A/N: Given the state of this app and the unpredictability of it going forward I've started uploading this series on Archive of Our Own, under the same title and I have the same username. It takes a couple of weeks to be added with an account but anyone who wants to follow my work there is welcome.

After a couple of hours of drinking Sam and Bobby had offered to become Phoenix Bearers as well. Y/N had respectfully refused. He told them he was a seer and their destiny laid with the Order, not the Bearers. They both understood his meaning.

At some point in the day Y/N had summoned Castiel. He demanded Cass rescue Ruby from Hell. Cass had regretfully told him he couldn't. Y/N demanded to be taken to Hell to save her himself. Castiel again said it wasn't possible and disappeared when Y/N threw a drunken punch.

When Y/N had finally returned to Hogwarts he had been heavily intoxicated. Albus managed to get him to the Room of Requirement without anyone noticing and Hermione had kept him occupied there, hugging him until he fell asleep. She gently rubbed his face, kissing him softly and then falling asleep on his chest.

—~—

The next month passed relatively quietly. The Sacred Eight were being guarded around the clock but no threats had been sighted yet. Y/N had asked Bobby to do research for him, figure out if there was a way to enter Hell. Bobby didn't like the idea but agreed. He missed Ruby as well.

Y/N and Hermione spent all their time in the library studying hard. Lavender was the first to finish all her assignments and join the couple full time in the library. A week later Harry joined them. Finally, with three days of classes left Ron finished his last paper and was free to study.

—~—

After a long long year it was the Monday morning of exam week. Y/N had sat one the previous afternoon. It was Divination and he had looked into a crystal ball in Dumbledore's office with Albus and Firenze. He had seen the Department of Mysteries, a strange veil and Sirius Black. He saw himself chase Harry before clouds overtook him.

As the group had breakfast a particularly snooty looking owl dropped a letter to Y/N. He opened it and shook his head.

"Who's it from this time baby?" Hermione asked giggling.

"Wigtown. Signed by Ethan Parkin himself."

Y/N went to tear the letter up but was stopped by Hermione clearing her throat.

"Ahem!"

She held her hand out.

"Come on Baby there's been like eight recruitment letters. Do you really need to keep them all?"

Hermione looked up from her notes. She held her hand out and gave him 'The Look!'

Y/N instantly handed the letter over. Hermione smiled, kissed his cheek and returned to her transfiguration notes. Ron gulped and looked at Y/N.

Terrified? Y/N asked Ron through legilimency.

Ron nodded.

Welcome to my world!

The transfiguration exam had been difficult for most students. Many, including Harry and Ron, exited limp and ashen-faced. Lav had been challenged but had done well. Y/N and Hermione had flown through.

They had to turn a teapot into a turtle, an owl into opera glasses, use Duro to turn an apple to stone, turn a mouse to a snuffbox and finally cast Felifors to turn a cat into a cauldron.

Y/N had gone first, done all five spells in a matter of moments and McGonagall had squealed in joy. Hermione went second and had the same response. It was downhill from there.

Despite finishing five minutes after the exam started, due to the rules McGonagall imposed they had to remain for the remainder of the three hour block. Hermione revised charms for the afternoon exam. Y/N sat quietly, deep in meditative thought.

After lunch they headed to charms. Six charms- four on a training dummy: Petrificus Totalus, Depulso, Immobulus and Glacius; then two on a partner. The cheering charm and counter spell Finite Incantatem.

Y/N was partnered with Hermione and quickly performed his six charms. Hermione then performed her four on the dummy before switching to Lavender as a partner.

Y/N was not in the mood for cheer and as the teachers had been made aware of his personal loses Flitwick had allowed it. The couple were allowed to leave as soon as they were finished. They missed seeing Harry being too eager on casting his cheering charm on Ron and having to take him to a quiet room to calm down.

Tuesday morning had two exams for the couple. First they took Ancient Runes which was theoretical and took the full three hours. They then had Care for Magical Creatures. Hagrid set them the task of keeping a Flubberworm alive for an hour. They all passed with flying colours although Y/N's blood pressure went through the roof. He was already short tempered and he could only stand to hear 'dirt' so many times.

