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Gwen took in a deep breath before flipping open her booklet. Professor Sprout decided to set a test for the class as mock of the O.W.L.s. That week Gwen had the theoretical part while the practical took place the week after.
Before starting, she took a quick look around the room and in doing so, meeting the eyes of Lee who gave her an encouraging smile.
Question 1- Why is Dittany used and what are its effects?
She knew that she knew the answer but with the panic and stress she was feeling the answer couldn't come out. She panicked more when she heard the continuous scratching of quills on parchment.
Gwen knew that she had to pull herself together quickly. She skipped the question and went on to the next one which was about the Fanged Geranium which she knew instantly much to her relief.
She didn't leave early as she kept going to the last minute. Because of the time limit, she left a few things out which in turn made her feel anxious. When she left the classroom, as opposed to the greenhouses were the lessons usually where, and found Lee waiting for her.
"How'd you do?" Lee asked immediately as he stopped leaning against the wall. Gwen was still trying to shove her pocket and ink well into her bag. "Not as bad as I thought," Gwen admitted, a smile creeping onto her face.
Lee gave out a sigh of relief. "Good for you, I thought you were going to have a panic attack for a second." Gwen laughed. "Don't worry, I almost did. I didn't finish all of it but I think I at least got an Acceptable."
"Cedric helped you that much?" Lee asked with amusement. "Yep, he turned a complete mess into a mild one. I told you that we were actually studying."
Lee snickered. The boy was adamant that studying was a code word for snogging.
"Speaking of him, give me a second?" Gwen asked to which Lee motioned her to go on. She walked up to Cedric who stopped his conversation with his friend Parker. "How did you do?" He asked. "Good, actually, and I got you to thank," Gwen stated.
"I'm glad. I also want to make it clear that I'll take payment in forms of affection." Cedric replied. "Oh really? And do I pay upfront or can I take a loan?" Gwen asked, watching Cedric's smile turn cheekier by the second. "It's a win-win situation, truth be told."
"Don't start snogging right in front of me. PDA isn't allowed in the corridors and its simply disgusting." Parker quipped from the side. The poor boy was unfortunate to have witnessed all the bad flirting. Cedric fought the urge to groan while Gwen chuckled. "Loan it is then. I better go, I don't want to keep Lee waiting. See you around, Parker. Cedric." Gwen added as she leaned in to kiss his cheek.
After trading their goodbyes, Gwen joined Lee who immediately started making his way towards the Great Hall. "All that Herbology made me hungry. No offence but the only plant that I'm interested in right now is the garlic on the garlic bread." Lee explained. He offered his arm to Gwen which she linked through his and then he hurried the pace. It's a habit that both of them got accustomed to whenever Lee is in a rush to go somewhere which in turn reassured that Gwen wouldn't suddenly fall.
Lee and Gwen were the last from their group to arrive at the Gryffindor table. Gwen quickly collapsed in the free seat and leaned her head onto Fred's shoulder. "What's wrong? Did you do badly?" Angelina asked almost immediately. "I hope not, not with all the 'studying' she and Cedric have been doing." Alicia continued with a snicker.
Gwen shot them a glare. "Contrary to popular belief, the two of us did study... Most of the time... Anyways, I did quite good actually. I'm just tired. I have my Arithmancy test after lunch and then we got the potions one. I need sugar in my system since I got less sleep than usual and I'm on the brink of dying." Fred handed her a bowl of soup first then handed her a slice of cherry pie.
"Soup first, get your priorities straight," Fred warned, taking the pie away from her as soon as she reached for it first. "Got it, mum." Gwen retorted. She did, in fact, go for the soup first but not before reaching into her bag for her notes.
Gwen yawned mid-eating, causing all of her friends to look at her in worry. "I'm fine, guys. I'm not stressed at all. In fact, the day is almost over. All I have left are two tests, the Patronus lesson from Lupin and my prefect duties. Everything is under control." Gwen said.
"Didn't you also have the subject meeting with McGonagall booked at six tonight?" George added as he tried to be helpful. It didn't work because she burst out crying instead. "Why am I still even living? Excuse me while I go drown myself in the Black Lake." Gwen stood up ready to do what she just said but Fred was quick to pull her back down and hug her.
"Can I just not go to the meeting? It's not like I'm going to have any career left to choose after I fail everything." Gwen explained as she cried into Fred's grey school sweater. "Don't be like that Gwen, you're not going to fail. You've been doing so well, it's normal to be stressed you're not the only one. You being stressed is actually a good sign, it shows how passionate you are towards your subjects and how much you care about getting a good grade." Angelina reassured as she patted her shoulder.
"Is that why Fred and George are always so calm then?" Gwen murmured as she pulled back from Fred and rubbed her eyes. "Exactly." George agreed which caused Gwen to laugh gently. "How come you even have prefect duties tonight? I thought your Fridays were free?" Lee asked.
"Diana is having some problems with her younger brother and I offered to take her place today," Gwen explained. "You just can't stop trying to do good, can you?" Lee continued, smiling at the fact that she offered to help the Slytherin prefect. "I'll go to take your place. It should give you some free time or you'd be able to go to sleep earlier." Lee offered. Gwen shook her head at the offer and only stopped protesting when she was given tissue from Alicia.
