The Finals Review
The spring semester flew by in a whirlwind of classes, late-night study sessions, and sneaky trips to the kitchen for extra snacks. Before they knew it, the students of Hogwarts were knee-deep in final exam preparation, their professors piling on the review sessions and increasingly tricky practical exercises.
Vi was suffering.
She sat slouched over her desk in Charms, her quill twirling absently between her fingers as Professor Flitwick cheerfully lectured about the finer points of Summoning Charms. Across from her, Caitlyn was scribbling notes at lightning speed, her parchment already half-filled with meticulously organized information. Vi’s, on the other hand, remained a sad, empty expanse.
Vi sighed dramatically. “This is so boring.”
Caitlyn didn’t even glance up. “This is essential if you want to pass your exams.”
Vi rolled her eyes. “Who needs to pass when I can just—” She flicked her wand lazily at her textbook. “Accio knowledge.”
Nothing happened.
Caitlyn, still writing, smirked. “Very impressive, Lanes.”
Vi groaned, slumping against her desk like a deflated balloon. “How do you actually enjoy this?”
“I enjoy not failing,” Caitlyn replied matter-of-factly, flipping to a new page. “Which, by the way, is exactly what’s going to happen to you if you don’t start paying attention.”
Vi peeked up at her with the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster. “You could just… help me?”
Caitlyn sighed and finally set down her quill. “Fine. If I tutor you, will you actually try?”
Vi grinned mischievously. “Define ‘try.’”
Caitlyn shot her a warning look.
“Alright, alright,” Vi said, sitting up a little straighter. “I’ll try.”
Professor Flitwick clapped his hands, bringing the class back to focus. “Now, let’s practice! You’ll pair up and attempt to summon your partner’s book from across the room.”
Vi perked up instantly. “Finally, something fun.”
The class buzzed with excitement as students shuffled into pairs. Vi turned to Caitlyn, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Wanna make this interesting?”
Caitlyn arched an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Whoever gets their book first wins. Loser owes the winner… let’s say, one free favor.”
Caitlyn considered it for a moment before smirking. “You’re on.”
They took their positions, wands at the ready. Around them, students were already attempting the charm, some succeeding, others… well, sending random objects flying in chaotic directions.
Vi took a deep breath, locked onto Caitlyn’s book, and flicked her wand. “Accio Caitlyn’s book!”
Her wand sparked dramatically, and the book twitched—before launching backward and smacking a poor Ravenclaw in the face.
“Oops,” Vi whispered, wincing.
The Ravenclaw glared at her while rubbing his forehead, and Caitlyn covered her mouth to hide her laughter. “Smooth.”
“Shut up,” Vi muttered, cheeks turning pink.
Caitlyn, still suppressing a chuckle, lifted her wand. With a precise flick, she said, “Accio Vi’s book.”
Vi’s book soared neatly across the room, landing perfectly in Caitlyn’s outstretched hand.
Caitlyn smirked, twirling the book in her fingers. “I believe that’s my win.”
Vi flopped onto her desk with a dramatic groan. “You would be good at this.”
Caitlyn flipped through Vi’s book idly. “Now, what should I use my favor on?”
Vi peeked up at her, pouting. “Mercy?”
Caitlyn hummed as if considering. “Hmm, I could make you carry my books for a week… or do my least favorite essay…”
Vi gasped. “That’s cruel and unusual punishment!”
Caitlyn smirked. “Oh, but it’s fair. You lost.”
Vi grumbled, resting her chin on her folded arms. “I hate exams.”
Caitlyn nudged her playfully with her elbow. “You’ll survive.”
Vi groaned dramatically. “Barely.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes but smiled. “Come on. Let’s go over the spell again before you accidentally concuss another innocent bystander.”
Vi sighed but sat up. “Fine. But only because I like you.”
Caitlyn gave her a sideways glance, fighting back a grin. “I’m honored.”
And with that, they got back to work—one of them considerably more reluctantly than the other.