. "Who's down?"

"Me," they chorused.

"No point stressing that much," Imani said. "I mean the worst we can do is fail."

"True," Dioleh said. Retreating onto the grounds by the lake, they spent the afternoon testing each other over Charms.

They all woke the next morning to find the atmosphere of the school a little more tense than usual as fifth and seventh years readied to take their O.W.L. or N.E.W.T. exams, sitting anxiously at the breakfast tables and picking at food as some did last-minute studying and others stared off into space contemplating the point of trying. When at last breakfast was over, everyone left the Great Hall and while the first through fourth and sixth years went to classes, fifth and seventh years settled around the Entrance Hall waiting to be called in to take their exams.

Dioleh and her friends settled on the stairs with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as Hermione paced back and forth, muttering furiously to herself as she tried to remember everything. Ron looked rather sick. "Nervous?" Harry asked, turning to Dioleh who was sitting by Draco.

"No, not really," she admitted. "If I stress about it, I'm going to fail. I've done all I can to be ready."

"I suppose," Harry said, but Dioleh could tell he was far more anxious than she was. Blaise was lounging on the stairs without a care in the world as Imani and Andre quizzed each other.

With a loud bang, the large Great Hall doors swung open and a loud voice called, "Seventh years!" The older students quickly went inside. After about ten more minutes, the same voice said, "Fifth years!"

"I guess that's our cue," Dioleh said, getting to her feet. The large group headed for the door as Draco looped his arm around Dioleh's shoulders. Quickly pecking Draco's cheek, Dioleh said, "You're going to do amazing."

"I know," he replied. Dioleh let out a small chuckle before detaching herself from him and taking her seat.

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After the exam, they regrouped and Andre said, "Well, that wasn't that bad."

"Better than I was expecting," Dioleh admitted. "Honestly, it was pretty easy."

"Oh, shut it," Imani sighed.

"I'm sure you did fine, Mani," Andre said comfortingly. "Now we just have the practical part of our exam."

"Thank Merlin," Draco groaned. "I cast the spells much better than I can describe them."

"Same," Blaise admitted. They spent the remaining time until lunch sitting around on the grounds, giving their minds a break before having to go back in for lunch and the practical. None felt much like talking. Instead, they sat at the edge of the lake in silence, each thinking over the exam despite their desperate attempts to drive it from their minds. After they had been on the grounds for about a quarter of an hour, the bell for lunch rang and they found themselves once again in the Great Hall. The fifth years were a little less stressed during lunch than there were during breakfast, but several students, particularly Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and a handfull of Slytherins, were sifting through books to prepare for the practical.

When it came time for lunch to be over, instead of calling in each class, students were called in one by one to be tested by one of the testers. In spite of herself, Dioleh set to pacing back and forth as she waited for her name to be called. "Granger, Dioleh!" Professor Flitwick called. Casting her encouraging smiles, each of her friends wished her luck as she headed for the door. Once she approached the door, he said, "Go to Professor Marshbanks, Granger. Good luck."

"Thank you, Professor," Dioleh replied as she passed him to go to the professor. "Hello," she said kindly. The aged professor looked up. "Granger, Dioleh," she explained.

After the professor had written down her name, she said, "Now, take this teacup and just move it around for me."

Taking a deep breath, Dioleh pointed her wand at the teacup and said, "Wingardium Leviosa." Instantly, the cup flew from the professor's hand, flying effortlessly through the air with many complicated swirls and flips.

"Excellent," she said kindly. "Now, turn it blue." With a simple flick of the wand, she did so. After a few more requests of spells, Professor Marshbanks said, "Excellent, dear. You may go."

"Thank you," Dioleh said, beaming. "Have a good rest of your afternoon, Professor." She nodded kindly and Dioleh quickly left through the side entrance they were directed to.