"It's my responsibility, I can't drop it on you," Gwen replied. "You can and you will. If it makes you feel better, you can repay me by getting me a chocolate frog from Honeydukes." Lee insisted. "Deal."
"Thanks so much, guys. I'm sorry if I'm nagging you with all my problems. Here I am complaining about all the things I have to do when you guys also have got your plate full." Her friends booed at that which caused her to feel attacked. "We're your friends, being here to listen to our friends complain about something is in the contract. You were feeling a bit beat down and that's nothing to be ashamed of. People deal with stress differently after all." Fred explained which caused Gwen to smile fondly towards him.
"I love you guys," Gwen admitted and was received with different responses. "Now, eat your soup or I'll force-feed it to you." Angelina threatened as she held a spoon up to Gwen. Gwen didn't even reply and dug into her soup without another word.
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Gwen's day went better after lunch. She felt more confident in herself when she felt that she did extremely well in her potions and arithmancy tests and even improved with her Patronus. At six sharp she knocked on Professor McGonagall's office door for career advice. "Come in, Miss Hamilton."
Gwen took in a deep breath when she heard the stern voice. "Good evening, Professor," Gwen said when she closed the door behind her. She sent the professor a smile which was returned although smaller than hers.
She felt her nerves build up as she went to sit down which only increased when she made eye contact with McGonagall. "This meeting is to talk over any career ideas you might have and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into sixth and seventh years. Usually, this would be the time where I would ask whether or not you have an idea what to do after finishing Hogwarts but I think I already know the answer." McGonagall concluded as she placed her hands together.
"And I think that you are correct," Gwen replied cheekily. "I'm sure that you know a lot about what is needed to become an Auror, given that your brothers are Aurors as well." Gwen frowned slightly at the word 'are'. McGonagall noticed the sudden change and was about to change the subject when Gwen interjected instead. "Indeed I do. I need to get at least Exceeds Expectations in N.E.W.T. level Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts."
McGonagall nodded. "Correct. Even though you probably know this but becoming an Auror is extremely hard work. Taking five N.E.W.T.s only is already considered insane. Also for you to be allowed to take these subjects at N.E.W.T level you need to get Exceeds Expectations in your O.W.L.s excluding Potions which you would have to get an Outstanding. And I hear that both Herbology and Potions are not your strong suit."
Gwen's eyes opened wide for a second. She didn't know that Snape only takes Outstanding students. "I do in fact know that. That's why I've been studying them since summer. I'm getting better, I had tests in both today and I never felt so confident in any Herbology or Potions exams in ever. A friend of mine is even helping me in Herbology." Gwen explained, she felt herself feel more animated as she talked about something that she cared about so much.
"Mr Diggory, right?" McGonagall asked which Gwen nodded at. "I did hear from Madame Pince's complaining that she had to kick you out at night for staying at the library till late. And about the time that you ended up doing something that shouldn't be done." McGonagall stated with an unimpressed look causing Gwen to turn red, knowing full well to which situation she was referring to.
"Anyways, I've been working really hard and intend to keep doing that. I also have something else I have to run by you." Gwen stated, quickly changing the subject. "Oh? What are you on about?"
"I want to do some of the N.E.W.T.s a year early," Gwen said. McGonagall shut down the idea quickly. "Absolutely not, you won't manage, I'm not sure whether or not it's even allowed, no one ever came up with such a suggestion."
"Actually, I can. I checked already and there's nothing against it. They say that most students of the ages of 16-17 can take N.E.W.T examinations and me along with many others would already be sixteen by that time." Gwen explained. "Even if you're able to do them a year early, you have to find a way to study two years worth of work into one. How many were you thinking of doing early? Two?"
"Three actually." Gwen corrected causing McGonagall to go into an uproar once again. "Three are you insane?"
"I'm serious, I swear. I thought of leaving Herbology and Potions last since I'm the worst at them. And I always get an Outstanding and am almost at the top of my class in Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. I already went through the N.E.W.T syllabus for them and my brother tried going through them with me.
"I've learnt it almost flawlessly during the Summer, I only haven't been able to go through the practical aspect of them during that time but I've learnt some things since I've been here. I can even do some wandless magic and Professor Lupin has been helping me with the Patronus charm to keep me safe from the dementors and I've almost got it. That's way beyond N.E.W.T level."
"And what would cause you to take Transfiguration at N.E.W.T level?" McGonagall said exasperatedly. She wasn't sure if she wanted the girl to go on.
"I'm getting Exceeds Expectations in Transfiguration but if I get an Outstanding in the O.W.L, then yes, I'll take it as well."
A few seconds of silence passed between them. "I get that I'm not the smartest that there is. But it would be easier for me to focus on the subjects more separately. I know how my own mind works and I know that it will be better for me this way. It's whether or not you believe that I can do it that would stop me from achieving it."
Silence. Again.
"I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore and see if he allows it. And if you do indeed do Transfiguration early, I'll be happy to provide you with extra classes. Maybe even allow you to join at least one class with the seventh years if your timetable can handle it. I'll also discuss it with Professor Flitwick and whoever might be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at the time. You will have to work hard, don't take it lightly."
Gwen laughed. "I won't, I promise. I will make you proud." McGonagall smiled once again. "I don't doubt it."
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