Chapter Sixteen: Graduation
With the Inter House Quidditch Cup behind them the reality of the N.E.W.T.s tests hit them like a ton of bricks. Lily and Dominique we on the verge of a nervous breakdown and Peter had already had two. Both girls spent all their time, minus the occasional patrols for Lily, in the Library. James and Sirius gave up on their many attempts to calm the girl’s nerves when Dominique hexed them for trying. Instead they joined them amongst the piles of seven years worth of notes and stacks of books.
The night before the tests were to begin McGonagall called the Lily and James to her office where she informed that they were to welcome the test proctors with herself and Professor Dumbledore when they arrived that evening. By the time they left the McGonagall’s office Lily was practically in hysterics, her body shacking and breathing fast.
"Lily it will be ok.” James soothed as they walked down the stairs.
“What if I make a bad impression or say something wrong? What if they dock me points for it? What will I do then?” James looked both ways making sure no one saw them before pulling Lily into a nearby broom closet.
“Lily look at me.” James held Lily’s face in between his hands. “You are a smart, charming, and beautiful young woman they would be fools not to like you. Now I want you to take a deep breath and calm down.” James paused as Lily took three deep breaths closing her eyes and leaning her head against the wall as she did so. “Better?”
“Yes thank you.” Lily managed a small smile.
“You’re welcome.” James gave her a quick kiss before cracking open the door to see if the hall was clear than lead Lily out to the entrance hall.
“Ah here they are now.” Dumbledore announced seeing Lily and James round the corner. “Professors it is my pleasure to introduce you to our Head Boy and Girl, James Potter and Lily Evans.” Lily and James shook hands with each of the test administrators in turn. “If you will excuse me I need to address the seventh years. I have asked Mr. Potter and Miss Evans to show you to where you will be staying.” Dumbledore bowed walking off to the Great Hall.
“Right this way Professors.” James led the way up the stairs.
James showed the Professors to their rooms while Lily went to the kitchen to ask the house elves to bring up the Professor’s dinner. Dumbledore had invited the Professors to eat in the Great Hall, but they had decline as they were tired from traveling. Thirty minutes later James and Lily rejoined their friends for dinner.
“So what are they like?” Dominique asked.
“They seem nice.” Lily shrugged, “Will have to wait and see I guess.”
“Mainly they are just old. I think they might even be older then Dumbledore.” James added.
“I can’t decide whether I actually want to sleep tonight or study.” Peter said looking green.
“I’d say sleep. It would be awful to fall asleep during the tests or not be able to think because you are too tired to think.” Remus said not bothering to look up from his notes.
“I don’t know why you keep going over those Moony I swear you have them memorized already.” Sirius said.
“I may have missed something.” Remus mumbled.
“Leave him alone Sirius.” Dominique swatted Sirius playfully on the arm.
After dinner the whole group locked themselves in the Library till Madam Price kicked them out. By the time they reached the Gryffindor common room all the other students had gone to bed. Too nervous to sleep just yet James, Sirius, and Remus pulled all the chairs together so they could continue studying. The first to fall asleep was Peter around midnight, but it was not until the girls began to fall asleep that they called it a night.
That night was full of restless dreams for everyone. They dreamed of tests that turned into duels, being late for tests, being told they were too stupid to take tests, and much more. Determined not to be late or miss a last minute chance to study, Lily, Dominique, and Remus set early alarms. They were met an hour later by James, Sirius, Frank, Peter, and Alice at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Breakfast was a quiet one except when someone had a question.
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