Put Your Curse In Reverse [Part 2]

Chapter 14 - Epilogue

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Their final examination was at two o'clock that Thursday afternoon, and despite Scorpius's best efforts, Albus still seemed woefully underprepared.

"Name one cause of the Goblin riots of the eighteenth century," Scorpius requested.

Albus groaned. He rolled over and threw himself across Scorpius's chest. Scorpius automatically wrapped his arms around him. He laughed as Albus pressed a kiss to his bare shoulder, but the looming presence of their examination required him to keep Albus on track.

"No kissing," he chided. "Goblin riots. Eighteenth century. One cause. You can do it! I believe in you!"

"One cause? They're Goblins and Wizardkind has been dicking them around for centuries."

"Albus! Our exam is in two hours!"

"Thank Merlin for that...this is all getting tiring."

"Al-bus..."

"What? I don't need to continue on with History of Magic. It doesn't matter what I make."

"It does matter! Because I want to continue on, and if you don't, we'll be separated!"

"Scorpius, we sleep in the same dorm. Our relationship can survive a separate class period."

Scorpius gave a troubled sigh. Albus sat up and kissed his pouting lips; Scorpius couldn't help but melt a bit in response. Two hours, he reminded himself. Don't get any ideas. Two hours. And for Merlin's sake, don't let Albus get any ideas...

"The Goblins were rebelling against the way they were being treated, Urg the Unclean did some nasty things, Aster's ancestor Albert Boot resigned as Minister after a really terrible job, the werewolves joined forces with the Goblins, and everything just generally went to shit," Albus said.

Scorpius felt affection flood his chest. He sat straight up.

"You did read over my notes!" he cried. Albus was grinning as Scorpius leaned in and gave him a kiss. One relieved kiss turned into about ten affectionate ones before Scorpius could remind himself about their very important exam. He put space between them and beamed.

"You might pass yet!" he celebrated.

"Pass?! Thanks for the vote of confidence, Scorpius. I always thought I would pass..."

"Oh...yeah...so did...I."

Albus leaned in and gave his bottom lip a teasing nip.

Their revising could've been better—they'd joined Rose and Iset on their nightly efforts a little too late, in Scorpius's opinion—but despite that, Scorpius felt he'd done extremely well. He felt confident about his Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L., his Potions one had gone much better than anticipated, and even though he'd been uncertain about a few tasks on the Transfiguration practical examination, he felt he'd aced the theory exam. Even Divination had gone fairly well. So after a successful History of Magic examination period that afternoon, Scorpius left the hall feeling absolutely giddy.

"We did it!" he celebrated.

Albus beamed. "It's over! No matter what I got, at least it's over!"

"I think I did pretty well! What about you? What'd you think of that question about wand legislation?"

"I think I remembered about twenty-five percent of what they were expecting on that one. So better than I anticipated I'd do! That section of history always bored me to tears during lectures."