It's Nice To Have A Friend

22 - Angel From Montgomery

Mallory entered the Great Hall for breakfast. She sat beside Peter. "Hey, Pete," she mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She had studied until she couldn't keep her eyes open. However, she still couldn't recall anything she had read. 

"Hey, Ducky," Peter replied with a small smile.

"Is Potions the first block today?" Sirius asked from across the table. 

"No. It's Transfiguration," Remus responded. 

James's fork hit his plate as he cursed. "We were supposed to study last night, Mal," he stated.

"It's a bit too late now, mate," Remus grumbled. 

James glanced at his watch and swore again. "We've got five minutes," he stated. He pulled out a textbook from his bag and placed it in front of Mallory. "We can study as much as we can." Mallory pulled the textbook toward her as James wrapped around the table to sit beside her. 

The five minutes passed quickly, and soon they were walking down the corridor, trying to cram in any information they could. "What does the inanimatus conjurus spell do?" James question. 

Mallory sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It transfigures inanimate objects," she guessed. 

James shook his head. "It alters the design of a room," he told her. "One more. What is the incantation to transfigure an owl into an opera glass?"

"Why would I ever need to do that?" Mallory grumbled, pursing her lips as she tried to remember. "Bird-to-glass...A." 

"No, Mal. It's strigiforma."

Mallory groaned. 

"Relax, Mallory. You're acting like you've never failed a test," Remus said with a small laugh. Mallory glanced at him as his laugh fell. "You've never failed a test?"

Mallory shook her head. "I was always ahead back home."

"Who do you sit by in Transfiguration?" Peter pressed. 

"Why? Do you want me to cheat?" Mallory joked, looking at Peter with a nervous smile. Peter shrugged. "No! Peter, I'm not cheating." 

"You're too uptight, Mallory," James complained. 

"This test is important," Remus reminded her. "If you really want to get into Poppy's program, you need to pass this test." 

Mallory sighed. "That wouldn't be the end of the world. Being a doctor has never been my dream," she admitted softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "But I want to pass."

"It won't be the end of the world if you fail one test, Mal. We've all failed plenty. Even Remus, and he's a prefect."

"But I haven't."

"You'll be fine," Remus assured her.

They entered the classroom. As if the day could get worse, Sirius was already in his seat. On top of him sat a girl, smiling at him flirtatiously. Mallory took her seat beside him. Trying not to vomit, she pulled out her quill. Sirius whispered something to the girl on top of him. She giggled. Mallory was about to lose her temper when Professor McGonagall walked in. Quickly, the girl scrambled off Sirius's lap and ran out of the classroom. 

McGonagall began to hand out the tests, reminding everyone that no textbooks or notes were allowed. Mallory took the test in her hands. She let out a long breath before beginning to fill out the questions. As she flipped to the second page, her stomach sank. 

To make matters worse, Sirius rested his hand on her bouncing knee. She looked over at him, cheeks burning. He kept his gaze on his test, completely unaware of the effect he had on her. His index finger gently traced something on her knee. 

She looked down at the test, realizing he had given her the answer. She furrowed her brows, battling within herself. After several seconds, she circled the first answer. She noticed Sirius glance at her test before more forcefully tracing the answer on her knee. Mallory ignored him and looked at the next question about the inanimatus conjurus spell. She was about to answer when Sirius traced the answer on her knee again. 

Mallory bit her bottom lip as she circled the answer. He gently squeezed her knee. Mallory inhaled, flipping to the next question. Before she had finished reading, Sirius had given her the answer. She glanced over at him before circling another answer. 

"What are you doing? I didn't—" Sirius started to whisper. 

"Sirius, there is no talking," Professor McGonagall stated, looking up from her desk at the front of the classroom. 

"Sorry, Minnie—"

"That is not my name, Sirius," she replied. 

"Sorry," he mumbled again. He waited for her to turn away before he leaned in toward Mallory. "Just do what I say, Mals."

Mallory slightly shook her head as she answered the next question. Sirius sighed before removing his hand from her knee.