Their first exam, Theory of Charms was the coming Monday morning, and Megan, Hermione, Harry and Cedric spent their free time testing each other, among the other students studying or practising charms. And though Harry and Ron were getting panicky, Megan, though rather nervous, was fairly confident she could do this. For hat she could tell, except for the one time she'd had no marks in Potions, she had a fairly steady level. Hermione of course was terribly anxious, despite everyone telling her she'd fly have no trouble at all in obtaining high marks in all the subjects. Dinner was tense and subdued on Sunday. Hermione was still revising, and Megan was about to tell her to eat or she'd not sleep that night when Hermione's mouth dropped.

"The... Look, I think that's them!" she whispered. "The examiners!"

The others looked around. A small group of elderly wizards walked in with Umbridge, who, to Megan's satisfaction, looked nervous. She and the others got up to have a closer look, pretending to leave the Great Hall. Megan saw Umbridge speaking with deference to a tiny witch she could only assume to be Griselda Marchbanks.

"I haven't heard from Dumbledore, lately," they heard her saying. "No idea where he is, I suppose?"

"None, I'm afraid." Umbridge said, glaring at Megan and her friends who were pausing by the stairs where Megan was pretending to tie her shoelaces and Hermione was checking the contents of her bag. "But I'm sure he'll be found soon enough."

"Oh, I doubt it, not if he doesn't want to be found. Examined him myself, you know. Did things I'd never seen before with his wand."

"Yes, I'm sure. Well, let me show you to the staff room," Umbridge said as Megan and the others slowly climbed the staircase.

Megan went to bed early that evening, stressed by the last minute revision everyone was trying to do downstairs. But she lay awake for a long time. She couldn't hear anyone, but knew that the others weren't sleeping either. Presently, they all fell asleep.

Breakfast was hushed, the next morning. Everyone was nervous and some practised spells under their breaths or read their books or notes again. Once breakfast was finished the fifth and seventh years made their way to the Entrance Hall while everyone else went off to their classes.

"You guys okay?"

A hand squeezed Megan's.

"Been worse..." Megan said. "You?"

"Been better."

"You'll do fine," Megan said.

"You too. All of you."

Then, they were called forwards. Megan and Cedric kissed to give each other courage, then Megan left Cedric who walked off to another exam, and returned with the others to the Great Hall where the long house tables had been replaced by rows of desks. Megan was strongly reminded of the vision she'd unwillingly and accidentally had of Snape's memory. They sat down and McGonagall said:

"You may begin."

Megan looked down at her paper. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Hermione already scribbling frantically. She turned back to her own paper.

Give the incantation and describe the wand movement to make objects fly.

Well, that one's easy enough, Megan said to herself. Wingardium Leviosa, and... A swishing motion followed by a flick of the wrist downwards.

Megan remembered the time four years ago when after being upset by Ron, Hermione had run into a troll in the girls' bathroom and she and the others had rushed to her aid, finally defeating the troll with the Levitation Charm.

"What did you put for question 4? I only did ten lines, I don't know if it was enough..."

"Hermione, we are not reliving the exams!" Ron said. "Once is enough, thanks."

They were having their lunch. Megan and Cedric had agreed to talk that evening, instead of using the coins in front of Umbridge or sending paper birds. But that didn't stop them from looking at each other often. After lunch it was off to Practical Charms. Hermione went trembling.

"Dunno what she's worried about, she aces every test or exam she's given," Ron said.

"Yes, but I think the Boggart from two years ago still haunts her," Megan said. "She failed that one, and being told she'd failed must have scarred her too."

"Parkinson, Patil, Patil and Potter, this way, please."

"Good luck," Harry said, squeezing her arm.

Megan stepped forwards, wand in hand.

"You'll be seen by Professor Tofty, Potter." Flitwick said. "Best of luck."

"Thank you, professor."

She came before a tiny, bald wizard looking through his notes while Professor Marchbanks was testing Malfoy a few feet away.

"Potter, eh? The famous Potter?"

Malfoy shot her a glare, but that was a costly mistake. The glass he had been levitating fell to the floor, smashing to pieces. Megan ignored him. Even if she and Malfoy hated each other, she was above mocking him for every time he slipped up. Megan's exam went, all in all, fairly well. She just wished she hadn't confused the Colour Change spell with that of Growth, causing her to turn a rat the size of a badger rather than orange. But there was no time to relax that night. It was more studying for the Transfiguration exam the next day.

She was a little frustrated at forgetting the definition of a Switching Spell the next morning, but her practical exam could have been worse. Her iguana had vanished entirely, at least. Poor Hannah Abbot at the next table, had somehow multiplied one iguana into a flock of flamingos, interrupting the exam for ten minutes.

How d'it go? Cedric asked through the coin that evening.

Not too bad, I suppose... Megan sighed. I guess all we can do is keep doing our best. You?

Same here. Well, I'm spent. Good luck tomorrow.

Same to you. I love you.

I love you too.

Herbology was Wednesday, and Megan thought she'd done reasonably well. Then, Thursday was Defence Against the Dark Arts. Now, here, Megan felt confident she'd passed with flying colours. None of the questions had posed any particular problems, and she was very content to have the satisfaction of performing all the defensive spells and counter curses she had taught in the DA in front of a would-be cool Umbridge standing by the doors.

"Why, that is most excellent, my dear, bravo." said Professor Tofty after she performed a perfect Boggart banishing spell. "Most excellent indeed. I don't suppose..."

He leaned forwards excitedly.

"I'm told by my good friend Ogden that you are capable of a fully formed Patronus?"

"I am," she agreed.

"Would you do me the honour...? For a bonus point?"

Megan turned to grin at Umbridge. Oh, she had her happy thought right in her mind.

"With pleasure, professor."

She thought of Umbridge being sacked.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Her beautiful silver phoenix soared out of her wand, flew gracefully around her and rested on her outstretched arm. She smiled and stroked it. It pressed its forehead against her cheek and vanished.

"Wonderful!" Professor Tofty said, clapping enthusiastically. "Very well, Potter, that'll be all."

"Thank you, professor."

She turned round and made to leave, her eyes meeting Umbridge's as she did. She couldn't resist and smiled sweetly. Unless she was very much mistaken, she had achieved an "Outstanding" OWL.