The final day of exams dawned under a hazy sky, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves outside the castle. There was something different in the air—a quiet hum of anticipation. One more push. Just one.
The morning started with Herbology practicals in the greenhouses, where Professor Sprout awaited them with dirt under her nails and a wide smile. Despite nerves, the trio found comfort in the familiar smell of damp earth and blooming magical flora.
They were tasked with replanting a fussy Snargaluff stump, identifying five dried potion plants by smell alone, and using pruning charms on a flailing Chomping Cabbage—without losing fingers.
Dora got bitten. Twice.
"They have it out for me," she muttered, nursing her hand while Professor Sprout handed her a bandage with a cheerful, "Better than last year's batch!"
In the evening, they climbed to the Astronomy Tower for their final written and observational exam under a slowly darkening sky. Telescopes in place, they charted planetary movement and named constellations by memory. Stars twinkled like distant secrets as Professor Sinistra floated between students with the grace of someone who belonged among them.
Hadrian found himself glancing at Iris and Dora occasionally—not for help, just to smile. They had made it. Through everything.
Later That Night: Celebration Mode
The moment they stepped out of the tower and into the corridors, a collective shout of "We're done!" echoed among the students.
Back in the Hufflepuff common room, the trio shed their bags, robes, and every last trace of academic pressure like old skin. Their eyes met in silent agreement.
"We need sugar," Iris declared.
"Dangerous amounts," Hadrian added.
"Life-threatening levels," Dora finished.
So off they went.
Sneaking through the halls wasn't even hard anymore—they moved like shadows. Down to the basement corridor behind the portrait of a bowl of fruit. Dora tickled the pear.
The kitchen burst into life. Dozens of house-elves popped up, delighted to see them.
"Miss Iris! Mister Hadrian! Miss Tonks! What can Wippy and the others be getting you this evening?"
"Something sweet," Iris said. "Very sweet."
"And a lot of it," Hadrian added.
In less than five minutes, they were sitting on a conjured picnic blanket in a cozy corner of the kitchen, surrounded by:
Treacle tarts
Pumpkin pasties
Cauldron cakes
Rock cakes (politely ignored)
Chocolate frogs
Jam doughnuts
Fizzing whizbees
Ice cream in floating scoops that never melted
They feasted like champions.
"So," Dora said around a mouthful of treacle, "what now?"
"Sleep," Iris replied. "Then sunshine. Then maybe Quidditch."
"Then summer," Hadrian said, smiling.
They clinked butterbeer bottles together and leaned back, content, full of sugar and satisfaction.
The first year at Hogwarts—wild, magical, emotional, and unforgettable—was nearly at an end.
But tonight, there were no worries about grades or the future.
Just stars, sweets, and friends.