Tuesday afternoon was Potions. It was the complete opposite of Magical Creatures. The students had to brew four potions- a Confusing Concoction, a Wideye Potion, Doxycide and a Babbling Beverage without instructions. Y/N and Hermione were praised immensely. Lavender was told she should be proud of herself. Harry was stressed as he couldn't get his Confusing Concoction to thicken. Snape wrote what looked like a zero. Ron simply got a scowl.

Wednesday was History of Magic- essays on Medieval witch hunts, the Goblin Rebellion of 1612, the Giant Wars and finally Y/N's great grandfather's actions in defeating the goblin Ranrock and his loyalists at the end of the nineteenth century. It was followed by Herbology and practical and theoretical assessments on a number of Magical plants- Dittany, Belladonna, Gillyweed, Aconite and Puffapods.

Thursday morning the group separated. Lavender, Harry and Ron went to Divination while Y/N and Hermione went to Arithmancy. They had to compose a theoretical matrix and then manifest it physically. Y/N and Hermione both used Enochian sigils for theirs and Professor Vector was extremely impressed.

After lunch was the most unique exam of the week- Defence Against the Dark Arts. Lupin has set up an obstacle course of various dark creatures they had learnt about throughout the year. They had to wade across a deep and paddling pool full of Grindylows. They were captured from the Black Lake they recognised Y/N instantly, he heard dozens of voices whispering:

Barweepgranaweepninnybong

The creatures bounced for joy at Y/N. He sent them another message.

Look after the girl who follows me, but the blonde kid after that is a prick.

He then chatted happily to Redcaps that were supposed to try and stab him as he made it across potholes they hid in.

Next it was a boggy marsh where he made jokes with a Hinkypunk who was supposed to distract him but instead laughed at his jokes and finally Y/N arrived at a chest which sprung open.

Lupin and the class watched nervously but were surprised to see a man they didn't recognise step out.

"I told you Y/N. I will rise. You will never stop me. You caused the apocalypse"

"Fuck you you fake arse Lucifer" Y/N snapped, raising his wand.

Riddikulus

He turned into a stuffed devil toy with a pitchfork. Y/N turned and the boggart changed shape. The class looked horrified as it took the form of a woman. She was bleeding, had been disfigured and mutilated. She cried in pain.

"Y/N!"

Y/N stopped in his tracks, gulping as his eyes widened. He could only whisper:

"No!!!"

"Look at me Y/N. Look at what they've done to me!"

Y/N turned in horror...

"Ruby..."

"I'm trapped in hell. Why haven't you saved me Y/N? I'm being tortured over and over. You remember what that is like. You promised you would save me Y/N why haven't you saved me?"

Y/N mentally broke momentarily, stammering as he like so many others gave in to his greatest fear.

"Ruby I've tried I'm trying I-"

Y/N closed his eyes and steadied himself.

"You're not Ruby. You're not Ruby..."

Riddikulus

Ruby turned into a small teddy bear and Y/N stormed off, arriving next to the teacher.

"Adequate Lupin?"

Remus knee immediately who it was after hearing the name Ruby. All the teachers had been made aware that two very good friends of Y/N's, Ash and Ruby, had been murdered and that it may affect him greatly. All had been surprised the occasionally volatile student had remained composed, until this task.

"Outstanding Y/N. Can I ask-"

"No. Remus. No you can't" Y/N replied gruffly before he went and stood by himself waiting for Hermione. Silent. Brooding. Remus had nodded and made a mental note not to include the second Boggart in his assessment.

Hermione ran through the course next without any issue until she got to the Boggart. It turned into a group of girls in bikinis. Y/N couldn't hear what was said but they were quickly turned into old Hags in the same swimwear.

Hermione stormed over, gripped Y/N's hand and turned to the Professor. She asked Lupin if they were done. The teacher nodded, slightly intimidated and heard "fucking bitches!" as he watched Y/N dragged off by the hand. They weren't seen for the rest of the day.

Friday was the last day of exams. Y/N had been even more quiet and brooding all morning. In the afternoon he and Hermione headed to Muggle Studies where they had to write about a variety of muggle products. That night at midnight was the last exam- Astronomy. They had to draw a Star Chart before writing a paper on Lunar Phases. They were finally done. Third year was over.