Before anyone could realize it, the students begun their third trimester. For the seventh years it was also a realization of how fast had passed by their last year and how close they were to the final exams. Some of the most diligent Ravenclaws had already started studying. Adena chose to relax and enjoy her last days of tranquility. And she was glad her friends and Regulus shared the same opinion. Days were becoming warmer, but the girl couldn't help stealing her boyfriend's scarf every time they would go out.

"You're lucky I have two of them," he said as he tied a similar green and silver scarf around his neck.

"Don't forget to give me one of them when school is over. I won't ever go out in winter without this fashionable item," she stated jokingly.

"I don't think that's the most stylish thing to wear but if you want..." sighed the boy, making the young Ravenclaw smile against the fabric of cloth where the scent of her lover was completely impregnated.

By May, every seventh year was more or less focused on the N.E.W.Ts studying. Teachers were nice enough to slow down with the homework, but classes were still so intense, they couldn't miss a single spell or potion, they had to be well prepared for the exams. Adena and Regulus were basically only seeing each other during classes or at the library to study now, which had been taken over by most fifth and seventh years. Spending her free periods and weekends in the library studying with Regulus might have sound boring for a couple to the others but not for Adena. Her boyfriend was never boring to be with, even during the rare moments when he was quietly reading his notes, she couldn't help enjoying those times. But sometimes, he wasn't as calm.

One day, the Slytherin decided he wouldn't be studying. But Adena didn't care. She was so focused on her work. And Regulus knew he could stare at her infinitely, she wouldn't flinch, thinking about her work only. He watched as a strand of her brown hair fell over her face - despite the golden hair clip he had gifted her adorning her hair ever since - making her frown, but he replaced it behind her ear instantly. And the boy was back to staring at her with starry even dreamy eyes. When she would get frustrated over something, she would stop and bit down on her rosy lip softly in deep concentration. Then she would finally snap, turn to him and hiss with a frown once again.

"Don't you have anything to do? You're distracting."

And Regulus would chuckle. Then, Adena would be able to read a small 'cute' on his grinning lips, and she would blush, widening her eyes slightly before returning to whatever essay she was completing. Regulus would let out another chuckle. That kind of words was unexpected coming from the Slytherin boy and it would always make her flustered. He knew it. And she knew he was doing it on purpose.

Other times, Adena would be the one not working. More like accidently diverting from her work.

"You know, I've really considered becoming an astronomer," she said once, looking up from her Astronomy textbook to look at her boyfriend who had looked up as well to listen more attentively. As she removed her glasses, she continued talking, "Actually, since I'd like to study Astronomy." She paused before adding, "I've also considered travelling through Africa where they know so many things on the subject. Maybe they know the answer to some unsolved mysteries about the universe..." She was thoughtful, smiling, imagining how she would be able to discover that one day as well. Regulus watched as she talked. That girl was so passionate, it was such an enjoyment to hear her talk about what she liked the most. She made it sound so interesting.

And after minutes of talking, she would catch his dreamy staring, and would smile like an idiot before saying, "Sorry I'm rambling, you should go back to work."

"Don't apologize, I like it when you talk."

And he meant it. The boy could listen to his girlfriend's passionate ramblings for hours and still be enthralled in her stories.

Other days, Adena's fellow Ravenclaws would join them. They weren't always the most studious, but the girl didn't mind.

"Black, I thought you'd be more serious when it comes to work," once said Jade, as she noticed Regulus had been staring out in the void while holding up his head with his hand for long minutes.

"Depends," shrugged the boy as he tried to focus back on his DADA notes.

His girlfriend by his side snorted, "He's the same type as Jacob. Relaxed studying but scoring the best grades."

"Y'all are the worst kind. I could practice for three hours straight and I'd still fail Transfiguration."

"But you made it to the N.E.W.Ts classes," commented Millie.

"I didn't expect to though," laughed her friend.

These relaxing times were very enjoyable and very distracting from the upcoming exams and the graduation. Days passed by quickly for the last weeks of this school year, but the graduation was not mentioned once. Some were excited to enter adult life, but most felt nostalgic to leave Hogwarts which had been their home for seven years. Adena herself had a weird feeling about leaving. She thought she wasn't ready to become an adult and grow up, and instead she thought everything was much easier at Hogwarts. Once she would be leaving school, a period of her life would be forever closed and she would be an adult. She was pretty sure her friends were sharing the same thoughts.

For their last Potions class, Adena and Regulus were sitting side by side again, having been partners for the last three years. Slughorn, who appreciated them very much decided to come up to them at the end of the class.

"Miss Winsten, Mr Black, let me tell you I had very enjoyable moments with such exceptional students like you for these past seven years," said Slughorn  in his usual joyful voice.

"Thank you, Professor."

"I had a lot of fun in your class, sir," said Adena with a polite little smile.

"Also, I mustn't forget what a great pair you two do! I didn't expect so much compatibility between you. But I'm glad I decided to pair you up that day," chuckled Slughorn.

"We were just as surprised," next said Regulus looking at his teacher for a second before turning his head towards the girl by his side.

"I hope for your success and happiness in the future," finished Slughorn before leaving them.

"It started here for us," murmured the boy, his eyes still not leaving his girlfriend's face.

"Yeah. But this is the last time we're here. Too bad we weren't paired up together before."

"No, I should have come to you before, or open up about my feelings before," he then added, his eyes lingering on her own for a moment as his hand went to caress her brown locks by her temple. She was already beautiful when she sat here for the first time, he thought.

Their last class of Divination didn't go as well. They had to read any predictions made on their future as per usual. Unlike the past years, most of the students' future was a big mystery. But they felt rather excited to discover how the first moments of adult life were going to be. However, Adena didn't feel much excitement. She didn't even want to discover what would happen since she was already expecting some things.

"Adena, you didn't check out your predictions?" asked Millie curiously from the side.

"No. I'd rather not know for some reasons."

"We already know you'll be married in the next months and maybe even surrounded by children," chuckled teasingly Eugenia from behind.

"As if," snorted the brunette. "I won't have children for now. Let me enjoy my youth while I can."

"You sound like Candace for once," exclaimed Jade.

"But you'll be married in the next months no doubt. Families like the Blacks do it that way. Wait, you'll bear his name. Adena Black, sounds so good!" said excitedly the red-haired girl, earning excited squeals from Millie and Jade as well.

"Shut up, nothing's settled for a wedding anyway..."

"Well, let me check in which month it will happen. Summer, I hope," said Millie as she took Adena's notes to read her predictions. She stared at her book for a while, not emitting any sound.

"What's wrong Millie?" asked Jade. Adena's gaze was fixing the girl by her side who remained silent again. And so, she looked at her notes herself.

'Misfortune upon the family.'  She looked at the precise words with wide eyes. What could it mean, she had no idea. The young girl didn't even dare looking at the predictions for the following months, feeling now way too afraid to discover them. She had that feeling inside her, saying it wouldn't be any better. Anxiety coursed through her body. Something really bad would fall upon her family in the following days, she felt so worried, it was the only thing she could think about.

author's note: so funny that these days i live the same life as them. i finish classes in about 3 weeks, then go through exams again and then i'll be getting my degree omg??? if things go well i won't be leaving my current college tho. will i still be here when i get my next degree haha?

any idea of what will happen and what this misfortune is about?